Noise, excitement, fast cars, timers waving checkered flags -- that's
the exciting world of motorsports. After the race is over, take a minute to
think about the track itself. A racetrack designer has designed the track
with specific issues in mind -- such as length, curves, grades and safety
features.
Ed Bargy is a self-employed racetrack designer in Georgia. Like many others
who design courses, Bargy is involved in other work as well -- coaching, teaching
and consulting. He studied some engineering in college, but he also believes
that his previous experience as a racer is a big help.
Bargy became interested in motorcycle races at the age of nine. In the
mid-'60s, he began participating in events in Canada, Europe and the
U.S. The more he raced, the more he came across tracks with unsafe conditions.
Then, after becoming seriously hurt in a motorcycle race, Bargy became a safety
promoter for motorcycle racing.
"I'm a safety consultant," he says. "I have a first-hand interest
in promoting track safety."
Developing a racetrack requires input from various people. "You might need
engineers, civil engineers, architects to design the buildings -- but when
it comes to the track layout, I do it," says Bargy. "I have a good understanding
of physics, mathematics, kinetic energy, motion. A little engineering background
is definitely a big help."
There is no set pattern to a day. Everybody wants something different.
Bargy might be going out interviewing the people who want to build. He has
to find out what they want and what their motive is. "I advise on the shape
and the property needed. We discuss the length of the track, how big it will
be and so on. Tracks for World Cup racing are always the biggest."
The next step is to find a suitable site, if the builder doesn't have
one in mind. Then you visit the site, getting drawings, maps and survey information.
Bargy lays it all out in AutoCAD -- computer software used in drafting. "I
work on the pits, the turns, all of that stuff. Then there is the spectator
area to consider, the parking area, washrooms and so on."
The track owners must submit the plans to a planning zoning committee for
approval. Bargy then sits down with the assorted contractors and explains
what they need to do. "There is a lot of telephone work, a lot of travel to
sites, a lot of paperwork, drawings and so forth."
Since there is not a lot of racetrack building happening, Bargy spends
considerable time doing safety consulting, evaluations and retrofitting. The
work involves a lot of traveling. "I am usually away one or two weekends a
month," he says.
If you want to design racetracks, Bargy suggests that you study mathematics
and science. "I go to schools and I show kids how the parabolic curve that
they study in physics applies to racetrack design. Once they see how we apply
the curve to the real world, it clicks for them!"
Roger Peart has been involved in motorsports in various capacities since
1949. "I am a professional engineer," says Peart. "I do not design tracks
full time. It is a sideline."
As a racer himself, and later an official, Peart developed an interest
in the safety and design of circuits. As time went on, he became more involved
in making improvements in various circuits, mostly in eastern Canada. Then
he was involved in the project to bring the Canadian Grand Prix to Montreal
in 1978.
"I was involved with the design of the circuit which is now known as Circuit
Gilles Villeneuve," he says.
The Grand Prix project is the highlight of Peart's career. Not only
was he the designer, but he was also the head official at the race. He remembers
that it was a very tense weekend, but a successful one.
According to Peart, designing a major racetrack involves many steps. First,
you find out what categories of events the owner intends to run, what sort
of a budget is available, and any particular requirements that the people
putting up the money have.
Next, you have a look at the physical terrain. You try to visualize what
a racetrack would look like that would fit that site. You come up with a preliminary
plan, discuss it with the head people and make adjustments as
needed to suit their wishes. You make sure the plan complies with the standards
set out by authorities.
Once all that is done, you design the safety systems, barriers, debris
fencing, concrete walls, guardrails, runoff areas, gravel beds and other energy-absorbing
systems. You lay out the pit area, the pit lane and the paddock area.
Next, the owners engage a firm of engineering consultants. You come up
with a set of plans that can be sent out for tender and select contractors
to do the build. "At that stage, my role would be as supervision, making sure
that many problems that came up were resolved, and then hopefully reach a
satisfactory conclusion," says Peart.
Once the project is built, there are various finishing touches. You probably
have to install some form of deterrent to prevent cars from running off the
track, taking shortcuts and so on. The curbing is usually installed last,
after you have run cars on the track. It is difficult to predict where it
will be needed.
Peart enjoys designing racetracks. It is a challenge, it is creative, and
it lets you meet some interesting people. "Without being unduly modest, I
have built up a lot of expertise over the years," he says. "It is nice to
be able to use it."
Sue Wilson is an administrator of a motorsports association. She recommends
that anyone who is interested in racetrack design first become involved with
the motorsports community. There are many opportunities to volunteer (and
there are even some paid activities from time to time!).
As a volunteer, you could be up on the tower, checking for car safety or
doing any number of activities.
Wilson believes that the motorsport community is a wonderful group of people.
"We welcome people into the sport whether they are a competitor, a sponsor,
on the radio doing race communications or whatever," she says. "You make friends
with people from all over the world."