Sundrive Track Vandalised

Caroline_ie · 22-09-2010 02:14PM #1

Message from Hugh

Due to a willful act of vandalism (too mild a word!) on the track at Sundrive, the track is closed until further notice. Four plastic barriers were set alight on four seperate parts of the track and the tar at those points has been destroyed. These points are all on the lower racing line and the track is unusable until repair, if at all possible, has been undertaken.

Disgraceful

Beasty · 22-09-2010 02:24PM

I just cannot believe the mentality of some people. A great facility, ruined by mindless thugs.

The track was only resurfaced last year, using special quick-draining/drying tarmac. This is what may make it difficult, if not impossible, to repair. They had already had to remove graffiti from the new surface

Caroline_ie · 22-09-2010 02:28PM

I am actually very annoyed and upset. I cannot express how disgusted I am right now.

Beasty, you are saying it's not repairable? can you not break and resurface the tarmac at all?

wpd · 22-09-2010 02:28PM

Dam it - thats terrible I really enjoyed racing there this year

Let us know if there is anything we can do to help with repair
I would be willing to contribute to a collection if need be?

Harrybelafonte · 22-09-2010 02:37PM

I can't f**king believe that. My mind boggles at how anyone could gain pleasure from something like this.

If money is needed I'll happily contribute.

Crazy that this morning I was reading about the Irish track team at Euro Championships and now the only track in the country has been destroyed.

Beasty · 22-09-2010 02:39PM

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Beasty, you are saying it's not repairable? can you not break and resurface the tarmac at all?

I don't know, but you will see there is some question based on Hugh's e-mail

There are two problems as I see it:

1. You need a perfectly smooth, but grippy surface (or as smooth as you can possibly get) - it's not like repairing a road, and you cannot cover the joins with (very slippery) black tar.
2. It is a special tarmac they have used, and I have no idea whether this is repairable or not

I guess the track commission will need to evaluate this over the next few days.

Has anyone any idea how much they spent resurfacing it last year?

Chips Lovell · 22-09-2010 02:39PM

That's disgraceful. I'm quite upset about that. It's such a great facility and the fact that it was ruined by such a mindless act makes my blood boil.

I'm assuming there's absolutely no chance of nabbing those who did it.

neris · 22-09-2010 02:40PM

welcome to modern ireland and the sense of community that the younger generation are going to bring to the future of this country. if biffo cant wreck it some skanger will be sure to do a much better job

big mce · 22-09-2010 02:41PM

This country is starting to really p!ss me off, what goes on in the mind of these idiots.

Harrybelafonte · 22-09-2010 02:43PM

big mce wrote: »

This country is starting to really p!ss me off, what goes on in the mind of these idiots.

Probably very little, as with the same mentally stunted morons in other countries.

Am hoping there could be a silver lining in here and plans made to build an indoor track.

oflahero · 22-09-2010 02:46PM

I used to feel quite proud in a way that such a great facility was located in a park that, not to put too fine a point on it, gets piles of knackers in it. Thought that at least here's proof that we're not as crap a society that like to moan about all the time if something like that is respected. Well, balls.

Dr_Colossus · 22-09-2010 02:47PM

Feck sake, this must only have happened late last night. I was at the track yesterday from about 18:40 to 19:45. There wasn't anyone else cycling on the track and there was a soccer team training in the center ground. A few young kids around but weren't causing anyone any hassle, everyone was just enjoying the park and the facilities.

Chips Lovell · 22-09-2010 02:52PM

neris wrote: »

welcome to modern ireland and the sense of community that the younger generation are going to bring to the future of this country.

Nothing new, this country was the same in the Eighties.

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Am hoping there could be a silver lining in here and plans made to build an indoor track.

Highly doubt it. The last think I expect Brian Lenihan to be announcing on budget day is funding for a velodrome.

Harrybelafonte · 22-09-2010 02:56PM

oflahero wrote: »

I used to feel quite proud in a way that such a great facility was located in a park that, not to put too fine a point on it, gets piles of knackers in it. Thought that at least here's proof that we're not as crap a society that like to moan about all the time if something like that is respected. Well, balls.

It lasted a lot longer than I ever expected.

I wonder if the committee have planned for this as an inevitability.

Beasty · 22-09-2010 02:57PM

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Am hoping there could be a silver lining in here and plans made to build an indoor track.

Unfortunately I suspect they will struggle to find the resource to repair this particularly if they do need to replace the whole surface, never mind consider an indoor track (which will run into the millions).

One of the problems is there is nothing to stop this happening again - Sundrive is in the middle of a park, and there is no way it can be continually patrolled to prevent such vandalism. I've no idea if there is any CCTV, but even if there is it would take time for anyone to get down there to deal with any problems

Dr_Colossus · 22-09-2010 03:02PM

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Am hoping there could be a silver lining in here and plans made to build an indoor track.

el tonto wrote: »

Highly doubt it. The last think I expect Brian Lenihan to be announcing on budget day is funding for a velodrome.

Plus I think it is/was a great facility to have an outdoor track where you could just show up and cycle to your hearts content provided it wasn't already in use. No need to book times and pay etc. There's alot to be said for the flexibility of an outdoor track even with the downside of the crappy weather.

Don't know what you can do with these scum, maybe send them all to the army for a year or two to learn some respect and discipline.

Chips Lovell · 22-09-2010 03:03PM

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

...maybe send them all to the army for a year or two to learn some respect and discipline....

...and how to kill people

DirkVoodoo · 22-09-2010 03:05PM

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Don't know what you can do with these scum, maybe send them all to the army for a year or two to learn some respect and discipline.

Or use them as target practice.

Harrybelafonte · 22-09-2010 03:08PM

If it were simply a cost issue there must be plenty out there who would be willing to contribute to its continuation (it IS the only one in the country). My fear is that this may simply lead to a conclusion that the prospect of it happening again makes the whole thing a non-runner.

I'm really pi$$ed about this considering I had hoped to finally race on it next year

Caroline_ie · 22-09-2010 03:16PM

This is just another incident on the track after several bike and moped thefts again this year. I doubt there will be much funding from the Gov or the sports commission

lyders · 22-09-2010 03:57PM

This is absolutely horrible to hear. I really hope it is repairable. I was hoping to race there next year after doing so well on the track in London. The only track in London (obv not counting the new Olympic one) is under threat of closure too. (http://www.savethevelodrome.com)

Does anyone know if they will be able to catch the b**tards that did it?? Any CCTV at sundrive?

funkyjebus · 22-09-2010 04:03PM

what, no fair. im in the process of building my track biked soley so i can have a go on this track. f**king chavs

Bunnyhopper · 22-09-2010 04:22PM

That is such depressing news.

Some people really have nothing to contribute but their own idiocy.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi · 22-09-2010 04:45PM

Beasty wrote: »

Unfortunately I suspect they will struggle to find the resource to repair this particularly if they do need to replace the whole surface, never mind consider an indoor track (which will run into the millions).

One of the problems is there is nothing to stop this happening again - Sundrive is in the middle of a park, and there is no way it can be continually patrolled to prevent such vandalism. I've no idea if there is any CCTV, but even if there is it would take time for anyone to get down there to deal with any problems

Remote monitoring via cctv/security company is inexpensive and will deter mindless idiots before damage is caused.

Hungrycol · 22-09-2010 05:07PM

'Tis probably cheaper to send the Irish Track team to Manchester every week then repair the track here.

It must take a lot of patience to set alight 4 plastic barriers, wouldnt say there're the easiest thing burn!

Cycling Ireland's dead and gone
its with Biffo in the grave

Slideshowbob · 22-09-2010 06:53PM

Any photos of extent of damage?

Could it not be patch repaired to Safe standards?

Has anyone approached clg the guys who installed it iirc to get a quote for the work?

Are these plastic barriers the ones that prevent short cuts on the track?

Can they be replaced with barriers made of non combustable material?

Are people on here being too dramatic?

Tarmac work is not rocket science. Sure didn't many an uneducated Irish man make a living in the uk over the years thanks to Tarmac!

I am sure with the right specification drawn u p for the work by let's say dcc there would be plenty of competitive quotes from Tarmac contractors in the current economic climate

DirkVoodoo · 22-09-2010 07:02PM

Slideshowbob wrote: »

Any photos of extent of damage?

Could it not be patch repaired to Safe standards?

Has anyone approached clg the guys who installed it iirc to get a quote for the work?

Are these plastic barriers the ones that prevent short cuts on the track?

Can they be replaced with barriers made of non combustable material?

Are people on here being too dramatic?

Tarmac work is not rocket science. Sure didn't many an uneducated Irish man make a living in the uk over the years thanks to Tarmac!

I am sure with the right specification drawn u p for the work by let's say dcc there would be plenty of competitive quotes from Tarmac contractors in the current economic climate

I think previous posts made it pretty clear that this is not as simple as repairing a section of roadway.

kona · 22-09-2010 07:13PM

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I think previous posts made it pretty clear that this is not as simple as repairing a section of roadway.

and obviously repairing such tarmac requires different techniques to the DCC "shovel of tarmac and a jump and feck off for a breakfast roll" technique.

I wouldnt worry , it can well be repaired to a acceptable standard.

Harrybelafonte · 22-09-2010 07:21PM

Slideshowbob wrote: »

Are people on here being too dramatic?

Maybe, but in Hugh's note he himself questions the possiblity of repairing it at all.

Secondly, I feel that the fact that this happened at all may question the practical and financial viability of the track for those who may have the power to simply shut it down or whatever. Maybe this is just because I miss the BMX track in Marlay and could never understand why it was allowed to wallow in disrepair when people were constantly using it any day I was there.

Slideshowbob · 22-09-2010 07:47PM

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I think previous posts made it pretty clear that this is not as simple as repairing a section of roadway.

and my post made it clear that it aint rocket science

how was it ever built in the first place???

would you advise shutting the track down?

or

would you look at the possibility of determining required works to reinstate it? get prices? determne how to fund it? and carry out the works? maybe even be so bold as to allow for a cctv pearched on a high pole - not that that would help much if the local hoods wear hoods!!

Beasty · 22-09-2010 07:49PM

I guess the track commission are probably asking the same questions as we are at present. It's less than 24 hours since it happened, and probably only a few hours since they became aware of it.

Hopefully they will get some answers over the next few days, and with a bit of luck we'll find out what they are also

On the question of using Manchester, available track time is limited (and I suspect the same may be the case with Newport) and Team GB get absolute priority. When you add the costs of transporting bikes and accomodation, the use of overseas tracks is, and will continue to be, constrained by finances.

Sundrive Track Vandalised

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