64 replies to this topic

[Garry S]

Greetings to all!  I'm a new member from central Iowa, active in the sport in the late '60s-early '70s, now retired and ready to race again. I've got several old friends who remember slot cars well, and hope to introduce some younger ones, too.    
 
Mr. Gerding is building me a four lane track, ~75ft lane length, plan below. I'll be using the Trackmate system with 50A power, and starting out with Parma flexi 1/24 and Slot.it 1/32 cars. I might get back into scratchbuilding too, I still remember the sound a brass and wire lead-sled makes when it leaves the track and hits the wall (or a marshal, LOL).  
 
I'll be detailing my progress here, and no doubt asking for help as we get things dialed-in.  

Thanks for a great forum!

[MattD]

Looks good to me. Don't be afraid to jump into scratchbuilding or production brass chassis with mild motors and hardbodies. You can build replicas of real race cars, not a kind of car looking thing. They will be plenty fast for your size track. There are lots of options for what you will have.

[Half Fast]

Best of luck with it!
 
Cheers.

[dc-65x]

Welcome aboard Garry!

 

I went with a Gerding track too and love it........"You've chosen wisely". 

 

Here's a link to the build:

 

Home track!

 

[Garry S]

Welcome aboard Garry!

 

I went with a Gerding track too and love it........"You've chosen wisely". 

 

 

 

I was shocked to see that picture of your track in this thread...  

 

When I decided to put in a home track, I started searching for builders.  Mr. Gerding was a natural since he is only three hours away.  Looking through his site, one track in particular REALLY impressed me, and as it turns out it's yours!  I can't say what it is about it, but seeing that picture on Gary's site is what prompted me to contact him.  I really appreciate your post, and reading your build thread reinforces the fact that I've made the right choice.

 

Gary has been very cooperative and helpful through the design process, and has promised some build pics.  Delivery will be November 15, so we'll be racing soon!     

[Racer36]

I just recently got a new track . I worked with Chris Dadds to find a layout that maximized lap length for the space I had available. I love the way the track turned out. We have had two race events on it so far and everyone is having a great time.

[Racer36]

[Garry S]

Looking good, can't wait!

 

 

[MattD]

Nice.....

[dc-65x]

Looks like the track will have a really nice flow. Drivers should be able to get into a good rhythm.

[Garry S]

Trackmate system installed on computer, tested and working fine.  Using 40" Sony for monitor, will be wall mounted when I figure out best place for it.

 

[Garry S]

Getting stocked up, Turbo flex and Flexi 2 1/24 cars, Parma and JK controllers, parts, and some awesome looking Slotit 1/32 cars!

 

[Samiam]

Do you have a guest room?

[MarkH]

Gary, how much sleep are you getting? When I was building mine the only reason I could go to sleep was exhaustion. Sitting and waiting for this fine track must  be pretty tuff but worth it.

[Garry S]

Do you have a guest room?

I do, but now it's full of furniture and junk I took out of the track room!  I'll get it sorted eventually.

 

Gary, how much sleep are you getting? When I was building mine the only reason I could go to sleep was exhaustion. Sitting and waiting for this fine track must  be pretty tuff but worth it.

 

I'm finding that the older I get, the faster time seems to pass. I'm also getting lazier, so the build has given me time to get the room sorted and assemble all the necessary goodies.  I'm actually ready now, I have cars, controllers, power supply and timer. But I ordered all those clear bodies, my airbrush is giving me troubles, and I still manage two other businesses, so I've got plenty to occupy my time waiting!  

[Garry S]

Progress pic, getting closer!

 

[Dennis David]

I'm envious of you guys!

[Ramcatlarry]

I hope you put in at LEAST 50 amps of power supply.  A 75 amp IOTA RV AC/DC is common on commercial 8-lane tracks.  Wire it with #12 stranded wire and have circuit breakers on the white and red (+ & -) for each drivers station to protect your investment.

[MarkH]

Very nice. Looks like this layout would be an excellent candidate for racing in both directions. I have wired three of our tracks to race in both directions and it effectively gives us more tracks to race on. Just flipping one switch and the power to the lanes is reversed, an indicator light at each drivers station changes to show the direction and the controllers do not change polarity to protect them.

I also put a tire cleaning station on each end of the drivers station. The braid depth is the same as the track so a driver can check their cars without putting it on the track when the track is full.

 

Here is the link to my track. http://slotblog.net/...ra-style-track/

If you are interested in the reverse wiring diagram I can post it.

[Tim Wilkins]

I hope you put in at LEAST 50 amps of power supply.  A 75 amp IOTA RV AC/DC is common on commercial 8-lane tracks.  Wire it with #12 stranded wire and have circuit breakers on the white and red (+ & -) for each drivers station to protect your investment.

 

I virtually have the same track with 4 lanes and running feet as Gary's new track. I've had no problems  the past three years with the Pyramid PS26KX 22 Amp Power Supply ( about $135). My electrician installed an inline fuse ahead of the power supply unit. This should eliminate harm to your unit if any potential shorting occurs. All you need to replace is a simple fuse rather than buying a new power supply.

 

                                 

[Mbloes]

Nice track. I was doing laps in my head and it looks like about 2 second lap times.

 

Rick, what are lap times on your track?

[dc-65x]

Hi Mike,

 

The times with the modern flexis I mistakenly bought when I first got the track are in the 3 second range. Getting well into the 2s I would think is quite possible. I won't ever find out as I really don't enjoy that type of "driving." The vintage cars I enjoy 'tail out' driving are more in the 4 to 5 second range.

 

I know I'm alone on this type of car and driving style...

[Garry S]

I got the power supply Mr. Gerding recommended, 0-15v 50A, pic below.  He'll be providing the wiring, but I imagine I'll be modifying it to include bidirectional and a larger main relay than Trackmate provides.  

 

Mark:  Great looking setup, very organized!  I'm thinking of using resettable marine circuit breakers, what amperage did you use on each lane?

 

 

 

[Garry S]

Hi Mike,

 

The times with the modern flexi's I mistakenly bought when I first got the track are in the 3 second range. Getting well into the 2's I would think is quite possible. I won't ever find out as I really don't enjoy that type of "driving". The vintage cars I enjoy "tail out" driving are more in the 4 to 5 second range.

 

I know I'm alone on this type of car and driving style.........

You're not alone, this is one of the reasons I got a variable power supply!  Hopefully I can moderate the flexis down to our old reflexes, lol.  I also love the old pittman and 36D cars, so for me this is not at all about lowest possible lap times with modern cars, it's about having fun!

[dc-65x]

 

.............so for me this is not at all about lowest possible lap times with modern cars, it's about having fun!

 

Holy smokes Gary. Either you should move here to Oregon or I should move to Iowa...........then there would be 2 of us!