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British Inline Skating Track Championships 20-21 September 2008
“This is now one of - if not the - fastest tracks in the world with the special new surfacing material, Bardon Proskate” said Adrian Wordsworth, British National Team Coach for the Federation of Inline Speed Skating (FISS).
Adrian was commentating after an astonishing eight British records had been smashed in one weekend at the British Outdoor Track Championships at Tatem Park, Enfield. Held annually in September this is the central event for the sport within the UK and features a variety of competitions including time trials, relays, elimination races, through to a 15 kilometre endurance race.
“It’s highly unusual for so many records to be broken in just a single meeting”, commented Adrian Wordsworth, “which is demonstrable proof of just how fast this new surface is.” The event was a doubly meaningful one for Adrian and the London Borough of Enfield as it was also the opening day for the new re-designed track and the culmination of a four year effort to turn Tatem Park into one of the sports major world venues.
Inline Speed Skating is a sport whose profile is currently on the rise and its officials are bidding for Olympic Status. The sport has a large following in mainland Europe – particularly Germany, Belgium, France and Italy – the United States and South America. It is in these countries historically where the vast majority of records - including British Records - have been set.
The track in Enfield was also in urgent need of renovation. In 2006, the sports governing committee of FISS had deemed the Tatem Park circuit unsuitable for hosting future major events. Thermal cracking and temporary repair work on the old sand-carpet surfacing had given the track an untidy, patch-work appearance. This presented a problem not just for the highly technical sport of the speed skaters, but also in terms of general safety.
The London Borough of Enfield commissioned consultants Jacobs to specify a new surfacing that would restore the circuit to its premier status and allow it to compete with the worlds best for future events. This required a surfacing material that would be as smooth and even as possible when installed, with an inherent toughness to retain these qualities for a long period of time. Working in collaboration with Aggregate Industries R&D and Regional South-East Technical Department a new surface mixture was developed – Bardon Proskate with hot-rolled asphalt being used for the binder course layer. The rationale behind the design was to create a smooth surface finish with an impermeable base underneath, to give the maximum amount of free, unimpeded movement for the skaters.
The idea behind this design was to create a smooth surface finish with an impermeable base underneath, to give the maximum amount of free, unimpeded movement for the skaters. This intention was achieved with ease and in style. Michael McInerney, a Veteran Men’s British Champion and, former Junior European Champion was one of the first to try out the new surfacing on the opening weekend in September. “The track is like skating on ice”, he said, “It’s so smooth and fast.”
The first person to test the new track, only hours after surfacing had finished in August was veteran skater, Blake Dempster. “The old surfacing was troublesome around areas of the track that required a lot of technical ability”, he commented, “The new surfacing however rewards good technique. It’s sensational! The bad bits of the old track have been made good and the good bits are now even better”
The track was officially opened by Lee Chamberlain, the Mayor of Enfield on Saturday 20th September - the opening day of the Championships. “This is a great day for the Borough of Enfield”, said Mayor Chamberlain, “I’m extremely pleased that the Borough has such a fantastic facility that can host a sporting event of this scale.” Tatem Park is a lottery funded public space, and as well as the professional races, there was a section of both days that was open for any amateur skaters to try their luck.
“The word soon went round the professional skaters on the opening day“, continues Adrian Wordsworth, “that records were there for the taking.” Many of the records broken had stood for nearly a decade, and some were beaten by a considerable margin. The Womens 3000 metres relay record was broken by16 seconds. Matt Cardell-Williams who set a new British record in the Boys 16-18 years 200 metres commented afterwards “The track has a better roll than any I have ever skated on, without compromising grip”.
“The success of this first application of Bardon Proskate is a perfect example of what can be achieved when all the involved parties are in complete accord with one another”, comments Chris Marchesi, Aggregate Industries Area Technical Manager, South-East “It is especially gratifying that not only the client but in particular the end users are so happy with the finished surface”.
For more about Aggregate Industries, please click [here].
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