 The cost was $75,000 (about $1.7 million in 2012 dollars), and an additional $10,000 was invested in arc lighting equipment for night racing.Pine was used for the track surface, as that species was thought to be the most resistant to sun exposure, and the track was treated with a coating made from crushed sea shells to improve traction.Two shiploads of lumber were used, comprising 300 miles of x boards.