7.007 - UK - Hethel - 2007

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Special application

maxit LWA

Lotus Cars t e s t fa c i l i t y, H e t h e l, N o r fo l k maxit LWA i s t e s t t ra c k s u p e r- s to p p e r Versatile maxit LWA l i g h t w e i g h t a g g r e g a t e i s b e i n g u s e d t o improve safety a t t h e U K t e s t t r a c k o f p r e s t i g e s p o r t s c a r manufacturer Lo t u s . In response to u p g r a d e d s a f e t y r e q u i r e m e n t s f r o m t h e H e a l t h & Safety Execu t i v e a n d i t s i n s u r e r s , Lo t u s C a r s h a s i n s t a l l e d new ‘gravel tra p s ’ u s i n g s o m e 6 0 0 m ³ o f m a x i t LWA i n p l a c e o f traditional hea v y a g g r e g a t e s . The lightweigh t m a t e r i a l , which is appro v e d f o r u s e at motor circu i t s b y w o r l d governing bod y t h e F I A , w a s used for two sp i n - o f f a r e a s at the compan y ’ s f a c i l i t y i n Hethel, Norfol k , w h i c h i s also used for r a c e e x p e r i e n c e training for m e m b e r s o f t h e public.

maxit Building Products Ltd. The Heath, Runcorn Cheshire WA7 4QX Tel.: +44 (0)1928 515656 Fax: +44 (0)1928 576792 Web: www.maxit-uk.co.uk Email: sales@maxit-uk.co.uk

It replaced exi s t i n g 4 0 m m heavy aggrega t e , w h i c h was proving to o d e n s e t o stop wayward c o m p e t i t i o n cars effectively. D r i v e r s also faced the a d d e d r i s k of “rolling”the i r c a r s , i n addition to ca u s i n g d a m a g e to bodywork. Proven in exte n s i v e t e s t i n g in Sweden, ma x i t LWA w a s

assessed and found to be a m o r e c o s t- e f f e c t i v e s o l u t i o n than replacing the aggregate w i t h r i v e r- w a s h e d r o u n d gravel, one of few realistic alternatives. Approved contractor Mackinnon Construction Ltd, o f C r o m e r, N o r f o l k , c ar r i e d out installation of 10-20 mm grade material. The existing traditional aggregate was removed and re-used elsewhere, prior to the installation of drainage within the pit followed by p l a c e m e n t o f t h e LWA . c o n t i n u e d ove rl e a f > > > > > > >


Explains company head Alistair MacKinnon: “When a car spins off into LWA it absorbs the energy, bringing the vehicle to a rapid halt without the risk of overturning or substantial damage. “It is an economical solution and is more eco-friendly than the alternatives.” He adds: “With the increased popularity of competition car instruction and track days where people can put cars though their paces, insurance has become a major overhead. By improving safety with innovative material like maxit LWA, operators can help to keep their costs down.”

‘It is an economical solution and is more eco-friendly than the alternatives’ maxit LWA is a totally natural “honeycomb-like” material with a hard ceramic outer layer, which is manufactured by heating clay to extreme temperatures. It’s use for motorsport circuits, public and private test facilities is becoming increasingly popular after independent testing in Scandinavia proved its performance to be superior to traditional gravel or sand traps. Key benefits of using maxit LWA include:

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Superior stopping power. Tests using a 30 cm layer of the material brought a standard saloon car travelling at 56 mph to a stop in just 23 metres. Light in weight – only 20 per cent the density of gravel or sand. More cost-effective than the alternative 10-16 mm rounded, river-washed gravel. When crushed, forms non-hazardous, non-slippery powder that does not compromise track safety. Displays minimal settlement. Easy to handle and remove ruts, etc. Free-draining and good insulation properties, preventing only the very top layer freezing in cold conditions, therefore ensuring performacnce are maintained. Cheaper to transport and more eco-friendly than traditional aggregates.


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