Project Nora

[Mr Eccleston]

Watch here for some very interesting news in the coming weeks.

Now who's going to be the first to ask what is NORA

[discothesnake]

Eh, what is Nora? :bored:

[jim c]

(She cheaper than the men with moustaches) :p the best thing to happen to scottish racing in a long time :thumbsup:

[msxmre]

Gonna be awesome boys, literally the best news to happen up here for a long long time.:p

[orinoco]

Come on then ...spill.

[k3rm1tt]

Assume its something along the lines of Northern Off Road Association. Either that or you just ordered a mail order bride lol!

[Mr Eccleston]

Well just to confirm it's not a mail order bride.

It is the Northern Off Road Arena :thumbsup:

Here's a picture

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cardenden+Primary+School&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=12.374478,28.081055&ie=UTF8&hq=Cardenden+Primary+School&hnear=&ll=56.13183,-3.24425&spn=0.001348,0.003428&t=h&z=18

(Track will be top left corner of field)

It is centrally located in Scotland, so far here is what has been organised:
Land sourced
Astro turf sourced
Track markers sourced
AMB, BBK , speakers etc

In planning
Sharp sand - anyone with contacts £20 per tonne
1st Container - awaiting price
2nd container - trying to source
Metal to build rostrum frame/steps - awaiting feedback
Insurance - awaiting quote
tent pegs for holding track down - got prices
toilets - being investigated

Require
Fencing - both farm (120 meter) type and 6 foot (20 meter)
track perimeter fencing
Type 1 for car park £10 per tonne
JCB
Mini digger
Lorry with hiab to move astro and containers
Lots of volunteers
A committee to run the club - step forward those that are interested
members - already have a list of those that said they would commit, always need more
racers - start putting the word about, 1/10th electric 2wd & 4wd, nitro 2wd&4wd, truggies, bikes
inner tubes to hold track down
Anyone think of anything I've missed

Vision
To build this over the winter and be using regular in 2011

Information available from www.ddrcc.co.uk (http://www.ddrcc.co.uk)

[Donutt]

Some things to consider when designing/sculpting the track.

stoneless Top soil as cushioning between any clay and the astro
drainage considerations
ensuring race control is at the hub of the complex (track one side, pits the other)

[Mr Eccleston]

We have good drainage soil approx 200yds away we intend to bring over, either the JCB is required, or hopefully the land owner will help.

The basic ground is fairly good drainage wise already, but agree we can look at adding drainage underneath at the start.

Pitting will be around the track, and car park will be to the right, at the moment, we really need to spend some time at the venue with tape measure etc and plan it out better. Thinking at the moment is for those that have an interest in helping to visit after round 1 of the SCC.

[k3rm1tt]

Well I was pretty close lol. And the plan is to race what exactly? 1/10th, 1/8th, 5th scale?? C'mon dig the dirt!

[Mr Eccleston]

You were close, good guess or inside information.

I've listed above in the "required" section what we're looking to race, really aimed at the 1/10th class as that is what the track will be designed for.

From what we learnt racing at CSOR it's hard to build a track for different scales. We will have to see what people bring along because at the end of the day we want racers more than spectators (we want spectators as well tho')

[rowanp25]

I totally understand you gotta set a track for whats run but as csor already cater for 8th and then theres west coast who are for the 5ths it may be an idea to cater better for the 10ths and as the recent champs seemed to show, there is a growing interest in the scale all it needs is a few more clubs to fully cater for it.

[KennyClark]

This looks promising.

[k3rm1tt]

And what days is the racing planned for weekly club events?

[Mr Eccleston]

Race days will be Sunday afternoons.

Practice days (for members) will be most other days, we may do a couple of mid week meetings if demand is there, but only during the summer.

[Dave77]

Great stuff, looks exciting and promising.

I have family down in Glenrothes so a great potential location for me to be able to support by being a member and racing as much as possible.

David.

[D20MCK]

:thumbsup:

[superdoug]

This is a very exciting development. I'm looking forward to racing there. I am an electrician, if I can be of assistance.

[Mr Eccleston]

If anyone can actively help we are meeting at the venue immediately after the SCC Round 1 finishes. This should be just before 6pm, allow 10 minutes to get to the track. If you are racing at Round 1 just see me on the day, if you can't make but are interested in seeing what we plan then meet at Kirkcaldy High School at some point towards the end of the racing, we will then head down to the track.

Looking at the weather forecast it looks like rain all day Sunday all over the country, so come prepared (don't worry we will be dry for the racing).

What we do need urgently is someone with a lorry with a hiab, pm me if you can help. Basically moving a container and astro turf from Dunfermline/Lochgelly to Cardenden. This will hopefully be done towards the end of October during the week.

[Rodrego]

You can count me in as a volunteer and potentially a committee member. However, maybe I should get back to racing first and see how things go...!

Anyhow, I'd love to be involved and help make this project happen and work well.

Fingers crossed it doesn't turn out to be another Townhill!!

Good work Bernie!

[Mr Eccleston]

Latest update.

First container should be onsite next week, we will use this as storage. Astro turf should also be delivered.

Track markers will arrive shortly after.

We will need old car inner tubes to cut up to use to hold the track down, if you have any keep a hold of them.

After visiting the track the last time, priority is to get the car parks and hard standing for the containers in. Currently waiting on pricing.

Once this is completed we can get containers in situ, rostrum can be made at any time then.

[Mr Eccleston]

Track markers are now onsite, these were brought up from Tamworth by Andrew Edwards. These were supplied FOC from the BRCA.

We should find out later this week, but we may have material available for the car park soon, we will need a roller suitable for tarmac and possibly a small jcb to make it easier to move the material, anyone with contacts for these please get in touch.

Once this is done we will be able to get the container (if more are available we can do them as well) in situ.

Track construction will start as soon as car park and containers are in organised.

[Mr Eccleston]

Here's the first image from site, there's a lot of work to do to make this a track, but it can be done.

http://www.ddrcc.co.uk/images/nora/nora271010.jpg

The first container is now onsite, along with the track markers and some astroturf. Unfortunately the source for our astroturf buried the majority of it, but I have a plan B :thumbsup:

More info as it happens.

[Martin Wallace]

Looks wicked, i am already collecting RC for the start of the 2011 season

[Racing Snake]

How do you get access to the site???

[Martin Wallace]

when is build due to start?

thanks

[Mr Eccleston]

It's started, where were you :lol:

We've marked out where the track and rostrum are going. We plan to have 1 weekend onsite before xmas to dig out car park, mark boundary. We should also be able to mark out main features on track.

Will announce when we plan to go onsite as we are trying to source road planings for the car park.

Access is via 2 methods, if the motocross are on the gate at the South side will be open, this is on the Authertool road. If that gate is closed we need to access from the North, drive through Cardenden and in via the farm. I'll post better instructions once we plan to go onsite.

[Mr Eccleston]

Just like to add a dozen 2x2 slabs are required. Anyone know of someone wanting rid of them get in touch.

We will hopefully be visiting the venue at least once before end of year, car park will be dug out, marked with tyres, and road planings used to surface the car park. Should end up with a nice tarmac car park.

We will also be locating the slabs for the container base, ready for it being moved into situ later.

All going well we may skim the track as well and start laying the foundations for the track, ready for the astroturf in 2011. Astro turf will hopefully be delivered to site pre 2011.

I'll obviously be looking for volunteers to help out at the track, probably a Saturday as people will want to race on a Sunday, unless we know there is no racing planned in advance.

Reminder we will also be looking for membership money ASAP, this will be required to ensure this is ready to race on early next year. If you see me at a race meeting don't be shy throwing money at me :lol:

[Allan1875]

Looks like ill need to start saving for a new car asap.

[Mr Eccleston]

With the SORC AGM cancelled this weekend, we are going to pop along to the track, nothing to hard or adventurous being done. If you want to see what the venue is all about pop along. Basically we will be marking off the car park ready for it being dug out, and then the tarmac can be put down at a later date. We will also be marking out key parts of the track, and possibly laying some slabs for the container. Onsite is currently set at 11am.

Directions: Head along the A92 eastbound towards Kirkcaldy. When you get to the Lochgelly turn off exit up the slip road. At the top of the slip road reset your mileage trip.

Turn right (over the A92) and at the small roundabout take the Authertool road (approx at 10 o'clock on the rounabout) for 2.2 miles. Stay on the main road, don't go to Auchtertool, you will go through an S bend at a farm. Keep going until you reach the forest on the left, the green entrance gate is on the left set back from the road in the forest. It is exactly 2.2 miles from the top of the slip road at Lochgelly.

[Mr Eccleston]

All those that indicated they would like membership of NORA, please fill in a membership form as soon as possible (downloadable from www.ddrcc.co.uk (http://www.ddrcc.co.uk)) and pay your fees. We have a VERY limited amount of memberships available with indoor pits, after they are gone you will need to supply your own tents etc.

The quicker I get the membership fees the quicker the venue will progress. Last weekend we marked off the area for the tarmac car park and started on the track. There will be a lot of work in the next few weeks and hopefully it will start to take shape.

[Donutt]

Nice Form Derek, (direct link to form (http://www.ddrcc.co.uk/ddrcc/forms/MembershipForm2011_V1.doc)) but I'm struggling to find a return postal address.

Royal Mail are good, especially at this time of year, but they may need a bit more info than "Mike Spence (Secretary)".
I mean, it's not as if he's Kris Kringle...

[Mr Eccleston]

I have every faith in Royal Mail, just received your membership form today, who says it's only Kris Kringle that gets mail at this time of year.

I'll let you all know how many membership spaces are left after the last week of the club this year, but we are limited to a maximum of 13 at the moment, some of these have gone already.

When I previously asked who was interested in membership, I had interest from more than the 13 spaces available, so if you want the indoor pits option act quick. There will of course be plenty of memberships available if you want to supply your own tents etc.

[Mr Eccleston]

Date for your diaries:

Saturday 5th February 2011

1st work weekend at the track, don't be shy.

The more people that help the better this facility will be.

I'll post more details once I know them, just exactly what we're looking to achieve on the day and times.

[Mr Eccleston]

OK, plan for weekend.

The farmer will be digging out the car park, this will be filled with tarmac in the next week or so. We need to dig in some tyres on the perimeter to help keep it's shape.

Next job is the main one, we need to lay slabs to act as feet for both containers. We have ordered slabs and sand for the weekend.

We will also be moving soil to the track to fill in holes, as well as starting on the features.

Tools to bring are spades, shovels, pick axe, rake, wheel barrow, spirit level, string, tape measure (50 meter). anything else you think would be usefull for laying slabs and working on the actual track.

If anyone wants to pay membership money I'll take that on saturday as well, only 6 pit spaces left.

Any questions pm me, same if your not sure about directions.

Start time will be 9:30am onsite, 30 minutes discussion over the plans for the venue, and then get started at 10:00. finsih for 1pm at latest.

[Mr Eccleston]

We are going to need 4 pallet trucks in the next couple of weeks to move the containers, if anyone has access to one let me know. Hopefully it will just be for a couple of hours from start to finish.

Also looking for someone that works with ride on mowers, needing advice, please pm me.

[Mr Eccleston]

Update for next couple of weeks work:

This Saturday (5th Feb) we will putting in the infrastructure for the car park and containers. Depending how many people are there, we will also do some track work. The weather is not brilliant today, but forecast for weekend is sun. I'm sure there won't be that much sun so make sure you wrap up well, it's still winter.

During next week the car park will go in, and next weekend we plan on moving the containers into situ.

Hopefully before the end of the month we will have the pit tables completed, and rostrum up.

[Shorty]

HOW TO FIND NORA..... MAPS AND PHOTOS AND SAT NAV INFO.

I'm not a member yet but hoping to come along tomorrow to help with the track build, see the venue, get some info from the regulars.

I think I'm right in thinking that the location is here... (click link to see a Google Map)

From the directions posted on this forum I think access is at the B marker I made, off Mill Street, a track heading North into the trees...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Mill+St&geocode=FRxbWAMd-NDN_w%3BFcJmWAMd8aLO_w&hl=en&mra=me&mrcr=0&mrsp=1,0&sz=15&sll=56.127232,-3.243241&sspn=0.018705,0.054932&ie=UTF8&ll=56.127196,-3.239915&spn=0.009352,0.027466&t=h&z=16

(Click on Map or Satellite box on the top right to toggle between real map and aerial photo. Zoom in and out on the left hand slider. etc etc)

Don't think I can generate a specific postcode for it for your Sat Navs, but the co-ordinates for the access road are...
+56° 7' 31.01", -3° 14' 6.45" (56.125280, -3.235125)

Actual DORA location, once you have turned into the access road is...
+56° 7' 53.92", -3° 14' 40.57" (56.131645, -3.244604)

The nearest postcode is KY2 5YF

but that is someones house down a nearby road, the wrong road! Here's a map of that house so you can see what not to do!
Wrong house is Marker A, access to Nora is Marker B...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Kirkcaldy,+Fife+KY2+5YF,+UK&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&geocode=Fb9YWAMdq7LO_yklVc1i9MqHSDGi6CRgerXa3g%3BF b5nWAMdXKLO_w&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=15&sll=56.123692,-3.232512&sspn=0.018706,0.038581&g=Kirkcaldy,+Fife+KY2+5YF,+United+Kingdom&ie=UTF8&ll=56.125366,-3.236332&spn=0.018705,0.054932&z=15

While I'm at it, here is what your looking for, a photo of the access into the wood from the main road...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Kirkcaldy,+Fife+KY2+5YF,+UK&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&geocode=Fb9YWAMdq7LO_yklVc1i9MqHSDGi6CRgerXa3g%3BF b5nWAMdXKLO_w&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=15&sll=56.123692,-3.232512&sspn=0.018706,0.038581&g=Kirkcaldy,+Fife+KY2+5YF,+United+Kingdom&ie=UTF8&ll=56.125175,-3.235388&spn=0,0.109863&z=14&layer=c&cbll=56.125128,-3.235231&panoid=l-yvz59OMrpiw_2iBa81qw&cbp=12,50.7,,0,9.85

Once you are in the trees, keep driving, past the motorbike track on your right hand side and the site is just a little further, on the right in a field, over a fence...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Kirkcaldy,+Fife+KY2+5YF,+UK&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&geocode=Fb9YWAMdq7LO_yklVc1i9MqHSDGi6CRgerXa3g%3BF b5nWAMdXKLO_w&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=15&sll=56.123692,-3.232512&sspn=0.018706,0.038581&g=Kirkcaldy,+Fife+KY2+5YF,+United+Kingdom&ie=UTF8&ll=56.131519,-3.244349&spn=0,0.003433&z=19&layer=c&cbll=56.131333,-3.243838&panoid=Jusp9QkTQlEAkKve5025UA&cbp=12,343.17,,0,14.14



Hope this helps. No excuses for saying you couldn't find it now!

[Mr Eccleston]

Shorty, your direction are correct.

See you tomorrow.

[Mr Eccleston]

Well the weather was perfect for the track work, no rain or wind.

A lot of progress was made, track feature foundations are down, these will be covered with soil at the next work day. The track was certainly wet, but considering the amount of rain that had fallen overall it was looking good.

It was decided not to dig the car park out today, this will be done just before the tarmac arrives.

Foundations went down for the containers, lets hope we measured correctly.

Next steps are to dig out carpark mid week, tarmac will be put down which will allow containers to be moved into situ next weekend.

Thanks to everyone that turned up to help with the work, perhaps those that said they would be there but didn't make it for whatever reason will be able to help the next time.

Pictures are on the club site at the progress update document.

[msxmre]

Derek, really wanted to be there today just to get a sense of the track and all other things but was working nightshift untill after 9am this morning. Because of the weather we've been having my trailers from Raunds were more than 3 hrs late so we were chasing our tails. If they had been on time I would've been there today. I'll try and be there next time m8.
Scotty....

[Mr Eccleston]

Scotty, no problem, fully understand work comes first.

After next weekend there should be a huge differnce, it might even start to resemble a track. Then a lot of work will happen which will not be as obvious. The rostrum will be going up, pits will be kitted out, race control will be sorted, as well as levelling the racing surface. We can't do much with the track until the grass is cut, that should be sorted for end of the month as well.

[jonnyb]

derek had no chance of getting away fae work, will pop into club sunday to see you

[Mr Eccleston]

Another day, another update.

More progress, we now have a car park for approx 40 car cars, perhaps more. I've added some more pictures to the club website at www.ddrcc.co.uk (http://www.ddrcc.co.uk) , look for the progress update document bottom right of the main screen.

We will be compacting it soon to tidy it up, but at least we now have somewhere to park and not be stuck in a field.

This weekend will see the containers moved into position, as well as the track features constructed. If anyone wants to help just pm me and I'll confirm the details. Usual requirements will be bring along working clothes/shoes etc, and don't forget your spade, wheel barrow, rake etc.

Indoor pits memberships are slowly filling up, once they are gone we will only be able to offer standard membership where you supply your own tent and power.

There will be more work done before the end of the month, hopefully the rostrum will be completed as well as the pits tables.

[Mr Eccleston]

Anyone that can help with the outdoor track this Saturday (26th Feb) are welcome. We are starting at 10am, lot to get done, drainage, slabs, track features, containers moved etc etc

[Mr Eccleston]

Update after work done 26th Feb.

Race control and pits containers are now in situ.

Track features have now had earth applied on top, these will require shaping. We need some decent weather (no rain) for these to dry out.

Car park was rescraped to level it, plan is to roll it this week.

Next plan is to install drainage around containers/car park but we need a mini digger, anyone able to help. We have a driver if required. Work will be done on Saturday 12th March.

Latest pictures are on the update document from the club website www.ddrcc.co.uk (http://www.ddrcc.co.uk)

[Mr Eccleston]

12th March

No work will be done this Saturday.

[Mr Eccleston]

We will be at the track again this Saturday (16th April) getting it ready.

If I've got the list of names correct we should have the best turnout so far helping.

Plan is to finish the drainage, get JCB in for last time, continue with rostrum, cut grass, tidy features.

Usual tools required, rakes,spades,shovels,wheel barrow.

[Mr Eccleston]

Couple of us took advantage of the friday holiday today and did some work on the track today. Anyone got any freetime tomorrow would be welcome, got some better topsoil to put down now, plus finish drainage. Hopefully make some progress with rostrum as well.

We will be onsite next friday as well, plus Saturday. All going well we will hold ourfirst club meeting as planned.

[Mr Eccleston]

OK guys, plan for this weekend is get the gloor and kick plate down on the rostrum. At same time we will be getting the track ready to race on, grass cut, markers out and fence up. With the containers cleared of all the track markers we will be tidying them up inside and organising everything.

Weather looks decidely dodgy for weekend so glad a lot of work will be inside containers.

After we have finished Saturday we will post (on Oople) if the first meeting will be going ahead on Sunday, weather just now does not look good.

[Mr Eccleston]

Tracks down, rostrum floor down, but we are going to delay the first meeting for a couple of weeks to let the grass grow a bit, plus there is a good possiblity of very heavy rain. Hopefully the grass will be well up with the current conditions for the first meeting.

[KennyClark]

What time does the meeting start this weekend Derek?

[Mr Eccleston]

Plan is to have heat 1 on the line for 1pm and finished for 5pm. Arrive noon to get setup, if it's earlier will advise.

Directions are on the club website at www.ddrcc.co.uk (http://www.ddrcc.co.uk)

Try and follow the car park layout if it's busy, just makes it easier getting as many parked as possible.

Rostrum safety barrier is approx 1.1m so if you are a junior racer you may need to bring a box to stand on.

Remember all lipo's need to be charged in a lipo bag, no excuses.

Schumacher tyres are available to purchase trackside if required. Both club series' are sponsored by Schumacher so everyone should be using schumacher tyres, no limit on type or compound. Anyone with tyres on their car already can use until worn out.

[Mr Eccleston]

Today we managed to source approx 60 rolls of astroturf, it's now trackside and will be layed down as and when we get the help to do so.

There will be no work this Saturday due to the weather, but potentially some done on Sunday if we get enough volunteers.

This will be stage 2 of the track work, it's going to take time, but hopefully over the next 6 months we will see some good progress.

[Mr Eccleston]

just to confirm that we will be laying astroturf down on Saturday 25th, start time is 10am. If anyone wants to help improve the track for the next SORC you will be made very welcome. The more volunteers we get the better we can make it.

[Mr Eccleston]

We are hoping to host a meeting this Sunday (17th July) with BBQ. It will be weather dependant so watch out for details towards end of the week.

Anyone that has helped with building of NORA can join in for free, and even if you haven't helped can still come along and just pay the normal fees.

[Mr Eccleston]

The weather is not looking good for Sunday, it is therefore difficult to make a decision at this time regarding holding the BBQ.

We will therefore have to decide on the day, if the weather is good we will go ahead with the BBQ, if not (which is looking likely) we will hold a normal race day and arrange the BBQ for a new date in the future.

We should aim to be at the track for 11:30 to get setup and cut grass etc.

BTW, no work on the track on Saturday.

[Mr Eccleston]

The weather is looking good for this weekend, plan is to get the track ready for SORC round 6 on Saturday starting at 9:30am. Anyone that can help is welcome to come along and help get it ready.