12 replies to this topic

[Dennis David]

Drag Racing track made of extruded aluminum which was covered with Formica and used a 1/8 in thick x 3/8 in wide copper strip instead of tape or braid.

Attached Images

• 

[old & gray]

Dennis,

 

Is this the drag strip Car Model Magazine built and ran in the early to mid 60's?

[Dennis David]

Yes, starting with Hartford in 1965 in conjunction with the Autorama Car Show. Howie was there helping out.

[Dennis David]

The track was built by Custom Track in Hamden, Connecticut from extruded aluminum with a Formica racing surface. Instead of copper tape or steel braid, solid copper strips that were 3/8” wide by 1/8” thick were installed into a groove routed into the track. Built in 8’ sections the track was 16” wide. With nine sections the overall length of the drag strip was 72’ long.  The track was built by Custom Track in Hamden, Connecticut from extruded aluminum with a Formica racing surface. Instead of copper tape or steel braid, solid copper strips that were 3/8” wide by 1/8” thick were installed into a groove routed into the track. Built in 8’ sections the track was 16” wide. With nine sections the overall length of the drag strip was 72’ long.  

 

In the photograph you can see a surveyor's transit being used to level the track within 0.01 of an inch along its entire length. 27 redwood legs were used to support the track. A Heuer timing device was used to measure time to .0001 of a second. Since this was a proxy race the voltage was applied and the timer triggered when the operator pressed the Go button. The cars were stopped using two silk parachutes.

[old & gray]

Sounds  like what I saw. I was disappointed they didn't come back the next year.

[Ramcatlarry]

another ghost track lost in a landfill?

[Dennis David]

That’s a good question.!

[tonyp]

The gentleman on the back right in suit is Bob Mcloud (not sure on spelling) owner or car model magazine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dennis David]

And Oscar Koveleski in front. They could sleep in the camper behind them.

[Dennis David]

Although you see Bob Braverman at the controls (Designed by Luis Del Rosario) the gentleman on the left, Duke Severe was the Official Timer while Bob and Fred Parker would place the cars on the track. A kid from New York by the name of Howie Ursaner was also brought in to help out. 

Attached Images

• 

[Phil Smith]

The logo on the timer looked extremely familiar, but I couldn't remember where I has seen it. So I Googled it.

 

[Dennis David]

Before TAG

[SlotStox#53]

Love the track and the control box! Plus the suits

Novel use of copper strip instead of the usual braid or tape.