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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 10:18:59 GMT -7
Well guys, I have been a LONG Time lurker,and about to put the hammer down. I reside in NC and dont see any HO drag racing action or seem to be able to locate anything here in my neck of the woods.
I have been looking and searching and would like to know which is the best route to go for a first timer. I have raced both the 1/24th (Drag's) and HO (Road Race) stuff in the past, and looking at getting back into it by doing the best of BOTH - Hence HO Drag Racing! I know that the AW stuff has been out for a while. However I feel for real racing the track is too narrow.
I would like to get some feelers for a "Newbee" building a track using the available plastic track thats out there (using 2 tracks side by side and running the outer lanes) vs. doing a routed track vs. purchasing a routed track?
I have seen some great tracks/facilities out there and have a real good idea for a layout, and when its all said and done would like to be a NTRA host track, and or host some events.
Love the forum and all you guys have some very incredible tracks cars, and builds. I am hoping to catch up with all the great contenders on here. And look forward to all the comments thoughts, and suggestions
HOTSLOTS HO
Bob
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Post by AJR on Mar 30, 2014 10:47:13 GMT -7
Welcome Bob! We are certainly glad to have you here! If you are a long time lurker as you say, then you may already know that there is a huge amount of info. on the forum if you are willing to look for it. Regarding track building, car tuning, etc. Everyone here is always willing to help, so I am sure you will have no problem getting some feedback for your track build. There are also a multitude of opinions on pretty much everything including track building. I am the owner/builder of Bear Creek Dragway and it was built dictated by budget more than anything. I would prefer a continuous rail set up like a TKO...etc., but settled for a sectioned plastic track. With that being said, I am extremely happy with the performance of my track (AFX Tomy) and it comes close in times to some of the higher end tracks. As I said recently in another thread, I am planning on doing what you are planning and that is to go to a double track utilizing the outer 2 lanes. I started with a Slot Dragon timing system, but am now running a Trackmate Basic system. I experienced some nuisance issues with the Slot Dragon that I had trouble correcting and have not had any problems at all with the Trackmate. Several other racers are using the Slot Dragon and do not seem to be having any trouble. The are both comparable in price, but the Trackmate Basic needs an older laptop that will run Windows 95/98. I had no problem finding one on Ebay. My power supply is a Mastech HY3010E and have been very happy with that as well. Like I said I am sure you will get plenty of feedback for building your track. Just thought I would give you some specifics on mine to get you started. Mine is just one of many. You may already know all of this. If I can help further, I will be glad to. You can find some more info. on the timing systems at the bottom of the Home page.
Jeff
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Post by Phantom B.S.E. on Mar 30, 2014 11:00:19 GMT -7
Welcome to Nitroslots.
If you are looking for a place to drag race HO slot cars you came to the right place.You will find plenty of helpful hints for building cars on this site and lots more help from our members.As for building a track I have a plastic Tomy AFX racing surface that is six lanes wide and us lanes 2 and 5 for racing with a Slot Dragon timing system.You can see it under the 2014 Super Nationals tread or watch for the Nor'Easter Nationals this April 4th & 5th.I'm very happy with my track but all the host tracks here are great fun to race.If you look at past events you can find plenty of different track builds,some plastic,hand routed,and company tracks like TKO and Wizzard.Lots of options out there so the best advice I can give is build it for having fun no matter what kind of racing surface you choose.
Lets Race,Tom
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 11:09:47 GMT -7
Jeff- Thanks for the welcome. Your track has been one of my inspirations at building a new NC based "facility".
From what I have been seeing I am looking at using either a Astron 0-30 VDC 10 amp power supply OR using two DEEP Cycle batteries for power.
Now the track size i am still working on. I would like to have it set up to run both 1/8 mile and 1/4 races with being able to "CUT" power with a quote unquote flip of a switch. One on my guys in my car club is a GREAT Electrician and will be helping me on the electrical end / portion of the track.
Tom - Thanks I have been looking at ALL the options and facilities and cant wait to "Break Ground" on mine. I have some pretty good Ideas, and have started acquiring some pieces here and there, and blown the dust off of some of my older stuff thats been in the attic.
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Post by pceng on Mar 30, 2014 13:39:42 GMT -7
Hey Bob, Welcome ! We need more east coast racers. We were out numbered at the last east/west event. Hope you get into racing with us soon.
..................... Peter
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 17:25:40 GMT -7
Peter, Thanks for the welcome. My goal is to get it up and running soon. I would luv to be able to recreate the zMAX dragway as its in my backyard. But just two lanes would be good for me right now
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Post by TGM2054 on Mar 31, 2014 7:38:01 GMT -7
Welcome to the (madness) fun Bob!
As far as the track goes,build what your comfortable with,don't overwhelm yourself. I'm in the process of starting a new track myself. The plan so far is using steel studs for the frame, with 1/4" plywood over that and 1/2" MDF as the track surface. I'm going to build it in three sections, like my old track. I'm doing this for two reasons,1)it makes it portable and 2) I can use it as a 1/4 mi. or an 1/8 mi. by simply removing the center section.
As for the electronics, I'm going to use what I have, Slot Dragon System (I still need to get the optical sensors) and two Tomy Tri Power power packs.
I still haven't decided on what to use for power rails, I'm leaning tward using copper tape, but we'll see.
No matter what, have fun.
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Post by AJR on Mar 31, 2014 8:40:46 GMT -7
Jeff- Thanks for the welcome. Your track has been one of my inspirations at building a new NC based "facility". From what I have been seeing I am looking at using either a Astron 0-30 VDC 10 amp power supply OR using two DEEP Cycle batteries for power. Now the track size i am still working on. I would like to have it set up to run both 1/8 mile and 1/4 races with being able to "CUT" power with a quote unquote flip of a switch. One on my guys in my car club is a GREAT Electrician and will be helping me on the electrical end / portion of the track. Tom - Thanks I have been looking at ALL the options and facilities and cant wait to "Break Ground" on mine. I have some pretty good Ideas, and have started acquiring some pieces here and there, and blown the dust off of some of my older stuff thats been in the attic.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 18:36:33 GMT -7
Jeff,
Once again thanks for the 411. I have been to that site and yes its very informative. I have emailed Gregory and waiting to hear back from him. I have also been lurking on EBAY, and have recently found some really nice diorama pieces that would work very well with what I am trying to accomplish.
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Post by ks1933 on Apr 1, 2014 5:24:16 GMT -7
Bob, welcome to Nitro Slots. I am fairly new also, only a few months. Every one is very helpful with answering any questions you might have. Good luck and have a great time here.
(K.S.1933).......Dennis |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2014 21:05:23 GMT -7
Bob, welcome to Nitro Slots. I am fairly new also, only a few months. Every one is very helpful with answering any questions you might have. Good luck and have a great time here.
(K.S.1933).......Dennis
Thanks for the welcome.. |
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Post by kiwidave on Apr 1, 2014 21:41:48 GMT -7
Welcome Bob. Best of luck with your track build. Would be great to see another NTRA track.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2014 23:21:18 GMT -7
Welcome Bob. Best of luck with your track build. Would be great to see another NTRA track.
Here is another question for you guys, and looking forward to the answers. As I have been looking and researching I am seeing variences in track size. SO with regards to that. Which would be better? I know the second would take less space so thats what I am leaning towards or would 1/64th prove to be more beneficial?
1/64th Scale = 20.625' Quarter - 10.32' Eighth Mile
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1/87th Scale =15.725' Quarter - 7.58' Eighth Mile |
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Post by TGM2054 on Apr 3, 2014 5:28:40 GMT -7
[
Here is another question for you guys, and looking forward to the answers. As I have been looking and researching I am seeing variences in track size. SO with regards to that. Which would be better? I know the second would take less space so thats what I am leaning towards or would 1/64th prove to be more beneficial?
1/64th Scale = 20.625' Quarter - 10.32' Eighth Mile
OR
1/87th Scale =15.725' Quarter - 7.58' Eighth Mile [/font]
[/quote]
It's up to you. It depends on how much space you have to work with. My old one was a 1/87th scale, thats probably what the new one will be too. That way I can have a longer shut down area.
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Post by AJR on Apr 3, 2014 6:12:32 GMT -7
Mine and several others are 1/64 with sensors set at the 1000' mark (15' 7"). It's really just personal preference as TGM said.
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