After several days of researching alternatives, the management at Summit Motorsports Park, home of the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, will replace the asphalt from the eighth-mile to the finish line to alleviate drainage problems that have occasionally plagued the track the last year.

Officials first detected a problem during last weekend's Super Chevy event at the facility as water was seeping up through the track surface. The Bader family, which owns the track, consulted with NHRA Senior Vice President-Racing Operations Graham Light and facilities consultant Wayne McMurtry and numerous engineers to determine the best course of action.

Core samples were taken and it was determined that the root of the problem was the high level of sand in the top inch and a half of the asphalt mixture, which was retaining water and not allowing it to seep down into the earth.

After several days of researching alternatives, the management at Summit Motorsports Park, home of the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, will replace the asphalt from the eighth-mile to the finish line to alleviate drainage problems that have occasionally plagued the track the last year.

Officials first detected a problem during last weekend's Super Chevy event at the facility as water was seeping up through the track surface. The Bader family, which owns the track, consulted with NHRA Senior Vice President-Racing Operations Graham Light and facilities consultant Wayne McMurtry and numerous engineers to determine the best course of action.

Core samples were taken and it was determined that the root of the problem was the high level of sand in the top inch and a half of the asphalt mixture, which was retaining water and not allowing it to seep down into the earth.

Work began at the track Saturday as crewed worked to mill off the top inch and half of asphalt. Once that is completed, a new asphalt surface will be applied. While the track is being repaved, drainage will be installed down the center of the track as well as on the sides to ensure the track will drain effectively.

After the asphalt has been laid, work will begin to turn it into a raceable surface. The track will be scrubbed multiple times to remove any oil and to escalate the aging process. Following that, NHRA will deploy its many resources to apply rubber and traction compound to the racing surface to improve traction.

"We'll be fine," said Light. "This should give us a raceable surface. We applaud the Bader family and the staff at Summit Motorsports Park for their quick and proactive reaction to this situation. It's obviously not a situation you would want to have, but without this work, we could have been in for quite a problem with any amount of rain."

"As always our concern for excellence and safety led us to this conclusion," the Baders said in a statement on the track's Web site. "This will both fix the problem and ensure a safe and competitive racing surface."

This current problem is not related to seepage problems the track experienced at last year's event, which were due to heavy rains in the days leading up to the event, which raised the water table. Those problems were cured with the installation of drainage in those areas.

The 3rd annual Summit Racing Equipment Nationals is race 12 of the 24-event NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Racing is scheduled to begin Thursday June 25 with Sportsman qualifying, which should also allow more rubber to build on the surface. The Full Throttle Pros wll get their first of four qualifying sessions Friday, beginning at 3:30 p.m. More qualifying will take place Saturday, which also will host the K&N Horsepower Challenge event, a lucrative bonus event for Pro Stock racers. Final eliminations will commence Sunday.


 

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