Help with Go-Kart track layout

[leftycobra]

Hi, I am new to this forum that I just found.
I don't know anything about track design.
Can anybody help me with a go-kart track design
with a track length varying from 200m (600') to 350m (1200').
The track is an outdoor or indoor layout (it's a non-permanent Go-kart track layout). I am looking for simple track layout, enjoyable to race on.

I would appreciate your input seeing that you guys are expert in the track design field.

Thank you very much

[ECW Dan Selby]

Few questions:

This is being built, correct?

If so, where? Can we have any more details?

I can certainly try sketching one up for you.

Selby

[ECW Dan Selby]

Ok here's one I just sketched up. It's 347 meters. Clockwise. Start-finish is where the blue shelter is.

Selby

[bio]

Err... without any knowledge of the real site? Pretty bold, I'd say...

bio

[ECW Dan Selby]

haha It was worth a stab, I guess...

Still, it's at least something on the table. Plus it's given me some more practice, and has lead me to create Rye House karting circuit

Selby

[LuiggiSpeed]

350 mts is quite short, most karting tracks are 800-1000mts but I have raced in a half carting track approximately that long and it is fun for as long as it is a simple affair with mot more than 3 or 4 turns.

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by bio

Err... without any knowledge of the real site? Pretty bold, I'd say...

bio

I know there is no information about the site but the twist is it's a "non permanent" track project, meaning it's a "movable track".

So for example it can be one day in a parking lot, the other day in a vacant lot, another day on an ice rink and on and on.

This is the reason why I tried to stay within this limit because most of the time this is the type of area you can cover. And I need to add that it's not something aimed at hard core racer, but more to reach the masses and create the love of the race...

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

haha It was worth a stab, I guess...

Still, it's at least something on the table. Plus it's given me some more practice, and has lead me to create Rye House karting circuit

Selby

Thank you very much!!!!

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by LuiggiSpeed

350 mts is quite short, most karting tracks are 800-1000mts but I have raced in a half carting track approximately that long and it is fun for as long as it is a simple affair with mot more than 3 or 4 turns.

This is definitely the reason why I ask advice to expert as you guys.
I agree that if there is to many turns, it becomes let's say not fun.
I am trying to create a bank of tracks that are fun, fast or If I can say give the impression of speed while being safe and really enjoyable for everybody.

[leftycobra]

Another details

The average total area varies between 1500 square meter (16140 square feet) and 3000 square meter (32280 square feet).

I hope I make myself understandable.

[bio]

Lefty,
although it's really flattering to hear, sadly we are not experts - we're just guys who like doing this. some of us take it more seriously, some of us keep more the fun aspect in focus. Some of us have been doing it for quite a while with tons of track designs in stock, some of us have been more conservative. But we're not experts.

This non-permanent thing - how does it happen? How do you "set up" the track at a given location? I'm really interested.

bio

[bio]

Originally Posted by leftycobra

Another details

The average total area varies between 1500 square meter (16140 square feet) and 3000 square meter (32280 square feet).

I hope I make myself understandable.

The dimensions of the sides of the site (assuming it's a rectangle) would me more of a help, I guess. 1500 square meters can be a roughly 39*39, but also a 186*8 meter site - a whole different story.

Of course, with a non-permanent site it's hard top provide such data, I know

bio

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by leftycobra

So for example it can be one day in a parking lot, the other day in a vacant lot, another day on an ice rink and on and on.

Originally Posted by leftycobra

Another details

The average total area varies between 1500 square meter (16140 square feet) and 3000 square meter (32280 square feet).

OK picking up on the Ice Rink option as having hard dimensions...

NHL rinks 85*200 ft (26*61m) gives an area of 17000 SqFt (1586m2). The corner radius is 28ft (8.5m)
Olympic rinks 98*200 ft (30*61m) gives an area of 19600 SqFt (1830m2) The Corner Radius is 14ft (4.2m)

That should give some ideas regarding indoor circuits at least.

[LuiggiSpeed]

Originally Posted by leftycobra

I know there is no information about the site but the twist is it's a "non permanent" track project, meaning it's a "movable track".

So for example it can be one day in a parking lot, the other day in a vacant lot, another day on an ice rink and on and on.

This is the reason why I tried to stay within this limit because most of the time this is the type of area you can cover. And I need to add that it's not something aimed at hard core racer, but more to reach the masses and create the love of the race...

I think you only need the site and a whole lot of orange cones and used tires, and some imagination, 3000 sq/m would allow for a nice indoor/outdoor facility. I'll try to more or less give you an idea.

[bio]

I still don't get it - if there isn't a area with fixed dimensions then how could anyone come up with a one-size-fits-all track layout? That just won't work this way I'm afraid...

bio

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

OK picking up on the Ice Rink option as having hard dimensions...

NHL rinks 85*200 ft (26*61m) gives an area of 17000 SqFt (1586m2). The corner radius is 28ft (8.5m)
Olympic rinks 98*200 ft (30*61m) gives an area of 19600 SqFt (1830m2) The Corner Radius is 14ft (4.2m)

That should give some ideas regarding indoor circuits at least.

Yes You can use the NHL dimensions mostly because they are ice rink used principally for Hockey.

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by bio

Lefty,
although it's really flattering to hear, sadly we are not experts - we're just guys who like doing this. some of us take it more seriously, some of us keep more the fun aspect in focus. Some of us have been doing it for quite a while with tons of track designs in stock, some of us have been more conservative. But we're not experts.

This non-permanent thing - how does it happen? How do you "set up" the track at a given location? I'm really interested.

bio

Ok so the set-up is based around movable road blocks made out of Plastic. I am sure you know them, they are mostly between 1 m and 2 m long and you can had water or sand in them to give them more weight.
So the thing is you come up on a place, let's say a parking lot, you build up the track with the blocks which act at the same time as safety markers.
you set a pit area attached to the track. you add extra fences around the track, for crowd control and there you go, you have your non-permanent track ready to go.

I forgot to add, make sure you have all the permits and required authorization from your local authorities and the owner of the place where you plan to run your track.

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by bio

The dimensions of the sides of the site (assuming it's a rectangle) would me more of a help, I guess. 1500 square meters can be a roughly 39*39, but also a 186*8 meter site - a whole different story.

Of course, with a non-permanent site it's hard top provide such data, I know

bio

Exactly, with a non-permanent site it's really hard to provide such data.
So I assume it's a rectangle and act accordingly to the reality of the site.

ps: bio you have extensive knowledge in track designing as others guys of this forum, Hat off to you man.

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by LuiggiSpeed

I think you only need the site and a whole lot of orange cones and used tires, and some imagination, 3000 sq/m would allow for a nice indoor/outdoor facility. I'll try to more or less give you an idea.

Thank You LuiggiSpeed

ps: what about your track project in Porto-Rico?

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by bio

I still don't get it - if there isn't a area with fixed dimensions then how could anyone come up with a one-size-fits-all track layout? That just won't work this way I'm afraid...

bio

You are absolutely right but at the same time I am trying to create a bank of tracks that can be adapt to the area, meaning adjust to the actual dimensions of the site. But you can still keep in mind a rough area of 3000 square meter maximum and plan accordingly using for ex. 186*15.

[LuiggiSpeed]

Originally Posted by leftycobra

Thank You LuiggiSpeed

ps: what about your track project in Porto-Rico?

You're welcome, the project in Puerto Rico is still in the funding stages, I'm also working on a steering committee to try and make a big push and start The Big One but it's a matter of knocking doors and making proposals and presentations. We have some potential listeners, hope they understand what kind of benefits PR is going to have if we have ,say a FIA class 3 circuit or a GP/SBK level.

[LuiggiSpeed]

Originally Posted by leftycobra

Ok so the set-up is based around movable road blocks made out of Plastic. I am sure you know them, they are mostly between 1 m and 2 m long and you can had water or sand in them to give them more weight.
So the thing is you come up on a place, let's say a parking lot, you build up the track with the blocks which act at the same time as safety markers.
you set a pit area attached to the track. you add extra fences around the track, for crowd control and there you go, you have your non-permanent track ready to go.

I forgot to add, make sure you have all the permits and required authorization from your local authorities and the owner of the place where you plan to run your track.

That's a pretty clever idea!! me thinks you can have a "generic" circuit to lay out in those parking lots, let me tell you I've had the same idea to at least ride our bikes like that.

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by LuiggiSpeed

That's a pretty clever idea!! me thinks you can have a "generic" circuit to lay out in those parking lots, let me tell you I've had the same idea to at least ride our bikes like that.

Thank you and Good luck for your project

[LuiggiSpeed]

Okay leftycobra, given the dimensions you stated(around 60 mt x 30 mt) , you shall not have dreams of complicated tracks with rumble strips and different kind of curves, but you can have a simple affair that measures 257 mt long x ~6 mt wide track,pretty close to what you stated in your opening post. I've kept it really simple so that there's some track to ride given the size of the project, so I tried to use up the space efficiently, without falling into a squarish thing(I did anyway). The orange represents, of course, those orange plastic barriers you will have to shape up. I gave ~2 mt space between lanes, I don't think you will need anything that resembles a escape area or run off since your little karts won't be traveling at anything resembling high speed, I would say put some tire barriers between certain parts that I have painted a little darker out and you should be good to go, IMO.No such thing as pit lanes, just a safe point to exit and entry so the fun never stops. As soon as you and your staff get the knack of assembling this track you will be rocking all those shopping malls near your area!

[leftycobra]

Originally Posted by LuiggiSpeed

Okay leftycobra, given the dimensions you stated(around 60 mt x 30 mt) , you shall not have dreams of complicated tracks with rumble strips and different kind of curves, but you can have a simple affair that measures 257 mt long x ~6 mt wide track,pretty close to what you stated in your opening post. I've kept it really simple so that there's some track to ride given the size of the project, so I tried to use up the space efficiently, without falling into a squarish thing(I did anyway). The orange represents, of course, those orange plastic barriers you will have to shape up. I gave ~2 mt space between lanes, I don't think you will need anything that resembles a escape area or run off since your little karts won't be traveling at anything resembling high speed, I would say put some tire barriers between certain parts that I have painted a little darker out and you should be good to go, IMO.No such thing as pit lanes, just a safe point to exit and entry so the fun never stops. As soon as you and your staff get the knack of assembling this track you will be rocking all those shopping malls near your area!

Thank you very much LuiggiSpeed.
I am thinking about "limiting" the kart to 30 miles/h (50 km/h) so they are
fast enough to enjoy the track while being safe for everybody (mums, children, dads and elders !!!!)