For the most part, the cracks were "dug out" and enlarged slightly so that they could be filled in (see the pictures). Then a surface coat was applied. After some small amount of drying/curing time John Wright found an area that had flaked off as if they had applied the material over a puddle. Jim Lally has already inspected the crack repair, found it lacking, marked the deficient areas with some type of bright yellow material, and contacted his connection to discuss. The park management has agreed that a flawed repair is almost no better than NO repair and they will have the crew return to really fix the cracks and any flaked off areas. Time will tell, we shall see.
Also the edges of the asphalt had been damaged by vehicles (private cars AND park dept. trucks) hitting the edges when they drove up onto the flight surface and breaking the edges off. The repair crew seemed to do a very good job of rebuilding new edges and not just trimming off the damage. The park people have agreed to lock the South vehicle gate permanently (I wonder how the Tether Car guys are going to feel about that) in order to keep people (the Speed Guys mostly) from driving in through the South gate and up onto the asphalt, across the stunt/racing circles, over to the speed CAGE (yes cage) and off the far side of the asphalt. Why do they make that drive? So they don't have to navigate through a few trees. The only gate that will be open will be the "Central" gate or East gate which is nearest the North-East corner of the flight surface. The speed guys will be able to enter the East gate and drive straight West 100 yards to their parking area (no trees to navigate). Us Stunt guys, if we really REALLY have to drive on the grass real close to the circles, will be able to enter the East gate, drive 100 yards South and navigate the trees. Either route will not require driving on the asphalt. Also Larry R. has a plan to post a sign at the corner of the asphalt nearest the East Gate that says "Do NOT Drive on the Asphalt!" That might work if we add "Video Recording in Progress" and mount a solar powered web-cam in a nearby tree.
Now if only we can convince the R/C Pylon Racers to stop driving ALL OVER THE PLACE including our circles when they set up the pylons. Doesn't anybody WALK anywhere any more???
Also it was brought up at the last meeting that a few years ago Chuck Rudner (Combat flyer) paid for sprinklers/irrigation to be installed in the grassy combat area. Then last year the park rented out the ENTIRE PARK for an outdoor rave. We were promised up and down and sideways (by the promoter) that the entire area would be in better condition after the event than before. Right. The trucks that drove all over "gopher gulch" as Mike Alurac calls it, broke the sprinkler pipes in several places and now the grass is read or dying. There are no known plans to repair the donated sprinkler system for the combat guys.
That's the 2-cent update.
Paul W.
Topic: Pavement Repair at Whittier Narrows (Read 2593 times)