187 replies to this topic

[dc-65x]

I've been retired and moved into our new home for just over a year. We bought the house mainly because of this room....at least I did
 

 
Here's a layout of the room and an outline of the area the track must fit:
 

 
 
This is my buddy Rodney's design for a track in this space. It's a hill climb style where the two main straights are partially on top of one another to save space:
 

 
This is the letter I sent to these 4 track builders:
 
Gary Gerding
 
Steve Ogilvie
 
Ed & Karol Tunkel
 
Cruzin' Bob

Dear Sir,

Since I’m now in my retirement, it’s time for me to realize a lifelong dream and have a custom slot car track professionally built and installed in my home! To that end I’m sending this solicitation out for the consideration of the top track builders in North America.

I am very excited about this project. I also realize that professional craftsmanship and the great travel distances involved for most builders are not financially trivial matters. But as I said, this is a lifelong dream and I’m prepared to make it happen.

I’ve attached both .jpg and .pdf files of the size envelope I have available and a sketch my best friend did of a track design he favors. I will also mail you hard copies of this information by USPS Priority Mail.

But, I’m very much interested in what designs you’d suggest for my space. I’ve listed below some ideas I have about my track. These are just my “ideas” and I’m interested in your suggestions based on your considerable experience and expertise:

1. I was thinking of some type of hill climb style with the two main straights partially on top of one another to save space.

2. Would a 3 lane versus a 4 lane layout help in creating a better track design in my limited space?

3. I enjoy flat turns but I would like the turns before and after the main straight to be banked to allow for as much straightaway speed as possible.

4. For lane spacing, I’m used to driving on my old home raceway with a 4 ½” lane spacing and 5 ½” to the outside guard rail.

5.I need the control panel to protrude little, if at all, past the side of the track. Perhaps the controller hookups can be horizontal and recessed into the sides of the track?? I can provide removable “trays” for the controllers to rest on when the track is in use.

I very much look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance,

Rick

 

Okie Dokie.......now we wait and see what they say.....

[Gator Bob]

Outstanding Rick .... live the dream!

[SlotStox#53]

About time Rick Here's to a response that's to your liking soon !

 

Along with a track that fills that empty waiting room !

[Pablo]

Rick, I was present when Gary Gerding brought and assembled Greg Gilbert's new track in Robertsdale, Alabama.

Assembly was very very smooth, trouble free.  I helped with the wiring. The finished product was absolutely perfect.  Greg was 100% happy. 

[dc-65x]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to have a place to drive my cars again. Without a commercial track around I was dead in the water.

 

Pablo, thanks for the personal recommendation. It's much appreciated

[Tex]

For what it's worth, a couple of custom made tracks here in the north Texas area have had one common .... well, let's not call it a "complaint" per se, but one thing they wish was better.... gluing the braid down. Maybe there's no way around it, but after cleaning the track a few times with naptha, braid starts to come loose. If there's ANYthing that can realistically prevent this, I think it would be worth the $ in the long run.

 

By the way, when can I come up and play(once you have the track)?

[PCH Parts Express]

Here is a toy type home track with a corkscrew section. Maybe one day someone can have a builder incorporate this into a wooden track. 

 

[dc-65x]

[Pablo]

What will the approx. overall length be, Rick ?

[dc-65x]

The "Work Zone" is 19' X 9'. I wish it was bigger but that's what I've got.

[Pablo]

Ya, Sven, I can zee dat from ze sketch.

I'm probably not asking the question correctly.

How many feet will a car travel in one lap ?

[SlotStox#53]

More than big enough for some slot car track Rick , you're gonna have a blast whatever layout the respective builder comes up with and builds

Can't wait to see the results!!

[dc-65x]

Pablo, do you mean the lap length?  We'll have to wait and see what the builders come up with.

[Pablo]

Greg Gilbert's "The Nightmare" track by Gary Gerding:

 

 

[Tim Neja]

If you want to check out a TON of home track designs---go to Luf's home page "Oldslotracer.com"--- and take a look at what's been built all over the world!! Dennis Samson also has a VERY nice 3 lane track in less space than you have--and it's MAJOR FUN to drive and race on with 1/32 scale cars!! There's plenty of scratchbuilding in 1/32 as well---and 3 lanes with 4" lane spacing will help you maximize your racing space.  FWIW
 

I tried to "edit" my post and add some pics--but it won't let me do it?? 

[SlotStox#53]

That nightmare track looks really cool to race on

[dc-65x]

Yup. the Nightmare looks like it is a quality piece.

 

I've thought long and hard about this track. I guess that's why a year has gone by since I move in and could have had it built. 1/32 scale would allow for a much more elaborate track design. I've even thought about going 1/32 scale 3 lane and running my 1/24 scale cars on the middle lane.

 

But honestly, I'm a 1/24 scale guy that really only likes vintage cars from the "dawn of time" to the early 1970's with "clear plastic" bodies. I only plan on building a few vintage hard body cars and a few vintage 1/32 cars. This certainly doesn't mean there is anything wrong with other scales and other periods of cars, it's just what I have fun with and really enjoy building and driving.

 

Hmmmmm.....Just thought of this. I should have mentioned in that letter to the builders that I also hate S-turns and "launching humps"!

[Gator Bob]

Rick, 

You seem a bit fussy about slot cars... lol ... would yellow sides be OK?

For this one ... you might have to let your better half pick the color.

 

"you never come out of that 'stupid' room since you got that damn track'

'but you know ... it's because I love the color you picked' 

[dc-65x]

Rick, 
You seem a bit fussy about slot cars... lol ... would yellow sides be OK?

Well, no

 

I want a light grey track surface with white side walls. I also what the track supports painted, not bare wood. Perhaps light grey also. Hey, there's something I'm somewhat open to debate on....what color to paint the track supports

[Mark H]

oh man thats going to be a awesome room for sure Rick!

 

Pablo, i havent seen Greg Gilbert in years. he worked at my local track and last i heard when he moved he had a track half way under a carport at an apartment or something

[Pablo]

How about the track support color matches the wall color ?

Looks like beige.

[SlotStox#53]

How about a crossover section?! Lol

[zipper]

Same principle on this home track of Juha Yli-Sipola, recently built by Hasse. Lap length appr. 43 ft.

 

[don.siegel]

We're all jealous Rick!

 

If you're not totally convinced about the hillclimb style (I'm not too fond of it myself, maybe because I tend to get the straights mixed up!), here are a couple early club designs; not sure of their footprint tho. The first is the Ecurie Liberty, and I think it was for 1/24 and 1/32; the second, Clarendon in England, is strictly 1/32, but I like the design...

 

Don

 

 

 

[Pappy]

Rick

 

Four inch lane spacing works for 1/32 and 1/24 and would save a little space. My track has 4" lane spacing with a foot print of 8' x 24'. I have 3" on the inside of the turns and 6" on the outside (per Dennis Samson's recommendations, and it's perfect). With your 9' width and a Hillclimb configuration you should have no problem fitting in 4 lanes with 4 1/2" lane spacing.

 

My track   http://slotblog.net/...4-butchs-track/

 

Butch