23 replies to this topic

[Michael Jr.]

Looked through 3 or so pages of topics but didn't see where anyone has discussed the track surface.

My track is a traditional wood with paint. Runs fine. No real issues that are not common to wood.

 

My question is concerning Granite and other surfaces. I know of two tracks that have different surfaces. One is granite and the one or two racers I know that have run them say that they run really well.  I would have guess that granite was to slick but I was told it was actually a great surface to run and that there was no spinning on the track.

 

So I'm here, seeking some additional and hopefully experiential insights into the track surface.  I'm running an 1/8th mile track with a good runoff stretch.

[Pappy]

I built a drag strip covered with Formica. The owner loved it.

[Dave Crevie]

Mine was 3/4 inch thick MDF and painted with non-skid porch and deck enamel. Worked fantastic. 

 

I would think that real granite would be tough to cut slots and braid recesses into.

[Phil Hackett]

Mine was 3/4 inch thick MDF and painted with non-skid porch and deck enamel. Worked fantastic. 

 

I would think that real granite would be tough to cut slots and braid recesses into.

 

Granite is routinely cut... my concern would be weight: even thin granite would be much heavier than wood.

[MSwiss]

Any pics of the granite strip?

I agree with Dave that it seems like it would be hard logistical things with the material, unless it was really some sort of faux granite that was easy to machine.

Along with slots and the braid recess, as Dave mentioned, there is adding taps and the cavity for the sensors.

I've heard good things about a Formica surface, but not enough to try to tackle it on a 102 ft. long track.

Was the other surface you described, Formica or something else?

[jimht]

"Granite" may be referring to the stuff many chassis jigs are made from, whatever that is...some sort of kitchen countertop material?

 

It's really hard to beat MDF coated with floor enamel for smoothness, cost and durability, that's why it's used for kitchen cabinets.

 

Traction depends on tires vs surface vs glue or no glue. Foam needs glue and some texture or the tires just pick up the glue and move it down the track.

 

If silicone were standard, fairly smooth and no glue at all might be OK, but my racing under such conditions on Formica tracks in the Sixties required really heavy cars that were blown away by lightweights with foam tires and a little glue on the tires.

[Michael Jr.]

Any pics of the granite strip?

I agree with Dave that it seems like it would be hard logistical things with the material, unless it was really some sort of faux granite that was easy to machine.

Along with slots and the braid recess, as Dave mentioned, there is adding taps and the cavity for the sensors.

I've heard good things about a Formica surface, but not enough to try to tackle it on a 102 ft. long track.

Was the other surface you described, Formica or something else?

 

There is a Formica deck local and one of the racers talked about coming across one granite deck.  He had expected it to be slick but said his tires grabbed without any issue.

[MSwiss]

I'd like to know the name of the facility, so I could check out their FB page.

[Joe Mig]

What's the difference on track surface really because of all the glue that is used with the drag strip slot car track?

[Bags]

My track is black epoxy painted MDF. The first track I raced on was MDF covered with smooth shiny Formica, looked like glass. 
Natural rubber tires worked pretty good with a little glue. Then another track track I raced on had a Formica surface that had matte finish and it took a lot of glue to get the cars to stick. The matte finish had hills and valleys if you will. The glue would flow in the valleys, kinda hard to get a bite unless we used a lot.

My guess is the the track is covered with Formica that looks like Granite. I had an old head one time suggest a drag strip could be made out of glass of all things.

I don’t know how how that would have worked out, but fun thought anyway.

[Michael Jr.]

I'd like to know the name of the facility, so I could check out their FB page.

 

It was in English Mountain, TN but closed about a year ago.  I asked if the person that raced there knows where the track went.

 

[Michael Jr.]

What's the difference on track surface really because of all the glue that is used with the drag strip slot car track?

 

My guys wipe the surface before each run so the glue isn't a factor when they take off.

[Joe Mig]

Yes I've been drag racing slot cars for over 20 years. So I do know the line preparation for each run. But after they wipe the lane clean usually up to the Christmas tree not the whole track they apply new glue. So usually most every pass has glue down anyway.
 
My guys wipe the surface before each run so the glue isn't a factor when they take off.

[Michael Jr.]

 

Yes I've been drag racing slot cars for over 20 years. So I do know the line preparation for each run. But after they wipe the lane clean usually up to the Christmas tree not the whole track they apply new glue. So usually most every pass has glue down anyway.
 
My guys wipe the surface before each run so the glue isn't a factor when they take off.

 

I think something went amiss with your quote. I've not been racing drag cars for 20 years. So I can't take credit for the majority of that quote.  I have a few years to go yet.  Although I did have several good runs and I'm hitting a good light this past weekend. 

[MSwiss]

Any pics of the granite strip?

I agree with Dave that it seems like it would be hard logistical things with the material, unless it was really some sort of faux granite that was easy to machine.

Along with slots and the braid recess, as Dave mentioned, there is adding taps and the cavity for the timing sensors

"Granite" may be referring to the stuff many chassis jigs are made from, whatever that is...some sort of kitchen countertop material?
 
Traction depends on tires vs surface vs glue or no glue. Foam needs glue and some texture or the tires just pick up the glue and move it down the track

Michael,
Thanks for the link you provided in the PM.

As Jim and I guessed, the track surface isn't granite.

It's Corian, which as Jim mentioned is used for making chassis jigs, and by the complexity of the Backtrack jig I sell, is easily machineable.

Regardless of what it is, the track in the video looks great.

And despite not having any apparent texture, must have plenty of traction and works with fast cars, glue and foam/sponge tires.

Zero chance Marty M's .311/97 mph funny car pass was done on a clean track.

[Pappy]

"Granite" may be referring to the stuff many chassis jigs are made from, whatever that is...some sort of kitchen countertop material?

 

It's a resin material. I think the original one was called Swanstone. Formica, Wilsonart and other also make their version. Wilsonart calls their's Solid Surfacing. You can cut it on a table saw, route it, sand it and glue it together.

[MSwiss]

Pappy,
See post #15.

Michael provided a link where the track owner states the surface is Corian.

[Pappy]

I missed your post, you posted it as I was writing and looking up Swanstone and Solid Surfacing. Corian is probably the most popular brand. Most people will refer to any of the solid surfacing materials as Corian just like they refer to all laminates as Formica.

[MSwiss]

As they should.

Dupont invented Corian in 1967, and other brands like Wilsonart only hit the scene when Dupont's patent expired.

[Pappy]

Did I ever tell you about my DeWalt Skil Saw?

[MSwiss]

Yes, despite helping her dad with woodworking projects as a teenager, my wife would most likely call my Milwaukee circular saw, a Skil Saw.

She just reminded me last week that her dad cut a hole in a basement wall, for the outfeed of his table saw.

Whenever she mentions it, I think of going to BP's original location, and seeing Chris Gallegos , after Friday night drag racing,go out the back door, and unhook, and wheel in the portable, additional shutdown.

Or going to a race at Dallas Booth's raceway, and the Finger of his American King, running into the adjacent room.

[Dale Tomczyk]

When i had my raceway back in the early 90's i had a local cabinet maker build my 1/4 mile dragstrip he used black formica for the surface which worked really well i also used magnatech braid which helped newbies set up there cars till they got the hang of gluing (me included) just add a couple small neo dots and you were racing. which brought in alot of new racers,it worked well enough that i was able to host  DRS summer nationals till i sold the raceway and the Hericks seemed to like it.i used the trik tracks system with event director for the ladder setup which was the best i could find at the time this was at slot car and hobby center in old town Arvada.

[Michael Jr.]

OK.... so there isn't any knowledge of a granite surface at this point in Slot Drag racing history. Formica gets a favorable report and based on what I put together from the local racers, it is considered an upgrade to the MDF painted surface. But my curiosity about granite will have to wait for someone with investment dollars to try out.

[Joe Mig]

I would think granite would probably be awesome if you could afford it. And you might possibly be even able to put real brass strips in where the guide flag goes. I know they use these 10 ft strips of brass underneath the granite on the long pieces to strengthen it. Maybe you could try a little 10 ft piece of remnant from your local granite place and see how the car launches on it. Then you could take it from there.