American Structurepoint:Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering
Rusty Wallace:Track Designer
The Iowa Speedway project was a unique project not only because of its technological advancements but also its ability to provide a major destination entertainment complex in a cost-effective way while maintaining the potential for future development. As part of the speedway
project, Paxton Waters master planned as much as 200 acres of adjacent ground to accommodate a mixed-use development. Through its planned waterpark, retail, hospitality, and camping facilities; Rusty Wallace museum; and restaurants, this mixed-use development is beginning to see its first tenants. The development is providing positive impact to the community while meeting the needs of the visiting fan. Our team was instrumental in not only the master planning for the project but also in the negotiation of incentive packages for the development.
A racer needs the best track available to show their talents, and the technological advancements of the facility have met the needs of a wide variety of sanctioning bodies. Advancements such as new generation SAFER Barriers, utilization of new crash impact angles, multi-banking, in-track cameras, lightweight track fill, new polymer pavement blends, and advancements in fan and corporate entertainment areas make this track an example of designing a speedway for everyone. Some of the advancements are shown and explained as follows:
SAFER Barrier The Iowa Speedway was the first to have ever employed the new Alternative Backup Structure SAFER Barrier system into its track desgin. Up to now, SAFER Barrier had been "retro-fitted" to the existing concrete walls (mainly in the turns) of race tracks. Iowa Speedway was not only the first track to ever have the Alternative SAFER system installed but also the first to have the system around the entire track.
Impact Angle Research All interior crash walls were designed to accomodate impact and reduce the danger to the drivers. Our team consulted and worked with ongoing research teams to employ the latest research on wall angles to minimize danger to the driver.
Track Multi-Banking The design team and professional drivers utilized multi-banking in the track surface to provide and ensure the best possible racing on the 7/8-mile oval. The team which included Rusty Wallace, Bob Harrington (pavement expert). Paxton Waters, American Structurepoint, spent endless hours designing and test driving all racing surfaces to ensure multi-groove racing could be achieved. Banking transition rates, transition locations, and pavement wedging were all keys to successful design.
In-Track Cameras The Iowa speedway was the first to employ intrack cameras. The cameras, provided by the Lingner Group, were installed in the racing grooves to provide unique television opportunities. The cameras are positioned into receptors permanently mounted in the pavement and are capable of providing pictures as the cars approach or depart from the camera location. NASCAR has incorporated this new technology into many tracks since the first use in Iowa.
Foam Sub-Grade and Laser/Computer Profiling One major problem with existing facilities is the drivability of the racing surface. With all of the efforts to provide the best surface available to the drivers, designers often forget about the problem of material movement. In most tracks across the country, settlement areas can cause oblique angled settlement areas and depressions in the track. The loss of ground effects and tire friction in these areas is the cause of many accidents. To help avoid this and to reduce the construction cost lightweight foam was utilized over the tunnel area. The reduced fill weight and noncompressiblity of the material reduced the cost of tunnel construction as well as the potential for large settlements. To further ensure a smooth track and drivablitiy, laser profiling was employed to map any track surface discrepancies.
Polymer Pavements Realizing the racing surface is the most important element to the racers, our team avoids the trend of proving standardized paving mixtures. Pavement mixtures are individually designed for each application. Each application takes into account the local climatic conditions, track geometrics, type of racing, and available materials to ensure a high-quality, longlasting pavement surface that will be appreciated by all racing bodies. The experts on our team provide design and quality control on pavements for most of the major racing venues in the country.
Hospitality The Newton Club provides one of the most fan-friendly venues in racing today. The Newton Club was designed around the intent of the owner to provide the general public with an opportunity to experience a higher level of attention during their racing experience. Based on the concept of a seat license, the Newton Club provides the user the amentiies that could only have been experienced by suite users. Large restricted-access indoor and outdoor spaces with access to private food and beverage services lets the user get the peronal attention they want while being able to experience it with a large number of friends. Indoor facilites provide refuge from the sound and sun while still enjoying full visiblitiy of the racing activities. The large outdoor plaza steps down from the indoor club area to minimize visibility obstructions to the indoor fan. The club is also fully demisable to allow for non-race event rentals. All elements of the Iowa track were designed to have multi-use and multi-revenue applications.
Suites Building Upon review with the stockholders, it became apparent the Iowa corporate suite user demanded a variety of options. The suites building provides suites with exterior seating or with expanded interior entertainment spaces. In addition, the suites have access to larger outdoor roof top deck areas above concession and ticket areas. These areas have become one of the most utilized gathering spaces during races and were developed utilizing low-cost existing spaces.
Track Facts
Track Size: 7/8-mile tri-oval Track Width: 60 feet with 20-foot apron Banking Turns: 12 to 14 degree compound banking Front Stretch: 10 degrees Back Stretch: 4 degrees Road Course: 1.3 miles, 40 feet wide Contruction Cost: $50,000,000
Facilities
Garages: Built for 54 competitors with year-round facility use Suites: 26 outside the track Newton Club: for up to 2,200 patrons and year-round indoor use Grandstands: 25,000 permanent Camping: 105 motorhome spaces and additional campgrounds on-site Parking: Approximately 9,000 onsite spaces Concessions: 5 permanent
Site Facts
Timing, scoring, and media facility drivers meeting room can hold up to 140 people; media room can hold up to 200 people; tiered seating for 90 people. Site also includes two tech inspection buildings, tire building, infield care center with adjacent helipad maintenance building, four restroom buildings, and an administration building that includes ticket offices, credentials, speedway offices and gift shop.
