track question

[Wester]

We use eight miles or so of wire for the long track at WoS.  Sensors at the 2, 2 1/4, 3, 4 ,5 and exit trap.  The reels are on a solidly mounted bar on a flat bed trailer.  We use a generator and an electric motor to wind the reels so even though it's hard work it beats the old days of winding it by hand.  We have a complete second system for timing on the 130 Club course that is independent of the long course.

[Stainless1]

Hawk, did we get close to answering your question 
 

[Glen]

Long course 10 miles of wire
Short course's 3.5 miles each.= 7.0 miles
17 miles total or about 90,000 feet.
Special support trailer for laying and picking up wire.

Takes about 1-1/2 days to lay out and one day to clean and pick up the wire.Before any wire goes down the courses must be surveyed and marked for photo cells, the black lines laid down and the then we start on the photo cells or (sensors)

Total number of sensors and battery's 30 plus spares
For the timing trailer a total of one day set up and  one day of pre testing the equipment.

[Billy @ AHG]

These numbers just stagger the mind, I mean, ten MILES of wire !  just on one course, it really briings a sense of reality to the efforts made by the crews!     Just the thought of putting down and picking up the cones is beyond me !

[Glen]

Some years back we had hard wire for the patrols land line phones at each mile, that was 13 miles. Before FM radios. We have gone to wireless time slip printers. 

[Seldom Seen Slim]

I don't know how many cones we use -- but the pile of 'em, stacked neatly in their trailer, is huge.  Thank Monte and Butch for putting them out.  They run the cone crew -- and do lots of setting and picking up and moving.  You've probably never been at the Salt during set-up of the course, but you've almost certainly seen Monte and Butch moving cones during an event.  Look for Monte's old pickup moving along a line and Butch sitting in the back - either picking 'em up or putting 'em down, cone after cone, mile after mile.  Then -- somebody decides the cones need to be 50' (or whatever) from where they are now, so Monte and Butch head out and move 'em.  Or the first course wears out and so we move to the alternate course overnight -- and Monte and Butch pick 'em up and move 'em 50' over.

Fogie runs the crew that puts the wires down.  Some day take a look at the trailer with the full spools of wire and you'll see just what a job they've got.  And then think of the wire-fixing parties during the off-season, when the wires are inspected foot-by-foot and cleaned and put back onto spools.

It's amazing that things get done as well - and as quickly -- as they do.  Thanks to everyone that helps put it together -- and even more, thanks to those that stick around after the event ends and help pick up and put away everything.

[jimmy six]

I always thought drilling holes 33 feet apart for about 2 1/2 miles was more fun than laying wire. Especially when the lines ended up strainght

Having the holes and the heads made it more fun. But that's all in my past.

The future is in the hands of those who do it now...Jon you need a trainee.

[Wester]

If you think that's a  monumental task, consider what happens when a strong wind comes up.  Those cones can end up being blown a LONG distance from where they were originally put down.

[Glen]

Another interesting fact is the planning for the next speed week and world finals start on the way home. The many notes taken during lay out,set up, during the meet and tear down are on going. The inventory of equipment, replacement of equipment, clean up, service and storing of the equipment  
including all of the trailers etc. etc. are a huge task, again by the same volunteers. Much of the equipment is used at El Mirage and has to be taken each way for the events. There are meetings and discussions year around as well as any changes to the rule book and other operating procedures at both venues. The start of the workers list was started last month, the 1st draft and the jobs they will be doing, the arrival dates is very time consuming.

The advance team usually start in June looking for courses and marking them by GPS and small flags.
Some times at least 3 trips to the salt before it's decided. And that can change as we found out 2 years ago. We take what we can get to give the racers the best we can offer.