Club track(?) at Colpar upgrades/improvments

[David C]

I believe that some guard rails need replacing /installed on this track where some are missing/damaged. I have some Carrera guard rails & supports that I would like to donate. Is Tom the custodian of this track? I need the racing committee for approval? Just give them to Colpar? Give them to someone on the racing committee?

[Tom Dolan]

I think I'm the only one who takes care of the track so just give them to me and I'll replace the broken ones.

Tom

[David C]

Will do Tom. And thanks for all your time and effort so that so many can enjoy and run on this track.

[BruceK]

Tom, I’d like to help maintain the Colpar track. I’m there fairly often. You guys all put money into maintaining your home tracks for us to race on along with snacks, etc. I’d be happy to spend some time, effort, and money on the track that we use a ton. Tom, and fellow racers, what are some improvements that we should start on at Colpar?
Bruce

[Tom Dolan]

I don't know that it needs improvements, just regular maintenance like fixing broken/mmissing fences mostly.

Tom

[grenade10]

Tom, not sure you were aware, but when the Vintage club was there the Trackmate software was not working. We used Marc's memory stick which he has a version on. There were also several vintage cars that had low power in several lanes from the Lolly Pop to the front straight. Not as noticeable on the current cars.

How about adding the XLR plugs to the drivers station and stronger outer track borders than white styrofoam that are broken in many places? Would have saved my NASCAR from hitting the floor.

Thanks
Mark W

[Tom Dolan]

I didn't notice the power was down but I'll look into it. If the club wants to pay for xlr plugs then I'll get help to put them in but I don't think it's necessary since only a few members have that plug. Stronger guard railings would mean taking down ALL of the old ones--that's a lot of work--and personally I really don't want to do that. Lots of scraping the old glue off--not a fun thing to do. What do you suggest for better guard railings?

Tom

[Tom Dolan]

I went to Colpar and fixed the broken fences--there were several--and cleaned up under the track a bit. Let's hope the rental people don't trash it again LOL

Tom

[BruceK]

Thanks Tom!

[grenade10]

Tom, thanks for working on the track. I may have several options on barriers. We can talk when I am down next.

[Jim W]

On my Carrera 2-lane track, I have sponsors on paper tape that helps my foam barriers resist the cars hitting my barriers. Maybe just putting clear packing tape on those hard-hit barriers may help them absorb the crashes. When I was racing with my grandson on the 2-lane track, he was quite excited when he hit the foam barrier, and it would "explode". On my 3-lane track, I have installed Safer-Barriers at the ends of my straights to help prevent some damage to the cars after the racers can't slow down for the corners. I have used the ends of my floor mats, for the softer barriers. I installed some carpeting, that was used on the table-top, to cushion the squeeze area that has hard plastic barriers. With all of these things, I still have racers that will find a way to put their cars over the 3-inch fencing at the end of the straightaway. Ask John Parker if wall is too tall, he received another cut from trying to marshal a car back on the track. I guess I will be looking at a Safer-Barrier for the marshals. (John P, I found something to put on the top of the fence to now protect the marshals, plastic protective covers from my wiper blades.)

Jim W