Cudal Airport JANUARY???

[Rob]

G'day Chris,

Oh don't worry, I'm not even close to discouraged mate, the hard part is over. No problems, only solutions.

I'd intended making a presentation at the meeting but was unable to attend so rang Rob Carroll to put in my apologies and ask him to put the information forward on my behalf.

I am hoping I can talk the initial figure down to $1000 for the first 10 vehicles and $100 for each vehicle there after.

Now, about that ute....

Cheers,
Rob

[gazza414]

Good luck with Cudal Rob.

I'd like some more info about the patches and surface conditions on the runway before further consideration....also plans for markers as braking indicators...over 1km I could easily be doing 180mph on my LS bike..on my road bike at Goulburn airport over I think 800m the bike got up to just under 170mph ( GPS ) and braking was marginal due to loose gravel and bumps/patches in order to stop before the grass / barb wire fencing.

thanks

[Rob]

I'd like some more info about the patches and surface conditions on the runway before further consideration....also plans for markers as braking indicators...over 1km I could easily be doing 180mph on my LS bike..on my road bike at Goulburn airport over I think 800m the bike got up to just under 170mph ( GPS ) and braking was marginal due to loose gravel and bumps/patches in order to stop before the grass / barb wire fencing.

Thanks Gazza,

The overall surface is good, the bump is where the original surface and one patch meet to the right of the centerline. The patches are around 3 metres long and perhaps 2 metres wide, not a pothole type patch and easily avoided on a bike once you know where the problem lies. Obviously at big speeds you don't want to be swerving but with a 16 metre wide strip and a strip inspection you should be fine.

As mentioned earlier, the further you get down the strip the more rocks are on it. If everyone brings a broom or two it won't take long at all to clean it up.

My initial thought was to just make the 1km mark the end of the acceleration section but I'm wary of "only" 560M of braking area. I have debated on braking markers but also really want to discourage anyone from going silly at the deep end. I've not come up with a solution at this stage. If I had access to sheet polystyrene I'd happily make triangles and use these as markers. I absolutely do not want to use anything with a post/shaft for safety reasons.

If someone had some large cones they could lend, that'd be great. We could number them in tape counting down to the end or perhaps a little sooner for added safety?

Any and all input gratefully accepted at this stage. What did you do for track marking at Goulburn (if any?)

Cheers,
Rob

[gazza414]

Thanks Rob for getting back to us.

I'm sure the cars would be fine due to their lower speeds..bikes are another matter. I think if we were aware of the circumstances at Goulburn airport we would of taken brooms too.. there was gravel at both ends of the airstrip.... on my bikes ( I took my road Busa and my Triumph 675 track bike ) and both bikes would just wheel spin at the beginning...also drove my mates new R8 clubby and a BF XR6 turbo -running 15psi...both cars were hopeless at taking off...under barkes the gravel never bothered them--ABS high tech.

We took a trailer load of safety "witches" cones from work and placed them at the 400m mark both ends...my Triumph only got up to 235km/hr and in all honesty from 400m I felt as though I could of just rolled off the throttle and it would of stopped ok...but up around 270+km/hr on the Busa I needed all 400m incl getting up outa the seat and using the wind to aid braking.
Also at Goulburn there is a lump in the track and the Busa would lift the front wheel at around 220km/hr...going up the track --on the way back it didn't as it was slighly downhill.

anyway..good luck....

another thing was that the guy ( a work colleague ) who organised the day asked all of us to sign a waiver that we wouldn't sue him. I'm not sure of the arrangement with the airport as it is owned by the local council. Somethings to consider.

there are also guys on this forum that have attended Casino "April Fools" airport runs--maybe they can add to how it was run and what was good and what could of been done better.

[Rob]

G'day gazza,

Ultimately, every driver will be required to inspect the track and make their own judgements.

Trust me, the track at the very end will need some sweeping for any form of motor sport. It's not huge area but it does need doing. Apparently the fastest way to clear the track is with an aircraft, anyone plan on flying in?

I have also thought of including a requirement to ramp up speeds over several runs, (similar to the DLRA licensing system) so that each vehicle/driver realise when they approach their limits rather than overstep it by bad judgement on run #1.

I'd love some input from others but to date there's not been much so I'm doing my best with what I have at hand.

What everyone needs to keep in mind is that this is a "TEST n TUNE" day in preparation for the Lake, NOT a LSR event.

Cheers,
Rob

[Rob]

Starting End, the field entrance is at the top of the crest to the right. You will need to drive down to the start and turn around. I had hoped to use the taxi ways but they are strewn with machinery and fenced off as can be seen. Only a little straw on the strip here.

[Rob]

This is the view fom the fast end and is the area most requiring a few hands on brooms. I threw a few rocks off while I was there, the size of your fist.

[Rob]

These are the landing lights at the edge of the top end. These are in the grass you can see along the end in the previous photo. You break, you pay although Brian's son has already busted all but a couple for us when planting. There is room to drive a truck between them and they are marked though we don't want to be leaving the tar to stay on good terms.

[Rob]

This gives more of an idea of the strip gadient fom the top end. The crud on the strip is hay and dirt, easily swept off. Remember too, the main strip is 16M wide, the turning area is 30M wide. You can also start to see the gravel better in this one along with the side fences and "boot hill"..

[Rob]

Just a clearer shot of the gravel for the bike guys that are concerned. Easily removed if everyone pitches in, if you're doing big numbers here though, you're in a world of hurt soon after.

[Rob]

No mans land. There's a sloping drop off right after where you can see to and the dirt mound/pickets to the right. I don't think removing the pickets will be an issue but again, you shouldn't be off the tarmac.

[Rob]

Looking over the end of the paddock. The second fence is a tar lane.

[BOB ELLIS]

Well done Rob!! Keep at it.
One of our members knows of some old WW2 air fields out Ivanhoe way,we are trying to find them.Yankie bombers were using them,so must be s fair length.Would still be an insurance hickup,as one seems to be on a property owned by some church outfit.Be kool to have an ElMirage style event,more info on this if and when we find them.
Cheer , Bob.

[Rob]

G'day Bob,

I have a list here somewhere of all WWII fields in Australia, I'll see if I can find it. There's lots of references here but nil for Ivanhoe. It'd be easier if the actual field names were known. http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:vE ... clnk&gl=au

There were all kinds of dirt fields all over the state though so good luck. Some must still remain. I found evidence of quite a few in the Sydney area but most are too short, over run or have a few fences across them.

Back to Cudal, I am giving serious thought to an inaugral T & T Monday of the October weekend provided there is enough interest (and it would currently appear not).

Cheers,
Rob

[momec]

Rob
A simple suggestion for the October weekend is put a date on it. Let it be known that X number of entrants are required.
The cut off date is say early September. Enough solid entries by then and its a goer.
This way all the fence sitters then must put there hand up and costing etc can be established.
Interested people to volunteer and help should also raise a hand
Just an idea to help keep it all simple and get it kicked off.
Good luck Chris