What sort of asphalt is used when making tracks? Does the track compound have a large effect on handling?

Also, what are those things called on the edges of tracks during turns. They are usually red, and white.

I think they use normal asphalt for the surface. The compound shouldn't have a large effect on handling (it will if it's all broken up), but the amount of rubber on track does (the amount of black stuff tires leave behind).

The red/white (or green/white, black/white, blue/white...) things are called rumble strips.

Sometimes if track is not made purposefully, they can have different surface. Like Sebring, which was an old airfield, have a lot of part of the track is paved with concrete. And Daytona's infield has it's surface rich with seashell and other stuff, the surface is very abrasive....and bad for tire...

how do they plan out what shape to make the track.

A lot of European Tracks are made according to the natural surroundings......most modern tracks are made according to the view of the track for the spectator, variety of turns, and how good it is for TV coverage....

Seems like the geometry involved would be pretty complicated. It has to conform to some sort of rules, I don't think they just pick a cool shape.

I don't know how they plan the tracks, but they sure do need at least one spot where they can fit thousands of people in a Grand Stand. And they also need at least one good straight for the overtaking...

Whenever I'm drawing my race tracks, I take tons of things in consideration, there are so many factors that it's hard to say. But I'm not a pro, and I have not studied engineering and architecture.

Landscaping is another skill required in that area too. I wish I knew how to do that. I'd be making bank!

I take it you're not talking about the *painted wooden sign nailed to a tree near a housing development* type landscaping are you?

What's the difference? Landscapers of just about any type make some pretty good cash. But that takes a lot of schooling. Some of those courses are expensive! Too much for me to take out another loan. I've got enough bills.

Surface does make a difference in grip.

Tom, I was referring to the cheap mexican labor I see all the time. No they don't make good cash. They work all day for a little more than minimum wage.

Listen to M Prophet, he speaks the truth.

I wasn't referring to the cheap labor. I'm talking about the guy that does the "mapping" through that little view finder thing, whatever they call it. The grunts that pick up debris and stuff, those guys, sadly, don't make hardly anything. If that's the type of work the mexicans do for hardly above minimum wage, they're better off flipping burgers at McDonald's for $6.25 an hour.