ACCESSING THE ARCHIVES

In this retrospective , we examine historic issues of SportsTurf magazine , predecessor to SportsField Management magazine . This edition of “ Accessing the Archives ” looks at the May 1986 issue of SportsTurf .

As we prepare to head to Daytona Beach for the SFMA Conference and Exhibition , it is fitting that we delve into the May 1986 issue this month , as the cover of that particular issue featured the famous Daytona Speedway . The cover story — titled “ Daytona Speedway Joins the Race For Safe , Quality Turf ” — details the storied racetrack and Track Director Dick Hahne , who was responsible for the 500 acres of turf around the track , as well as the all-important four acres inside the track . According to the article , those four acres of turfgrass — Tifway bermudagrass overseeded in the fall with perennial ryegrass — are key to the appearance of the track to spectators , as well as the overall safety of the drivers .

At the time of the article , improvements to the quality of the turf were made possible by a newly installed Toro irrigation system that drew water from a 43-acre lake on the speedway grounds . The irrigation system was also used to control dust during the Supercross season .

40 SportsField Management | January 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com