HOT OFF THE PRESS!!
It was a long ride from Texas and hasn't seen daylight for over 40 years but the 220' American Sovereign AKA Purple Mile has arrived in Ashland, MA. today around 2:00 PM. According to Peter Lentros, the track looks in perfect condition but the braid will be changed to the wider version by famous trackbuilder Gary Gerding. Any additional reconditioning will also be done by Gerding.
This may well be the only existing American Sovereign left in the world. The track will be set up at Modelville's Hobbies new location at 280 Rear, Eliot Street, Ashland, MA. Besides the Sovereign, the new Modelville location will will have a Gerding King and a figure 8. It's expected that Richard Payne, Modelville's owner, will also have a 1/32 track on site.
The new location is expected to open early October.
On the HO scene there will be a Buck Scorpion, Bowman Champion, Official Competition Car Model Magazine six-lane track. Peter Lentros will be also having a HO Bowman Sovereign/Purple Mile built to be housed at Modelville. More info to come. Stay tuned
American Sovereign/Purple Mile arrives in Ashland!
Started by
John Stezelecki
, Sep 15 2010 02:25 PM
299 replies to this topic
#1
John Stezelecki
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Posted 15 September 2010 - 02:25 PM
#2
MantaRay
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Posted 15 September 2010 - 02:34 PM
John,
Please post some pics if you can.
Please post some pics if you can.
Ray Price
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#3
Mr. Frank
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Posted 15 September 2010 - 02:47 PM
That's FANTASTIC...
Pictures please, Can't wait to see it!!!
You're a lucky dog...
Mr. Frank
Pictures please, Can't wait to see it!!!
You're a lucky dog...
Mr. Frank
Frank Elavsky
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#4
MrWeiler
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Posted 15 September 2010 - 02:51 PM
All right!!! 
"TANSTAAFL" (There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.)
Robert Anson Heinlein
"Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude."
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"In practice, socialism didn't work. But socialism could never have worked because it is based on false premises about human psychology and society, and gross ignorance of human economy."
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#5
John Stezelecki
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Posted 15 September 2010 - 04:36 PM
Peter Lentros is taking photos as I type this. They will be posted soon.
#6
MG Brown
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Posted 15 September 2010 - 10:26 PM
This sounds very interesting - road trip when all the tracks are operational?
That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.
#7
GTPJoe
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Posted 17 September 2010 - 09:41 AM
Hi John,
Remember when Bruce B. had an HO version of a King track in Atkinson, NH? Its name...
ELVIS!!
Remember when Bruce B. had an HO version of a King track in Atkinson, NH? Its name...
ELVIS!!
GTP Joe Connolly
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In practice there is.
#8
Cobbler
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Posted 17 September 2010 - 12:31 PM
SCHWIIING!
Jim Sofchek
Racing is all about how slow you can go... and still win!
Racing is all about how slow you can go... and still win!
#9
John Stezelecki
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Posted 18 September 2010 - 07:09 AM
The Elvis is now owned by Arnie Hernandez who lives in Medford, MA.
Several times a year the Nantasaket Beach Race Club races on the Elvis, Because of limited pit area, we race IROC Club cars.
Several times a year the Nantasaket Beach Race Club races on the Elvis, Because of limited pit area, we race IROC Club cars.
#10
Mr. Frank
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Posted 18 September 2010 - 07:29 AM
Have any pictures of that track???
Frank
Frank
Frank Elavsky
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#11
John Stezelecki
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 08:31 AM
I have several photos of Elvis around here somewere. If I recall the track is about 17'x 7'. As soon as Arnie repairs the lap counter so that the red lane counts again, we'll be racing on Elvis again.
#12
Tex
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 08:53 AM
It's purple. 
Richard L. Hofer
Remember, two wrongs don't make a right... but three lefts do! Only you're a block over and a block behind.
Remember, two wrongs don't make a right... but three lefts do! Only you're a block over and a block behind.
#13
Cheater
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 09:13 AM
I'm agreeing with MG: a road trip to run again on my beloved Purple Mile might be in the cards, once the track is up and running. James Merriman said the same thing at our SERRA #24 event this past Saturday.
It's a helluva long drive from Atlanta to MA, but for a real Purple Mile, I'd do it!!
It's a helluva long drive from Atlanta to MA, but for a real Purple Mile, I'd do it!!
Gregory Wells
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#14
Dominator
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 09:22 AM
I have a meeting today in that area so I am going to swing by the shop and try to get a glimpse of the legend. If allowed I will take some pics and post later.
A motor is only as fast as the chassis it's in.
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#15
Mr. Frank
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 11:50 AM
COOL... I would love to see some pictures of that BIG MILE....
Mr. Frank
Mr. Frank
Frank Elavsky
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#16
Lenjet
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 02:23 PM
Ready to race on the Sovereign?
Hey, everybody. Sometimes in life amazing things happen. While to 99.999% of the world this does not matter, only those who have slot car racing in their blood are more than excited when the chance to race on the holy grail of slot car tracks becomes possible. There is really MUCH MUCH more to this story that will be told that, quite frankly, will make this track even more special. This is more than just a surviving part of slot car history.
Just a few shots for now as I work on the website.
Gary Gerding will be here on October 5 to begin setting up his G7 King and to work on the Sovereign.
Just a few pictures for now. Look at the track surface. Just a little dust.
Peter Lentros
pglentros@lentros.com
Hey, everybody. Sometimes in life amazing things happen. While to 99.999% of the world this does not matter, only those who have slot car racing in their blood are more than excited when the chance to race on the holy grail of slot car tracks becomes possible. There is really MUCH MUCH more to this story that will be told that, quite frankly, will make this track even more special. This is more than just a surviving part of slot car history.
Just a few shots for now as I work on the website.
Gary Gerding will be here on October 5 to begin setting up his G7 King and to work on the Sovereign.
Just a few pictures for now. Look at the track surface. Just a little dust.
Peter Lentros
pglentros@lentros.com
Peter Lentros
#17
Tex
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 03:48 PM
LOL! It is funny, the little things that make us giggle with delight.
- Jaeger Team likes this
Richard L. Hofer
Remember, two wrongs don't make a right... but three lefts do! Only you're a block over and a block behind.
Remember, two wrongs don't make a right... but three lefts do! Only you're a block over and a block behind.
#18
Bill from NH
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 05:53 PM
Peter, how are you planning to power this track? IIRC, Dick had the Framingham Sovereign powered by two D8 batteries. Today, local authorities might not allow battery powering. 
Bill Fernald
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
#19
MG Brown
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 06:54 PM
Thanks for posting the pics, Peter. So glad to see this track will be rescued.
@Cheater... oh come on now, I know you want to break out a Retro car on the "mile". How sweet would an F1 car look on that bank!
@Cheater... oh come on now, I know you want to break out a Retro car on the "mile". How sweet would an F1 car look on that bank!
That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.
#20
Mr. Frank
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 07:00 PM
Thanks! The pictures of that bad boy are just awesome. Can't wait to see it up and running...
The bank on that track looks a lot steeper then the one on our American King...
Mr. Frank
The bank on that track looks a lot steeper then the one on our American King...
Mr. Frank
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#21
Mad Mexican
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 07:10 PM
Amigos,
What a fossil find! The beauty of this is that instead of just observering the find, we can go out and play on a part of history!
Just curious how many of these beasts were manufactured?
Adios
What a fossil find! The beauty of this is that instead of just observering the find, we can go out and play on a part of history!
Just curious how many of these beasts were manufactured?
Adios
Javier Zavala
In loving memory of my mother Francisca Escalante Zavala
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Vaya Con Dios
In loving memory of my mother Francisca Escalante Zavala
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Vaya Con Dios
#22
Rick
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 07:11 PM
Frank,
The Sovereign bank is WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY steeper than the King bank...
The Sovereign bank is WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY steeper than the King bank...
Rick Bennardo
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#23
Mr. Frank
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 07:22 PM
Yo Rick,
I put a gauge on my bank and it read 46 degrees... That things gotta be 50 degrees...
Must go and race on it when finished!!!
Mr. Frank
I put a gauge on my bank and it read 46 degrees... That things gotta be 50 degrees...
Must go and race on it when finished!!!
Mr. Frank
Frank Elavsky
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 10:55 PM
Purple Mile
"Ya gotta be in it to win it"
Ray Carlisi
Ray Carlisi
#25
Mark Wampler
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Posted 20 September 2010 - 11:03 PM
Prop 65 warning here minimum in CA. Lead Poisoning.Dick had the Framingham Sovereign powered by two D8 batteries. Today, local authorities might not allow battery powering.
Air quality control board violation, too.
.050" front clearance on that track.
Mark Wampler
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