Planning a Pit Building for The New Schweizering

Although it will be awhile before I can actually start construction of my track, I know enough about the overall design parameters that I can start building some of the major elements that will go into it. The major element here will be the grandstands and pit building, which will be built primarily from scratch while integrating the four Artin Grandstands I have into its upper level. The planned structure will actually be made in three separate sections, as all the buildings on the track will be removable and stored when the track is folded up against the wall. During setup, they can be dropped into place and the electrical connections for lighting can be plugged in.

This is the preliminary plan for the 3-level pit / grandstand structure.

Since the backstory of The Schweizering is that it is an all-new Swiss racing circuit featuring modern, state-of-the-art structures and amenities, I had to come up with a suitable design. Some of the buildings (including this one) will feature large-scale graphics showcasing some of the great Swiss racing drivers of the past, like Jo Siffert, Clay Regazzoni and many others. As usual, I construct these buildings primarily out of foam core, supplemented by cardboard and some bits of wood. Since there is a lot of glass--particularly in the central control tower--I've got plenty of acrylic sheet on hand, too. Integrating the Artin grandstands is pretty simple; the top level of the structure essentially gets "built around" them.

I think the large scale graphics on the side of the building will have a lot of impact.

I construct the building from the ground up; I used corrugated plastic board for the facade of the pits, as I like the subtle ribbed texture it has. I sprayed it with a silvery nickel metallic paint, to give it a contemporary, modern look. Foam core makes up the side and interior walls, which are covered with self-adhesive wall sheets I created on an inkjet printer in various color combinations. The photo below shows the individual wall sections ready for assembly; when ready, I'll print and place the interior back walls but the interior lighting will have to go in first. As you may note, the building is only about 6.75" deep, which just barely accommodates most slot cars; this is due to space limitations but should be adequate from a visual sense.

Here is the facade of the pit garage with the interior walls ready for assembly.

For interior lighting, I'll be using some LED strip sections in bright white, which should work well for the pit garages. I'll probably use a warmer white lighting in the VIP suites and the upper grandstand sections. While it's not rocket science, planning and running the lines to keep connections to a minimum and maintaining portability takes care. As I move forward on construction, I'll try to show as much progress as I can and even take some videos.

First it was Garden Railroads. Now We've Got Garden Race Circuits...

Came across this cool video on the Goodwood website, featuring a wonderful 1:32 slot car track built in a back garden. The track, named the Borussia Ring, get it's name from a former colliery and features a number of fine plants scattered around the track. Thankfully there's plenty of space around the edge of the track, as I spy some real rocks placed along the layout.

This is green racing indeed...in a garden environment!

For more information and the original article, check out the link HERE.

Another Conversion Prospect: Ferarri 250 LM

While I know there are ready-to-run versions of the Ferarri 250 LM out there (at about $70 or more a crack) I have so far held off from purchasing one.  There have been many times in the past when I could have purchased a car when it first came out at about $50 or so and delayed long enough that it went out of production, became slightly rare, and subsequently was only available at a premium price.

It's an old kit from the 80's but complete and in like-new shape.

To that end, I picked up this nice MPC kit from the early 1980s which I intend to convert to a slot car. I have a few extra chassis available that might fit; I could also go the 3D printed route, I suppose. I don't need it to be a racer, but just run smooth and fast enough to keep up with most of my other classic Le Mans cars. The kit itself is pretty well detailed, and seems to fit together pretty well - so hopefully my skill will be up to the task.

Recent Updates from The SLOT Garage

Been offline for a week or so trying to get caught up at work after my daughter's wedding in Cleveland on June 5th. It was a wonderful weekend that included a rehearsal dinner cruise on Lake Erie, a ceremony and reception in Cleveland's Grand Arcade and lots of dancing, revelry and great fun. Now that the wife and I can "return to our regularly scheduled programming" I have had a chance to get some things organized toward building my next track as well as expanding my slot car collection.

Some very nice additions to the GT stable.

Among my recent acquisitions are three sharp Scalextric GT cars, two Aston Martin GT3s and a Porsche 911 RSR. For the most part, I collect Le Mans-type cars, LMPs, Classics, Group Cs, IMSA, GTP and GT cars, so these fit right in. The Scarlett & Mustard-liveried Aston was my first purchase; I really wanted the black Darell Lea car but could not find one--naturally, it turned up on eBay about a week-and-a-half after I bought the first car. Thankfully, it was at a good price. I like the Proton Porsche, too--although I am a little embarrassed to admit that, as a whole, I've never been a big fan of the whole 911-based body family (GT1 excluded) but the RSR has some subtleties that make it a nice fit with other current GT cars, especially with the right livery, and this is it.
 
One other thing you might notice in looking at these three cars--and this is another secret nitpick--is that I hate black wheels. I know they are dominant in racing cars now and have been for a while, but I never liked the look of a "black hole" inside a wheel well; it just looks ugly and unfinished to me. If I have to, I'll settle for a well-outlined tire (with lettering or a stripe) and even a charcoal-gray or dark pewter rim or wheel...but I always try to avoid black if I can. Of course, with some cars, like a classic Porsche 917, there's no alternative - but I guess that's life.

A couple of classic GT kits for conversion.

I also have a few scratch-build projects/conversions I'll be working on as time allows. One is an old Lindberg Aston Martin DP212 static kit which is not very well-detailed but decent enough to use for a slot car. It's not a commonly-known Aston Martin but was raced at Le Mans in 1962. It will need a lot of work to convert, but it's an opportunity to turn what many might call a sow's ear into a leather purse, if not a silk one. The other conversion project is an Aoshima Toyota 2000 GT snap kit which has all the detail the Lindberg lacks; there are a couple of nice liveries I can choose from, including a Shelby-prepared SCCA racer from 1968 - (see below).

Less $ Spent on Tools Could Mean More $ for Slot Cars

Let me be the first to say the hobby manufacturers do a great job when it comes to bringing us the products we need, as well as some helpful innovations in terms of tools and supplies. That said, many of the "specialized" products sold for slot car repair and maintenance, as well for general hobbyists, aren't as special as they seem, and low-cost replacements or temporary substitutes can often get the job done--at least as a start.  For example, here are a few items I've picked up at the local $1 store that have already proven to be helpful:

All purchased for $1 USD each. Pretty handy.

First--slot cars are small--and they are filled with an assortment of "bits 'n pieces" that will inevitably get lost if you don't have a place to secure them. Leave a small screw, washer or bracket laying on the workbench and you can be sure your cat will swipe it onto the floor and under some furniture. The blue plastic snack tray is less than full size and has handy compartments to hold stuff during car assembly or disassembly. Likewise, the clear plastic storage box has lots of small compartments to hold extra screws, magnets, wheels and inserts--and even some small bits like car mirrors and other spare parts.

Maybe they don't qualify as "precision" screwdrivers. But how much precision do you need?

My favorite find so far was the small set of "precision" screwdrivers that came in its own plastic case. The set of six includes four Philips-head and two flat head tools in commonly-used sizes. Are there better tools out there? Certainly. But for a single US dollar, these are damn handy and make a great backup set, in any case. Buy a few, and if you lose a set, you won't care.  The last item is just a set of three snap-blade knives; common as dirt, but 3 for a dollar ensures that you'll have one around when you want one. They are a must for crafting and building scenery when an Xacto knife isn't really required.

Here in the USA, these were all found for $1 each at the local Dollar Tree chain, where just about everything is a dollar. Similar items can be found at stores like Family Dollar or Dollar General--I would imagine that there are these kind of discount chains elsewhere across the globe. This isn't to dissuade you from shopping your local hobby supply, but with the money you save, you might be able to pick up that slot car you want a little sooner...

Slot Car Technology to Release "The Bench" V2 This Summer

For those who are focused on performance and want to know everything about the cars they build and race, there are helpful tools out there to help. I just came across this new testing bench that not only looks good but also promises to deliver a lot of info about your slot cars and engines.

The well-sized test bench will fit both 1:32 and 1:24 scale cars.

I'm not sure about the manufacturing process, but some of the parts look like they may be 3D printed--which is really great to see. I am continually amazed at how this technology has opened up so much creativity for the slot car hobby--where small-scale manufacturing allows us to test products and ideas and modify them quickly as they are brought to market. "The Bench" by Slot Car Technology is very attractive and appears to deliver a lot in a compact package. It's supported by a smartphone app that displays all the critical info.

The unit has adjustable power and appears to provide testing of acceleration, RPM, braking, voltage curve and most other critical performance factors. In addition, the manufacturer will be adding additional plug-ins to test tire break-in, magnetism and vehicle maintenance. The app images all appear in French, but I would think there would be an English language choice available via the settings; even if they were not, it seems to be easy enough to figure out. The projected price is about €220. To get all the information on the test bench product and its app, visit their English translated website HERE:

What To Do With Those Extra Car Display Boxes...

While many hobbyists insist on keeping their cars in their clear plastic display boxes, it's inevitable that you'll eventually purchase a used car that doesn't come with one, or just display your cars in such a way that they're not really needed. Sometimes one will get damaged or cracked. Rather than tossing them out or just stashing them away in a closet, you can make good use of them on your layout, with a little work and ingenuity.

Some of these beer brands might be outdated, as this is almost 20 years old.

This beer stand (Bier Haus) was made with an extra display case. Made up to fit into my track's Swiss/German theme, I used some black foam board to cover part of the sides and the top, painted the roof and part of the case's lower half, and then used thin auto pin striping (available at most any auto parts store) to delineate the sections of window glass.

On top of the little building there is a seating area behind the BIER HAUS sign; a small bench has been built into the back wall and a cardboard ladder was added to the back for access.  On the inside, I didn't add a lot of detail other than creating a counter at the inside rear and some graphics for the back wall that simulated some beer taps, a microwave and some coffee urns. While I kept this one fairly simple overall, it would be easy enough to create an actual floor, add a counter at the front and drop in some 3D accessories--including some service staff.

The printed graphics above the back counter include beer taps, coffee urns, etc.

 The other building in the image below could also be created with a display case, though in this example I used an empty candy box (Ferraro-Roche) to top of this modestly-sized track control tower. The process of construction was similar; masked off and painted portions of the clear acrylic box, then marked the windows off with pin striping. That section was made to fit into a 2-story bottom section made from foam core and covered with self-adhesive paper that the windows/door had been printed upon. Some black foam core was used for the sign on the front as well as the observation deck on the top.

Both items in place on my first track. They were not installed on my last one.

While there are some incredible laser cut and plastic kits on the market, I always enjoyed the challenge of creating my own buildings. Also, many of the buildings sold today are based on 1950s or 1960s models, and seem somewhat dated for the modern era--so if you want something contemporary, you just might have to make it yourself.

Speed Thrills: My First NSR and RevoSlot Cars

Times like these I really regret not having a track available to drop my new cars on for some test laps. The two beauties I'm highlighting here just arrived courtesy of UPS (and LEB Hobbies) and I am really happy to have them.

Before I go too much further, let me point out I am a notorious cheapskate when it comes to buying cars. This means that:  a) I have to limit my collecting to a definitive category of cars that I really like, and b) that I try to extend my collection as inexpensively as possible--which means buying cars that are on sale or very gently used. As I gradually fill out my list of "must-haves" it becomes harder to do this, as some types are simply just more expensive or (like these two brands) too new or seldom offered in used condition.

I have a Ford 3L P68 in my 60's-era Le Mans car stable, but it is a classic Scalextric model and simply not in the same class as my modern cars. It is in extremely nice shape, and I've considered putting the body on a newer chassis. Maybe someday.  This Lucky Strike livery is really attractive and will look great hanging out with the Ford GTs, Ferraris, Mark IVs and other classics in my pit lane. The detail on this NSR model is absolutely wonderful and I'm sure the performance will match. You might be surprised that, having been in the hobby for 20 years or more, this in my first NSR, but as I said, I'm cheap and I don't do any club or commercial track racing.

I already had a 333P, too--a yellow SCX model that is still like new and one that I always considered good-looking. When I started in the hobby, I liked the late-90's to 2000s LMPs, and my first Ferrari--although not red, as I usually prefer--was a nice visual break from my other cars, which included a white Joest Porsche and 2 white BMWs. Something about this RevoSlot's plain red livery (with just a few decals) appealed to me...and in terms of quality, it is a real stunner.

Since I am pretty much caught up in terms of modern GT cars (especially those offered by Scalextric and Carrera) it seems the focus will have to shift to quality over quantity/price and that means shelling out some more money for fewer cars. I often choke on spending over $75.00 for a car, but I have some holes in my collection and it's looking like some of the LeMans Miniatures models (which normally run well over $100 USD) may be the only way to fill them--aside from buying a 3D printer and trying to build my own.  Something to plan for, to be sure.

If Modern Endurance and F1 Cars Don't Drift Through a Turn, Your Slot Car Probably Shouldn't Either.

As I have been getting back into the hobby, it's inevitable that I hear the occasional back-and-forth between magnet and non-magnet racers, I often hear standard lines, like: "non-magnet racing is more challenging" or "Non-magnet racing takes more skill" or "non-magnet racing is more realistic."

First of all, let me say that I appreciate both kinds of racing. People should do whatever they like. Most of my cars retain their magnets because that makes them better-suited for running on my style of home tracks and for my guests (who aren't that experienced). I also primarily run Le Mans-type cars and modern GT cars, and expect them to stick to the track and not "drift" through turns. Think about it. Do you commonly see the back ends of LMPs or F1 cars fishtailing through a turn? Probably not--because the two main factors at play--tire grip and aerodynamic downforce--keep them glued to the track. That is how they are designed, and they are driven according to those principles.

Don't see much fishtailing through the turns here...

I was watching an excellent video about some of the more serious crashes in racing history and how safety has developed over time. At about the 5:30 mark, it provides an excellent explanation of how tire grip and aerodynamic downforce combine to keep race cars on the track, and how--when the downforce is suddenly lost--the results can be catastrophic, as they were in the case of Ayrton Senna, for example. To me, that seems to parallel similar results when a magnet car loses grip at speed. Time and time again I hear non-magnet proponents say: "the problem is, when a magnet car crashes, your car can get seriously damaged." YES. Just like in real racing.

Losing downforce (aerodynamic or magnet) usually has poor results.

To me, the removal of the magnet from a slot car would essentially be the same as removing all the wings and ground effects from a real race car and telling the driver to just rely on their tire grip to stay on the track. Since there are no aerodynamic effects at 1:32 scale, the magnet provides the essential substitute. Not a perfect one, but not bad either. I know many would suggest that simply adding weight (lead) is somehow a more acceptable substitute, but this attitude seems like a tired remnant from the "old days" of wood track commercial racing, before magna-traction was even a thing. Magnets and lead are both artificial--why pretend that one is better or somehow more "legitimate" than the other?

How did we get to the point where it's bad to have a magnet, but perfectly OK to add lead to your slot car?

I came across a forum comment from a magnet racer that said he thought it took more skill to keep a magnet car on the track at high speed--running that razor edge between maximum speed and sudden grip failure. That may be; the conception that magnet racers just plaster down the throttle and watch the car fly around the track is utter nonsense. Can high-speed crashes be bad? Absolutely--so magnet racers must learn how to drive fast without crashing. Conversely, it takes skill to learn how to run a non-magnet car quickly, to tune it for top performance and gain a feel for how it goes around a curve. That can offer its own fun challenges. Both take skill, but different types of skill. But to insist that one is somehow more realistic or takes more skill than the other just doesn't hold up under scrutiny.

That said, I can see where certain types of cars--like American muscle cars, rally cars or some vintage racers--can and should slide around the track a little as they as they come through sharp corners. For those types of cars, that looks realistic, and I would suggest that magnets probably aren't needed. In the end, it all depends how you enjoy the hobby; whether you're racing at home on a plastic track for fun, through proxy racing, or on a routed wood club track. You can take the approach that's required for each one and enjoy it without totally excluding the use of others, or claiming that the one you've chosen is the only "right" way.

A Busy Month for Slot Car Buying

Having not added any cars to the collection for a couple of years, it seems I've been doing a lot of catch-up lately. Since there are so many choices in both makes and liveries these days, I've probably focused more on those; honestly, modern GT class cars are growing increasingly attractive and varied, while their LMP counterparts seem to look more and more similar.

 

A couple of Carrera offerings lead the pack, with the #27592 Audi R8 "Valvoline" and the #27624 McLaren 720S GT3 "Blau." Both look great. Like all my cars, they are analog. I followed this up with a Scalextric #C3941 Mercedes AMG GT3 "Sun Energy" - which has a really fantastic multi-colored livery and bright orange wheels.

So far, I only have one Scaleauto car, a Radical. I've had my eye on the #SC6053 Spyker C8 Spyder GT2-R cars for a long time, and was finally able to obtain one at a reasonable price--from a shop in Spain! Even with the shipping, it was still $10 less than anything I could find on this side of the Atlantic, so I bit. With its silver and orange livery, it's a real looker. Can't wait to see how it will do on the track.

For whatever reason, I missed out on the original offering of MB Slot Pagani Zonda RTR cars. But I was able to pick up this #A0701 white kit on eBay at a very good price. I'm tempted to keep it mostly white, doing some minimal trim painting and adding some race numbers and a few decals only. We'll see.

 

Yes, I am Currently Track-less. But We're Going to Fix That.

Ever since I had to remove my last track a couple of years ago, my remaining scenery bits, track sections and, of course--cars--have been sleeping silently in the basement. As I have recently gotten back into the hobby, going through what I have on hand and buying new cars, I've considered what my options are in terms of a new track.

My original slot car track. Had a lot of fun - would be happy with this, now.

 

 

A view of my 2nd track. The Schweizering. It will live again in a more compact form.

To review, the space where I had my permanent track was "commandeered" by my wife as I continued work on our basement remodel. She wanted the 12' x 10' space in question for entertaining, with a round dining/poker table at the center and maybe a set of base cabinets on a back wall. Looking back, perhaps I was too quick to accommodate her - but there is a reason they say "Happy Wife - Happy Life." In any case, over the last few months, I considered the following:

I did not want a track in the garage. A small, portable one that I could move outside might be fun, but that wouldn't be optimal for the kind of scenery I like. Also, an unheated garage up north is a terrible place to have a track, with moisture and inevitable freeze/thaw cycles. Too much dirt, bugs, dust, etc.

It had to stow away out of sight when not in use, and be easy to set up. I don't have room for large sectional tracks, or to having something dropping out of the ceiling. I wanted it to be ready to race on in 15-20 minutes at the most.

The right size. It had to be compact enough to hide, but big enough to offer a good driving challenge and some space for scenery. And scenery complicates things, of course.

Had to be permanent or semi-permanent. While I start out with sectional track, I don't redesign layouts weekly or just set up on a tabletop. I build the track into the landscape, paint it, and copper tape the rails. 

Having sorted through these must-haves and must-nots, I settled on the following concepts:

The best place for the track was where I originally had it, in the 12' x 10' basement space. The only difference is it would have to fold up against a back wall above the base cabinets, and could not be as large as the old track.

There would be a height limit on any "permanent" scenery. Anything in the landscape can't exceed about 7" in height, or it would be crushed against the back wall. The track surface would fold into a box about 7.5" deep, located above the base cabinets. Anything above that height--like buildings, street lights, big trees, etc.--would have to be removable and dropped into place during setup.

 Lights, power, electrical connections, PC hookups, etc. would all have to be "modular." That means they could be easily plugged in-and-out, moved out of the way and generally "disappear" when not in use. My inclination here is to build a moveable cart that would accommodate all these items, with accommodating connecting jacks built into the track structure.

The last track I had was about 50' in length. The extensions along each side ran the full length of the 10' side walls. I can only use about half of that space with the new track, which will be about 35' in length overall. Still, I think it will be enough space to provide sufficient challenge and interest over the long term. I'm sure I could get more track into the space, but I resist the temptation to do that, as I think the resulting overpasses and side-by side straightaways look unnatural.

So the new track will look something like this.

At some point I will get into a more detailed discussion of my own track design philosophy. You need balance; as much as I like scenery-making, I don't think it's necessary to cram spectators, structures and other gimcracks into every square inch of the track space. Too much incoherent clutter only detracts from your race track's best features. Having some open space enhances them. Nuff said for now.

How Dirt Track Racers Are Spending Their Winter Months

 Just came across this story out of Moline, Illinois, from KWOC-TV 6 - highlighting the activities at the local slot car raceway, which have picked up significantly during the pandemic. The group of participants is comprised of former real-world racers or people that have been drivers, fans, speedway fire-rescue members and other people who decided they wanted something to do in the winter months.

Spread a little baked wheat flour down and suddenly you have a "Dirt Track."

Located in the huge garage of a former sprint car driver, Bent Wrench Speedway--as it is called--shares space with some vintage vehicles, lots of spare parts and loads of construction and mechanic's equipment. Patrick Moore, who owns the garage, is a third generation racer, and his family has been collecting and enjoying slot cars for decades. Slot racing has allowed the locals to still enjoy some competition during the winter season.

To make the miniature dirt-track racing more authentic, they bake wheat flour at 350 degrees for an hour and then spread it over the slot car track. That becomes the "dirt track" racing surface, allowing the cars to slip-slide around.  For the complete story and video footage, check out the KWOC-TV website.

Get Your Weekly Fix with Dave Kennedy's Slot Car News

 As I recently got back into the hobby, Dave Kennedy was a familiar name to me and I was happy to see that he had transitioned much of his presence from his Slot Car News blog to a really amazing YouTube Channel. Dave's original blog has transitioned to more of a commercial racing news source, and the content there is now handled by others (though he retains ownership of the site). Dave now primarily focuses on the 1:32 model slot car industry and provides weekly updates on new models coming out, new products, and other content that will be of great interest to most hobbyists.

If you want to know what's going on in the slot car industry, Dave Kennedy is your man.

With his extensive experience working for SCX, Scalextric and Carrera, Dave knows the ins-and-outs of the industry and best of all, isn't afraid to tell it like it is. He's done awesome videos featuring straight talk on subjects such as brand licensing, model production numbers, the basic differences in chassis and motors, and other topics that people often ask about. He explains why companies like Scalextric and Carrera think like "toy manufacturers" and not "slot car enthusiasts" - and how these factors shape the way the industry creates and sells products. It's fascinating stuff, and it's one reason why I look forward to his Friday uploads.

Besides the latest hobby news, Dave also provides a lot of useful and educational content that will be of use to slot car hobbyists--especially those just starting out. He offers helpful tips on the different brands of track, what different manufacturers have to offer, basic car maintenance and much, much more. While his expertise makes him compelling to experienced slot car folks, he doesn't assume you already know everything--and that's refreshing.

Dave also recently started doing some live-stream chat events, where he will happily talk about new developments and answer your questions. Check him out on YouTube at Slot Car News Official.

Retro Roundup: SCX SRS2 Series Slot Cars 1992-93

My Mazda 787B. I'm missing my dashed stripes... :-(

A while back, I highlighted a few of the Spanish Scalextric SRS (Super Racing Series) cars that I had acquired over the years. Those cars featured an advanced chassis, higher-than-average performance RX motors, and light weight (about 65 grams) to offer a little more to slot racers in the 1980's through 1991. With more of a pin-type guide and a fairly strong magnet, I found them to be excellent performers on my old home track, and were quite fast. While some people have swapped out their original guides for a more traditional type, I have not found that to be necessary to this point.

The XJR-14 in the Castrol (masked "Silk Cut") livery.

In 1992, SCX in Spain took the original idea and developed a new breed, called SRS2. While the original intent of increasing performance was maintained, the newer cars featured hard plastic bodies in place of vacu-formed Lexan bodies and also added front wheel steering to their modified SRS chassis. They also featured a normal guide blade in place of the original series' pin guides, and the tire and wheels were of a more traditional type as well.

The chassis of the SRS2 was a modified version of the original.

While the first SRS series featured a fairly wide range of cars, the SRS2 series included only a Mazda 787B (Mazda and Renown liveries) and a Jaguar XJR-14 (Castrol and Bud Light liveries). With their greater weight (now about 77 grams) they didn't seem to be as quick as the original SRS cars, but still offered good performance. Personally, I did not see much advantage to the steerable chassis, but it wasn't a detractor, either. While not comparable to some of today's more performance-oriented cars, they offered good fun for their time, and with a little tuning could be made reasonably competitive.

As you can see, the front wheels do actually steer. Not sure how much it helps.

My only disappointment is that the Renown-liveried Mazda I have (a replica of the 1991 Le Mans winner) did not include the dashed-line decals that separate the green-and-orange sections of the paint job. Based on photos of the slot car, they should have been included. I've tried in vain to find something in 1:32 scale that could work; being white and clear, the decals are hard to replicate without special printing equipment.

Magnets vs. No Magnets. Because Everyone Likes Options.

I am not going to get into a Magnet/No Magnet controversy. Among the knowledgeable hobbyists I know, most will say they have a preference for non-magnet racing, but in the end, they will also say that it is simply up to personal preference and that you should do whatever you like best, or what fits your particular situation.

For people like myself, whose track is also used by many inexperienced or even first-time racers, I find it better to keep the magnets on and turn down the voltage a little to ensure that any "kids" who insist on going full throttle don't wreck constantly and turn our track time into one big marshaling session. Racing with no magnets takes time to master, and that time is not always available.

Racing with no magnet may be something you'd like to try.

This video from Slot Cars NZ is one of the better introductions to magnet vs. non-magnet racing I've seen. Avoiding unnecessary zealotry, the presenter simply describes some of the added fun non-magnet racing has to offer--and then proceeds to compare both types of racing by first removing the magnets, then preparing the tires for better traction, cleaning the track and finally--adjusting his technique. As he moves through each step of the process, he uses a track timer to show you the effect each one has on the speed and handling. By the time he's through, his lap times are pretty close to what he was able to get with a magnet. It's an excellent presentation.

While I primarily use magnet cars on my home track, I have a few that do not use them, and they do offer an interesting challenge. Likewise, I like to have a few non-magnet cars on hand for wooden tracks, or for situations when they are not allowed for racing. In the end, we each should do whatever makes us happy and lets us enjoy the hobby. Cheers!

Stealth Mode: The Quiet Simplicity of The Idler Wheel Drive

I was watching a recorded episode of the Worldwide Slot Car Chat earlier this week and listened to an extended conversation regarding the ubiquitous Fly Vipers that not only changed the nature of modern slot cars some 20+ years ago but which seem to reside in almost everyone's slot car garage. Many people have multiple models of this car, since they were very popular and continue to be widely available at very, very affordable prices.

At first glance, this Viper looks like a lot of others.

Strangely enough, I don't own one. But I do own a Viper--a Carrera model that was among some of the first cars I ever purchased. Listening to the owners go on about the shortcomings of the Fly version--with its front-motor position, "drive shaft" and inevitable handling and tuning issues, I decided to dive into my storage box of cars and retrieve my old Viper and check it out again, as I knew it had very little in common with the Fly cars.

Aesthetically, it is wholly comparable to the Fly cars, with nice detail, sparse but decent-looking decals, and overall--leaving an excellent impression. Flipping it over and looking at the chassis reveals something different, however; when I showed it to the other people in our chat, they were surprised to see what appeared to be a sidewinder setup. They were even more surprised when I showed them a photo of the body removed--revealing an extremely simple idler drive (also known as a "friction" drive) with a rubber contact wheel in place of a pinion gear, contacting directly with the right rear tire to drive the car. You'll also note the two spring mechanisms in front of the motor that helps adjust tension so the drive maintains good contact with the rear tire.

Have you ever seen an idler-drive slot car? Here you go...

With so much discussion of pinions and crown gears, tooth-counts and related tech talk, it was fun to see the reaction to this ultra-simple setup. In truth, this car was always a pleasure to drive...comparatively quick on my old track and best of all--superbly silent. It was almost like racing in stealth mode, with no gear grinding or whining at all. In addition to this one, I also have two other Carrera models with the same setup, a green Jever Porsche 911 GT1 EVO 98 and the 1999 Audi R8R LMP. As I seem to recall, the Porsche was the fastest of the three, with the Audi a close second, probably due to the fact that it may have been a bit heavier.

Both of these cars are nice runners, too. The Porsche is the quickest.

Not really sure why Carrera decided to use this drive in its cars, or why it stopped. It may have provided some relief to mothers, who only had to listen to their children's shrieks of joy while playing--without the added gear noise. Obviously performance would be an issue, but on my old 50 foot track, with a generous amount of curves, these cars were still competitive...and a pleasure to drive.

 

First Model Racing Memories: Even Before Slot Cars

Even before I had slot cars of my own, I was able to enjoy the hobby via the gifts my older brothers received for Christmas. A set just like the one you see below was given to my older brother as a gift in either 1961 or '62, and it actually predates the type of slot cars we have today. While not the original--which is long gone--this set is actually a rail racing kit, manufactured by the Ideal Toy Company (ITC) in the early 1960s. Instead of riding in slots, the guides (and the electrical current) followed the path of raised steel rails that were mounted above the surface of the track. This system was used by a few other early manufacturers as well, in the UK and Europe.

This Ideal Toy Co. set had vacu-formed hills and a rail track.

My father actually put this thing together prior to Christmas and had it mounted on a 3' x 5' sheet of plywood, so my brother could play with it immediately. I couldn't have been more than 4 years old at the time, but I clearly remember it being the hit of the party when we entertained our extended family in the basement rec room that holiday season. I can't recall what eventually happened to the track, but I remember the two 1:24 scale Mercedes 300SL coupes hanging around for years; the white one gathered dust on a shelf above my father's workbench for what seemed like ages.

I suppose we did look like these kids playing with the track.

You can still find the sets on eBay occasionally; the one in the photo appears to be in practically new condition. I found this image to share on Worldwide Slot Car Chat when I talked about my own hobby history--but after recently visiting Professor Motor's slot car site, I discovered in his bio that he must have received the very same set from his grandmother for Christmas in 1961. It's a small world!

These big, honkin' Mercedes 300SL Coupes were a lot of fun.

 

 

TV News: Childhood Classics Making a Comeback

It's always good to see the slot car hobby get some recognition, and this has certainly been the case during the Pandemic, where so many people have been forced to stay home and indulge in activities by themselves or with other family members. As a result, many have discovered the fun of slot cars for their kids, or rediscovered the fun they have to offer as adults looking for a great way to pass the time.

Like many manufacturers, Carrera has seen a recent boom in sales.

WPRI-TV in Providence, RI recently featured a segment that included an interview with Carrera of America president Frank Tiessen, where he discusses the importance of family time, screen-free play, and the resurgence of nostalgic games and toys. Carerra has been celebrating their 55th year of manufacturing, and has seen a solid resurgence in sales over the past year. Check out this interview from WPRI's The Rhode Show.

Hearns Workshop Chair Range Will Ensure Your Race Fans Have a Place For Their Fanny

These are some nice-looking chairs.

The explosion of 3D printing has made it possible for hobbyists worldwide to enjoy a wider range of track accessories than ever. With printer prices coming down to manageable levels, you can always print your own - but the hardest part of the job is to design the objects themselves in CAD, and create a quality file that will look good and be true to scale.

Melbourne's Hearns Hobbies has established Hearns Workshop, which will specialize in the creation of finished parts, accessories and other bits and pieces that will be useful to modelers and hobbyists. Last week they featured some new 1:35 scale chairs that they are working on, which would probably work fine for any 1:32 scale slot racing track. If you've got a spot for a cafe or beer garden on your layout, some of these would look great. Now all we need is a table!

Hearns Workshop also has figures in several scales; one that caught our eye is this magnificent "Selfie Girl" who has taken time from watching the race to make good use of her cell phone. Drop her in front of a driver and you've got a wonderful little vignette. 

SLOT TV: Collecting Some of the Best Web Video Content

Our RPM Seal of Approval

The simple fact is, you could type "slot car videos" into your YouTube search bar and stream interesting results for a couple of weeks, months, or maybe even longer. Obviously, in terms of scale, subject or types of slot car racing, not everything you come across will be of great interest, but all kinds of awesome content is out there if you just know where to look for it.

While experienced hobbyists may have a good grip on exactly where to look, I thought it might be a good idea to try and organize some of the best video channels that would interest slot car hobbyists who are into 1:32 scale, as well as folks who may be relatively new to the hobby and hungry for more information. The sites we've curated here are among the best slot car channels we've seen on YouTube - and have won our definite Seal of Approval for their usefulness, quality and output. If you have suggestions for additions, please pass them on and we'll be happy to add them to our list.

Also, at the bottom of the list, we have a link to our own Slot Car TV 1 Channel, where we've collected a number of interesting individual videos that you might like. Be sure to check them out. As time goes on, we'll add some videos of our own to the list, so stay tuned.

 

 

Collection Catch-Up with a Dynamic Racing Duo

 Since I had not been buying a lot of cars for a while (prior to early this year) I find I have to focus on filling some "holes" in my slot car collection. As I am primarily interested in "full-bodied" cars, like Le Mans, Group C / IMSA and Can Am cars, I try to find types or models that I don't already have, or from various slot car manufacturers.

Two more additions to the racing stable. It will be a while before they see track time.

  For example, The Slot.It Porsche 962 with the Copenhagen livery is a nice companion for the Slot.It 956 Warsteiner livery car that I already have, not to mention the much older Scalextric 962s I own, which include a silver Texaco "360" car and a black and red Kenwood livery. Both of those cars run well and are quite fun--though they obviously aren't in the same class as the Slot.Its.

 I love classic Le Mans cars, so it's no surprise I have plenty of Fly Porsche 917s, Lola T70s, Ford GTs, Ferrari 512s and a few others form the mid-60's through the early 70's. What I did not have was a Ferrari P4, which many people consider one of the most beautiful racing cars ever made.

 For whatever reason, I always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; too late to get the earlier Scalextric releases at a decent price, and I delayed getting back into the hobby long enough that now the more recent Policar releases are out of stock in many places and prices are going up. Fortunately the newer Scalextric 412Ps are available at very good prices, so I will have to get by with that until I can add a P4 at some point in the future. This car looks great--I'm not a great fan of the sky blue rims on this livery but for now it will do. For the most part, I like my Ferraris red - so this one fits the bill.

SRC Getting Closer to Releasing Toyota TS050 LMP

 While I am not quite as enthusiastic about the looks of modern LMP cars (all the bumps and lumps and fins tend to detract from their overall aesthetics) I still want to make them part of my slot car racing experience, and already have some Lola B10/B12s, Audis, an Aston-Martin and a Scaley Ginetta.

Having recently dominated the LMP1 category at Le Mans, the Toyota TS050 is soon to be available as a slot car, courtesy of SRC, and photos of the test cars have been showing up all over social media. Apparently SRC has designed the car with different body molds to ensure that the three versions that ran from 2017 to 2020 are represented.

This is a significant departure for SRC, which hasn't focused on modern-era cars that much. Most of the reaction I've seen is very positive--and many enthusiasts are already clamoring for them to make a Porsche 919 to go along with it! The photos I've seen look great, and I'll be happy to grab one when they're available. There's a nice interview with the SRC folks in the Toyota UK magazine HERE.