Tarmac take the laurels at Lydden Hill

Section of racing circuit successfully resurfaced using unique and innovative paving solution

TARMAC have recently successfully resurfaced a section of the Lydden Hill race circuit near Wootton, in Kent.

The company was tasked with resurfacing the circuit’s cambered ‘Devil’s elbow’ corner and adjacent sections of the track, which regularly hosts international motor sports events and is acknowledged as the birthplace of rallycross.

Using their experience from completing similar projects at other UK racing circuits, including Brands Hatch, Tarmac created a unique and innovative paving solution specially designed to meet the track’s high-durability requirements.

Phil Greenin, operations manager at Tarmac, commented: ‘The high-stress nature of a racing circuit meant that a standard asphalt product would not have been suitable for this project. We therefore proposed the use of a bespoke polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) material, known as ‘Race Track 10’, which is much more resistant to the extremes of braking and cornering.’

Forward planning and careful co-ordination of the team were essential to ensure that the 240 tonnes of surfacing material were laid continuously in a single shift, thereby avoiding any cold joints which would have had the potential to allow water ingress and cause the asphalt to break up.

Mr Greenin continued: ‘Timing and efficiency in a tight working window on the day were critical – we had to guarantee there would be no delays in the supply of the material.

‘After planing off the old material and sealing any cracks, we laid the new surface in echelons to avoid creating any long joints. This prevented any weak spots and maximized the new surface’s robustness.’

The result of the thorough laying and compaction process was not only an even, high-quality finish, but also a surface that will withstand the high demands and stresses of vehicles competing in professional racing series.

Lydden Hill track owner and former four-time British rallycross champion Pat Doran said: ‘We’re really pleased with the quality of the recent resurfacing and would like to thank Tarmac for the fantastic work they have carried out during the improvements.

‘The FIA, which has since approved the work, commented that it was some of the best surfacing work it had seen to date. We are very grateful that the team was able to propose and lay a hard-wearing and durable material which has created a smooth surface that will last for many years to come.’