I started building a new drag strip for the students that race in our statewide slot car program. Viper Scale Racing but this solid PVC (not foam) track and I have been working on the portable table and start and finish gates. Everything has to be mobile as we visit 30+ schools, science fairs and events over the course of the year. Here are a few pics of the progress.
The new Racing to the Future™ drag strip
#1
Posted 24 January 2016 - 10:19 PM
- Jencar17, Joe Mig and Hack like this
#2
Posted 24 January 2016 - 10:20 PM
The Starting Gate
I did not mention in the previous post, there will be legs under all this. They will detach and stack for easy transport. Next are some pics of the starting gate. We set up in Rupp Arena for the state championships, so we need the lights to be visible by a fairly large crowd that watch from the arena seats. I based this on the Auto World circuit with some enhancements. Everything is power pack based, no batteries and it has it's own light source for the track sensors.
- Jencar17 and MSwiss like this
#3
Posted 25 January 2016 - 06:42 AM
"Drive it like you're in it!!!"
"If everything feels under control... you are not going fast enough!"
Some people are like Slinkies... they're really good for nothing... but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
#4
Posted 26 January 2016 - 02:47 PM
#5
Posted 08 February 2016 - 06:17 PM
The new track made its public debut this past weekend at the Fayette County Science Fair.
- MSwiss likes this
#6
Posted 08 February 2016 - 06:27 PM
"Drive it like you're in it!!!"
"If everything feels under control... you are not going fast enough!"
Some people are like Slinkies... they're really good for nothing... but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
#7
Posted 09 February 2016 - 10:15 AM
#8
Posted 09 February 2016 - 10:16 AM
#9
Posted 09 February 2016 - 10:58 AM
Racing to the Future™ is a science (primarily physics) and math program that uses slot cars as the teaching medium. We have been around for 9 years now and have schools or youth clubs in 15 states and countries using the program in some form or fashion. Everything we provide in the way of rules and lessons are free to use. You can get all the information here: http://www.racingtothefuture.com
Our contact emails are on the site and I'll be glad to answer any questions you have to get this started in your area. We do not have any contacts of programs in the Carolinas and would like to have you join in.
We started as part of the Kentucky Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) and have grown the program to what we have today. I am an engineer by trade (Electrical and Mechanical) and work for the Kentucky Department of Education as a design and technology system architect. I got my interests in engineering through slot cars 45 years ago, and hoped to introduce the field to new students the same way.
So far we have had several participating student racers move on to engineering schools after they graduate. It's a cool thing to see.
-Paul Shoemaker
- MSwiss likes this
#10
Posted 09 February 2016 - 10:46 PM
#11
Posted 10 February 2016 - 08:31 AM
This is just the sort of thing I've Been searching for. This brings slots into a public forum in a useful and compelling way. I believe I have folks that can help get this going.Racing to the Future is a science (primarily physics) and math program that uses slot cars as the teaching medium. We have been around for 9 years now and have schools or youth clubs in 15 states and countries using the program in some form or fashion. Everything we provide in the way of rules and lessons are free to use. You can get all the information here: http://www.racingtothefuture.com
Our contact emails are on the site and I'll be glad to answer any questions you have to get this started in your area. We do not have any contacts of programs in the Carolinas and would like to have you join in.
We started as part of the Kentucky Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) and have grown the program to what we have today. I am an engineer by trade (Electrical and Mechanical) and work for the Kentucky Department of Education as a design and technology system architect. I got my interests in engineering through slot cars 45 years ago, and hoped to introduce the field to new students the same way.
So far we have had several participating student racers move on to engineering schools after they graduate. It's a cool thing to see.
-Paul Shoemaker
Can you quote a start up cost for the track and supplies?
#12
Posted 25 February 2016 - 03:05 PM
I posted Part 1 of Building the New Racing to the Future™ Drag Strip. It has the info, wiring diagrams etc. Part 2 will have the remaining build of the finish gantry and how the track and wiring lay out in the assembled track.
#13
Posted 25 February 2016 - 03:17 PM