When people think about rubber removal, they usually think about airports – not racing circuits.
And for good reason. Removing rubber from runway touchdown zones is a critical part of maintaining friction, ensuring safe landings and preventing hydroplaning. It’s something Roadgrip has been doing for decades across airfields worldwide.
But increasingly, that same expertise is being applied in another environment: motorsport.
Whether it’s Formula E, IndyCar or Formula 1, race cars put enormous stress on the surface beneath them. Under heavy braking, acceleration and cornering, tyres heat up and leave behind layers of rubber, particularly in braking zones and racing lines.
On a permanent circuit, this rubber can actually improve grip for racing.
On a public road, it’s a different story.
Street circuits are built on roads designed for everyday traffic, not high-performance racing. After a race weekend, those same roads need to be returned to normal use, often within days (or hours!).
That’s where rubber build-up becomes a problem.
Unlike standard road wear, race rubber forms a concentrated layer on the surface. This can:
For drivers used to normal road conditions, this change in behaviour can be unexpected and potentially unsafe.
Before roads can safely reopen, the surface needs to be restored as closely as possible to its original condition.
Removing rubber build-up brings back the natural microtexture of the asphalt or concrete, allowing tyres to grip the road consistently. It also ensures that water can disperse properly during rainfall, reducing the risk of skidding or hydroplaning.
For local authorities and event organisers, this step is essential in ensuring that the transition from race circuit back to public road is safe and compliant.
The process we use for street circuits is the same one we use on runways: ultra high pressure (UHP) water jetting.
This method uses extremely high-pressure water to break down and remove rubber deposits from the surface without damaging the underlying surface. It is precise, efficient and doesn’t rely on chemicals, making it ideal for use in urban environments.
Because the technique is already proven in aviation (where safety margins are even tighter), it translates perfectly to motorsport applications.
Following the IndyCar race in Arlington, Roadgrip Motorsport USA returned to the circuit to remove rubber build-up from the streets before they were reopened to traffic.
Using UHP water jetting, the team restored the road surface quickly and effectively, ensuring consistent grip and safe driving conditions for everyday vehicles.
Whilst we employ this same process to remove the painted branding and sporting lines form the surface, rubber removal often goes unseen, but plays a vital role in making street racing viable in modern cities.
Whether it’s a runway or a street circuit, the objective is the same: restore the surface, maintain safety and ensure consistent performance.
Because once the race is over, the surface still has a job to do.
Contact our Head Office to discuss your next race, or visit Roadgrip Motorsport to see our recent projects.