AW DRAG STRIP INFORMATION

Welcome Tom to the HO side of Nitroslots.

Tom has already entered a car into the Phase II 1/43 event for next weekend.

As you know I have a custom made TKO track for HO so I cannot answer Toms question.

I know the AW track is used a great deal in our HO events but I believe the timing is a little lacking.

I know we got some good information out there for Tom

Thanks

Alan

the AW track is fine for informal matches and certainly can be used for complete events as outlined previously.
and yes there are structured rules available through the directory on this site and several threads, so hunt around.
I concluded a live event Saturday and have some of the rules we used at that event posted on a thread about races.
since you are associated with this site I encourage you to incorporate rules from this site.
if you are interested in a fairly simple, stand alone, reasonably priced timing system that works well with the AW track, I recommend SlotDragon.com for an easy to install system that gives R T's and E T's.
beware the starting line of the AW sets have been known to have problems because of the way the rail is attached to the power source and controllers.
the rail may be too low for the pick-up shoes to contact. if this the case for your set, find the customer service phone number among the paper work that comes with and call them. they will send you a new one.
additionally AW track is completely compatible with TOMY brand AFX track, so you can shop around and find more track to extend your set and even create a return lane with curves.
which AW set do you have?

Welcome Tom to the forum. There is a wealth of info. all over the forum if you are willing to look for it. I think the AW track is an awesome starter set and you can definitely have some competitive racing on it. You can also add to it later if you wanted to extend or add a timing system. Feel free to ask any questions and hope to see you joining in the proxy racing next year.

Tom as Al said the Slot Dragon system is low cost and it will give you ET and reaction times. Tech support is great from this company and I highly recommend the product it works very well. You will need bright light above the track photo sensors so the optics can work properly. The track length can be adjusted to whatever length you desire as there are different length cords available. Cost is between $150-$200. slotcardragon.com/index.html
It depends on what space you have available. An HO scale 1/4 mile is approximately 15' 2" and a 1/64th scale, which most of the cars available are sized at is a little over 20'. Many like myself are running at the 1/64th scale 1000' mark which is about 15' 7.5".
I am planning to hold some events next year and I joined the site just this year.
Here is what the slot dragon looks like. This happened to be a very rare dead heat, note both red win lights are on. You get the tree seen along with the tower that displays the times. Much more enjoyable to run the cars with a timing system. If you have to bucks a much more deluxe system is available from Trackmate. It gives 60', 660, 1000' 1320', speed, reaction time, and margin of victory along with other features. They do not have the greatest tech support and it costs a lot more than the slot dragon system, approx. $1000.


This is the Trackmate readout, you also need a computer, screen and printer for this system.

This system reads out to the ten thousandth. Note this race was decided by just a few 10,000s.

Thank you everyone for the replies and thank you Alan and Peter for the welcome.

Dave and Al , Thx for the tip on the Slot Dragon system . I see where it's more cost effective than Track Mates system . I know the AW does not have ET which eliminates bracket racing period . If the AW turns out to be as much fun as I expect , I'll probably spring for a Slot Dragon .

Peter's point on running the best out of 3 runs makes scence .

Yes , I have been a member for some time and I'm SURE that I've meissed some good times . I have to admit though I do drag race 1/24th scale but it was the HO that took me in that direction . Our old HO drag group went to the bigger scale before the internet came about (20years ago) . We had a home made HO starting light and win light system and really had a blast with that . Now that I retired I have the time to venture out like this into different scales .

I'm really excited about the new 1/43rd scale drag racing . I'm curious about how popular it might become . It's an ideal size for running Stockers and for the builder as well . I can visualize 1/43rd scale soldered chassis' out of piano wire and brass . The builders end of it will be all scratch building and modifying 1/32nd parts to work as well .

I'm sorry Alan but I won't be able to have a car for this weeks race . I came in just a week or so too late to be ready . I will be ready for the next race though .

Now , I'm off to set this AW drag strip up .

Thx guys ,
Tom

Thx for that heads up Al .

Tom