31 replies to this topic

[Michael Jr.]

Is it wrong that I want a track with this type of layout? I love the more... interesting tracks which is why I suppose I've never gravitated to the ovals.  I understand there are speed guys that want a high-banked oval and there are racers more familiar with dirt track or NASCAR that identify with an oval. But driving a slot car track vs. speed trials just seems more fun in the long term.

 

I try to simplify and categorize things I suppose. I think we have two basic mindsets. Those that compete against the track and for them it's all about speed. Staying on the track at faster and faster speeds. And we have those that race other drivers. They prefer a driving track, one that requires a lot of attention and changes in speed to navigate.

 

But anyway, these crossovers on a track as just sexy as far as I am concerned. I love this on a slot car track.

 

[Eddie Fleming]

I see what you are saying but that looks like TRACK calls to me. 

[Michael Jr.]

Yes.. that would be one deslot after another until folks learn to get the finger off the trigger! I had to learn the same thing in a real car. Those dang curves don't straighten to adjust to my desired speed.

[Pappy]

I like tracks you have to actually drive, but I don't like that crossover or tracks where the lanes come together. 

[Michael Jr.]

As an additional track... I like variety. I don't want racers to get bored.

[Tim Neja]

Driving tracks are my preference also, but that one looks more like a PIA than a driving challenge!! The corners are way too tight for good driving and I'm sure it would result in frustration, rather than a pleasant challenge. I love the flat tracks we have in California – from the MTT at Buena Park to the new one at Piranha. Also the "Korkscrew" up at Modesto and plenty around the Bay Area as well.

 

I'm with you – not a King Track fan. Enjoy finding your new track!!

[James Wendel]

When I was a kid there was a track in my hometown that had crossovers similar to what is shown above, but they served to equalize the lanes because they were half a lap apart, rather than right together.

 

They also made the track virtually undrivable for a bunch of kids with early 1960s ready-to-run cars and Cox plunger-style controllers. The track shut down and disappeared within a couple of months. Fatal business mistake for the owners... sad for us kids.

[Phil Smith]

I think the abrupt rise and fall on the bridges is more of a problem than the tight turns. Looks really cool though.

[Jay Guard]

Turn marshaling will not be fun around and under the cross-overs due to the "flat" angle of the cross-overs. You will hear a lot of what was said above, Track! 

[Phil Hackett]

On paper it looks like a good idea. You might try it but the example is too abrupt. I'd stretch it out lengthwise.

 

The Revell Raceway I attended had a track where they had these "equalizers" but removed them and put in chicanes at the ends of one of the longest straights. For that track the change made it better.

[Bill Seitz]

That's a very effective chicane, although the tight double underpasses will make a marshalling nightmare. Placed between two corners seems like an odd design, though. I've not driven anything like that, but my expectation is it's a long slow corner complex taken all at one constant speed at which the car negotiates all the features of the section.

 

It may offer a brief challenge, but in the end either is frustrating and tedious or becomes boring. I believe racer interest in designs like this are short-lived.

[Michael Jr.]

This particular example has some flaws. I saw it more as a model or example rather than the exact track to try and use. And I'm not currently shopping for a track with that design. I have a few more important things to take care of first.

 

Maybe, having someone build a couple of sections that include this that can be swapped out for a regular straight in a track would be the better option. It could appear seasonally and transform an existing track into something very different without having to replace the entire track. Something with more gradual crossovers might make it less likely to launch cars.

 

Again, I see this as something to add variety and challenge. And I posted it just for some good discussion and maybe some enlightenment from anyone that has experienced it firsthand.

[Eddie Fleming]

The number one problem with any crossover on any track is the car off under the bridge. Some layouts address the problem better than others. 

[gc4895]

Looks like something for a Scaletrix or 1/32 plastic home track. Once the novelty quickly wears off you can replace it with straight sections. YMMV.

[Modelville Guy]

Modelville Hobby has an Aristocrat which the switch over and it makes a fun thinking racer's race.

 

Four gutter lanes.

Four middle lanes.

Where did that car go?

Where did that car come from?

 

All the things you do not normally worry about on a track.

[Michael Jr.]

That's all I'm talking about really. Just keep things interesting and with some variety.

I have heard so often that racers run the same style tracks everywhere and like it when a track is different. I doubt I would want to count on a track with crossovers as my only track but as a second or third track or with a couple of pieces to swap out for an occasional race, I think it would bring some freshness to the racing.

[MattD]

The Aristocrat is a much better design with crossovers. This is a friend's private track and you can see the crossover coming down from the main straight and through the plexi window. You can see where the crossover is coming from the 180 out of the lower straight. Much easier to see and marshal. 

You do need to drive this track. It's not like King.

[Pappy]

Looks like my track with crossovers instead of esses.

[Tim Neja]

Now THAT looks like a fun track to create a different look and not so abrupt that it would create a lot of problems!  A much better design style --  driving tracks can be fun if their not over-challenging for the average drivers.  It's not the racers that make your track successful, it's the casual driver that enjoys building and buying cars.  

[Bill Seitz]

Another alternative challenge to the Aristocrat-style crossovers are the esses in the original Engleman tracks. Jim Honeycutt has a fine example at Magnetech Raceway in San Antonio, one of my favorite tracks. Too bad I live over a thousand miles away. Another challenging feature of the old tracks, including Jim's Engleman, are many more flat corners. I've come to the conclusion that the popularity of the King, at least newer ones, is that it's easy to drive. If the track is too hard, some people, particularly newbies, become frustrated and lose interest. Newer versions of Engleman designs eliminate the esses which removes some of the challenge. I still find Hillclimbs, Englemans, and Kinglemans without esses (and the sole remaining Purple Angel) way more interesting than a King, but unfortunately that seems to be what every raceway wants today. I'd like to see Paperclips and Oranges with esses come back as second tracks (or even first ones).

 

Bill

[Michael Jr.]

Another alternative challenge to the Aristocrat-style crossovers are the esses in the original Engleman tracks. Jim Honeycutt has a fine example at Magnetech Raceway in San Antonio, one of my favorite tracks. Too bad I live over a thousand miles away. Another challenging feature of the old tracks, including Jim's Engleman, are many more flat corners. I've come to the conclusion that the popularity of the King, at least newer ones, is that it's easy to drive. If the track is too hard, some people, particularly newbies, become frustrated and lose interest. Newer versions of Engleman designs eliminate the esses which removes some of the challenge. I still find Hillclimbs, Englemans, and Kinglemans without esses (and the sole remaining Purple Angel) way more interesting than a King, but unfortunately that seems to be what every raceway wants today. I'd like to see Paperclips and Oranges with esses come back as second tracks (or even first ones).

 

Bill

 

 

 

This is my current track that is carrying all the racing load until I complete the King.  It has more flat than banked and the esses as well. Not the same as the cross over but certainly makes it a driver track.

 

 

    

[Bill Seitz]

Nice track! Covid has really played havoc with our travel plans over the past 2 years, but I would like to make a pass through your area and visit. Unfortunately, that looks at least another year away.

[Eddie Fleming]

Now that is a great track with or without the esses. 

[jimht]

 

 

 

This is my current track that is carrying all the racing load until I complete the King.  It has more flat than banked and the esses as well. Not the same as the cross over but certainly makes it a driver track.

 

 

  Engleman.jpg  

Saw this thing years ago and it always irritated me.

 

Racing mentality design, disregarding the money to be made from playing.

 

It's an OK track but a poor design, a track where the most difficult part to drive is so far away from the drivers.

 

And that, my friends, is the flaw that kills the joy on any track for playing around..and why most AMCR type tracks tend to have footprints in front of the driver's panel. LOL

[Michael Jr.]

Jim,

This particular track has been a hit with kids for parties, and rentals and guys just coming in to get a few laps.  They like the size and haven't complained about the it at all.  Generally, the Engleman is considered a great design with most I speak to.