My experience with OSCAR racing dates back to 2004 when my wife and I retired and moved to Oregon. A lifelong passion for model car racing led me to seek out an outlet for my obsession. I didnt have to look very long. Almost immediately I found likeminded Slot-heads racing at a private track, Spare Time Raceway (STR) in my hometown, Roseburg, Oregon. Racing featured 1/24 plastic or resin scale model bodies mounted on sophisticated scratch-build chassis. I soon learned that STR was only one of five private tracks located throughout Oregon racing under the umbrella of a sanctioning body dubbed OSCAR (Oregon Slot Car Auto Racers). That soon became six as I constructed Electron Raceway and located the track in our 2,400 square foot shop (see list below for details of OSCAR tracks circa 2005-2007). If you are not interested in reading the post, consider viewing the images (simply cursor down).
The character of each of these tracks was quite different. The tightest and most difficult track on the circuit was Spare Time Raceway. Short straights and eight inch inner radius turns made STR the most challenging of OSCAR tracks. Heidelberg featured very wide sweeping corners coupled with short straights and a significant dip. Toms World is what I might characterize as a speed track featuring a 35 foot straight. Over the years, I traveled to OSCAR events at all of these tracks, had a great time and met so many great guys. Below are images of each of the tracks
(Note: The track has been modified since then. The main and pit straights have been lengthened by about 4 feet and a hump was added to the pit straight making the track even tougher to master.)
OSCAR, the sanctioning body developed the rules for several classes of cars (NASCAR, Sports Car, Trans-Am, Jalopy, etc.). The consistent rule set facilitated wide ranging participation in OSCAR events. It was not uncommon for an event to attract 20 or more racers from all over the state. A typical season lasted from October through May (see tables below for sample schedules). The schedule for the upcoming season was determined by the track owners who gathered for the final race of the current season (typically a NASCAR event held at Toms World located in Bend, Oregon). OSCAR races were held at a different member track each month and featured a different class of cars.
Note: 6/9/2007 Race not an official OSCAR Race
I have chosen to show images of several OSCAR classes of cars below. For more images see the link below and then click on the desired class of cars (Note that Flexi, ProTrack NASCAR, Vintage ProTrack are not OSCAR classes).
http://slotblog.net/...10-str-classes/
So, what was it like to participate in an OSCAR event? The track was open for several hours on the Friday evening before race day. Out-of-towners filtered in and took full advantage of the time to learn or re-acquaint themselves with an unfamiliar track. In addition to practice, it was a time to meet, greet, talk with old friends and make some new ones. Race day typically began early Saturday morning with lots of coffee and snacks supplemented by some last minute practice. Typically, tech inspection was opened between eight and nine in the morning. After inspection, each car was secured and could not be touched prior to the race. After all cars had been subjected to inspection, it was time for qualifying. Each participant qualified in turn for one minute and his fastest lap time was recorded. Fast lap times determined the seeding for the race. The top qualifier was allowed to select a lane or sit-out. This process continued down the order until all lanes and sit-outs were filled. Racing began immediately after qualifying. Typically, two rounds would be completed before the lunch break. The track owner provided lunch for all competitors. Costs were defrayed by the race entry fee. Lunch might be picnic style and include hot dogs, burgers, chili etc. while a few track owners served a sit down meal with several courses. In any case it was a time to catch up with old friends. After the lunch break, racing began again in earnest. Depending on the number of racers, there were two or three more rounds run. Race day typically ended with an awards ceremony around four in the afternoon. Trophies were awarded to the top five finishers, for the Top Qualifier and Concourse.
Below is a compendium of images from those halcyon days.
