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2.track Design: 2.1. Circuit Layout

The document discusses track design standards for motor sport events. It outlines requirements for circuit layout, straights, curves, width, elevation, crossfall, track surface, edges, verges, run off areas, and kerbs. Key requirements include FIA approval of new circuits, minimum widths of 10m or preferably 12m, maximum straight length of 2km, and calculating run off areas using FIA formulas to ensure driver safety.

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yogesh kumar
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294 views8 pages

2.track Design: 2.1. Circuit Layout

The document discusses track design standards for motor sport events. It outlines requirements for circuit layout, straights, curves, width, elevation, crossfall, track surface, edges, verges, run off areas, and kerbs. Key requirements include FIA approval of new circuits, minimum widths of 10m or preferably 12m, maximum straight length of 2km, and calculating run off areas using FIA formulas to ensure driver safety.

Uploaded by

yogesh kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2.

TRACK DESIGN
The tracks used in motor sport all are designed to meet certain standards. If a new circuit will
ever be used for an international event, its design and layout must be approved by the FIA,
before any construction commences. For a permanent circuit, a member of the FIA must inspect
it no more than 90 days before a World Championship event, giving adequate time to implement
changes.

All design criteria, for curves and straight sections, do not mean the actual track itself, but the
actual trajectory followed by the cars whilst racing. The maximum length of any new permanent
circuit should not exceed 7km to allow drivers to be able to familiarize themselves with all
corners on the track. The minimum length of a Formula One circuit will not be less than 3.5km,
with the race being no longer than 2h45min.

2.1. Circuit Layout


As stated earlier conceptual layout of a competition course is usually largely dictated by the
geographical features of the property and the perception of the designer or the Venue
Operator in regard to what may constitute a challenging course which meets their sporting
desires and requirements.

2.2. Straights
The maximum length permitted of any straight section of track is 2km.

2.3. Curves
In addition to complying with the indications concerning width, a curve, or series of curves
uninterrupted by a straight, taken at a speed in excess of 125 km/h, should have an
increasing, or at least a constant, radius.

2.4. Width
The minimum track width will depend on the application and circumstances. The minimum
width of any new race track will be 10m, however 12m is preferable. When the track widens or
narrows, the transition should be made as gradually as possible, at a rate not sharper than 1 in 20.
2.5. Elevation
As far as practicable, a driver’s vision of the track surface should be such that it provides for the
theoretical ability to stop before contacting any hazard which may be seen on the
approach (known as the “stopping sight distance”, made up of driver reaction time plus
braking distance). If this is not possible to achieve, then appropriate control measures must be
introduced to minimise the risk at this location. In particular, the sudden change of
direction of a track at the top of an incline or immediately prior to steep drop should be
avoided. Control measures may include warning devices (lights, flags) adequate run off
space or speed attenuation devices such as gravel traps. The gradient of the starting straight
should not exceed 2% uphill.

2.6. Crossfall (Transversal Inclination)


Along straights, the crossfall, for drainage purposes, between the two edges of the track or
between the centre-line and the edge, should not exceed 3% (0.3 m fall per 10 m width), or be
less than 1.5%.In curves, the banking (crossfall or camber) should not exceed 10% (1 m fall per
10 m width). An adverse crossfall (reverse camber) is not generally acceptable unless dictated by
special circumstances and supported by adequate risk minimisation controls.

2.7. Track Surface


The track surface should be smooth asphaltic concrete, similar to that used on modern
highways, which will help prevent the formation of a liquid film due to rain, oil or fuel.
Preferably the surface should be the same the whole length of the track. If this proves
impossible, it should be ensured that no change in surface occurs on sections of hard
braking or acceleration, at important changes in gradient or in curves.

The track surface should meet the following requirements:


 The surface should be exempt from any undulations so that a 4 m long straight-edgelaid
on the finished surface shall uniformly contact it ;
 A tolerance of 3 mm will be admitted only in a few points of the entire surface; at
least three checks should be made every 100 m of the track length.
 No unauthorised advertising or decoration is permitted on the track surface, save in an
area near the start/finish line, where advertising may be permitted on the following basis:
 The location, size and design of the sign (artwork) must be approved by CAMS.
 The paint used must be of a CAMS approved anti slip compound.
 The sign must be in a location where there are no lateral or braking loads on cars in wet
or dry conditions.
 A plan for the removal of the sign, if and when, it is no longer required
For guidance, the sign should fit into an area no greater than approximately 4 x 9m, which
should not extend more than 10m from the start line. It is preferable that the sign lettering be
undertaken in outline, rather than solid lettering, however due to the variable nature of the
circuits’ widths and the actual signage, this will be addressed when considering the artwork.

2.8. Track Edges


Unless otherwise indicated because of features such as pit exit and entry roads, the track
should be bordered along its entire length on both sides by continuous white lines clearly
marked in (preferably) anti-skid paint, 100 to 150mm wide. Use of colours other than white
require specific approval from CAMS

2.9. Verges
Unless otherwise indicated because of features such as pit exit and entry roads, the track
should be bordered along its entire length on both sides by continuous and compacted
verges, usually between 3m and 5m wide. All verges must present an even surface, be free of
loose stones, debris or any other obstacles (unless specifically approved otherwise), and should
where possible, be grass-covered.

Verges should be a continuation of the transversal profile of the track, with no step or gap
between track and verge. Should any transition exist, it must be very gradual.
2.10. Run off areas
Permanent circuits normally present an area of ground free of obstacles, which a vehicle
can drive over without incurring undue damage, and which is located beyond the normal
verge, usually on the outside of corners, which is designated the “run off area”. It is the area
which is beyond the verge likely to be traversed by a car leaving the track at or near racing
speed, the driver having failed to negotiate the corner on the designated track surface.
Transitions from verge to run off areas must be seamless.

Generally, the minimum area or length of a nominated run off area is calculated by
application of specific mathematical formulae. These formulae take to account the calculated (or
determined actual) corner entry speed (the maximum speed obtained by a car prior to
braking for the corner generally called “the entry speed”) and the minimum speed of the car
through the corner (“the corner speed”) as well as verge inclination (slope) and deceleration
properties of both asphalt or bituminous concrete and verge surfaces.

The result provides a distance considered to be the minimum appropriate “escape line
length” and indicates the position where a 1LoP may be located to achieve an acceptable run off
area in order for a driver to reduce speed of a vehicle to an acceptable amount, if all
normal systems of the car are working and return to the circuit.

For all new circuits, run off area calculation will be undertaken using the current FIA formula.
Calculating the run off area is undertaken in two steps.

The purpose of step 1 is to deduce a figure which represents the speed at which the car
leaves the track edge. This takes into account the cars speed at the point at which is
deemed to lose control and also the distance on the track available for decelerating along a path
tangent to the racing line. This line commences at the point at which the car was
deemed to lose control.

The figure deduced from the equation is then used in step 2.


The purpose of step 2 is to deduce the distance required over the verge so that the car can
decelerate from the speed at which it left the track edge to 0 kph.

Fig 1: Calculation of the area on


the outside of a corner
Fig 2: Table for determining the
2.11. Kerbs escape line length
As kerbs are devices located at track edge, usually at a corner, designed primarily to prevent
track edge disintegration, careful selection of the type of kerb and the installation to a track is
important to the performance of the kerb and longevity of the track surface.

Kerbs should be installed flush with the track edge with appropriate, smooth, transitional end
pieces over a length of at least 2.5m for kerbs on the apex of a corner and 5m for kerbs on the
exit of a corner.

The verge (behind the kerb) should always be graded, level with the top surface of the kerb,
which if necessary should be extended at the rear with properly stabilized asphalt, concrete,
grass-supporting modules or concrete based artificial grass, to provide a smooth transition to the
verge without any step or rut.
.
Drainage should be provided wherever the presence of the kerb could cause water to
accumulate on the track, for example on corner apexes.

Fig 3: FIA Combination Kerb


Fig 4: FIA Apex Kerb

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