Barrycuda Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Have had a look on many websites that sell waterproof ground sheet tarpaulins i.e. Amazon.co.uk etc. This is an example of one that I found http://www.tarpaflex.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.cgi?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww.tarpaflex.co.uk%2fcgi-bin%2fcm000001.cgi&WD=20m%20blue%2012m%20tarpaulin%20economy&PN=Economy-Tarpaulin-Blue-12m-x-20m---Single-T13BLUE.html If we use a 400metre track for example the largest size we would probably encounter, and use the above tarpaulin cover that are sized at 12metres (which would about cover the track width) x 20metre length then you would need around about 22 sheets to cover the full length of the track. Cost of total covers would be 22 x £75.90 ex VAT = £1669.80 or 22 x £91.08 inc VAT = £2003.76 Now to decide if each track be it BEL PL or NL can or are able to afford a set of covers each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Reuben Smith Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 It would be cheaper to buy this pool. Poole seem to have dug the hole for it already and there seems to be plenty of water to fill it. Considering the lack of Speedway on the 'track' a Poole pool might be the way forward http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWIMMING-POOL-ABOVE-GROUND-IN-THE-GROUND-INSTALL-18ft-x-12ft-x-4ft-/111478543833?pt=UK_Swimming_Pools_Hot_Tubs&hash=item19f4a395d9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Ah but its not the cost of the covers which is the issue so we're told, its finding the the volunteers to put them down..... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 If I was a speedway promoter it would be the first thing I'd buy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghcooke Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 With a little experience of covering tracks, these are my thoughts, published in the article "Sheeted and shattered" on the Blunsdon Blog. "Now, don’t get me wrong. I think that track covers are the way forward … but not these ones. If we are to be serious about track covers then we need bespoke ones to fit each track, not a set that fits all but doesn’t fit any. We need a method of getting the covers onto the track and then off that doesn’t require a mini army of volunteers dropping everything and answering the clarion call on a Sunday, or whenever. We need a system that is capable of being removed quickly and stored efficiently just before a meeting gets underway. And, we need a material that allows us to fully prepare the track before sheeting it up, confident that when the sheets are removed the track is ready for racing straight away. "Do I have the answers? No, not yet. But the questions need asking and the answers will be out there somewhere if we look hard enough. Twenty years ago air fences were just a pipe dream!" With respect, tarpaulins from Amazon are not the answer. We need to be in discussion with cricket ground groundkeepers - they have to be able to cover the grass quickly, and remove the covers just as quickly, while not damaging the grass nor drawing moisture up, as tarpaulins will do. We need a breathable substance and we need proper drainage - when you've got all that water running around on the covers it has to go somewhere and not well up under the covers because the draiange system in stadiums can't cope. Much of the problem at Swindon on Monday was not to do with the uncovered starting area, it was the constant run off of rain water from the surrounds of the track. Vojens has a system that works but then it is a "sole use" stadium and Ole has a massive team to help cover it up. The drainage is great and the water can be removed quickly and easily. The problem of track covering not going to be easy, but we can't just ignore it. Of course, we could try to end the season in early September!! http://blunsdonblog.co.uk/?page_id=8220 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Doesn't matter how much they cost when the BSPA have got a set and won't use them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) Doesn't matter how much they cost when the BSPA have got a set and won't use them They used them at Blunsdon on Monday - and didn't the Robins regret it!!!?? Excellent extract from the Blunsdon Blog above! Edited October 10, 2014 by Skidder1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) It's not about regretting it but about getting the meeting on if possible, keeping to schedules and therefore messing supporters about as little as possible. The covers used obviously aren't foolproof but did the job of getting the meeting on. If a track hasn't got the equipment or materials to rectify a weather damaged track it should at least be trying to use them. Edited October 10, 2014 by Gordon Bennett 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 The main thing seems to be adequate drainage, any stadium that has a grass centre has no problem because they can just dig it up and put in soak aways. I've always thought that the covers need to be attached to the fencing so they slope down to the centre of the track and obviously further onto the centre green to stop soak back. As always with our tracks is the ownership problem but in lots of cases if the will is there? Poole for instance, centre green, council owned, easily sorted?? But it's always as if the Poole management aren't too bothered with the track, even their own riders have been very critical of the track, do Matt and Giles do getting their hands dirty, is that the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agrotron Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I would probably think with all the embarrassment Poole have had and media attention and the social media going into overload, they will act I cannot see this being ignored now, the track needs attention so badly its a joke. Apparently Gavan is in talks with Ford about some ideas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peatbog Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 . Poole for instance, centre green, council owned, easily sorted?? Poole stadium is council owned but is leased to StadiaUK who then sub let to Poole Speedway. AFAIK the track is usually only available on race days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Searcher Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 With a little experience of covering tracks, these are my thoughts, published in the article "Sheeted and shattered" on the Blunsdon Blog. "Now, dont get me wrong. I think that track covers are the way forward but not these ones. If we are to be serious about track covers then we need bespoke ones to fit each track, not a set that fits all but doesnt fit any. We need a method of getting the covers onto the track and then off that doesnt require a mini army of volunteers dropping everything and answering the clarion call on a Sunday, or whenever. We need a system that is capable of being removed quickly and stored efficiently just before a meeting gets underway. And, we need a material that allows us to fully prepare the track before sheeting it up, confident that when the sheets are removed the track is ready for racing straight away. "Do I have the answers? No, not yet. But the questions need asking and the answers will be out there somewhere if we look hard enough. Twenty years ago air fences were just a pipe dream!" With respect, tarpaulins from Amazon are not the answer. We need to be in discussion with cricket ground groundkeepers - they have to be able to cover the grass quickly, and remove the covers just as quickly, while not damaging the grass nor drawing moisture up, as tarpaulins will do. We need a breathable substance and we need proper drainage - when you've got all that water running around on the covers it has to go somewhere and not well up under the covers because the draiange system in stadiums can't cope. Much of the problem at Swindon on Monday was not to do with the uncovered starting area, it was the constant run off of rain water from the surrounds of the track. Vojens has a system that works but then it is a "sole use" stadium and Ole has a massive team to help cover it up. The drainage is great and the water can be removed quickly and easily. The problem of track covering not going to be easy, but we can't just ignore it. Of course, we could try to end the season in early September!! http://blunsdonblog.co.uk/?page_id=8220 Yes, just covering tracks with tarpaulins is not the answer.... As you say, it keeps moisture in and sucks it up to the surface.. A roller blind type of cover would work, stored on rolls just above and behind the fence that were then pulled over the fence and downwards and fixed to the ground, say a couple of feet into the centre green would work, but it would require new drainage solutions as well to take the water run off away from the track surface.... and the covers like this would not be cheap... I have often wondered if a spray-on solution might be an alternative way forward.. Some sort of waterproofing compound that could be sprayed over the racing surface that allows the majority of the rain to run to the kerb and then down the drains.. I have no idea if a substance that can do this exists? But it's an idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Ah but its not the cost of the covers which is the issue so we're told, its finding the the volunteers to put them down..... Sad thing its true. Our promotions seem happy to look for reasons not to do anything or make excuses why they cant. I remember a time a couple of seasons ago when the Wolves promotion asked for volunteers to clear snow off the track, and plenty turned up. Fans WILL help if asked. There is no excuse for NOT using covers anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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