STRATHAYR TRACK SYSTEMS
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safe
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all weather
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increased usage
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longer life
The StrathAyr Track provides an extremely resilient, safe and long lasting natural grass surface. It consists of a specially engineered profile that incorporates a base drainage layer of gravel and pipes, a lower layer of sand and an upper rootzone layer reinforced with unique ReFlex® mesh elements.
The result is a natural grass surface which combines remarkable surface strength, excellent drainage and improved grass growth, allowing increased usage over a longer period.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club pioneered this all weather natural turf track concept 17 years ago and since that time StrathAyr has further refined the design and developed specialised construction machinery.
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Cost-Effective Racing
The StrathAyr Track is significantly more cost-effective than other natural turf construction options due to the unlimited life of the track profile, lower maintenance costs, no cancellations and greater usage.
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More Racing
The ability to handle all types of weather conditions, combined with high load bearing capabilities, better wear resistance and faster recovery after damage provides racecourse managers with the opportunity to host more races and increase their returns.
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Safer Racing
The technology provides greater surface uniformity and the action of the ReFlex® mesh elements provides a cushioning effect on impact, lowering the potential for injury. Throughout 17 years of racing there has never been a fast rating on any of the ReFlex® tracks.
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All Weather
There has never been a wet weather cancellation on a StrathAyr Track or sportsfield. The drainage capability for each project is designed to suit local climatic conditions.
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Installation
Precision installation of the system is facilitated by a number of machines, purpose-designed by StrathAyr.
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Prevents Compaction
The unique application of ReFlex® mesh elements provides the load bearing capability of a secondary bitumen road which enables horses, trucks and turf equipment to travel over the surface in all weather conditions without compaction.
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Longer Life
The compaction resistance provided by the inclusion of ReFlex® mesh elements provides a greatly extended life of the rootzone profile.
Profile Design
The StrathAyr Track design remains consistent across all countries. Only the drainage design and turf species selection will vary according to the climate.
Track Management
This hi-tech track is easier to manage than conventional profiles. Moonee Valley records show the StrathAyr Track requires less irrigation and has a lower maintenance cost than conventional profiles.
The StrathAyr Track is available world-wide.
ReFlex® mesh elements add an extra dimension to the performance of StrathAyr surfaces.
When ReFlex® mesh elements - 50mm by 100mm (2" by 4") pieces of flexible polypropylene mesh – are blended uniformly within a rootzone profile the mesh elements reinforce three dimensionally, acting like thousands of springs to improve load bearing ability and resistance to compaction.
The spring back action also creates a cushioning effect on impact, "bounce back" after impact. Improved rootzone aeration is achieved resulting in greatly improved grass growth and recovery after wear.
ReFlex® performance benefits have been scientifically demonstrated over 20 years and proven in some of the world's leading sports stadia and racetracks over the past 17 years.
No alternative product can match the engineering performance of ReFlex®. In fact, some alternative rootzone reinforcement products have the opposite effect and actually increase the likelihood of compaction and poor turf growth.
Understanding ReFlex® Technology
- Soil particles interlock with the mesh, packing into the mesh apertures to form a soil/mesh cluster. These clusters then interlock to form a stable composite rootzone matrix.
- When this matrix rootzone is compressed by players, horses or vehicles the mesh elements provide a dual effect. They act like thousands of springs, flexing vertically as the load is applied to the surface and returning to their original form after the load is released.
- At the same time the applied load compresses the soil within the mesh apertures causing them to expand laterally. As the load is removed the apertures shrink back elastically and the surface profile recovers. This combined mesh flexing and elastic straining of the apertures provides unique impact absorption and surface recovery properties.
- Equally importantly it creates and maintains voids along the length of the mesh filaments, which maintain air spaces in the rootzone, enhance capillary water retention and ultimately provide an improved environment for grass growth.
- The load bearing properties provide a significant increase in surface strength and a built in resistance to compaction - leading to a greatly extended working life.
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