synthetic dirt surface test

[Winger]

Today they tested a new synthetic dirt surface at Brewerton Speedway in NY. Apparently it was successful with some drivers saying it was a little hard on the tire compound they were using. It will be interesting to see how this works out. It sounds like they only put 2" of the material on the track and that just doesn't seem like it would be enough. Anyway, check out some pictures, a short video, and be sure to listen to the Glen Donnelly interview.
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/brewe...ynthetic-dirt/

[Benny The Mule]

3 truck loads of water and 15 cars (not all at same time) run 1 hour. Set it up at 5pm and race on it ALL NIGHT and see what it does.

They are trying to sell probably a very expensive product.

When i go to dirt track i take goggles and a terrycloth rag. And i hear noone around me say they won't be back because of dust. Drivers will race on any surface.

Though i believe in capitalism, selling a "product" to replace or enhance what is naturally usable?

That is one heck of a salesman.

[BigBlock98]

Benny, See: bottled water!

[Dana Barlow]

3 truck loads of water and 15 cars (not all at same time) run 1 hour. Set it up at 5pm and race on it ALL NIGHT and see what it does.

They are trying to sell probably a very expensive product.

When i go to dirt track i take goggles and a terrycloth rag. And i hear noone around me say they won't be back because of dust. Drivers will race on any surface.

Though i believe in capitalism, selling a "product" to replace or enhance what is naturally usable?

That is one heck of a salesman.

Yup,It gives me a WTF too.
Tracks can use all the free press they can get ,it's a way to get in the news,not sure ,but should be less$ to come up with other ways then paying for drit.
But also what happens when drivers and fans breath this stuff.

[Benny The Mule]

Benny, See: bottled water!

HAH! You have a good point..............

[Winger]

3 truck loads of water and 15 cars (not all at same time) run 1 hour. Set it up at 5pm and race on it ALL NIGHT and see what it does.

They are trying to sell probably a very expensive product.

When i go to dirt track i take goggles and a terrycloth rag. And i hear noone around me say they won't be back because of dust. Drivers will race on any surface.

Though i believe in capitalism, selling a "product" to replace or enhance what is naturally usable?

That is one heck of a salesman.

It will be raced on this Friday all night. That will be a truer test. Let me make a few observations. You don't hear anyone around you saying they won't be back because of the dust because they haven't come back. Or, you haven't heard the comments from the fans and drivers at Volusia last week. You only have to look back a few days. Unfortunately, I know a lot of people that don't go to a dirt track because of the dust. My wife is one of them. What does asphalt racing offer that dirt racing doesn't. The only thing I can think of is the lack of dust, a smoother track, and cleaner cars at the end of the night.
I don't know if this product will work or not. What I saw from the test was a track that looked smooth and slick. I'm not particularly fond of that type of track but many drivers and track owners are. I like to see some tackiness. I'd love to see a surface developed that wasn't dusty and sensitive to a lot of rain. This is suppose to be a low maintenance product that will recover it's cost in a few years. Who really knows at this point? I know the people developing this are putting their money where their mouths are. Brewerton has a great reputation and an already great surface. This is something they are trying. They are also building a 3/4 mile track using this material. It's a $25 million project. They'll have to sell a bunch of this stuff to pay for that. If it doesn't work, no one would buy it. If it does, it would make sense to.
As for the question of safety, that's a legitimate question. It's suppose to be safe. They also claim it's safer than dirt because it isn't being breathed in by the fans.
I think it's an interesting development and I've been following it with interest. It could revolutionize dirt racing or it may never be heard of again.

[9498clay]

sounds like the health department is getting involved i love the dirt and have never gottin sick from it been racin for years ....please dont let them get there hands in our sport

[gregbonynge]

looks like dirt to me.