122 replies to this topic

[MSwiss]

Slot racing could have an org like model railroading does, and model railroading could be rudderless, arguing on Railblog, whether steam or diesel was the way to go, and model railroading would still be bigger.

Like I've said before, a lot of car enthusiasts are racing real cars, where very few train enthusiasts have real trains.

[Cheater]

Not sure what your point is, Mike.

And who mentioned model railroading? Is that only hobby/LTA you compared to slots?

Are you suggesting that in, say, the last 40-50 years, there were more people interested in railroads than cars? Or that there are more people interested in railroading today than are interested in cars?

Don't think there would be a lot of solid data to support that opinion...

Please understand that I don't believe slots can recover from the malaise it is currently in. It's too late for 'trearment'...

[MSwiss]

Forget it.

I wouldn't have bit on your broken record except I have two minutes between each heat while race directing.

[Cheater]

Like I've said before, a lot of car enthusiasts are racing real cars, where very few train enthusiasts have real trains.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this point.

My belief is that only a very, very small percentage of car enthusiasts "are racing real cars."

[Bill from NH]

Locally, the Manchester train shop closed its doors a couple years before the last NH commercial raceway did. The train shop had a longer history, but wasn't any more stable than a raceway. It's always been my opinion that Internet buying can kill a train shop more easily than it will a raceway.

Of course there are always exceptions to everything except death and gravity.

[spudboy]

I really dig these cars and I have been curious to try them for a long time but I know, at my raceway (and I suspect in my entire region), that there would be almost nobody interested enough in these cars to build and race them.  Everyone would say "Cool!" and then race their flexi or retro car.

 

Think about it in terms of the Retro scene, how many racers use a McLaren, Lola or Chaparral body because it is cool, neat or exciting?  ALMOST none.  It's all Ti22 because THAT is what wins.  And it isn't just Ti22, it's the RIGHT Ti22 mold.  Then, how many guys would insist that their car resemble the original upon which it is based?  Nearly all only care that the body be colorful/visible at speed.  Who among us will put hours into preparing a model race car to the level of detail these fellas have done?

 

For several years I paid attention to what was going on internationally in model car racing but the scene seems to have shrunk in the last several years.

 

All of the work from Niels, Fola, Tamar (to name only a few!) is very inspiring.  It respects auto-racing history and rewards modeling skills.  The Euro tracks appear to be far more accommodating of these cars too.

 

Ah well.  A very different scene.  Glad to see people doing this.  Good luck fellas!

 

Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.

[bbr]

The USA commercial raceway is a dying art form (enjoy it while it last). While the “model car” racing genre seem to be more stable.

 

The USA commercial raceway system has a steep learning curve for most people that may have any interest in the hobby.

 

The “model car” racing is more accessible.

[NSwanberg]

Also, I also believe the European attitude about racing slot cars is a lot different than ours in the US. I am told they drive as if deslotting is the worst sin in the world.
 
One BSCRA racer told me years ago that one deslot would seriously impact one's chances of winning the race and that two would completely eliminate them.

Nothing is worth a deslot. Ever!
 
If you can't beat them on the track then beat them with a marshal.
 
At last night's races Bob Faster came up with an idea I had never heard. Crash and burn with a buck buy-back into the race. You could put the buy backs into a purse.

[Bill from NH]

Why would you want to pay extra money when you're not going to win the race anyway?

[NSwanberg]

After you pay your buck, you 'unburn' and get back into the race.

[Tex]

Why would you want to pay extra money when you're not going to win the race anyway?

 

'cause playing with slot cars is fun(?)

[Bill from NH]

I was never a big fan of crash & burn racing. I'm not willing to spend additional money to see how much fun it is. if others want to, go ahead.

[Dennis David]

The whole idea about marshaling is an argument that can't be won. I do think that there should be a greater penalty for deslotting however.

[bbr]

Marshall is always the culprit... He never puts the car back on fast enough for the racer that falls off...lol

[Samiam]

Even with the fastest marshal you will still lose at least 2 sec. That can be half a lap. I came up with the 2 sec from watching qualifying. One off cost the car a min. of 2 sec for that lap. That's with one car on one lane. A three car pile up with one on the floor can cost you a lap and a half. 

[MSwiss]

Marshall is always the culprit... He never puts the car back on fast enough for the racer that falls off...lol

I'll argue the "never".

 

My best Wednesday night racer (out of the slot 0-2 times a race, yesterday 1 time) is also the quickest marshal.

 

No one ever groans when he marshals a car, and he, and others, gets complimented by both me, and the other racers, when they do a good job.

[MSwiss]

Even with the fastest marshal you will still lose at least 2 sec. That can be half a lap. I came up with the 2 sec from watching qualifying. One off cost the car a min. of 2 sec for that lap. That's with one car on one lane. A three car pile up with one on the floor can cost you a lap and a half. 

I study marshaling times, also, and 2 seconds is about right.

 

At the Sano, I sometimes keep track of fastest times with a come-off.

 

High 6's is pretty average for a quick marshal job, but I've seen high 5.8's, which would have you at about a 1.3 marshal job.

 

Those are in the lead-on, where there isn't any reaching down.

 

On the Fiedler Flat, which is table height, all the way around, I marshal hardbodies in the low 1's, regularly.

[gc4895]

Why is it that when the guy on red comes out and parks in my lane and I come around and hit him, then the turn Marshall picks up my car with his left hand then while reaching to pick up the original deslotted car yet another car hits him and deslots which he picks up and reslots with his right hand. Then, at last he picks up and returns to the slot the original offender while all the while I remain firmly in the grasp of his left hand. Now, after all this has gone on, at long last, with his left hand my car gets returned to the track. Sorry for the long story but I either enjoy this happen to me or watch it happen all the time. You just gotta love it!

[Eddie Fleming]

Mark I have had times when like you said the guy in red comes off and I stop before I hit him in order to go no after the first car is cleared and the marshal picks up my car and holds it like you said. Hay he was doing the best he could. Sometimes I am just glad to have turn marshals.

[Dennis David]

I would rather the marshal handle one car at a time and NOT be lightning fast. Too many deslots in many of the races we have.

[Samiam]

Why is it that when the guy on red comes out and parks in my lane and I come around and hit him, then the turn Marshall picks up my car with his left hand then while reaching to pick up the original deslotted car yet another car hits him and deslots which he picks up and reslots with his right hand. Then, at last he picks up and returns to the slot the original offender while all the while I remain firmly in the grasp of his left hand. Now, after all this has gone on, at long last, with his left hand my car gets returned to the track. Sorry for the long story but I either enjoy this happen to me or watch it happen all the time. You just gotta love it!

You're lucky the guy remembered he still had your car in his left hand. It seems with more states legalizing medical/recreational marijuana , marshaling has taken on an almost comical routine.
 
I had been taken out from four lanes away by a pile of cars from the inside of the deadman. The marshal literally had his hands full. Of course my car went on last. In the wrong lane! Rider into the 90 wall. Car is done . Oh... BTW, first lap.

[Benno - SAC]

Hi all,

 

Greg, after the following discusison... now I understand your statement .

 

Marshaling in the right order: believe me, exactly the same in Germany and I believe, all around the world .

 

So now how about... back to topic?

 

Here is a LINK to the "right" German forum, where I asked for the event. There are a few new pics in it.

[Cheater]

Yes, we have drifted this topic pretty severely and for that I apologize, both for myself and for others.

[Benno - SAC]

Oh, I don't dislike thread drifts, as long as they do not end up in endless discussions . (I drifted, too.)

[Dennis David]

Greg, you should be ashamed of yourself. LOL One of the main sources for bodies is Fein-Design-Modell. These chassis maybe one step below Slotfabrik.

Personally at 180 grams I might like a 30-40K motor but that's only because I've been infected by speed crazed morons that I race with here. ;-) Alao I might have concours after the race with points deducted for race damage. Ouch! I hope to visit one of these Euro tracks next month.

Looks like Niederberg is just outside of Koblentz.