10 replies to this topic

[muskie^man19]

Before the slot car racing scene exploded across the country, there were incredible raceways emerging, laying the foundation for what was to come.  Today’s featured classic is from the pages of the February 1965 Volume 3, Issue #2 of "Model Car Science".

 

Motrorama Raceways, in Van Nuys, CA featured three massive custom tracks.  The shortest was 178’ in lap length, next was 180’ and the longest was…wait for it…408 incredible feet of slot car racing.

 

More to come, as I explore the history of the raceways and tracks that provided the baseline for what we all continue to enjoy today, over fifty years and counting later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul Menkens]

That orange track looks like a nightmare!

It says the blue had brass tape, I wonder if they meant copper. Whichever, it must be a full time job to keep tape in good shape on a commercial track.

I love these early raceways pictures and hope you keep them coming, it's clear that some of these tracks were designed before the designers understood what made an efficient and practical race track.

Although, clearly whoever designed the tracks at Mura Brothers did!

[Isaac S.]

Wow! Thats a long lap! 

[Dave Crevie]

My west coast cousin took me there at least once. There were several Motorama tracks in the LA area, but I believe this was the biggest. Not sure what issue that article is from, but I do have it. We tried to hit every slot track in the area, but in the mid sixties, that was an unattainable dream.

[Paul Menkens]

 We tried to hit every slot track in the area, but in the mid sixties, that was an unattainable dream.

In the 2020s it's just as unattainable, but because there are so few and they are so widely spread out.

[993]

That Orange is long and looks full of blind spots.

The fence around the top would make resloting car difficult.

With slow cars you could eat your lunch while traveling along on the top straight.

Orange is the bigger is better theme.

[Eddie Fleming]

The green and the blue are reasonable race tracks that you could race on or just run for fun. That orange is just ludicrous.

 

The driver stations are just to big and in the way on all three.

[Michael Jr.]

I love the variety.  That's the one thing I wish we had more of.  HIllclimbs, Kings, Ovals.... when we have a turn angled different we feel like it's a totally different experience.  I PERSONALLY believe the variety kept the interest of many racers.  But, I'm underqualified and lacking the years of experience so take that with a grain of salt.

[jimht]

I love the variety.  That's the one thing I wish we had more of.  HIllclimbs, Kings, Ovals.... when we have a turn angled different we feel like it's a totally different experience.  I PERSONALLY believe the variety kept the interest of many racers.  But, I'm underqualified and lacking the years of experience so take that with a grain of salt.

 Yeah, but I'm old and jaded and I agree with you.

 

Tracks should be challenging. 6 turns are plenty but too similar and it's like driving on the Interstate...boooooring.

[muskie^man19]

"Not sure what issue that article is from,"

 

As stated in the first paragraph: Today’s featured classic is from the pages of the February 1965 Volume 3, Issue #2 of "Model Car Science".

 

[Bill from NH]