We never met in person, but we did spoke on the phone regarding the branyard. I'm sorry for what happen to you and the crew that you were working with. Long story short I notice that you're on a MISSION to open a location for race tracks. My question is are you planning to set-up a on-track for the 1/10 electric. And I closed this by saying I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR GOAL!!!
You can generally find construction sites giving there dirt away from a dig when they dig they generally have clay depending on the dig site.
Watch out! I have seen this go horribly wrong. I saw a track in North Liberty, IA order up some clay and the construction-leftover clay had plenty of rocks, plumbing fixtures, and other odd stuff in it that surfaced over time. The indoor clay track can be fine, but I think you would want nicely selected clay and then you need to keep it watered just about right, which can be done indoors. I have never had to work over a clay track, but it looks like it would take lots of energy to re-shape one. I would talk with LH, maybe RC Performance, Trackside (I think those all have/had clay) and take their advice.
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Outback RC Raceway -- Organized Racing, I-Lap Scoring System
Electric Outdoor Off-Road Track, McHenry County, IL near Marengo
www.OutbackRC.com or our RcTech thread for full Details
I was just wondering if you do get a building and it zoning is all good what kind of dirt will you be putting in. I'm hoping clay. You can generally find construction sites giving there dirt away from a dig when they dig they generally have clay depending on the dig site.
neil
Defiinately a clay dirt compound for the off-road track. I have a friend in construction who has offered several tons of dirt once a location is approved.
Watch out! I have seen this go horribly wrong. I saw a track in North Liberty, IA order up some clay and the construction-leftover clay had plenty of rocks, plumbing fixtures, and other odd stuff in it that surfaced over time. The indoor clay track can be fine, but I think you would want nicely selected clay and then you need to keep it watered just about right, which can be done indoors. I have never had to work over a clay track, but it looks like it would take lots of energy to re-shape one. I would talk with LH, maybe RC Performance, Trackside (I think those all have/had clay) and take their advice.
Clay is definately a challenge.. but one big bobcat should help alot with the forming. I have talked to some of the other tracks and like always appreciate ANY input.
Free dirt is fine. Just make sure its sifted or pulverized. You most likely will want to get what is close to your location either clay or top soil. Top soil is easier to work with but needs more attention than clay. Dirt is free. Trucking is expensive.
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Top soil is easier to work with but needs more attention than clay..
Do you know any of the local tracks that are using top soil for a indoor track? I think most of them I have been to have all been a clay mixture. I could see that top soil would require more pressing wetting and forming. But could be easier on the hardness. One thing I hate is when the track gets soooo hard from the cold tempature. Its pretty rough on the vehicles.
RCPerformance,Trackside and Dirt Heaven all use(used) topsoil. Just really well sifted dirt. Trackside runs slicks but the track has to be wet ,same thing with the way RCP was. Dirt Heaven uses sifted topsoil but has more sand in it so its not black. We run the track super wet and run pins. Our track is about like clay when it comes rebuild time cause it is so damp. Clay is just hard to come by in most places especially clean clay.
You can mix clay in with topsoil but you will need a tiller mounted on a skidloader to mix it up good.
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HotBodies USA www.hotbodiesonline.com ~UpGrade RCid~Venom Designs Paint~Dirt Heaven Hobby Raceway~TFR Turd Ferguson Racing "yeh we're kinda a big deal"
"97% of americans get scared when the slide on a snowy road. The other 3% from wisconsin say hold my beer watch this"
Do you know any of the local tracks that are using top soil for a indoor track? I think most of them I have been to have all been a clay mixture. I could see that top soil would require more pressing wetting and forming. But could be easier on the hardness. One thing I hate is when the track gets soooo hard from the cold tempature. Its pretty rough on the vehicles.
I did not know some of those tracks were topsoil instead of clay. My error. I think Midwest Hobby Trax in Oswego was topsoil with gypsum mixed in. Just put some radiant heat pipe under the floor under the dirt, no problem, just kidding.
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Outback RC Raceway -- Organized Racing, I-Lap Scoring System
Electric Outdoor Off-Road Track, McHenry County, IL near Marengo
www.OutbackRC.com or our RcTech thread for full Details
I think your idea is a great one and I wish you all the luck. I was very big into RC years ago. I stopped racing because it was all about how much money you could spend and if you were in the right click. What happen to just having fun and racing for fun and meeting new people. I really hope your idea works and I would like to hear and see how it turns out. I would also like to offer you any help I can when it comes to zoning, permits, bids for work, construction, along with all of my subcontractor connections, and dealing with the city or town you choose to open your business in. I am a construction manager for a large SE Wisconsin company and have been in the construction business for over 23 years.
Please do not take this the wrong way but with the nitro idea it could be a very hard sell in some cities or towns. Air exchange systems, fire protection systems, life safety, along with all the other items they may require you to do to open the business. I am not saying all cities and towns will require this but please be very prepared for some of this and if you do not know the codes it could really confuse someone. Trust me it can be done but you will need help making your way through all the required BS involved. I deal with this stuff eveyday.
I live right at the Illinois / Wisconsin state line so coming do into Illinois is not a problem to help. Please feel free to PM on here and I will be more then happy to give you my email address and cell number if you would like some help.
Good Luck with this and I will be following this trend to see how this turns out.
I think your idea is a great one and I wish you all the luck. I was very big into RC years ago. I stopped racing because it was all about how much money you could spend and if you were in the right click. What happen to just having fun and racing for fun and meeting new people. I really hope your idea works and I would like to hear and see how it turns out. I would also like to offer you any help I can when it comes to zoning, permits, bids for work, construction, along with all of my subcontractor connections, and dealing with the city or town you choose to open your business in. I am a construction manager for a large SE Wisconsin company and have been in the construction business for over 23 years.
Please do not take this the wrong way but with the nitro idea it could be a very hard sell in some cities or towns. Air exchange systems, fire protection systems, life safety, along with all the other items they may require you to do to open the business. I am not saying all cities and towns will require this but please be very prepared for some of this and if you do not know the codes it could really confuse someone. Trust me it can be done but you will need help making your way through all the required BS involved. I deal with this stuff eveyday.
I live right at the Illinois / Wisconsin state line so coming do into Illinois is not a problem to help. Please feel free to PM on here and I will be more then happy to give you my email address and cell number if you would like some help.
Good Luck with this and I will be following this trend to see how this turns out.
Thanks..for the words of encouragement and advise. The codes are definately confusing and from talking with Kane and Dupage country I don't see how anyone could pass there safety and EPA requirements. I am looking at a few places in mchenry and lake country, along with a site near ohare.
I would check out the Melrose Park area. They have an indoor go-cart track in Melrose Park. They run on propane and you do get a smell going in there after awhile. But they are an established business and must have passed all those requirements. Plus there is alot of vacant warehouses in that area.
It would be fantastic for us Chicagoans if this were in teh o'hare/melrose park area. That would put it smack dab in the middle between city and burbs and really give us city rc'ers a place to race that isn't an hour away.
Its located just north of North Ave don't know the street name but there is a Walgreens on the corner. Its just between 25th and 1st Ave. Its a fun place we get about 20 people to go out and race together about 1 time a month and with that many people its only 10 bucks a race otherwise I think it 25 then each race after gets cheaper. Good luck with everything hope all goes well.
