119 replies to this topic

[NSwanberg]

What is the modern day experience with silicone coated sponge rubber tires?

 

i think going to this type of tire is one of the keys to slot car racing survival for when you use these tires the customer ends up cleaning your track for you as the cleaner the track the better they seem to work. Also, the racers and renters will be using the same tire. I participated in some of the JK Indy Car races at Andy Smith's Lightning Speedway, using silicone coated sponge rubber tires, and it was very competitive racing.

[Dennis David]

I always think of Larry Shephard when someone mentions silicone coated sponge rubber tires. 

 

http://slotblog.net/topic/23416-making-silongies/

[NSwanberg]

I will say one thing. Silongies would reduce everyone's tire bill.

[SlowBeas]

Only a few raceways I've ever patronized had big drag programs, but Flashbacks in Snellville, GA, is one of them.
 
Based on reports from multiple industry sources, slot drag racing is another one of the growth segments of slot cars.

 
I recognize the popularity of slot drag racing, but I don't truly understand it. Maybe it's just me, but...
 
Why spend 20 minutes working on your car between each race to only spend a fraction of a second on the track? Seems like a lot of effort for very little payback.
 
For me, at least, I'll stick with putzing around on the other tracks, where I can spend a little time working on the car and a lot of time enjoying the fruits of my labor.

[DPmax]

Ha, the drag racers around here can't understand the "roundy round" racers. "Why do you guys keep going in circles?"

[Cheater]

Hey, Jim,

 

Slot drag racing meshes perfectly with the "instant gratification" mindset the younger generation is accused of embracing. LOL...

 

I can see the appeal of slot drag racing, but I've never made a single pass down a slot car drag strip. I view slot drags as just another element in the great diverse model car racing hobby.

[idare2bdul]

"I recognize the popularity of slot drag racing, but I don't truly understand it."

1. You can have a well-built model car that doesn't just sit on a shelf. Watching a well-built model go 35-80 mph in 55 feet is pretty impressive. The Lexan cars are crazy fast, which is fun to do for some.
2. The good news... most cars last a long time. The bad news... most cars last a long time so you tend to accumulate cars.
3. Once set up correctly few cars require much maintenance, Most races are bracket or index and need very little work. Heads up classes can require a lot. 
4. Working on cars often is also a social affair AKA bench racing.
5. Money or merchandise for winning. While this has kind of disappeared from most other forms of slot racing it is normal for drag racing. Most races now you don't get a ribbon, plaque or trophy anymore ?? Have slot car tracks forgotten positive reinforcement?
6. You can be competitive at almost any age.

[Half Fast]

"I recognize the popularity of slot drag racing, but I don't truly understand it."

5. Money or merchandise for winning. While this has kind of disappeared from most other forms of slot racing it is normal for drag racing. Most races now you don't get a ribbon, plaque or trophy anymore ?? Have slot car tracks forgotten positive reinforcement?

 
I agree with the above points, but another factor in drag racing is the prevalence of "side bets" with some serious money on the line. This factor seems to appeal to many of the drag types. This is not the case for other forms of slots.
 
Cheers,

[MSwiss]

I'll be starting work on my dragstrip any day now.

The money aspect is the only thing that doesn't have me real excited.

I cringe every time I see one of those Facebook posts with the fanned-out money.

[Half Fast]

In comparison to building a King track, as you did, a dragstrip should be a piece of cake!

 

Cheers,

[MSwiss]

Yeah, I'm hoping.

But I'm still stressing a bit on getting it dead flat and straight.

[DPmax]

The braid in the launch area is critical and needs replacing often. Some drag strips do that area in smaller sections (offset joints) so smaller repairs can be made as needed. But this can also lead to uneven braid making cars unstable.

 

Drag racing is really big at BPR.

[OMS]

I want to thank you, Greg, for your kind words about our track. We have been blessed with great sponsors and great turn-outs.

 

I feel most of our success has come from the way we do things. First we are dirt track oriented. And with the rapid growth of dirt track racing across the US, I feel that has helped with our popularity some. One thing that I feel hurts most slot car tracks are the fact that they are more NASCAR oriented. And it seems that NASCAR is losing popularity from year to year.

 

I think another aspect that helps us is the fact that we run our races like the real deal. Example: time trials, heat races, C-Mains, B-Mains and A-Main. Here at the Outback Motor Speedway we don't believe in round robin. The only thing I feel that is a positive with round robin is the fact that everyone gets to race the A-Main. In our opinion it isn't a fair way to race. I believe that the old way of thinking in slot car racing is a thing of the past. I feel to survive now you have to think outside the box.

 

Another thing that helps us is the fact that we have attracted great sponsors. It is the help of our sponsors that allow us to give out prizes each season to our racers. Lets face it, everyone likes getting something! LOL.

 

But on the flip side of that we also don't cater to our racers. Our rules are our rules and that's it. We will listen to suggestions from our racers and take them into consideration. But as anyone who has owned or ran a track before knows, they aren't always good ideas.

 

We try to keep the cost down by running one motor and one tire for all three of our classes. Our tire rules are set up so that once they go past the minimum diameter requirement for our street stocks they are still legal for our late models and then from there to our modifieds. So someone could actually get use of one set of tires across the three classes.

 

We also keep tight rules. Tighter rules produce tighter racing. Which equals to more fun.

 

We just finished up our fifth season with an average racer count of 23.4 per night with a high of 31. I already have three-four new racers coming this year, so we anticipate those numbers to rise. Everything that I have said is merely my opinion and in no way a bash at anyone or any track. I just thought I would give a quick overview of how we do things here at OMS.

 

It surprises me, mayberryman, that you would ask this question. You have personally raced with us here at OMS and seen our success in the way we do things. In fact we missed you this past season and hope to see you this coming season.   

[Mayberryman]

Tim,

What question did I ask that surprised you? I have never stated anything about you and your track that was not positive to the point of giving your promotion and track as an example of how a slot track could thrive.

[MSwiss]

The braid in the launch area is critical and needs replacing often. Some drag strips do that area in smaller sections (offset joints) so smaller repairs can be made as needed. But this can also lead to uneven braid making cars unstable.

I assume from the arcing?

I can wait and see exactly how far it will need replacing, and create an extra drop accordingly, replacing that amount plus 3-4 inches, to connect to the tail, from the new piece.

I have a jig that uses a router guide to route an oval shaped drophole (vs your common 1/4" drilled, round hole) so smoothness isn't an issue.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Any input is appreciated.

[OMS]

Spencer,

This is Brent. I was just a little surprised that you would ask what a track needed to do to survive. You've gotten to see firsthand what works in our general area. I didn't mean for you to take offense to it.

And I know how you have promoted our track, I appreciate the kind words you've had for it.

[Mayberryman]

Brent,

 

Great to hear from you, my question was aimed at a commercial track that was dependent on slot track income to pay the bills and stay in business. 

 

Hope to see you at Winchester Speedway a couple of times this summer.

[Steve Boggs]

I cringe every time I see one of those Facebook posts with the fanned-out money.

 

The thing is, the track owner got to keep over twice that much for an evening's race.

[MSwiss]

I was just a little surprised that you would ask what a track needed to do to survive. You've gotten to see firsthand what works in our general area. I didn't mean for you to take offense to it. And I know how you have promoted our track, I appreciate the kind words you've had for it.

  

... my question was aimed at a Commercial Track that was dependent of slot track income to pay the bills and stay in business.  

I guess the above means Outback doesn't pay rent.

[MSwiss]

The thing is, the track owner got to keep over twice that much for an evening's race.

 

I understand that the raceway didn't/doesn't do it for free.

Just not a fan of the fanned-out money look.

[Half Fast]

Mike-

 

In the old days drag strips used copper (or brass?) buss bars rather than braid. Maybe you should consider this for the launch zone.

 

Cheers

[MSwiss]

Interesting idea but I'm not sure that would eliminate the arcing.

[OMS]

I guess the above means Outback doesn't pay rent.

 

Depends on how you classify rent. We have bills to pay for the track, too. The garage wasn't built for free. I classify us as a commercial track. We are open to the public and sell parts just like any other commercial track.

[MSwiss]

Are you paying off the cost of the garage from the raceway's profits?
 
If someone gets hurt on the premises, whose insurance pays the medical expenses?
 
The owner of the garage, or Outback Motor Speedways business insurance?
 
Are you open year round?

[OMS]

Mike,

I must've missed where this thread was about what bills the Outback Motor Speedway is paying. I've dealt with track owners like yourself before so I won't go back and forth with you.

All I will say is this thread was about what a track needs to do to survive. Here at OMS we have worked hard to accomplish all of the things we have done. We have been blessed with a track that has gained over 3,000 followers on Facebook and has been able to accomplish more than we could've ever dreamed.

Instead of worrying about our bills you should sit back and read what we have done to make it this far. If it helps you or your track, great; if not that's fine, too.

One big thing that I see hurting tracks across the US is the fact that they won't work together.