90 replies to this topic

[Half Fast]

Since I have now confirmed this information from multiple sources, I'll make it known that...

 

SlotCars-R-Us 'The Track' closed for good Sunday night after the Worlds.

 

Rumor mill says that negotiations are already underway for the sale of the track, fixtures, and inventory.

 

Holy-moly!

 

It appears that the "Nats Curse" also applies to the Worlds!

 

Cheers,

 

PS: It appears they did not overspend on the trophies. 

[russm2002]

That's OK... plenty of other types of slot cars to race!!!

[Paul Ciccarello]

Actually I fell off in the 90 on red in the first heat, then popped in the glue on the lead on one time. It was the only two times I was out of the slot the whole race. But you made your point well. ;-)

[Phil Smith]

There were many classes run. If one doesn't like Group 7, run another class.

[MSwiss]

I stand corrected, Chickie. LOL.

What I don't get is how some of the guys on Facebook post pics of their wadded-up ball of junk after their horrific wreck.

[swodem]

Mike Swiss, what were typical lap times on similar size track(s) when you were racing?

[MSwiss]

When I won my first Nats in '88, about 2.7 sec race laps.

When I got off the train, full-time, in about 2005, 1.9 race laps (which was too fast, IMO).
 
I first realized the cars had gotten too fast at the 2003 Nats, when even Paul Ciccarello couldn't avoid all the wrecks anymore. LOL.

[NSwanberg]

It is my understanding that Koford and Montague never wanted any restrictions on open racing.
 
Looks like they are selling less merchandise but at ever higher and higher prices. I'm not sure that formula has ever worked for any business.

[Cheater]

It can work in some arenas, but slot racing doesn't seem to be one of them.

[zipper]

When I won my first Nats in '88, about 2.7 sec race laps.

When I got off the train, full-time, in about 2005, 1.9 race laps (which was too fast, IMO).
 
I first realized the cars had gotten too fast at the 2003 Nats, when even Paul Ciccarello couldn't avoid all the wrecks anymore. LOL.

 

In our Worlds 2005 (Kouvola, Finland) TQ was 1.503 (WR) and the fastest laps were 1.8+ and gutters 1.9+ on a somewhat tricky King; it wasn't a punchbowl.

[MSwiss]

I'm getting old. I had to consult the below list to see who it was.

I had totally forgotten it was Gugu.

OWH’s Slot Car World Records – King Track

[brnursebmt]

So sad about The Track closing  A world class slot car facility for sure. I raced there twice. The last time I said I would never go back, and I haven't.  

 

Could have had a very good weekly Retro program but...

[Half Fast]

Bobby -

 

Why did you decide to never go back?

 

Cheers

[brnursebmt]

The races were advertised as IRRA^® rules. Drive five hours to get there with hotel fees and while standing in the tech line you see these cars passing tech that were in no way legal. I hand my car over for tech and ask about how those cars are legal. He says "these are local rules and that's how we race." That would have been nice to know before we all built cars to go race with. Unapproved bodies with no minimum thickness, no rule on the front ride height. I never did understand that one! In the next to last heat a local racer smoked a motor. Racer was allowed to change motor while track was off and resume racing.  

[Greg VanPeenen]

Sounds like Ron's rules. They even change during the race after tech.

[Aeropro]

 
Yes... he (Brad) is. But even he wasn't able to protect his car for the whole race.

At the 1998 Worlds, Paul Ciccarello, was never out of the slot for the first six heats.

The cars and tracks are too fast. 1.54 average lap?

And in the two motor race, he ran 27 laps, I assume, after hopelessly destroying his car.

I always went to slot car races... to race. Not to sit in my pits, with a crumbled piece of junk, after the first, second, or third heat.

Bottom line... as the lap times go down, so do the entries.

 

Mike,

 

So interesting to see the multi-time G7 Nats and Worlds champion say that the cars are getting too fast. I've been on that soapbox for decades, but of course my opinion doesn't carry much weight. Naturally, I am not opposed to wing car racing – air control is the only product I still manufacture – but it is a simple truth that the faster and more expensive cars become, the fewer people will be willing and able to participate.

 

There will always be a place for the fastest-object-in-the universe competition, but if we want to attract more people into the sport, we need to focus our promotional efforts elsewhere.

[Cheater]

Rick,

 

I mean no insult, but what promotional efforts?

[swodem]

I think in reality that the faster classes attract a smaller participant who is attracted to that aspect

But if the other classes keep going it’s not a reason for them to retire from what they do is it?

Plenty of people head down to the local drags and take their homebuilt hack for a blast down the 1/4 mile for some fun, not many own Top Fuel teams... so?

[Aeropro]

I mean no insult, but what promotional efforts?

 

Exactly! That's a huge part of the problem. No one does any outside promotion on any significant scale. We just keep "preaching to the choir." 

[Rob Voska]

Besides the changes in society and internet a simple magazine on the news stand would be some exposure to the general public.  But then if they can even find a track in their area lets face it some places are scary to even walk into.  It will get worse as more clubs turn to clubs.

[swodem]

Cost of a magazine, printing, distribution and returns wouldn’t be anywhere near viable sadly.

[Cheater]

There are cost-effective ways to promote these days but it would require cooperation among the various pieces of the industry and, well, that's never happened and never will.

[MSwiss]

So interesting to see the multi-time G7 Nats and Worlds champion say that the cars are getting too fast. I've been on that soapbox for decades, but of course my opinion doesn't carry much weight. Naturally, I am not opposed to wing car racing air control is the only product I still manufacture but it is a simple truth that the faster and more expensive cars become, the fewer people will be willing and able to participate.
 
There will always be a place for the fastest-object-in-the universe competition, but if we want to attract more people into the sport, we need to focus our promotional efforts elsewhere.

I have six guys here tonight, practicing and working on their Hardbody cars. And with no particular "big race" coming up.
 
It's pretty cool.
 
I don't think raceways are the hangouts they use to be. A lot of racers show up for the races, but only work on their stuff at home.
 
The negative aspect is they are all 59-73 years old.

I was hoping my 90-year-old racer would have come in, to impart some wisdom/inspiration to them. LOL.

[Half Fast]

Those are some comfy-looking chairs. Good for us geezers.
 
Cheers,

[swodem]

Looks like they’ve moved in!!

Some of those boys have wintered over in a good paddock!