45 replies to this topic

[tlbrace]

 
What would that take? Who knows, I think a four-lane plastic track, not two lanes put together, but a genuine four-lane wide track, with lengths up to 5-6 foot, several corner options including moderate banking.  A combination effort by the whole 1/32 industry.  Maybe it would be possible to spend $200 or so and have a 50 foot or more four-lane track in your basement that you simply take out of a box and put together and plug in controller stations. You don't have to be skilled  to put it together, just like an HO train set, plug and play in 10 minutes.  
 

Matt, back in the 60's there WAS track somewhat like that, just not plastic. Kal Kar made modular 4 lane track that was essentially pre slotted masonite. They also made it in two lane.

 

My dad made a 4 lane Kal Kar track using this stuff. I never run across any of this track, after all, in its static state is just 4 foot long pieces of masonite. The Kal Kar tape layer for it pops up on ebay once in awhile.

 

I was 13 or 14 when dad built the track, so I don't recall if there was only one radius curve. Dad wired it with a MRC power pack, had Cox controllers.

[MattD]

Todd, the only track I've seen with the  masonite was in Bob Bravermans book.   He built a track using it.   His was 2 lane, though.

 

I'vre never run across any of it, either.   I did get a couple boxes of that vinyl slot and conductor stuff a few years ago.    It was the stuff you stapled down and then pushed the conductor into it's slot.   You filled in the area on either side of the slot with plaster.   Lot's of different ideas back then.

[PCH Parts Express]

How many people that posted on this topic are racing this weekend (Fri,Sat,Sun)? If not racing hosting races?  

[MSwiss]

At least one. LOL

 

I'm hosting the F2000 Nat's.

[PCH Parts Express]

That sounds fun. 

[MattD]

I'll be racin Monday nite.  

[mppicione]

I have a home club track in Lagrange Ohio.

When we have a race here there are eight to twelve racers but none of them are interested in racing at other tracks.

What would you all think of setting up portable tracks at local speedways for race fans to run on/ promote our hobby ?

Has this been done before? The only place I have seen it is Bristol at a Nascar race.

[MSwiss]

Jerry Kulich set up a nice portable 8 lane, underneath the grandstand, when CART had a couple races in the late 90's, at a raceway in suburban Cicero.

I went to both.

I definitely remember him at least one.

Big lines, waiting to race.

He passed out flyers promoting his raceway.

He said he had one follow-up person, come by, to check out his raceway.

[mppicione]

I would hope for better results than that Mike but am not surprised.

Hope Jerry made a few bucks doing it. I think it would be big bucks for vendor space at a race like that.

[MSwiss]

He was fine with the $$$.

Rick B mentioned the same lack of follow-up business, when he did similar stuff with R-Geo Raceway.

[tlbrace]

A successful revival would result in retail slot car accessibility more closely mirroring golfing. 
 
Anyone can purchase a set of clubs, some tees, and some balls from a large chain department or sporting goods store. There's no mystery as to where the golf course is, and the pro shop at the course - which itself is supported through a combination of memberships and course fees - focuses on selling specialty (read: higher dollar, higher performance, higher margin) items to the more discerning clients.
 
This model would represent not only a revival, but a sustainable future.

Not sure golfing is what needs to be/should be modeled. Google some variation of 'declining golf popularity' and you'll see that golf has been on a steady decline for some time, with more golf courses closing than opening in the US each year. Golf equipment manufacturers aren't doing so well.

[Samiam]

There are dozens of public golf courses here on Long Island. All paid for by every tax paying citizen. But enjoyed at a discount by the relatively few who play.  All that would need to be provided for a slot car club is the space. Unlike a golf course that requires millions of dollars to operate and maintain.

[MattD]

We are it, guys!

[tlbrace]

Todd, the only track I've seen with the  masonite was in Bob Bravermans book. He built a track using it. His was two-lane, though.
 
I'vre never run across any of it, either. I did get a couple boxes of that vinyl slot and conductor stuff a few years ago. It was the stuff you stapled down and then pushed the conductor into it's slot. You filled in the area on either side of the slot with plaster. Lots of different ideas back then.

Matt, have had this pic around awhile, perhaps it's from the Braverman book? It's the pre routed Kal Kar track.
 
I also have a pic of a small section in Hertz's book: The Complete Book of Model Raceways and Roadways.
 
Come to think of it, that would be pretty easy and relatively cheap to manufacture. Perhaps three-lane. Storing then shipping would be problematic.
 

[MSwiss]

Of course, any bit of work, pre-done, makes life easier, but IMO, anyone who could make a decent track out of the above, could probably also do it from scratch.

[MattD]

Mike is right, if you can do the carpentry work to build a track from routed sections, you probably could just do it all. But... if a guy has limited ability and just wants to screw or nail it down to a flat table, then run some copper tape over it, this would be possible for a less talented guy.  
 
I think this is what G Gerding is trying to do right now. He's got plans to make some pieces like the above that you would buy and assemble to build your own routed track. I guess the big advantage for some guys would be to not have to bother with the mess of the router and not to have to learn how to use one.  
 
That pic is from Bravermans book...

[MSwiss]

I just took a look at Gary's website.

His modular track looks interesting, but will it satisfy the person who is committing to a routed track?

Especially when it's not difficult to find a CNC woodshop who will CNC route you whatever shape you want, with whatever number of lanes you prefer.

I wonder if it will have a joining system, or as advertised as table top, it will just be screwed down, to provide alignment.

[Ecurie Martini]

Matt, back in the 60's there WAS track somewhat like that, just not plastic. Kal Kar made modular 4 lane track that was essentially pre slotted masonite. They also made it in two lane.

 

My dad made a 4 lane Kal Kar track using this stuff. I never run across any of this track, after all, in its static state is just 4 foot long pieces of masonite. The Kal Kar tape layer for it pops up on ebay once in awhile.

 

I was 13 or 14 when dad built the track, so I don't recall if there was only one radius curve. Dad wired it with a MRC power pack, had Cox controllers.

 

I ran on a Masonite track in the early 60's put together by a couple of guys in Bridgeport, Conn.  As I recall it was from MRRC and was separate sections spaced apart by the slot.  The conductor was some sort of sprayed-on zinc suspension.  It was very difficult to connect the sections electrically and was eventually declared a failure.

 

EM

[kuni123456]

I have been racing slot cars since the early 1970's with a long break from 1975 to 1992. I realize that the average slot car racer is over 65 and it is very difficult find young racers. I know that the commercial slot car tracks as well as many home tracks will disappear in the next decade. The younger generation plays video games and does not have interest in building slot cars or racing them. I will race as long as possible and people have to realize that slot cars are only a hobby and hobbies come and go. I say enjoy slot cars and forget about the future.

[Michael Jr.]

I have been racing slot cars since the early 1970's with a long break from 1975 to 1992. I realize that the average slot car racer is over 65 and it is very difficult find young racers. I know that the commercial slot car tracks as well as many home tracks will disappear in the next decade. The younger generation plays video games and does not have interest in building slot cars or racing them. I will race as long as possible and people have to realize that slot cars are only a hobby and hobbies come and go. I say enjoy slot cars and forget about the future.

I agree with your very last comment, enjoy slot cars and forget about the future. But the rest, I hold to a different opinion. I haven't....but I bet if someone finds a thread from 10 years ago or more, they will read the prophecy of the end of commercial Slot Car racing. And yet, we are still in about the same place with some sectors showing some strengthening. I don't see where video games is hurting us any more than golf or go karts. RC has had some impact but it's fluid....we lose one and gain one. Like NFL teams trading players.  There is an ebb and a flow to our industry but it has endured and will continue to endure. So enjoy slot cars and forget about the future. As I stated recently elsewhere, the slot car industry will take care of itself despite our best tripping over ourselves and bumping around. Relax.... it won't die or it certainly would have already.

[Superbird]

Another view. The slot car market is a booming international industry. There are dozens of companies world wide producing new layouts and cars all the time. Home tracks and clubs have been strong since before the (one time only) 'golden era' of the mid sixties. The engineers in those companies think about the future constantly. Right now they are doing three things. 1. Target younger children by providing smaller, simpler versions of everything with better safety based on smarter electronics. 2. Jump on the cell phone aps to give kids something we never had, a decent lap counter with a range basic functions including linking to other kids. 3. Use inexpensive software to propel slot car racing beyond motor, gears and tires. Have you noticed that slot car layouts are now referred to as "Games"? They are adding different ways to compete with game functions, ghost cars, responsive crowd sounds, driver backstories and driver career experiences. Slot car racing has a future. 

 

OK. I understand this was not the "Revival" you were looking for. The "Golden Era" was only possible ONE TIME because of the 'baby boom' and a car-crazy culture. Even so, it didn't flourish beyond one or two commercial lease renewals. Reviving that kind of big track experience is not a matter of mimicking our 1967 experiences with "Retro" racing. You have to create a new "Golden era" based on what will excite people now and carry the hobby forward. Once this pandemic is over parents are going to want to get their kids into social activities again. If the local slot track provides a clean, healthy place where kids can find competitive challenges (Digital racing, game style layouts, layouts with visual excitement and MMP virtual extensions to other tracks) there is a better chance of keeping doors open. Keeping the doors open will allow us to keep one of specialized high speed tracks we enjoy.