Q:  Tell us about the set-up for the Monster Truck Rally.    

Hans Niska:  The set-up started on Thursday evening at approximately 6 pm once the field was under the evening shadow.  We moved all of the dirt in overnight so that we could have the product, which was black, covered before the sun came up the next morning.  Track construction continued through the day on Friday and the was pretty much ready by Friday afternoon.  The event was two shows on Saturday (2pm and 7pm).  Immediately following the 7pm show we started moving the dirt out of the stadium and worked overnight, the field was clear by approximately 8am Sunday morning.  The field was covered for about 62 hours.  First we put down a felt type barrier to maintain separation.  On top of that we laid a rigid plastic product for protection and weight distribution to try and limit the compaction.  And then on top of that we brought in about 3500 tons of dirt.

Q:  If you did not have a SubAir system, what steps would you have taken to protect your field and what results do you think you would you have had? 

HANS NISKA:  If I did not have SubAir it would have been much more challenging because I would not have been able to monitor the moisture content in the soil and had to do more guessing.  I also would have had to stop watering much earlier than I did to make sure the turf and soil dried out in time.  Without being able to control the moisture level this would have caused a much higher likelihood of fungus setting in while it was covered.

Q:  How do you use your SubAir as part of your turf maintenance routine?  Specifically, how does it help you in the climate of Salt Lake City?

HANS NISKA:  It is primarily used for oxygen/gas exchange and soil temperature control.  We have been able to maintain more consistent soil temperatures using either outside air or subsurface drainage air depending on ambient temps.  We have also been able to monitor and maintain more consistent moisture levels.  Salt Lake City is a very hot and dry climate in the summer with very high day time temperatures.  SubAir allows us to monitor and maintain lower and more consistent soil temperatures in turn a stronger and more substantial root zone and healthier grass.