Looking to build a backyard track

[godale03]

Hey guys,

I got permission from my father-in-law to take a small portion of field located in my back yard to build a small dirt track. This is just something to have some fun with, since getting to the LHS is going to get tougher once the little bundle o'joy gets here.

This won't happen until spring since he has crops currently planted, that and I will need to wait until the ground thaws.

What I am looking for is some advice on how to build\design it. I have access to a Bobcat, but that is about it. This will be just for fun, and I am not looking to go crazy spending alot of money. This is just something to run my 10th and 1/8 scales on. I may have access to some dirt, but the field it is in now has pretty good dirt now, it would just need to be smoothed out. Any advice would be greatly apreciated. Thanks guys.

Tom

 

[RCFREAK]

wow i think you got everything you need i built a track using a small bob cat, rakes and shovels. basically you need a little dirt to make your jumps and do whatever you want, building a track is basically your preference. mine was a circle and figure eight track with a few small jumps

 

[vbgagnon]

I'm going to recomend some drain tile. This way you can stay within the pipes. Other then that you dont' really need anything other then shovles and a bit of dirt.

You saw what we did didn't you?

 

[godale03]

I'm going to recomend some drain tile. This way you can stay within the pipes. Other then that you dont' really need anything other then shovles and a bit of dirt.

You saw what we did didn't you?

No. I remember reading about you thinking about doing one, but I never knew that you built one. That is really cool. Means I can pick your brain! LOL When you say drain tile... I am not familiar with that. I know I need to get alot of that black flexible piping, but other than that I am clueless. I hope to get a shot of the land that it will be going on with some mesurments. How did you make your jumps, and design your layout? Thanks for the info!

Tom

 

[vbgagnon]

That black flexable tubing is called train tile (I don't know why).

check out these threads...
https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48114&highlight=track

This was our first layout...kinda slow and very technical. Not much dirt for jumps, but we managed.
https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46041&highlight=track

A vid of our first year, different then our first layout but not as fast as our last layout.
[ame=http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v737/vbgagnon/?action=view&current=July4th_0001.flv]

[/ame]

 

[jetmechG550]

Plan it out on paper first! LOL When we do our track at the club we always start with a fresh slate. We have access to a tiller and a couple tractors so it's easy but we level it and then till it really well. Once you do that and the ground is nice and soft you want to start moving the dirt to where you're bigger jumps will be or elevation changes. Move all that with the bobcat and then work in the small areas. Having the bobcat is a big help and you'll get the hang of how to use it work and face jumps and back rake straights. Try to have your grades so that it will funnel standing water to "dead spots" on that track from there place your field tiles like Ben says and just fill over them. Lay in your tubes and then if you can or have access to a compactor, pound that sucker in. You may want to add a little water at that time but may not be necessary. In your design, try to incorporate areas that will be easy to change up so you can do a quick layout change instead of running the same one all the time. I'm pretty involved with our club's layouts and track builds so hit me up if you have any ??????'s

 

[godale03]

Nice looking setup my friend. It gives me something to shoot for. Thanks for the pictures my friend.

Well now that I have an idea... can someone explain how to make the jumps and the bowl turns? What type of dirt can you use? I don't want to use all clay because as dry as summers are here it would turn to concrete in a hurry. Thanks again!

Tom

 

[RCFREAK]

wow very nice track,

 

[Lessen]

Man, I think that's killer that you're gonna do a backyard track. I envy all those who have enough space for that. I would love to do a 1/18 track in my backyard but I would absolutely have to have a dirt oval but my backyard isn't level enough. sucks.

 

[godale03]

Yeah, I am extreamly lucky to be able to have the space to do something like this. I had to ask for a piece of my father-in-laws field but it is right behind the house and should be big enough to have some fun with. I am just starting to do the legwork to see what is involved. I am trying to find some tips on building the turns, jumps and so on, so if you guys have any advice or links to websites just give me a shout. Thanks guys.

Tom

 

[Lessen]

I think I've also seen that flexible black stuff called irrigation pipe

 

[jetmechG550]

If you can get clay mix it in. We usually throw sawdust and mulch down in the winter and it gets tilled in in the spring. Clay helps with traction and the track holding together especially if it's a little sandy. The sawdust and mulch with help with moisture in the track and it's ability not be a swamp after rain or a heavy watering.

 

[godale03]

Cool... thanks Jet. I will add that to the list.

 

[godale03]

Hey Jet,

How did you guys make your jumps and bank your turns? Thanks

Tom

 

[jetmechG550]

With the bobcat mostly. You pile the dirt and then use the bottom of the bucket to pack it down and then drag it as you back off the mound.

 

[godale03]

Sounds good. My Father-in-law has a bobcat and it is actually the only piece of Farm equipment he lets me use.... other than the lawn tractor. LOL


Did you guys till the clay in to mix it in, or did you just spread the clay on top of the track and pack it in? Sorry for so many questions.

Tom

 

[Plaidfish]

Just plant a bunch of corn so you have track lanes man why you gotta be so complicated...LOL.....man you have to host an east coast bash when this is done......just a weekender would be great.....

 

[godale03]

Just plant a bunch of corn so you have track lanes man why you gotta be so complicated...LOL.....man you have to host an east coast bash when this is done......just a weekender would be great.....

Man, that would be sweet!!! I just hope I can figure out how to do this thing right... I mean it is easy to layout a track with some piping, but I would like something that will be fun, and last.

 

[Plaidfish]

the only other suggestion I'd make is get a ton of gutter spikes (the long ones to hold rain gutters up on your house) and some 6" PVC pipes....use the pipes on the straights and the drain pipe for the bends....drill holes in the PVC (drain pipe already has em) every 2 ft or so and anchor the pipe to the ground so you don't smack em out of line whilst practicing....it's a little more cash for PVC and spikes but it definately holds the shape of the track alot better....
also if you are tight on dirt you can make a wood skeleton (like a skateboard ramp without a top layer of wood) and fill it in with dirt....this will keep the sides of the jump upright instead of having the mini landslides off the sides......

 

[godale03]

the only other suggestion I'd make is get a ton of gutter spikes (the long ones to hold rain gutters up on your house) and some 6" PVC pipes....use the pipes on the straights and the drain pipe for the bends....drill holes in the PVC (drain pipe already has em) every 2 ft or so and anchor the pipe to the ground so you don't smack em out of line whilst practicing....it's a little more cash for PVC and spikes but it definately holds the shape of the track alot better....
also if you are tight on dirt you can make a wood skeleton (like a skateboard ramp without a top layer of wood) and fill it in with dirt....this will keep the sides of the jump upright instead of having the mini landslides off the sides......

Thanks for the info fishy my friend. I am on a shoestring budget, but so far this doesn't seem like it would be too expensive a project at all.

Tom