Del Mar PolyTrack
Thursday, January 18th
Mixing of the raw materials for Del Mar's new Polytrack engineered track surface began on January 6. Crews will be working 6 days per week for approximately two months to blend the 16,000 tons of Polytrack. The blend is comprised of polypropylene fibers, recycled rubber and silica sand covered in a wax coating.
Meanwhile, work has begun on the track itself. The inner and outer rails have been removed as well as the backstretch fencing, to prepare for excavation. The removal of the hedge outside the Clubhouse and the raising of a retaining which will permit the turn to be widened.
The next major step will be the removal of the top 8 inches of cushion from the main track and chutes.
The hedge and rails have been removed from the Clubhouse turn. A raised retaining wall allows for widening the turn. The Del Mar grandstand is in the background. |
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Looking down the backstretch from the 7-furlong chute. The inner and outer rails and backstretch fence have been removed to facilitate excavation of the track surface. |
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Materials are shipped in daily to be mixed to produce the Polytrack surface material. At left are containers of granulated rubber and synthetic fiber. |
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The mixer for the Polytrack materials (the green object in the center of the photo) is used to combine the silica sand and other materials in a precise blend. |
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A wheel loader adds another scoop of the Polytrack blend to a growing pile, where it awaits placement on the track surface. |
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A close-up shows the final blend of silica sand, granulated rubber and synthetic fibers, coated with a special wax. |
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Track Info
