dymndheartkilla

I'm building a backyard track in western Washington. Things get damp around here but I want to be able to race on it if it's nice out even after a morning rain. What would be a good surface for a project like that?

artie's liver

asphalt

McCracken

iTrader: (9)

May be clay

R40Victim

iTrader: (1)

Oh, you mean Fine British Weather... (not trying to offend any English folks ) Some of those tracks in Europe are made with AstroTurf.

mdowney

iTrader: (21)

Yeah I'm thinking of doing the same thing in Seattle and I agree that the British might be on to something. I haven't priced out the AstroTurf nor do I know what specific turf style works best for RC. Anyone know?

If you want to do dirt you'll probably want 80% clay / 20% sand.

Culetto

iTrader: (4)

I would say astro. My brother lives up that way and after talking with him about the weather dirt wont drain fast enough. We priced astro today for the infield at our track and it was 6 or 12 foot wide roles from 3-5$ a foot. This was just at Lowes so a specialty carpet place may have it cheaper.

Pulse_

Astro with no doubt. Takes no time to dry, everybody is using it in North Europe (Belgium, UK, Finalnd etc...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP09TipI-Wg

dymndheartkilla

AstroTurf eh? That seems like a ton of work

How do you get the seams to sit together correctly?

rcjunky1

iTrader: (10)

if you want to go with dirt, I'd use a dirt/sand mix, I wouldn't get clay as it would pack more so water would sit on it more, where as if you use coarser dirt/sand it will drain through more, and you'll have less tire wear, but you might need to get proline step pins, but losi's might do the job as well. As said, astro might work, and I'm not sure but indoor/outdoor carpet might work as well, we run that stuff indoors and it works well and I'm not sure if it would work outside.

rm25x

iTrader: (12)

Like others have said, you will want some sand content. Also, the track design itself will determine if it collects water or drains well.

R40Victim

iTrader: (1)

Its true, you can setup a design using clay that drains pretty well. Even so, with consistent rain, it will likely be too wet and turn into baby poo. I'm pretty sure if you layer the astroturf with each subsequent patch under the last, you can secure it and be ok. I looked online, and that stuff is expensive. Maybe find a local driving range or mini golf place getting ready to resurface theirs... get it used and cheap.

Pulse_

+1 some sport clubs give astro for free when they replace it

xxfile

so. scrape the topsoil off completely as it turns instantly to mud (skid steer required) when you get to sub soil make the track with whatever soil there is. trying to import soil or mix it is fine if you own a construction company and have access to heavy equipment and a dumptruck...

After you make the track and its assorted features like table tops and banked corners pay CLOSE attention to drainage as you do it. Always build features UP do not dig down as it just creates swimming pools.
Then... go play wait for the rain and see how it drains... even if ur gonna astro turf it you need to build the track under the turf anyways, so just build and see if it turns to goo in the rain.. Astro turf wont stop puddles from forming so again play close attention to drainage when you build.