Topic: How to prep a drag racing strip

[Kelu]

How some of you know I'm involved in organizing drag racing races, looks like we could rent an old airfield and we want to bring drag racing to a high level in Romania. We have already a timing system bought from US and it proved to be great.

Now I need some help with:
What compound to use to prep the track and how to do it?
I have read that normally VHT, today is called PJ1 TrackBite. There are any others?

I have read that VHT mixes with methanol when sprayed and depending on the conditions but also read that methanol attracts water which is no good for VHT.

I know this is some "inside" information and I might not find exactly what I'm looking for but we want to go right from the first race that's why we prefer to get everything from US where is the most experience in drag racing and we don't want tryouts.

Thank you in advance.

[Critterman]

Kelu,
there is a dragstrip right up the road from my house, contact them, they should be able to help  http://www.capitolraceway.com/

[Gentleman Jack]

Kelu,
I think the biggest step for you right now is a clean safe surface.  Having watched nearly all your videos from races, dirt, pebbles, and other debris are the biggest issues.  Ge t them to invest in a large blower they can drag down the track to clean it first.  Second, you'll never get the launch area right on a temporary track because of the long term build up of material a dedicated track will get.  Have the burn out competition do their thing in the starting grid prior to any races to lay down a good rubber base

The problem i see with your 'get it right the first time' is the weather.  Track prep is decidedly different in different weather condition.  What will the weather be on the day of your event?  Do you have access to a giant tow behind burner? Will the location allow you to use it?  It's really the only way to clean the track well and get rid of any oils / slick areas.  Growing up in a drag race family in New England, I've seen many trips ruined by the previous car 'pissing' some oil down the track.  The flame machine would then roll down the track to clean it up and the next runs would usually be good.

Sorry to be a downer, just trying to help.

GJ

[Kelu]

Thanks for the tips, appreciated  

I think I wasn't clear enough, the airfield is rented for 10 years, there are planned 5 races in 2011 on that track 6 weeks away from each, the championship will have 10 races, 5 on that one and 5 one a different one in west of the country. The guy who is behind this is a racer too but he has the background to be successful and I trust him 100%, we are not neewbies.

The surface will be clean, he will rent some big machines to clean of grass, dust, dirt and debris.

Remember NHRA staff requires for national races that the tracks to remove ALL compound down to asphalt/concrete, so that tells that you don't need tons of compound laid down to have a great track.

We build our experience in 2010 when we were in charge of technical aspect in 3-5 races when we experienced many problems like weather (we raced on rain), technical issues, power failures, street/airport places, etc. We have learned our lessons and decided that races need airfield, it needs 2 days on location, we must have a great surface, etc.

This location is only 50-80 miles of the capital where there are 15% of the country population, also we will not risk the weather, we will post pone an event for a week if the weather is unsure, we will have there seats for public, we will increase the safety with concrete fences and many more. We just try to build a real drag racing strip as in US.

[Arabas]

Hey Kelu,
do you have the funds (or if you can find the funds from sponsorships) to get good tarmac (asphalt) wide and long enough?

[Kelu]

Tarmac (asphalt) is not an option here, they come only for at least 1 km (0.6 miles) and costs hungered of thousands of euros.

[Critterman]

Most launch pads are concrete anyway, as tarmac would get torn up by those big hungry drag slicks

[kennysabarese]

I always see a lot of hot girls at the drag races in Romania. Pay them to wear bikinis and sweep the track. More will come to watch this way.

If you need me to call any dragstrips I can for you.