dirt track repair

I used to race at a dirt track where they tried to fix small holes in the surface. All they used was a shovel, and they tried to pack some dirt back in a cut or hole before it got out of hand.

Is there a reason why other dirt tracks in Florida don’t try this? Maybe some do, but I have been to three tracks so far in 2008 that didn’t touch the surface.

A small hole will always turn into a bigger one as the races go along. I am a reasonable guy; explain why filling them when they are small won’t work.

Don’t even get me started on watering the track in the middle of the show!

The answer to your question is simple. Fil it in and the first few laps afterward it will be emptied again. The clay in the track must be hard packed and bonded together. That is the purpose of the hours and hours of track prep that is done before races happen. Anytime a hole or rut opens it causes a break in the bond, and simply packing some more clay inthe that spot won’t cut it. There is no way to repair the damage without grading it down smooth then watering and repacking the entire area. If you don’t mind a 4 hour delay in the action we’ll be happy to take care of that for you next time.

And by the way, I wasn’t trying to be a jerk. That was meant as a joke. When I reread it suddenly it didn’t read the way I intended it.

If it is a “TRUE” clay surface that will work, if it is ANY kind of clay mix it does not work so well. At Talladega Dirt Track I have seen them take a jug of water and pour some in the hole and put 3 shovels of dirt into the hole and beat it in with the shovel. They then ran about 200 laps of heat races and 1 - 100lap feature and 2 - 75 features and a 50 lapper with Super Lates, Crate Lates, Hobby Stocks and Open Wheel modified and NOT ONE of the patches they made during the night lifted.

Florida clay and Alabama clay are two different kinds.
I guess Boneman didn’t get the reply he wanted in the other thread so he figured he would try to stir the pot in another.

I guess Boneman didn’t get the reply he wanted in the other thread so he figured he would try to stir the pot in another.

a Karnacian stirring the pot? you don’t say!

Or…

Sounds more like OLD STYLE didn’t get the response HE wanted on the other post and wants to try again over here…

Either way, I’m sure the Boneman will reciprocate soon.

He’s just busy loading both barrels…

BTW…is Tennessee clay different from both Alabama and Florida? Cuz I’d heard it was just like Arkansas clay with a little bit of Northwest Georgia/Eastern Kentucky mixed in.

lol

1 Like

Ah, some peoples kids.
I will explain nothing to my fan Mr. Old Style. I won’t be put on the defensive by some hyper-ventaling clown. Everyone is free to read what I have written, if they choose to, and then decide who is discussing racing, nad who is stirring the pot.

Meanwhile, there is clearly only one resolution to Mr. Old Style; I suggest we have a fist fight on the start-finish line of the track of your choice. We can go “ultimate cage style”, or backwoods and barefoot. Either way, you pick. It sounds like you are an Ocala fan (heaven help them), so lets do it there. You are old style? Well so am I.

BTW: I am right about the track repair. I’ve seen it done, over and over, on a track where I raced. It is a PATCH; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Ignoring a cut will ALWAYS lead to a hole.

It’s the Boner,OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!! Old School is down! 1! 2! 3! It’s the BONER with the big win!!

:aetsch013::aetsch013::):):ernaehrung004:

Uh-oh…

I think Old Style had his left foot up on the ring rope…the referee saw it just before the three count…he’s not done yet…gonna hit da Boner with a metal chair while he’s waving to the crowd…

(Big smile)

Me and the chair will be flying from the top of the cage. LOL

can anyone say (sheeps foot)? anyway its going to be a great track in time i think for the first time it was good. i just wish i could get my car to run.:aetsch013:

Another problem solved!

Hi Boneman, let us go around the horn with dirt tracks.

  1. NJ they made soup out of what they called GUMBO Clay ran it in. When it got a cut they had some as they called it “SILLY PUTTY” which was the clay in a barrel of water that they just shoveld into the cut, FIXED 99% of the time.
  2. Pa they used Calcium Chloride and water on a clay base. Turned to concrete, washboard but no holes.
  3. PA #3 Drain Oil and DIRT (Langhorne) very seldom a hole.
  4. SC they have GREAT clay up here and the two tracks I went to so far one has it down pat the other has the dust problem fixed but they had a few holes, did nothing to them.

All time WORSE way to patch a hole, QUICK CRETE and water!
All time best way, Silly Putty in a drum.

Gee this is fun, now play nice!!!

Hey now thats a heck of an idea. Put some in a barrel with water and use it to patch. I think it will work.

Sure did 40 years ago. Hope it does for you. When I make a trip to our house in Florida I will try and get over there.