Slot car track. Pic's and idea's please.

Correct.

You could go the kitbashing route. The trick is to find a car with ideally identical wheelbase, the rest is easy.

 

Doesn't Revell/Monogram also make a 250GTO (in 1/32nd scale; not digital though)?

 

I remember one of that era, but I thought it was Strombecker?

 

Anyone tried? If done with a model railroader's skill for realism, could be quite a sight!

KevFla

 

Good lord but it would have to be big - in 1/87 scale (HO - the smallest practical slot car scale) a mile is 60 feet long!

 

Well...that 'plains everything! Thanks.

KevFla

 

You may also want to get some Slot track layout software. I found it great for planning my layout. I use Artin track, but the package I use supports many brands.

I use Tracker 2000, but it is no longer made. Perhaps if someone where to PM me with an alternate email, I might be able to forward an evaluation copy of this no longer available software.

 

Strombecker and Revell BOTH made GTOs. I am talking about recently a "new" company called Revell/Monogram making a GTO....but it isn't digital....should be available on e-bay...

 

The biggest slot car tack ever (1/32nd and 1/24th) was an 8 lane one in a shop on the east coast, some 40 years ago, that was over 500 feet long! The MESAC track (mentioned above) longest version (the configuration could be changed) was just under 200 feet...

 

Kewl.

I played once on a pro track at a shop. 8 lanes and all. Fun, but not what I'd like in my basement.

As I said before, length matters (grin): More track length equals more fun. But there is a limit to it all: Aside from the space available think how a deslotted car gets back onto the track. Will you have enough people playing or on standby to get to the car? To extend my arms I bought a couple of plastic grab arms (like robot arms, or superlong pliers). Also make sure your players each have a dedicated spot and that they don't get into each other's way and sight. Every player has to be able to see all of the track from his position.

BTW: Try to design to go both directions. Reversing the power section will enable you to go the other direction. Alternatively Carrera cars have switches underneath that reverse the engine. That will cause you to rethink the turns and run off areas for powerslides.

 

With Scalextric digital the cars run whichever way they are facing, so head-on crashes are possible! The lane changing sections only work one way though.

 

I was trying to find some pics from my track under construction, but didn't. Which is odd, because I did take a bunch. I built the track around the time my hard disk crashed, so I guess that's where they went...

Anyhow here a pic from the pro track I mentioned. Very different experience btw.
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oh wow. do you have any more of this track? looks quite impressive.

 

I think this picture demonstrates very well the advantages of digital. It doesn't look like a race track, it looks like a multi-lane highway. With digital you can have multiple people racing, but on just a 2-lane track that looks more like a real race track.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself.

There are even folks who have some of these monstrosities in their basements. Not my cup of tea.

 

I can understand the appeal of these tracks pre-digital. I had a few laps of the circuit at Wolverhampton http://uk.geocities.com/bscrauk/wolverhampton.htm a few years ago and was mightily impressed, but this was in the days before digital. From what I have seen not many clubs have digital tracks. I suppose with the non-digital tracks you are only responsible for your own race and it is unlikely that someone will knock you off so it could be seen as fairer however I think that keeping the other guy from hitting you or finding your way past a slower car is part of the challenge and the fun.

 

+1

While I was subscribed to the slot car racing magazine I read a lot of the comments and letters to the editor: It seemed that old habits die hard and digital was seen as a gimmick. I think it is where the future of this hobby lies.

Part of it is that going digital normally means you can throw your entire investment out the window. Not an easy step for old fans. Your cars become the backdrop to the new digital generation on the track.

 

Took my course down a few years ago because I needed to use my basement as, well, a basement. Have no photos, but it was over a mile (in scale) long. The main straight was around 38 feet. To echo what others have referenced, good electrical contact, and the ability to get to errant vehicles should be a priority. I used a lot of banked turns, and tried to keep the twisties closer to where the drivers were. Unless you have the luxury of marshals, expect a lot of mad dashes.

 

+1