Temporary track

[ryandean7]

Hey,

This is my first post and I just wondered if you guys had any idea what the best material would be to make a temporary track. The idea being I can lay it out so that me and a couple of mates can drift in the garden. Then take it up and store it when it's not being used.

Thanks,

Ryan

[Butler]

We use rubber cable protector.

It's expensive new, but sometimes comes up on eBay.

[XV Pilot]

We used fire hose filled with sand. Got it free from the local fire dept when they replaced their hoses.

[SteveU30]

I think he means a flat surface hence the drifting?

[InsaneJim69]

That's what i was thinking ^ . In which case no matter what you use it might be pretty expensive. Maybe cheap cheap laminate flooring packs. Some places do them for £3.99 a pack.

James.

[Tamiya1/10]

I don't think is possible based on your requirements. Inexpensive, simple to install and remove, and for drifting and I'll tell you why.

1) drifting needs a smooth even surface. individual section froming the track will be uneven at the joint, unless some how interlocking.

2) your track will not be small, so inexpensive will no be likely, unless the material is free or second hand

Wait a minute, go to this company call DeepRoot from the States www.deeproot.com (they have rept in the Netherlands). It sells root/water barrier that come in 18" to 48" x 300 ft (Americans ) made from polyethylene. You can roll it out to form your track and tape the edges. With the smooth surface of PE you can us regular tyres to drift.

[ryandean7]

I had already thought about mdf sheets hinged at underneath so that it would fold down to put away. And would give a smooth-ish surface. But I hadn't thought about the panel gap! Thanks for your replies, so difficult to think of ideas to get the right surface

[zomboided]

To get a decent sized track (ie one that's actually fun to repeatedly lap), you're gonna need a lot of material. I think I'd be looking at cheapo hardboard? MDF would get mega expensive.

If you do manage to pull this off, please post up what you've done, I'd love to see it.

[alfagta]

how about 8' x 4' T&G chipboard flooring , some garden hose and some 'U' bolts , lay out the flooring lay the hose on in the track you want and drill a few holes and slot in the 'U' bolts to hold the hose steady , if the cost is shared amongst a few folks it wouldnt be expensive and is also easily transported in van should you want to move it

[yogi-bear]

you could try aluminium composite panelling. Its a lot lighter than mdf or chipboard and pretty stiff. joins will still be an issue though

[Wooders28]

If you go for the T&G option I would recommend the 18mm P5.We add wax into the bonding process to make it moisture resistant.Also add a green dye to make it easier to identify.

If the garden is fairly flat,I would goto a carpet shop and see what lino offcuts they could give you or sell it you cheap.

[WillyChang]

Go find a roll of lowpile office carpet... often 'free' if you score a fitout removal

If its nylon carpet a squirt of anti static spray is good idea.

It will rollout onto any reasonably flat area, roll it back up for storage.

You can use masking/packing tape for line marking.

[ryandean7]

Will have a look into material to use as a base over the grass, then stick lino over the top and mark out the track. My mrs's grandad works in a carpet shop! So will be cheap

[ryandean7]

Just need to find a base that can lay over the grass, be easily stored and fairly light

[WillyChang]

when grass isn't damp carpet can go straight on top ok, assuming its fairly smooth ground

if you do need something to be a waterproof barrier or flatten the surface go look for

PVA foam sheeting with dovetail edging (so they can join together).

Commonly sold in large 1m squares for garage floor lining in black

or rainbow coloured for kiddy play area "fall protection".

Ain't too expensive, go ask grandad-in-law he should know of it.

This is easily portable setup for times when we did drift demo at foreign sites,

although grass best avoided if possible - ground unstable, bad for high traffic etc

We try to get allocated somewhere either concrete or tarmac and layout islands

with astroturf or carpet squares, sometimes foam sheeting.

[Tamiya1/10]

I think doing a tempory track for drift is doable but not very feasible or partical. The actual run length of the track, the subgrade, the track support your weight without effecting the run condition, and what is the budget, amount of storage space....

Don't let my comment change your mind as there is a will there is way. If you do go through with it, be sure to ket us know what and how you did it.

[mr crispy]

If you cut the grass first (earns you plus points with the owner) and then lay down a roll of Lino it should be reasonably flat and any dampness can be wiped off as you roll it back up. Lino isn't going to soak up the water like carpet will.

Or if you wanted a gripper surface you could try cheap roofing felt? The cheapest stuff you get in DIY stores just has a loose sandy top surface that practically falls off as you open it. It'll look more like Tarmac too

I recon Lino would probably be your best bet.

[WillyChang]

Lino is good but not cheap to buy new; never find any used stuff that's usable

[InsaneJim69]

Lino is quite cheap here in the uk. Local carpet places normally have off cuts or end of rolls, around 4metres by 3.6metres or so for around £30.

James.

[Butler]

Sounds like you'd be better off mowing out a track on the grass you have and buying a bunch of grasshoppers or similar to race round, and forget trying to cover it over.