Track Pipes vs. Boards

What does everyone think of the PVC pipes used to separate lanes on the track?

I hate them for touring cars and Tamiya minis. If you hit a pipe connector at high speed, the car will usually break.

I guess the hard 90 degree inside corners are also killers. And those metal weights at the ends of some of the pipes are also common car killers.

And, my all time biggest complaint is having a pipe roll out in front of my vehicle.

BUT, what about for stadium trucks?? I'm thinking maybe the pipes are better for stadium trucks than say wood 2"x4"s.

So, what does everyone else think?

I could go both ways on that one. Tubes with the trucks seams pretty forgiving, not the case for a sedan- wood is better because it is flat sided. Would it hurt the trucks hitting a flat board?

I don't know. MARCCA in Madison uses pipes for stadium trucks, so I'm guessing they may be more forgiving. A big foam truck tire might really stick to a flat wood board and tear the truck suspension apart.

If we stick with pipes, I may volunteer to buy a few more and cut them down to size to at least make gradual inside corners - instead of the 90 degree corners.

I'm also looking for some "flapper" material for the ends of pipes for the infield. Farm & Fleet has some rubber "bailer belt" that's about 4" wide that may work to put a softer rubber "bumper" on the ends of those pipes.

if someone had a table saw could we rip pipe in half then it wouldn't roll and not be as tall for tc mini but i don't know if carpet damage at raw ends would occur

If the club ever has to buy more "pipes" maybe plastic rain gutter downspouts would be better since they are rectangular (so they can't roll). I'd guess they are more expensive than PVC pipes though.

Any other thoughts?

I have only run with pvc and coorigated drain tube. I guess I don't have a problem with it. I just do my best not to hit it.

If pipe rolling out is a problem, we just need to tape them better. We could also come up with another way to connect them.

I like the "flapper" idea

I have raced with both the pipes and 2by4s with my truck. I ran with the den when they where running a few times. They used poly strips to make their corners they worked pretty well because they gave if you hit them. However the 2by4s did not give so well if you hit them with your truck. The only problem is that I raced mainly oval and with the truck wide open it dose not matter what you hit you still break. I hope this will help with your delima.