385 replies to this topic

[Clyde Romero]

Well, this might be an uncomfortable topic, but I would like to hear what others have to say.

we have all experienced the racer who causes issues at a race. 

and it seems they only act up at the track they race at the most i.e., their home track never at a big event.

At least that's been my experience. 

so, my question is.

how do you handle this?

what's the school solution? If there is one. 

 

on another note, I am heading up to Ohio this week for a Retro race. 

Hope to see some familiar faces.

 

take care Racers and see you at the track.

 

Clyde

[Richie]

I think that should be handled as a private conversation between the race/series director. A conversation about what the director is seeing and what needs to change, and the outcomes of the changes not taking place....luckily I really have not witnessed this at the races I've been to so, that answer is the way I would expect it to be handled.

[Clyde Romero]

Just got back from racing up at HMS speedway in Bellevue Ohio
Nice crowd around 15 or so racers
got to re connect with some of the crowd from the R-4 which was great 

I won Concourse in Coupe 
 
Looking forward to the trip out west for the IRRA Retro Race in mid  April 
 
Until then
 
see you at the track
 
Clyde Romero
 
 
 

[Clyde Romero]

I have seen a lot of things over the years with regards to slot cars but I have never seen anything like this
https://bringatraile...slot-car-track/
If it were in a Ferrari shell
I would own it!

[Dave Crevie]

Then you just missed it. Also on BAT.

 

 

 

 

The perfect start.

[MSwiss]

That Slot Mods 917 has been around for probably 10 years.

Cool, yes.

Engineering marvel, yes.

Functionality as a slot car track, even for casual fun, I sort of doubt it.

[John Luongo]

great attention to detail in the european fashion. well done!

[Clyde Romero]

Just got back from the Festival of Speed Retro Race

the Race Track is called Piranha Speedway

they have 2 road course tracks plus a drag strip

flat track

king which is super fast Drag Strip is off to the left in the picture 

the owner is Rich Curnutte super nice guy

famous chassis builder Dennis Samson 

if you bought this book this is the guy who wrote it Ed Shorer

Jay Guard and Dominic Luongo ( IRRA Board members) were there

Dennis Dominey (Canadian) and myself 

I came in 3rd in my main in F-1

the track is supersonic 

had a great time 

 

 

 

 

 

[Clyde Romero]

Braid juice?

so what's the plus and minus of using this stuff?

back in the 60's when this great hobby first started there was no such thing as braid juice that I was aware of

I would like to hear back from those who use it and why?

 

on another note looking forward to going to the retro race in North Carolina in August.

Let's hope he has a good turnout.

 

that's all for now, summer is upon us, don't forget to support the tracks during the summer months racers!

 

Until then

 

Clyde 

[Eddie Fleming]

As I am sure you know Clyde the idea with braid juice is to keep the braid on the car clean and promote better electrical contact to the track, and possibly reduce friction between the car braid and the track. Whether it works is very questionable IMO. The Car braid will stay shiner but is the contact any better, or is there a oil film on the braid interfering with electrical contact. 

 

 I fear the juice just gets transferred to the track braid and softens the glue holding the braid thereby contributing to the need for race interruptions for track repair. Policing it's use is near impossible so it is what it is and on we go.

[Bill from NH]

Locally, I saw the track braid wearing out in the corners before the glue's adhesion let go. Steve Ogilvie did the original braid, we used a contact cement for the new.

[Clyde Romero]

Eddie I am with you I always thought anything between the braid and the track was interfering with the connectivity hence slowing down what little voltage and amperage you were getting to the car

but that’s just me 

I really hope to hear from others on this

some of the braid juice is extremely low viscosity and at the race I just attended it was an issue because it got on the track!

I know from my point of view as a track owner it tends to cause the braid to come up 

anyway hope to hear from more racers on this subject 

[Pablo]

I've never been a fan of gooping up my cars with various liquids each and every lane change like lots of guys do. The next guy running that lane has to drive through all that junk.

 

Won a lot of races in my time by simply oiling rotating surfaces about every third lane change. But if the track power is high the braids will burn down unless you juice them. I get that.

 

My local track has 12.7 volts and without juicing braids they last at least two races. Tracks with higher power, I've done well by just letting it burn. You are going to replace them after a race anyway.

 

You will never see me running around with a pit caddy squirting junk on my cars. That's just me.

[Eddie Fleming]

Several years ago a very good retro racer told me he did not use braid juice. Instead about half way through the race he would flip the braid over and run the other side if need be. 

[Bill from NH]

It's the trackowner's decision to say what racers can or can't use at/on his track. They own the tracks, they make the rules. Racers can then determine whether or not if they want to use the approved items & products.

[brnursebmt]

I never apply braid conditioner when my car comes to rest in a corner.  As you come back through that corner you will pick it up on your tires and slide. Only apply when car is being pitted on a straight section.

 

I do believe that braid conditioner is very necessary, just not in mass quantities.  Too much of a good thing is not always good!

 

 

I believe some adhesives are better than others when braiding the track.  I've raced on many tracks that the braid had been down for umpteen years and it wouldn't lift up after years of being exposed to braid juice and track cleanings.  It was worn out but it stayed down.  

[Danny Zona]

I like using braid juice.

I do think most racers apply way to much though.

[Wizard Of Iz]

I like using braid juice.

I do think most racers apply way to much though.

 

Amen .... I've picked up cars where they had used so much braid juice that coated the bottom of the entire chassis.

 

 

Do you have a preferred brand?

[Danny Zona]

Amen .... I've picked up cars where they had used so much braid juice that coated the bottom of the entire chassis.
 
 
Do you have a preferred brand?

I like Bobby's Braid Juice which I don't think is available anymore since Joe Reid died.

I also like Redrum braid juice.

I'm pretty sure Fast Eddie's has Redrum in stock.

[Wizard Of Iz]

Thanks.

Wow. I still have a bottle of Bobby’s that’s about 2/3 full. The advantage of not racing much for a few years.

I’ll have to check out the Redrum.

[Clyde Romero]

wow this topic really got a lot of interest, keep it coming racers

[Pablo]

I know a guy uses WD40

[Eddie Fleming]

Some time back I think Cheater said he had tried WD40. 

[Danny Zona]

I've heard of racers using Marvel Mystery Oil.

[Bill from NH]

I've heard of mixing the Mystery Oil with something, maybe ATF, but I forget what.

 

Cheater must have told a lot of us about WD-40. He said it was short-lived.