Jump to content


Photo

Wooden plank roads


  • Please log in to reply
2 replies to this topic

#1 Graham Clayton

Graham Clayton
  • Member

  • 1,362 posts
  • Joined: January 01

Posted 03 July 2011 - 23:41

The 103 kilometre circuit near Le Mans that was used for the 1906 French Grand Prix featured a couple of places where wooden planks roads were used. These locations were a diversion away from the town of Saint-Calais, and another diversion away from the town of Vibraye.

Previously, there had been "go slow" sections if a circuit went through a town, where cars passing through would slow down to a set speed and were not allowed to overtake.

The plank road allowed cars to go at racing speeds and overtake. Apart from the 1906 French Grand Prix, were there any other examples of circuits where such plank roads were used?


Advertisement

#2 GMACKIE

GMACKIE
  • Member

  • 13,045 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 03 July 2011 - 23:49

The two 'horse-track' crossings at Warwick Farm, NSW, Australia? I think they were made of wood, coated with 'hot-mix'.

#3 austmcreg

austmcreg
  • Member

  • 316 posts
  • Joined: May 11

Posted 04 July 2011 - 00:08

The two 'horse-track' crossings at Warwick Farm, NSW, Australia? I think they were made of wood, coated with 'hot-mix'.

As were the two very long bridges at Longford. In fact until about 1962 or so, the Kings bridge across the South Esk was just planks, no hotmix. I think the Long Bridge was coated earlier.

Both bridges gave trouble at times, during race meetings, becasue the new wooden planks were too green when laid.

Rob Saward