Why do all the NHRA tracks have bumps? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Hutch
- Start date
Why do we live in an imperfect world? Most of the bumps racers complain about would be considered "glassy-smooth" if they were on a highway instead of a racetrack. It might be possible to build a 1,320-foot billiard table, but I doubt we'd be able to afford the price of admission.
Yes, most of the time they do use the most modern equipment, but the problem is the ground underneath the track. If there's a soft spot in the ground, eventually the asphalt will settle into that soft spot, creating a bump. It's nearly impossible to have a completely flat racetrack, expecially in the north where the ground freezes and thaws in the winter.
Johnny Mopar
Nitro Member
For years Heartland Park Topeka had a bump in the right lane where the road course merged with the drag strip. The management ignored it for years. Once the event moved to the heat of the summer it made for a one lane race track as the bump would expand due to heat and sunshine and cars would lose traction at that spot on the strip.
The botton line (there) was that no one fixed it for years. My guess is there are similar situations where track management and ownership just aren't interested in the effort or expense to supply a level playing field.
When all the first round winners come from the same lane, that's proof positive that the lanes aren't equal. In ultra-competitive classes like Pro Stock that's a real shame.
Bullet
Nitro Member
Re: Why do......
So that when you wake up in a haze and accidentally put your thong on back-to-front you are still symmetrical when you look in the mirror!!
So that when you wake up in a haze and accidentally put your thong on back-to-front you are still symmetrical when you look in the mirror!!
T.Smith
Nitro Member
Re: Why do......
Ha ha...that's funny. We'll be racing at Dallas this year, come and say hello.So that when you wake up in a haze and accidentally put your thong on back-to-front you are still symmetrical when you look in the mirror!!
B
Buzzz Miller
Ground moves. Period. Heat, cold, moisture, etc are all factors.
No building or huge dollar home ever built does not move and make noises as it heats/cools.
The Eifel tower grows 6 inches every day due to heat from summer sun, then shrinks at night. A perfectly smooth track that heats up will become other than perfectly smooth. When the ground freezes, other issues come into play. It is just life, and it is just physics.
No building or huge dollar home ever built does not move and make noises as it heats/cools.
The Eifel tower grows 6 inches every day due to heat from summer sun, then shrinks at night. A perfectly smooth track that heats up will become other than perfectly smooth. When the ground freezes, other issues come into play. It is just life, and it is just physics.
None
Nitro Member
Re: Why do......
OK, why do you have two testicles? One's a spare or so you won't fall over?
OK, why do you have two testicles? One's a spare or so you won't fall over?
megadeth
Nitro Member
"Dr. Dirt"
Nitro Member
John,
The best equipment is generally used for the surface of such tracks. It straddles the surface to be poured with a device called a vibrating screed to insure the finished surface is as designed. Most of these screeds follow a beam for the distance of the pour and these surfaces can be finished to exacting standards. Then, once they have cured you can refer back to Buzzz's post because expansion/contraction, soil conditions, moisture or the lack of it along with other factors come into play and it's virtually impossible to make 300 feet remain perfectly level much less thousands of feet.
The Bruton Smith tracks with underground tunnels also are constantly effected with the growth/shrinkage of the tunnel beneath. Vegas can be a downright carnival-type ride certain times of the year. It's just Mother Nature doing her best work for everyone to see and be reminded who's really in charge?
Stroker
Nitro Member
You are quite right about Vegas, last November the right lane was an "E" ticket.
Left lane hardly noticeable.
And bear in mind that some of the recent track surface problems came when the surface of the track was ground to remove bumps. If the grinding removes too much of the poured surface, it exposes the aggregate and the next thing you know the tires are pulling gravel out of the concrete.
DLB
Nitro Member
Were there a considerable amount of more wins in any one lane than the other in Bristol? I know that the right was the choice lane all weekend pretty much, but from our seat, it was a drag race every time a pair went out.
(Did they say on the telecast is what I mean).
DLB
(Did they say on the telecast is what I mean).
DLB
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Article
