40 replies to this topic

[Alchemist]

[havlicek]

That's blazing fast alright, Ernie... but do you mean the video might be somehow faked? All the other movements (people) in the video look normal speed and I don't see how you could have the cars sped up and the people moving at "human" speed without some serious special effects capability.

So I would think the cars are running as fast as they actually do. There's also "traction magnets" on the cars that can keep them from deslotting a little depending on how strong they are.

-john

[Joe Mig]

Yes, they do go that fast custom-routed track with higher rails and polymer magnets along with a good arm. The hard part keeping an eye on your car.

[John Streisguth]

Fifteen years ago I was racing the Restricted Open class, or "poly-mod" as some places call them, They would lap a 65 foot road course in the 2.8 second range, which is 23 feet per second. Considering many tracks are built on 4' x 16' platform, they are down the front straight and starting down the back in one second.
These cars are even faster now...

The Unlimted class was doing the same track in under 2 seconds.

[John Miller]

Actually, those cars are hardbody pigs and one of the slower classes.

[Hworth08]

Yep, those cars are about Box-12 cars compared to 1/24 scale.

The Open cars are little more than a blur. The cars aren't really fast with high MPH but they're quick as lightning!

[The Bugman]

Believe me they ARE THAT FAST... O'm sure my buddy ol' John Wakamatsu will read and chime in soon, but he has a six-lane 92' per lap track that they cover with unlimited cars in just over 2 seconds per lap. You barely see them even on the 24' straightaways.

It's true the traction magnets have an awful lot to do with that, but even our Super Stocks are doing that track in just a little over 4 seconds per lap, so your eyes aren't deceiving you. HOs are as fast as any 1/24 slots. WHAT A RUSH!!!

[John Streisguth]

According to the video, the cars have hot stock motors and low grade polymer traction magnets, so they are nowhere near the restricted open class I used to run. I would say the Box-12 analogy is pretty fair, "B-Production" 1/24 cars might be closer.

In any case, modern magnetic downforce cars are extremely fast especially on these new routed tracks. Probably the reason why the old T-jet style cars have become so popular again.

[The Bugman]

And the way the camera is positioned at the end of the track makes these cars seem even faster. A hot stock arm is just a medium speed arm, when we run the new Modifieds with rewound arms, 9' of #36-1/2wire and poly traction mags. They are faster than the old R.O. cars we ran in the '90s; we have the proof in our qualifying sheets to see the comparisons.

Ernie, if you're ever in the SoCal area on the third Saturday of any month, ask me or John Wakamatsu or John Cukras for info. You've got an open invite from any of us to come race magnet cars with SCHOR (SoCal HO Racers) and check em out for yourself. Heck, we'll even give ya a car or two to race that day, too.

HOs are a fun class to run.

[John Streisguth]

I haven't raced HO in a few years but I have maintained some contact with some of my old racing buddies, and they also told me that today's Modifieds with ceramic motor magnets and limited arms are indeed as fast as the ROs of the '90s... the full ROs must be a real hoot to drive! That was my favorite class.

[Prof. Fate]

Hi,

As above, those are not the fast ones.

But add in this, we have all experienced this: someone walks in goes, "Wow, I don't remember them being that fast".

But when you are DRIVING, they seem slow, and that evil cheater in the next lane picks up a couple feet a lap in slow motion!

Fate

[idare2bdul]

My eyes and reflexes are way too slow for the faster HO cars. The last race I showed up with a fluorescent pink car figuring at least it would stand out. With three out of four cars in my heat being the same color, I packed up and left after about my third crash.

[sidejobjon]

According to the video, the cars have hot stock motors and low grade polymer traction magnets, so they are nowhere near the restricted open class I used to run. I would say the Box-12 analogy is pretty fair, "B-Production" 1/24 cars might be closer.

In any case, modern magnetic downforce cars are extremely fast especially on these new routed tracks. Probably the reason why the old T-jet style cars have become so popular again.

John,

I am 54 years old. T-Jets are almost 50. I don't remember them like this this video:.

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Yes these are fast... not faked! When I quit racing Tyco 440 was the fast super stock car and Killer Neo cars were the norm! The ultimate SCM on steroids! I had a very old VCR tape with a race at Bucks place in Oregon and the older video cameras made HO's look digital! Now I got'z ta race slower!

These are not your Fathers T-Jet's! I'm older and they are crazy fast now... magnets in your life do so many wonderful things!

[68Caddy]

Have you guys tried out 1/32 mag racing!

Nesta

[Alchemist]

Ernie, if you're ever in the SoCal area on the third Saturday of any month, ask me or John Wakamatsu or John Cukras for info. You've got an open invite from any of us to come race magnet cars with SCHOR (SoCal HO Racers) and check em out for yourself. Heck, we'll even give ya a car or two to race that day, too.

Thank you for the invitation - that's real nice of you guys!! I might take you up on that sometime!!

Nesta,

Have you guys tried out 1/32 mag racing!

I've never heard of such a thing - is there?!! At your home track? LOL!! By the way, your home track is awesome - are you using it now?

Ernie

[Alchemist]

Now this is a phenomenal HO track, 172 feet.

Sadly Greg, the owner, passed away from cancer - R.I.P, Greg!

[pockets3113]

ok im nearlly 50 and im from texas and i KNOW those are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too fast and to small for this old slow man to follow.

[Race O' Rama]

does anyone know if this track still exists????

Now this is a phenomenal HO track, 172 feet.

Sadly Greg, the owner, passed away from cancer - R.I.P, Greg!

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

[2fas4u]

Way faster!

[John Miller]

What's even more interesting is the T-Jet's in the video are set-up in a fashion where they do not run worth a crap on original Aurora lock N' joiner track.

They limit the pick-up travel with special pick-up shoes and they only work well on routed track. If these guys were "real old school" they would run exclusivly on Aurora lock n' joiner track.

[chaparrAL]

John, I am curious what the latest Tjet experts can do with a handling pan and a lexan body in the Retro Race at the Nats. Those "Frey" type Tjets are impessive.
One well set up and well driven could surprise!

[Alchemist]

So, what is the sought after "HOT" HO motor and where would you be able to acquire one - just the motor that is - please? I read somewhere that some HO cars need to be run on 13-14 volts - is this correct?

Thank you.

Ernie

[Dee Irons]

Well a "hot" legal motor for t-jets would be a well balanced 16 ohm arm with a good set of dash or JL magnets
The t-jet gods smile upon some of us when we find that!

[Joe Mig]

I run the T-Jet's on 20 volt's they like that.