The Goal:

Create a 1/10 scale RC Rally & Rallycross track with an emphasis on realism.

The average track length of European Rallycross circuits is between 950 and 1200 meters, which equals roughly 3100 to 3900 feet. The math is pretty simple to calculate a 1/10 track – just loose a zero at the end – which would call for a track length of 95 to 120 meters or 310 to 390 feet. The majority of real-world Rallycross tracks feature tarmac sections, which I briefly considered, but decided against it mainly due to the fact that we don’t own the property.

Theoretically our backyard is big enough to go full length in scale, however I decided to go 1/2 scale on the overall track length (48 meter / 157 feet) in order to keep the impact on the yard at a minimum and to keep every part of the track visible without the need of a raised platform. They yard is slightly slanted.

Initial track layout ideas came naturally by observing existing terrain features in the yard, but it became obvious that a little extra help was needed too. I also created a digital trackmap to help me design the layout. Here is how I build my own “Google Earth” like Satellite Image of the backyard track.

The biggest problem I encountered was that the track was simply to bumpy and the ruts to deep. Again the emphasis is on realism, which means having a 5 inch rock or bump would equal having a 50 inch boulder or bump when looking at it in scale. Another problem encountered is loose soil and the amount of sand in our dirt. I even considered buying a Dakar Rally Model also known as Rally Raid. However the current generation of Rally Raid RC Cars received rather poor test reviews. So it was back to the drawing board.

I ended up removing all the top soil after removing the grass to cut my track into the yard. I then rake and hose the new section down with water before covering it with a sheet of plywood for a week or two. I started putting weights on my plywood to further help in the compacting.