Track overhaul/maintenance at FRC
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:13 pm
Yesterday FRC had its first proper maintenance session since its inception over a year and a half ago, a long time for a track which is subject to the elements. Thanks to Kyle, Dougie, Boo and mostly Zoë who turned up to give me a hand.
Here are some shots of FRC like most have never seen it before:
Almost completely bare track table. The pieces left are the track pieces connected to jumpers and items which have been glued to the table.
Island hobbies corner, pre-sweeping and vacuuming.
Dust and debris on the normally-exposed table top as well as under the track pieces.
More debris in the carousel. Jumper track sections also clearly visible.
More debris along the main straight. Bet you didn't know about the cardboard strip taped to this section. Its to level off the black track borders on the outside of the straight.
Speedway parts corner, layered with dust. There was a fair amount of cigarette ash under the track. All this contributes to power-loss and problems with the lane changers. Smokers take note... keep those ashes away from the track table.
More dust heading out of the esses and into the back straight entry turn.
Closer look at dust on the back straight entry turn.
Zoë and Boo cleaning each and every track section, focusing especially on the rail connectors.
Track and border pieces lined up for cleaning.
A complete section of borders and track wall. Pit wall pieces are also visible.
The bottom of the power base showing the jumper cables I soldered on to it leading to a hole in the table.
Each and every one of the track borders was cleaned individually.
Jumper detail for those of you planning a track of your own. Jaf... Jaf... JAF!
Patches of trees looking very lonely on the trackless table. Compare this picture (after cleaning) with the third one from the top (before cleaning).
Most of yesterday's crew. Missing are Kyle and yours truly.
With almost all the work done (having worked from 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM straight), today I have to lower the track to finish off by gluing the items which need it and re-placing/re-positioning the glued down wall pieces which were slightly misaligned when we put everything back together.
OK, so next time anyone's arguing at a race event, those who helped have seniority in the discussion!
Here are some shots of FRC like most have never seen it before:
Almost completely bare track table. The pieces left are the track pieces connected to jumpers and items which have been glued to the table.
Island hobbies corner, pre-sweeping and vacuuming.
Dust and debris on the normally-exposed table top as well as under the track pieces.
More debris in the carousel. Jumper track sections also clearly visible.
More debris along the main straight. Bet you didn't know about the cardboard strip taped to this section. Its to level off the black track borders on the outside of the straight.
Speedway parts corner, layered with dust. There was a fair amount of cigarette ash under the track. All this contributes to power-loss and problems with the lane changers. Smokers take note... keep those ashes away from the track table.
More dust heading out of the esses and into the back straight entry turn.
Closer look at dust on the back straight entry turn.
Zoë and Boo cleaning each and every track section, focusing especially on the rail connectors.
Track and border pieces lined up for cleaning.
A complete section of borders and track wall. Pit wall pieces are also visible.
The bottom of the power base showing the jumper cables I soldered on to it leading to a hole in the table.
Each and every one of the track borders was cleaned individually.
Jumper detail for those of you planning a track of your own. Jaf... Jaf... JAF!
Patches of trees looking very lonely on the trackless table. Compare this picture (after cleaning) with the third one from the top (before cleaning).
Most of yesterday's crew. Missing are Kyle and yours truly.
With almost all the work done (having worked from 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM straight), today I have to lower the track to finish off by gluing the items which need it and re-placing/re-positioning the glued down wall pieces which were slightly misaligned when we put everything back together.
OK, so next time anyone's arguing at a race event, those who helped have seniority in the discussion!