Racing Track Drainage with Powerdrain™ from ACO Polycrete

New era for racing track drainage

The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is the venue used for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix, and the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. It is also used as a venue for many other major motorsport events.

Since construction in 1997, the circuit has undergone a number of upgrades where improvements have been made to the surface track drainage. Main contractor, Nippon Road, evaluated ACO's POWERDRAIN™ system against a traditional cast in situ drainage design comprising mild steel grates bolted down into frames encased in the pavement. For many years, cast in situ drainage had been standard practice on Formula 1 tracks. Recently, however, findings by a research group carried out at Paul Ricard HTTT (High Tech Test Track) indicated that in time, bolts would cause potential issues with safety, were unsightly, and would oxidize resulting in maintenance issues. Over the next 5 years, over 800 metres of POWERDRAIN™, S200K (200mm wide) system would be installed along the bends of the track for the efficient removal of surface stormwater and for the safe transit of race cars.

Asphalted pavements designed for racing circuits differs from that of normal roads. A racing circuit's pavement and its drainage elements require very high quality control with respect to stability, surface regularity and durability. ACO's POWERDRAIN™ grated trench drains are available with 90 tonne capacity ductile iron grates locked with boltless mechanisms into integrally cast ductile iron edge rails with anti shunt mechanisms. The underlying trench comprises interlocking precast channels made from polymer concrete, a durable resin composite with excellent strength properties.

Numerous racing tracks around the world, such as the Nürburgring and Hockenheimring; Europe; Formula 1 track in Shanghai, China and Albert Park Australia, are drained with ACO's world famous trench drains.