My Backyard Course build

[ripper7777777]

Well I've been out of RC for a bit and now that my son is older it's time to get back into things. So before I start dusting off the rigs and ordering batteries I figured I'd better build us a track. It's not a very large area, not sure of the actual size but it's big enough and behind the garage so I have free reign.


I started this project last year and have been working on it in my free time. I've finally gotten some real time to devote to it so I hope to finish it before winter, if winter is still a thing.

Here's the Area. I'm planning a small rally course, rock racing section, crawler area and a mud/swamp area for the trucks. The muddy areas will be drainage/retention areas for rain run off.

After quite a few hours of shovel work and pick axe work I had a clear layout.

I'm using debris to start the basic shapes of the hills, I want a Utah sort of look.

The retention pond will be where the scale mud course begins.

So I continued to build the hills up with debris and dirt left over from construction. I dug and redug drainage ditches, they will be great for mudding but are primarily for run off. There is 2 small retention areas to help with the run off, it's something you have to deal with when you don't live in a planned community. With leaves falling and weeds growing you can really see time passing in these photos.

 

[ripper7777777]

I ran out of left over dirt, so I had 10 tons delivered, we just had the driveway put in so the dirt will have to go in the street. I think you can tell the priority all this time has been in the front yard, but now it's time to really start working on the track and backyard.

Here is the latest addition, this was a sidewalk I installed and than changed my mind about, make sure you really want a sidewalk BEFORE installing it.

Some more added debris piles

After a lot of roundup

This is all my loose rock that will be added at the end.

After a whole lot of dirt moving. Keep in mind it's just me, a shovel, and a very tired lawn mower and trailer.

Time for some testing. It felt good to finally drive an rc again. I forgot how much I enjoy it.

Alright back to work, I started doing some basic shaping and dug out around the hills. I also went back and dug out the areas between the hills, just making things more interesting.

The time has finally come, I have some portland and a trailer full of sand, let's pour......

This is two different pours, we have rain in the forecast so I can only pour what I can cover. Unfortunately the cement leaked into my gloves and I got cement burns on two fingers so it will be a few days before I can pour more.

 

[Mike Flea]

Looks really good, I wish I had that much extra room in my yard for a couple tracks "thumbsup""thumbsup"

 

[Polaris425]

that looks really good! How did you keep the portland on there, w/o it running? Mix it up really thick?

 

[OSRC]

I seem to remember a similar set-up (with poured and shaped concrete) and a nice little water feature from back in the RCD forum days. I kept some pics of it somewhere as inspiration for my course. Did you have one of these previously?

Welcome back BTW!

 

[Brake Weight]

I'll crawl a local drainage ditch with concrete poured similarly. They have big rocks under, in, and loose on top of the concrete too. It works so well I'm thinking of doing the same. Make some forms with heavy cardboard light enough to be moved around.

 

[ripper7777777]

Thanks everyone, weather should be clear tomorrow so I'll get more done tomorrow and some new pics.

that looks really good! How did you keep the portland on there, w/o it running? Mix it up really thick?

Yea it's a thick sand portland mix that I apply by hand similar to troweling.

I will see if I can't get one of my kids to video me applying the mortar, no way for me to work a camera and work the mortar.

I seem to remember a similar set-up (with poured and shaped concrete) and a nice little water feature from back in the RCD forum days. I kept some pics of it somewhere as inspiration for my course. Did you have one of these previously?

Welcome back BTW!

Yea I had a small course at my last house.

 

[danielk]

Talk about a sight for sore eyes! Loving the new course! Glad to have ya back.

 

[k5guy38]

Are you useing bags of Portland ?? If so how many did it take to make that first one??

 

[ripper7777777]

Talk about a sight for sore eyes! Loving the new course! Glad to have ya back.

Good to see you to daniel, time flies don't it.

Are you useing bags of Portland ?? If so how many did it take to make that first one??

Yes I'm using bags of portland not to be confused with premixed concrete. I'm mixing 1 part portland to 3.5/4 parts mason sand.


So far I have used 1 yard masons sand and 3 bags portland.


Sorry for the delay, my wife fell down a flight of stairs at work on wednesday, so we've been in and out of the doctors the last few days. All looks good, nothing broken that they can see, tweaked ankle and bruised tail bone and pride.

These pics were from tuesday... Started with some basic shaping and than more concrete.

Time for some testing.

A LOT more to go.

I just picked up 3 more bags of portland and another yard of sand.....

 

[k5guy38]

Dude that is just flat out awsome... Great work..

 

[chevy4life]

Great job my friend. Looks like it's going to turn into one hell of a carnage creator. Definitely following this build. "thumbsup"

 

[ripper7777777]

Sorry about not posting, been busy, the wife fell at work again but this time she hit her head on a metal pole, guess she went back to work too soon. So we had a crazy week with ER visits cat scans doctors work releases etc. The good news is she's fine, her ankle is still really sore and she has to be extra careful when she puts weight on it, but all in all shes good.


I did manage to pour two more rocks, which finishes off this section.

 

[rerebuilder]

That course is really coming together nicely. Can't wait to see it with scenery on it.

 

[Mike Flea]

Looking good!"thumbsup"

 

[BadWagon]

Wow, the course looks great! Really impressed. Can't wait to see how it progresses.

Hope the wife is on the mend.

 

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Looks great! I may just steal this technique for finishing my crawler course! Tell your wife to take it easy and heal up before rushing back...the work will still be there!

 

[k5guy38]

Need video of it being ran...

 

[ripper7777777]

Yea the wife knows to slow down now.....

I can't wait to get to scenery, not sure how much scenery I can do with 4 english bulldogs, boxer, boston and a pig. So anything built has to be tough. I do have a 3 bridge sequence planned and of course some plants and probably some rally track scenery.


A video will be coming as soon as I can make time.


Well I haven't poured any more concrete, but I have done some shaping and some color tests. So I should be ready for more concrete on monday.

Here are some pics of the whole area.

 

[Bogncrawl]

Very nice build buddy, I really like they way you made the rocks!