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Post by dave632 on Jun 12, 2021 7:36:28 GMT -7
I bought my 1/8" by 1" steel strips from Lowes. Cut to 4 - 3' lengths then drilled and countersunk for mounting. Getting the high downforce cars off of it can be tough, I have to slide them off using the rear wheels. Problem with magnets under the track as Al stated is not all cars run the same polarity magnets.
An experimental track was built using that type of setup. Cars with the right polarity stopped nicely. Cars with the opposite polarity literally flew away.
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Post by crazynski on Jun 12, 2021 9:28:17 GMT -7
Hello HLP, My apologies for the delay in my response. My set up is not anything like the the pros on this site. It's probably closer to Mini Mouse rather than Mickey Mouse. But the fun-factor is there. I get to test cars and that's all that counts. I had a bunch of old AFX straight track laying around and saw a 7-foot track in the UK I could easily duplicate. So off I went doing my own thing. There is a 12-volt power supply going to an on/off switch. Then wired and soldered directly to end of a straight track. The fun starts here.    |
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Post by crazynski on Jun 12, 2021 9:29:45 GMT -7
At the seven foot finish line, I bent the tabs that connect the power so the shut down would be isolated. I basically dedicated 3-pieces of track to the finish line. There is a 9-inch dead track separating the drag strip from the shut down lanes.   |
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Post by crazynski on Jun 12, 2021 9:38:44 GMT -7
The slow class cars didn't need braking at first so I got fancy and made return lanes with a hairpin at the end with a separate power supply.  Then I started building faster cars and they really needed braking! The first pic is with the return lanes active. The second pic shows everything shorted out for braking. It takes a few seconds to change the shut down area from return lanes, to braking, and back again. Note the little tab of brass shorting out where the power supply normally goes.   |
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Post by crazynski on Jun 12, 2021 9:42:14 GMT -7
For those cars that need more than braking. I have my trusty track marshal, Jerry the minion, at the ready! His feet are nice and soft.  |
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Post by dave632 on Jun 12, 2021 13:19:30 GMT -7
None of us started out with super deluxe tracks. It takes time to develop. I started with a Auto World drag strip, then I soon went nuts. Bought a Slot Dragon timing system etc. etc. I sold off all the road race cars and converted all the others to drag race which ballooned to over 200 drag cars. I have sold off quite a few since. I think Jerry would be quite scared of the 60 MPH monsters coming straight at him.  |
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Post by skillet on Jun 12, 2021 19:29:20 GMT -7
I hear yha Dave. My road course is looking lonely. Since I started Dragracing everything went to the back burner...
I got the race coming up and I won't be running my cars except in the list.i know it will be alot of work involved, but it did give me time to spend on some neglected things around here.
Maybe I'll get a stroll on the road course:-)
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Post by crazynski on Jun 13, 2021 5:08:37 GMT -7
Dave,
Thank you for your kind words of inspiration.
Minions are indestructable. Besides, I seriously doubt any of my cars will go 60mph in 7-feet.
Lastly, I will probably never own a 60mph HO car. I remember a classic 1:1 racing rule. The more power you make. The more parts you break.
I do look forward to having a timing system at some point down the road.
Sam,
I just started drag racing to learn how to get cars in shape for the road course that's been inactive since it first went up a few years ago. Too funny.
Ken
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Post by dave632 on Jun 13, 2021 7:36:48 GMT -7
I swear I broke every part in the drivetrain at some point when drag racing. You name it I broke it.
A friend of mine had what he called his wall of shame where he had all the broken parts displayed.
I must say I learned from all those experiences as the cars became more and more bullet proof.
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Post by crazynski on Jun 13, 2021 8:34:45 GMT -7
Hi Dave,
Most experienced drag racers have that wall somewhere in the garage.
As soon as something is bullet proof. "Murphy's law" jumps in along with a little bad luck, and together they make better bullets.
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Post by pete on Jun 13, 2021 8:48:25 GMT -7
Real drag strips have very little to look at on the big end for a number of reasons, mostly safety reasons. Parts do come off at speed and can travel far and anywhere. Safety equipment is kept in force ready to move before it even comes to a halt. Then campers and pit space that can fun as well when a break is needed.
Man I miss being at the track.
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Post by dave632 on Jun 13, 2021 9:31:13 GMT -7
I remember a flywheel coming apart on a slow car that went into the spectator section and hit a car there.
I distinctly remember that car sounding bad and the guy made run after run. I think a scooter could have beaten it.
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Post by thejasonator on Jul 22, 2021 13:15:36 GMT -7
For those cars that need more than braking. I have my trusty track marshal, Jerry the minion, at the ready! His feet are nice and soft. View AttachmentJerry going to take one to the groin for the love of the game?? LOL |
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Post by dave632 on Jul 22, 2021 15:16:46 GMT -7
Jerry aint gonna like it,  . The 60+ MPH cars cost about 225-250 for the chassis. It has been near impossible to get the armatures for these cars lately. |
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Post by crazynski on Jul 22, 2021 15:32:06 GMT -7
Umm. At 60 mph? Jerry is calling in sick, and taking a self-preservation day.  It gives the words "nut cracker" a whole new dimension. |
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