Trak Vak
Race Track Dryer
Three generations, built for different speeds - Trak Vak systems for both low-speed pit lanes and high-speed track use.
Foam rollers guide standing water into a 50 hp vacuum system, depositing it into a 500-gallon tank. Removal of standing water increases surface area exposure, leaving a damp asphalt surface that dries rapidly through natural evaporation. The system was deployed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 1999 and 2000 to dry the 5/8-mile pit road. During multiple rain events, Trak Vak removed standing water ahead of jet dryer operations, with remaining moisture dissipating without additional drying methods.
Shown here is a Trak Vak trailer on turn four at Texas Motor Speedway, where testing was permitted by TMS President and General Manager Eddie Gossage during non-operational, rainy conditions. This configuration operated on a different principle, using the same vacuum and tank while collecting water from tire spray at the backside of the tread.
On the TMS pit road, the 500-gallon tank reached capacity after approximately four to five passes.
U.S. Patent 6,049,943 documents the Trak Vak system developed by George A. Carter III for efficient removal of water from outdoor surfaces.