Category: Stewart Raceway III

Excavation and geology work has been difficult with all the much needed rain. But construction is progressing and we’re on schedule!

Decided not to use particle board since it doesn’t deal with moisture well and isn’t quite as durable or as strong as MDF. That said, MDF is heavy. Hope the darn lift system can handle the weight of SR3, much bigger and heavier table, for sure. It’s also going to have MDF sides so not sure just how heavy this tank will end up.

The base table is almost complete now as you can see. I just need to finish fastening the table top sheets to the frame, cut and route the side and end  panels, then paint and assemble. After that, it’s all about laying out the track, oval first, and securing anchor points to keep it in position as the wiring and electronics are installed.

Lots of decisions to be made so I’m anxious to get some veteran racers over to comment on things. A couple key decision needed are what side of the garage the main start/finish straight will be on, what pit spacing to try first, and what layout to employ for the grand opening race day.

Anyway, lots more work to do so stay tuned for more updates as construction progresses.

Okay, shut-up and drive!

 

All construction materials arrived today, December 20, 2021. But not without drama, of course. I won’t bore you with the details but I did have some issues with the lumber supplier.

In any case, all the lumber products arrived safe and sound today and I assembled the perimeter frame. Decided to go with the highest grade 2×6 material I could get that was not kiln dried. Heavier but very straight and overall pretty good wood.  Man, MDF is some heavy stuff! The lumber yard dropped it off in the driveway but Kathy and I had to drag it into the garage to keep it out of the expected rain.

The back story was the three days it took me to clean out enough space to fit the new track in the garage. Still have lots of bike stuff to get rid of so let me know if your your New Years resolution includes cycling. I have few whole bikes and plenty of parts to get rid of before SR3 is race-ready.

The new track is going to be positioned almost in the same exact spot as SR2, except it’s two feet longer and one foot wider. Actually, the table footprint is 16’4″ long and 6″4″ wide. Should actually be a bit easier to get around the track since I’ve removed the workbench that used to be next to the left side of SR2. The garage door (right) side will be the same tight squeeze.

I’m also considering flush-mount driver’s stations instead of the horizontal platforms that SR2 has. I really like the platform-style stations but SR3 is over a foot wider as it is. Adding the platforms would make it almost 8-feet wide!  So, bring your Fray pit-box hanger and deal with it! Sides will be 3/4 MDF. More construction reports to come as construction proceeds. Oh, and I’ll have Bowman or Viper controller holsters, haven’t decided on that yet.

Okay, shut-up and drive!