2.4ghz track.

[WesR]

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Just started on my larger track for my new 2.4g cars. It will probably be much the same as before but, as I took some photos, I might as well show them. 12mm chipboard seems not available now so I have used 11mm OSB, something new to me. On my small practice track, I tried another lane change without the plate (I have made dozens of these over the years but they never work as well as with the plate) so I shall stay with the plates. I usually start with gluing down the plate, then fitting the wire. I am staying with 0.8mm wire. The std. guide magnet in the car will run across this ok when driving back onto the track. Any heavier wire and the car will not cross it.
The card strips alongside the l/c enable a quick test to be made. I shall lift these before plastering. The strips of card around the track boundary should make plastering easy and accurate. Ready mixed plaster is then easy to apply and definately the way to go as far as I am concerned. I shall leave around the l/cs clear in case they need adjusting.

[WesR]

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Further progress with my new track. I really enjoy track building. I gave up Magracing to try something else but the 2.4g radio has improved the hobby and really rekindled my interest. This is track No. 7 (or is it 8?) Laying the wire on the base and using ready mixed plaster, or 'smoothing filler' as they now seem to call it, is by far the best way. The wire can be laid out, positioned with panel pins, altered until it looks right, and impact glued down. Plaster can be easily scraped off if necessary and the wire realigned.
I would never consider routing. I am expecting to make changes, add l/cs, pit lanes etc. later which can be easily done. Finished track will be about twice this size and big enough for serious racing.

[Ned]

Looking very good Wes. If I were building a permanent, non-portable, indoor track, I would definitely use your method.

[WesR]

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Modifications already to my new track! The straight under the bridge was not long enough for reliable lane changing. Also, I wanted a left, right, left dogleg to add some skill to the back straight and the extension enabled this.

[WesR]

[attachment=0]DSCF0502 (640x475).jpg My new track is progressing well. Additional lane changes needed I think and also some rerouting of the inside lane to make overtaking easier. Impossible to foresee some of these things until you get some laps in! Also, it may be a little tight on 'run off' area. There should really be about a cars length on each side of the track to allow cars to clear the track and to drive back onto it. Not possible of course in tunnels or on bridges. I can easily add extensions to the outside of the track but not so easy on the infield. Re-routing the wire is easy in the plaster surface. I need to get the l/c positions marked before anyone else has a drive (and before I forget where they are!).

[kiklo]

You really got an interesting track there Wes.

You even have some space to make a pit several places if you want to add 'fuel-race'.

What are the dimensions of your board ?

[WesR]

Thanks Kim, Yes, I can easily add a pit lane down the straight. I just wanted to get a decent track working to test the cars properly and the lap counter. Size is approx. 1.2 mtr x 3.3mtr.

[WesR]

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Improvements already to the track! I have extended this end by approx. 5" (13cm) to allow greater manouevering area and also added what I am calling a 'cheating line' on the inside lane corners.
Haven't done any racing yet - only one tx! - but the aim is to speed the entry into the main straight on the inside lane to provide more overtaking opportunities. We never tried this before on our previous tracks but I think it could be interesting.
Magracing and digital slot tracks have the problem that main straights are seldom more than 3 mtrs long. This equates to 96mtrs for a main straight on a full size G.P. circuit! Lewis and co. would have difficulty getting out of first gear, let alone overtaking!
When racing, we found that in fact overtaking occured mostly when leading drivers made a mistake. Much like full size in fact but in miniature we make mistakes much more often and putting pressure on the leader often produced a mistake.
I do wonder how drivers on digital systems such as by Sillage ever manage to overtake as slot cars frequently spin but stay on the track (and wait for a marchal!)
The'cheating lane' is the same radius as the racing line and so it should be possible to run inside a car even if it is on the racing line.

[Ned]

Good looking track Wes, incorporating some good ideas.

[WesR]

First video of the new track