Hey, don't stop there, everybody!

There has to be more to be shared and known!

What else?

+1

Pastor you can email me if you have any questions. A few buddies and I started a track locally and we are coming up on our 1 yr anniversary of being open.

[email protected]

Derek

+1 Derek just did all of this in the past year. In addition, try sending a private message to Victory Side(Aaron Benner) on this forum. He is also a pastor with track ownership and they run indoor carpet with wooden jumps in the church's recreation center and can probably provide you some insight from the non-profit side of stuff also.

If its outdoors maybe see what the local parks and rec could do. I know we have one here in stl.

About the tubes for track edge.
A much better solution is to use rope. Big ship rope that is treated to last no matter how much water they get. These can be bought used with plenty of life left in them. The initial cost is much higher that drain tube, but it will last forever and maintenance is much easier.

Here is a video from my local track where you can see the ropes we use.

+ YouTube Video

I think a problem with the ropes is it is easier to jump the track. It also doesnt seem to hold the cars in their lanes as well.

Is there a way for the track to be separate the 2? Shop from the track. Make the track non-profit and the shop a business.

Knowledge is key. Inventory is important, but racers don't drive a track.


EMBRACE THE BASHERS!

Bashers can become racers. You need them to come, drive, have fun. Keep the atmosphere fun. Lap counting systems are expensive, keep that in mind. Buy in for distribution can be VERY EXPENSIVE! Be selective when picking cars and things to carry.

Good luck.




MOmo

Paster,

Forgot to add in some other things in my last post.

Once you decide on a location, stand alone track, track with a shop, size of track area and type and scale of racing you wish to do, indoor or outdoor, or both. Having a solid plan for the design of the facility and a budget that can allow for that would be ideal.

After that, piping? There are a number of ways to do it. One of the best is the very high dollar PVC covered currogated. Not sure what it's exactly called, but I've usually only seen in come in two colors. White and Yellow seems to be the most common. The Yellow is more expensive for some reason. 3 to 4 inch dia. seems to be about the right size. The usual black drainage pipe is pretty cheap, but doesn't always last as long. The steaks to hold the pipe down also cost a fair amount and you'll use a lot more than you'd think.

Rope like was mentioned will work and is pretty easy to work with. I also seen some fire hose filled with dirt or sand used. Works ok, but get a hole in it and it could be a pain to fix let alone the dirt/sand on the track surface. For sure a lot of things that will get the job done. Biggest issue is budget.

Insurance for the track. A couple of ways to cover that. Either have everyone sign up for a ROAR member ship and use the insurance they provide. Some people have issues with that. It's also an added cost for racers. Granted it's only 25-35 a year, but it's a cost that new racers don't always want to spend. A second option is to go and get your own insurance coverage. I think the local outdoor track found a plan for 500 a year for 1 mill's worth of coverage. You might need more depending on your area. Its a cost for the track to absorb, but shouldn't brake the bank either over the course of a season.

Lap counting. the AMB systems is what get's used. I think there a few different generations to pick from. Get the newest gen you can afford. Price range is about 2000-3500 I think. You'll also need to determin wether or not you'll need house transponders. Some tracks have strayed away from them and went PT's mandatory. There were/are issues with getting the house transponders repaired/replaced cheaply and one of the newer gen of the AMB system didn't like them if I remember right.

Scoring software. There's a few different ones to use. A few that are free and then the one most tracks use a version of. RCscoring Pro is the most used. It's one of the best out there, but it's also pretty expensive to buy your own copy. You could always barrow a copy or? Well, there's ways around paying for things, but you could run into issues. There's a few different versions of scoring pro to pick from and you should be able to get the softwear you need. getting the one that allows you to have 12-15 car mains could be helpful if it's needed.

Some kind of tiller to break up the dirt/clay makes it easier to move and shape all the new jumps and keep the racing surface exactly as you designed it. I used to rent one that attached to the bobcat, others have one that attaches to the back of a tractor. Speaking of designing layouts, drafting paper with the squares on it helps keep things to scale. Have some reference points around the track that you include on the paper. Its a lot easier and faster to change stuff with an eraser than a bobcat and having an exact diagram to follow saves several hours (and sore backs).

When it comes to dirt, check with the local cemeteries. They sometimes will let you have it for free. You just need to find a trucking co. that can haul the material for you. To figure the amount of material. length x width x depth(in tenths of a ft. not inches) \ 27= cu yds. x 1.3 ( converts tight yds. to loose yds. ) a belly dump holds about 20-22 yds. and a tandem holds about 12 yds.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude, fellas. I met with my county small business development agency earlier this week. He was both very encouraged by my concept and very supportive. I want you all to know that I felt a whole lot more like an ownership group spokesman than I felt like a sole proprietor in that meeting. I carried all of you and your support in there with me.

Please keep the ideas and information coming. They are incredibly valuable. At the same time, though, I'll share a question or two that has come up and maybe you guys can help answer those too.

One possibility for location is a roughly 50x140 building. It is on my town's "main st" so there would be plenty of visibility, security that comes with visibility, parking, etc. There is another building adjacent with similar dimensions. Do I NEED that 2nd building (keeping in mind that it doubles my expense)? Or can I realistically not just survive but also thrive in the one building?

Thanks again everyone!

I suggest not underestimating helping out another local track or two with their track changes and maybe even have them suggest your first layout and have them help you until you get the hang of things. Even though multiple tracks compete it really is best for the hobby having more than one track to race.

Starting smaller and keeping costs down at first will make it easier to survive until you build a solid customer base. Main St sounds good but this size is a little off. You're going to lose some room storing equipment and an area for your hobby shop which needs to be considerable size to get dealer status from Horizon Hobby. I believe they wanted 25,000 dollars in inventory and sq footage requirements before they would cut a deal with us, but I was told that by the very shady business owner. Your also going to lose room for the drivers stand and space for pitting. Best you're looking at having left is maybe 45 by 70 for track area, and that's with everything really cramped together. Parking also always becomes an issue even if you have enough room because people end up arguing about which spots can and cannot be used during certain times of day. There's a lot to workout and it's going to take some time to get everything right and get along with neighbors

Have irrigation watermeter for track or u will be taxed for sewer treatment

if you go with carpet or astro-turf and wood jumps... that is way easier and less headaches. plus cleaner too. clay is alot of constant maintenance and it is dirty. everywhere, floors, bathrooms, carpets, dust all over the merchandise.
if you get your clay/dirt mixture wrong.. costly and upsetting. too hard and abrasive, you will be eating up tiers in a night, on the other hamd, to tacky and high grip.. you wont be selling any.