SJ EPISODE 5: Adding Scenery Details with Computer Graphics

In Episode 5, I switch things up a little bit to show you how I use some graphics programs to create details for my buildings, like interior walls, decorative items and even TV monitors. I use an older Miscorsoft program called PhotoDraw, which I've had for about 20 years--it's really intuitive and easy-to-use; while it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of something like Photoshop, it handy for simple projects like this. You could also use something like Corel Draw, or even a inexpensive desktop publishing program for this work.

This is the first time I've used OBS as a screen-capture tool to demonstrate these techniques; the process is a little different from the "hands on" work I normally show. In some cases, I could record my audio as I went, and in some spots had to do a voiceover, which required some timing. All in all, I think it worked out OK. At the end, I'll also show a couple new additions to the garage. Keep the comments coming - the feedback really helps! Watch the episode HERE:

New Additions to The Paddock: Vintage, Old and Relatively New

Always more holes to fill in the Slot Car Garage, it seems, and the acquisitions continue with a variety of cars that are a few decades old, well over a decade, and relatively new. The first of these is a classic Scalextric Lamborghini Miura - a car I've always wanted but up til now has been a little hard to come by in the US. I've almost sprung for the AutoArt version a couple of times but held off.  This much older Scaley version is a little dated (no separate chassis and the "tupperware" type body) but it was in excellent condition.

The next car on the list was an earlier 2000's MG-Lola LMP. I already had the dark grey and lime green original version, but this blue and white Thetford livery was in almost-new shape and was obtained on eBay for an excellent price. My original car was a superb runner, and I expect this one will be good as well.

Lastly, my other purchase was a Carrera Corvette C8 - this one (like the other grey and red one I own) purchased from Lakota Collectables as a de-digitized analog car with no box. As I really don't need another case and I am analog after all, this offers me some considerable savings.

 

It's a good deal all around, and I'm not the only one who's taken advantage of their approach. Lakota is actually a division of Great Traditions, an online dealer that is known to offer solid deals and excellent service.

 

 

Shooting How-To Videos: Short or Long?

One of the questions I am trying to work out while putting the Control Tower Project together is how to best present the construction process.  At the outset, I thought the best way to do this was to break the work up into smaller, bite-size bits, sorting the process out into logical parts and then sharing it over a 10-15 minute video (plus the other segments I normally include, like Autorama and commentary.)

 

So far this has worked fairly well - I think - and the comments section on each of the videos seems to indicate that this approach is pretty helpful. As I approach my next video, however, the process takes a little twist as I start doing screen captures while I am using my graphics software to demonstrate some of those techniques for creating interior details. This will take a little more time.

As a result, I will be asking for more viewer input and comments in an effort to further refine the video presentations going forward. There are many ways to do this; Dave at SLOTR often uses some higher-speed video to make the construction bits a little briefer. At the other end of the spectrum, Boone often takes an hour or more to detail his scenic construction techniques. Both ways work and as a result, both of these guys are deservedly popular. I'm interested to see what viewers think.

 

SJ EPISODE 4: Tower Times Part 3 and the Bare Truth...

In Episode #4, we continue with our Tower Project by cutting windows, adding some paint, adding some trim and planning for the interior details. Then we look at a couple of Group 5 Cars that joined the Garage. As I mentioned before, they are not my favorites in terms of beauty, but as a group they do have their charms. I suspect they will be good performers, too.

    Finally, we'll finish by highlighting a YouTuber who's clearly won the [brass] pole position by shooting his videos in a strip club! Not really...but the concept of using a fun viortual background shows some real creativity. Best of all, the slot car content is really useful. Be sure to check it out!  The Video is HERE:

G&S Tire Grinder Provides a Cost-Effective Answer for Basic Truing Needs

In addition to creating and hosting the weekly Worldwide Slot Car Chat, Greg Gaub continues to benefit our hobby community by developing a number of useful 3D printed tools and accessories - most all of which he provides as free .STL files on Printables.com for users to print for themselves. In addition to helpful tools, Greg has created a unit that can convert almost any light scale into a magnet marshal, a multi-use setup block, and lots of other cool stuff. Greg's latest creation--which he developed withthe help of Dennis Samson and Giacomo Verlini--is a cost-effective tire-truer that will meet the basic needs of many slot car hobbyists.

Available as a complete, ready-to-use unit, a DIY kit with all parts included, a 3D-parts only, or as a hardware-only combination - the machine is intended to be a "good enough" machine to get casual racers started with their tire truing needs.The basic features include:

- One motor turns all axles

- Only two screws to remove/replace the entire grinding assembly for different grits

- Screws beneath the ball bearings to adjust parallel

- Spring loaded axle carrier to allow "grind and release" truing methods with ease

- Indicator knob for precise repetition of tire diameters as needed

- Consistent tension of o-rings due to double-pulley design

- O-rings can easily be moved side to side to accommodate various axle configurations

- standard 1/32 bushings snap into axle carrier, but V-shape still allows smaller or larger bushings or bearings to stay in place

- Distance between sanding drums accommodates most 1/24 and 1/32 wheels/axles

- sanding surface cannot contact axle pulley/o-ring
 

More information about the Grinder can be found HERE.

G&S Tire Grinder Pricing (not including shipping)
$150 - Fully assembled and tested machine, ready to get to work.
$100 - Complete kit of parts including all printed parts and hardware.
$50 - Printed parts only.
$50 - Hardware only.
PSU not included. Shipping extra. International orders welcome.
To place an order,  email Greg at ggaub@ggaub.com

EPISODE 3: Tower Trimming, New Cars and What I've Seen & Heard

After some delay - due to moving my video location to my workshop and also because of chores associated with the Memorial Day holiday - I was able to get Episode 3 posted on YouTube. I had a chance to start working on the Control Tower rebuild, show off a few recently-acquired cars, and talk about some great hobby content I've come across lately. I think it's important for our hobby content creators to support each other - the Seen and Heard segment is my way of doing that.

As I was editing this episode, I began to consider more fully how I would demonstrate the various steps in the reconstruction of the tower. While I don't want to turn it into a long Gone With The Wind project, I need to balance clarity of process with some level of concise presentation. For parts of the project that are repetitive or tedious, I can speed up the footage and use creative editing to help. On the other hand, that calls for a separate voice-over track vs. simply talking through a segment in real time while you're doing it. I'll get it figured out...  Check out the episode HERE.

Sloter Lola, GB Track Chevron Enter The Garage

Two of the notable recent additions to the garage include some cars I have been trying to obtain for some time and was recently able to acquire form eBay at a reasonable price. Over time, I've discovered that the most important attribute to eBay shopping is patience; sooner or later a car you want will show up, and if you're lucky, at a price you can accept.

The first car is the Lola T280 as driven by Jo Bonnier - it features the famous Swiss Cheese livery, which was on the car he (sadly) wrecked at Le Mans in 1972. I've wanted this car because my next track (fictionally located in Switzerland) will have a "museum area" that will feature some special cars driven by well-known Swiss drivers, like some Porsches driven by Jo Siffert and a Ferrari and Alfa driven by Clay Regazzoni. Though Bonnier was Swedish, the car will make a memorable addition.

The second car is the Chevron B19 driven by Niki Lauda at Salzburgring in 1971. As Lauda is primarily known as a famous F1 driver, I thought this car was an interesting addition, and gives me a good excuse the play the Niki Lauda Song - actually called "Moma Laudaaa" - which is so fun I will probably highlight it in a future video episode. The car is boxed as a special edition of 3,000.

EPISODE 2: Control Tower Rebuild, a Classic Scalextric Car, and a Track That Wasn't

Well, after you've done one YouTube video the challenge becomes - what do you do to follow up? Well, Episode #2 covers a Control Tower refresh project that I'll be working on, a Scalextric Blast from The Past, and my efforts toward setting up a small, temporary "test track" which isn't working out to my satisfaction.You will also see my attitude expressed regarding the inevitable "unboxing." Hope you enjoy the nod to Jimi...seemed appropriate considering the subject matter.
 

As you might expect, the process of putting these videos together is getting a little easier, as I familiarize myself with the mechanics of editing. It's also given me a chance to critique my presentations, which need some polishing...I'm a little out of practice and I've found myself falling into some bad habits, which will benefit from awareness and elimination. I have to say I'm pretty happy with my initial reception - almost 2,000 views of the first video and 250 subscribers isn't bad. Just have to focus on delivering useful and entertaining stuff as I hope to help grow the hobby. Check out the video HERE.

SJ on Live Chat Night on Conquest Racing Channel

I really enjoyed the opportunity to join Rahul, Marty and Jorge on their recent Monday Night Livestream on the Conquest Racing Channel. Rahul and Jorge had graciously reached out to me the previous week, but the timing was not great as that particular Monday night I would have had to leave early. As it was, we were able to get together this week and talk about slot car stuff - not only my personal history in the hobby, but bigger issues like where the hobby was going, what kind of content is needed and how the slot car community's YouTubers can help each other.

Overall, it was a really fun night - the stream chat was pretty lively and, as always, filled with good ideas, helpful info and plenty of humor. It's really nice how these three guys invite both long-time hobbyists and relative newcomers to this weekly YouTube forum to talk about interesting and fun topics, from scratch building, track design and scenery to producing creative videos and growing the hobby. It's a very positive environment and a great ting for our hobby. Be sure to check in on a Monday night and join the discussion on Conquest Racing Club Channel.

 

 

Small Cars, Small Town...Big Fun. That's Professor Tinker.

Just came across this article from the Sentinel-Tribune in Bowling Green, Ohio - featuring Pro Tinker Toys. They are a well-know regional toy and hobby shop that works hard to promote the slot car hobby, particularly in HO and 1:32 scales. Owner Bryan Young has built a significant YouTube presence, posting over 200 videos highlighting products his store carries as well as live streams from the store, hobby shows and just about anything else you can think of. They are usually fun to watch - and some of the live streams can literally go on for hours.

Bryan and his store had a very high profile at the recent Cleveland Slot Car Show, and his crew spent many hours helping to promote the show, setting up tracks for people to race on and working to make the event a success. He continues to be a big believer in the future of the hobby, and sees its popularity growing significantly. Pro Tinker Toys carries a wide range of HO slot cars as well as 1:32 scale cars and track sets; in addition to their brick-and-mortar store in Wayne, Ohio they do a load of online sales via their website, ProtinkerToys.com. Check them out!

The First Slot Journal Video Goes Live on YouTube!

Well, after a couple of weeks sorting through equipment and software options, setting up a "studio" space for recording and creating a rough outline of content, I was finally able to get some footage together and do some editing. The result is ab 16 minutes of introductory video, where I talk a little bit about my history with slot cars, what kind of things you can look forward to seeing on the channel, and some additional thoughts about the hobby in general. I also take a minute to show my latest postal delivery and of course, one other expected element.

For those interested in technical stuff, this was put together using my iPhone 14 Pro front camera as a webcam - since I like to be able to look at what I am shooting, and the image quality is very good. I still need to make some adjustments on positioning; I also have an older iPhone 6S that I can use to shoot my desktop when I have to demonstrate something. For now, I am set up in my "office" and not in my workshop, since my best computer is located there. Eventually, when my workshop is better organized, I'll take a laptop in there and try to see what I can do. Also, I used OBS for combining and switching between shots, and CapCut for the final editing to put all the bits together; it's pretty easy to use and my edits are pretty basic.

If you have some time, please watch the video and let me know what you think in the comments. Also, don;t forget that you can have the video close-captioning auto-translated by using the "settings" on the video and selecting your language. It's not perfect, but it helps if English is not your first language.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Looking for Value in a Great-Looking Car? These Fly Cars Have it.

In my never-ending search for new and used car values, I keep coming across some nice Fly cars that I just can't resist. These two recent additions to the garage are good examples of what I mean, and as long as I can find 'em, I'll continue to buy 'em.

The white car is the first 908/3 that I have owned; I may be tempted to add an NSR version at some point, but for now this one will fit the bill nicely in terms of the late 60's/early 70's open racers. This is in addition to the open cockpit 908 and 908 Flunder that I have recently acquired. Of course they will need some tuning, but as they will probably be run against one another, this should make for a fun time.

 

The Venturi was a (Yellow Pages) special edition that was purchased as new stock on eBay for just $25. This was from a non-slot car dealer that may have undervalued it a little...but similar deals are out there from other sellers. That price is hard to resist - and this will make my third Venturi. As I like even numbers, I will probably find another one so I have a nice little class for racing.

I Don't Run or Race Formula 1...So The Artins Are Moving On.

These two Artin Formula 1 cars have been among the first cars I ever owned. Certainly not the fastest cars, with their modest motor and light magnet, they were still dependable runners, regularly drifting around the curves--even though real F1 cars don't do that. It's not that I don't like F1 cars, it's just that I have my hands full collecting endurance racers and can't afford to add another category to my "must have" list. As a result, these have been posted on eBay in the hopes of collecting a few bucks to go toward something I really want.

Both cars are in excellent shape; they have had little track time and should run fine - especially with some light scuffing/sanding of the original tires. Probably best for providing new racers a decent runner in the event that you don't want to let them use one of your more expensive cars. If you want to take a look, the listings are here:

Artin 1:32 Formula 1 No. 8 (Mercedes)

Artin 1:32 Formula 1 No. 1 (Ferrari)

Cleveland Slot Car Show: Big Crowds...Old Crowds...and a Nice Haul.

 As long as I've collected slot cars, I've never been to a slot car show...so I was keen to drive up toward Cleveland this past weekend to check out the Cleveland Slot Car Show. Organized by the Model Motoring Club, the show primarily features HO stuff - but there was plenty of eye candy for 1:32 fans like me, and I managed to pick up some nice cars at some nice prices.

I was surprised how many were in attendance, as the main parking lot at the Quality Inn was completely full. There was a large overflow lot on the south side of the hotel, and it was almost full as well. I paid my $5 admission fee (also gets you a raffle ticket) and entered the main hall, which was full of people carefully moving up and down the aisles, trying to keep out of each other's way and scrutinizing all the cool stuff that was for sale. Local retailer Bad L's Hobby had some nice 1:32 cars available, and I snatched up a 5th Scalextric Mini for my collection. I don't normally buy that type of car, but they are so much fun to drive that I have wanted to get one for every member of the family.

There was a dealer at the back of the hall that really caught my eye - with a big selection of classic Fly, Slot.It, Ninco, SCX and Scalextric cars - as well as some collector special editions and other odd-and-ends, like those over-scale Vanquish cars. Discounts on purchases of 2 were eagerly applied and a LOT of people were sorting through what was available. My last purchase was an orange Carrera Hemi Cuda, that though gently used, was about half the price you'd find for a similar car on eBay. Finally, that GTO I was given as a gift many years ago has something to race against!

As I left, I scanned the crowd and one thing was clearly evident: this hobby is aging, for sure. I'm certainly no young buck, but the vast majority of the people here were males between 55-70+ years old. In such close quarters, I reflected for a brief moment that it was probably a good place to catch a case of COVID...but not hearing an excess of coughing, hacking or other old man sounds, I happily carried on. When I got out to the parking lot, some guys had a grill set up behind their pickup and were looking over their purchases and cooking up some lunch, like they were in the Muny lot before a Browns game (without the drunkeness or fighting). All in all, it was a fun time and definitely worth the drive.

Slot Journal Now has a Store with Cool Gear!

It's just a start, but Slot Journal has just set up a new shop where you can get some cool gear to express your love for the hobby. For now, the designs feature our SLOT Journal logo on T-shirts and other apparel, drinkware and various cool items. You'll find a link to the store at the top of our web pages.

As time goes on, we'll be adding some additional gear, with slick slot car-themed designs on the back of Tees and some other ideas that we're coming up with. We've chosen Zazzle as out supplier since we've had good experiences with them in terms of quality and delivery.

Of course, we developed the store mostly for fun--not to make money. We plan on getting some of these items for our own use and also to have some things available as give-aways and prizes. So be sure to check the stuff out and if so moved, get yourself something. It's a great way to let others know that you're serious about slot cars!

This Has Got to be a World-Record-Size Home Track

 I'm sure a lot of people share one of my wife's hobbies - scanning Zillow to look at people's houses and seeing what today's dollar will buy in various parts of the country. We're not planning to move anytime soon ourselves, but it's always fun to think about what it might be like to live somewhere else or have a vacation home. So, the other day, when she mentioned that she had come across a house not far from us that had 8 slot car tracks I knew I had to check out that listing. What she really meant was that it was not 8 separate tracks, but a SINGLE 8-LANE HOME TRACK.

Not that there's much of a difference. The track - which appears to be located in the basement - has to be the biggest track that I have ever seen in a house. Not that it's really a home track...it appears to be a huge commercial track that someone managed to cram inside their house. Cram might not be accurate, though, since it appears that there is room to spare around this behemoth.

Someone on my Facebook page said they think this track may have once been located at a commercial shop in Elyria, Ohio - which may be possible, that's only about 45 miles away. In any case, this is certainly impressive. Did I mention the house also has an indoor pool? For over a million dollars, it should. Definitely out of my price range...

The listing can be found HERE.

Lamborghini and Audi Roll into the Slot Car Garage

 Some new cars keep trickling into the garage, as I continue to scour eBay for the occasional good deal. While prices can sometimes be crazy, I've managed to find some new old stock or nearly-new cars at decent price. One example is this Lamborghini Huracan from Carrera.

I really like the yellow and blue livery on this one, and the white wheels really make it pop (did I ever mention that I really don't like black wheels on race cars?) I already had one other Huracan in the collection, but this one was hard to resist. The other new car to be added was an Avant Slot Audi R10.

I already have two other R10s in the garage, but I have been looking for this Kolles livery for a while; every now and then one becomes available and I was able to snatch this one up. I was surprised how light and thin the body looks on this as opposed to most manufacturers' cars, although I have not taken it apart for a closer look yet.

To Vid or Not to Vid? That is The Question.

I’ve talked before about the explosion of slot car video content on YouTube recently, and I suppose it’s only natural to consider jumping into the pool myself to test the waters. Just last week, Rahul and his cohorts on the weekly ConquestRacing Club live stream took an episode to consider why more people should start broadcasting videos and discuss how to get started.

I've had fun participating in live streams and online chats like the Worldwide Slot Car Chat.

First, let me say that I think it’s great that there’s so much content available out there. If someone is new to the hobby, they will find a lot of helpful information, and overall, a very positive attitude about the various ways people can enjoy slot cars. “Find your own way” seems to be the prevailing attitude today, and that’s a healthy thing – because it is sometimes possible to get bad advice, or advice based on someone else’s ideas of how one should pursue the hobby. Being open to learning or hearing different viewpoints is something to be encouraged, yet we don’t want to be lemmings, either – jumping headfirst into every trend or product that‘s the “flavor of the week.”

So, sure – I’ve considered adding original videos to my YouTube Channel. I probably would not do too many live streams, as I like to post videos that people can watch on their schedule, not mine. Besides, there are already so many live streams each week to help build community. Even posting every week is probably not something I can commit to -- lots of other slot car YouTubers post once or twice a month, and that seems reasonable. After 20+ years in the hobby, I know firsthand it’s easy to get burnt out after periods of intense activity, and I’d like to avoid that.

Like Dirty Harry said: “A man’s got to know his limitations.”

So it seems the first thing is to find a niche – and I think I can sort that out. Definitely don’t want to cover the same ground everybody else is staking out, so there won’t be a lot of unboxings (at least not of the same car that everybody else is showing) or news (I let people like Dave Kennedy handle that) or in-depth technical stuff. I’m not a hardcore racer, but I do like to tune cars and have a few build projects on the shelf. Scenery is also big for me – and I think I can offer some interesting content there. By nature, I can be a contrarian, so don’t expect me to follow every trend or tired old saw that people insist you MUST comply with. I'm also a cheapskate, and I like to show you ways to save some money.

Of course, a big chunk of content will include a step-by-step the rebuilding of my next slot car track, The Schweizering, which I hope to get started on - as soon as I can get the hibiscus plants out of my allotted basement space and into the garden. I also need to move some other items to the garage.

For now, I’m working out my video space and getting the technical aspects together. I think I have some decent cameras and mics to make it work. Lighting is also a consideration. Just figuring out how to get it all together is the big job. But it will happen.

Inventory Photography Complete! For Now, Anyway...

 I was finally able to finish photographing all the cars I had, which took a little longer than I had expected. Stacks of car cases sat scattered around the basement as I methodically wen from stack-to-stack, taking them into the workshop, setting them on a white background and snapping away with my iPhone. I thought I was done, then found a straggler hiding in a toolbox that I had originally set up for racing. It was a 90's SCX SRS Lancia LC2 that while in good shape, had yellowed considerably--probably due to UV light's affect on its lexan body.

 The total car count was at 236 including the Lancia,..until the Powerslot Lola T-298 that I had picked up on eBay arrived in the mail. I had wanted one of these long-discontinued cars for quite a while, but failed to get one when they were commonly available. I managed to snag this one at a very good price; (see below) it was used but looks practically new.

So the total stands at 237--although this doesn't include the two Daytona Prototypes and the two Artin F1 cars that I will be selling soon, probably on eBay. I just never really warmed up to the prototypes, and as I don't do F1 cars, I have no need for the Artins. They are actually not bad cars (I have at least a half-dozen Artin 911s and Mercedes CLKs) but I would just as soon let them go for some pocket change.

Slot Car TV Updated...Again! [new channels added]

It's really an exciting time in the hobby right now because we can all enjoy a wealth of slot car related content that's available on YouTube. Whether you're interested in tuning your car for better performance, getting a heads-up on the newest cars to buy, changing your track layout or tips on how to build scenic elements for your home track, you can find a wealth of info on these channels. Best of all, you'll find something for experienced sloters as well as those new to the hobby.

The number of channels seems to have almost doubled in the last year or so - with new channels appearing and well-established channels boosting their output and trying new video formats, including live streams. In addition, many of the hosts are getting together to collaborate in various ways, like interviews and live chats with multiple participants. We are truly in a great time for the hobby and I think all this content will definitely help it to grow!  So, visit our Slot Car TV list and check out the channels!

Silverstone Visitors Can Now Race on a Scalextric Replica

Soon, visitors to England's famed Silverstone circuit can experience some small-scale excitement by trying their skill on a small replica of the course that will be open to the public next month at the Northamptonshire track’s on-site museum.

 

Constructed by The Racing Room, which designs and builds slot car layouts, a specialized team of modelers built the track and created all the highly-detailed scenery. Currently the impressive layout is one of the highlights of the Silverstone Museum’s ‘On Track’ exhibition, which runs during the Easter holidays from April 1-16. You can read more about the track HERE on Motor Sport.

Newest Additions to the Slot Car Garage

Things have slowed down a bit over the past few weeks and my early 2023 buying spree has come to a close, I think. I feel like I've pretty much "caught up" on filling the holes in my collection, and have settled on looking for good buys on more obscure cars or used cars that might be good candidates for projects. Other purchases might be add-ons to some models of cars I already have, from different manufacturers or other variations.

 

One example of an "extension" to what I already have was this Carrera Porsche 917K - a nice analog example of a classic Le Mans car. I already had 2 Fly Classic 917s, but I've heard some folks on Youtube singing the praises of the Carrera versions that I wanted to have one to try out. Of course, NSR makes 917s as well - but I'm not sure my track design would allow that car to demonstrate its performance advantages, so I saved a little money this time around.

 

Another addition was made to my Early 60s Le Mans group - the Corvette Stingray No. 8 (from Carrera again) - an attractive white, blue and red livery that I preferred over some of the other ones available. In reality, I had wanted one of the Revell-Monogram Corvette Grand Sports that were produced some years ago, but they run almost $100 now if you can find NOS. For now, the Carrera - at $40 - is an acceptable compromise, and I look forward to running it with my Ferrari GTOs, XKE Jags, Cobra Daytona, Cheetah and Porsche 904.

What Does a Slot Car Racing Champ Do? Start His Own Club.

A retired holiday park manager and British slot car racing champion, Ant Hawkes is committed to doing his part to expand the hobby.  The 71-year old is holding a free introductory event this month to launch the Dumfries Slot Car Club. Ant secured a space for his racing track at a local YMCA, where the new club will be based.

The Dumfries Slot Car Club Track

The Daily Record reports that Ant, who has been racing slot cars since 1968, recognizes that most established slot car racers are middle aged or older. Nevertheless, he sees a number of younger people being attracted to the hobby.

“My plan is to invite people along to the YMCA to make an event of it as a launch, he says. The purpose of the club is to provide a safe and friendly environment for model car racing enthusiasts of all ages and abilities”

It's good to see an older generation recognize the need to bring younger people into the hobby. To read the entire article, go HERE.

Settling on a (newish) Track Layout

So after collecting the various sections of Artin track that I needed and making some final alterations, I think I’ve settled on a layout for my next track. Not surprisingly, it’s not so different from my previous track, which was removed about 3-4 years ago. The layout – a U-Shaped affair with a raised “Alpine” run on the left, a grandstand/pit area and long straight at the rear center, and an “Old City” section on the right, is essentially the same. Lane lengths are the same - just a hair over 50 feet, or 15.25 meters; as always, I resist the inclination to stuff as much track as possible into the space.

I’ve adjusted things a bit to give some more room for scenery in a few spots—so things are less cramped. Most importantly, where all the curves in the old track were R1s and R2s, the R2s have now been left out (I no longer have them) and R3s and R4s have been substituted. As a result, some of the curves have been loosened up a little to make things flow a little better. I lost about a half-section on the long grandstand straight, but this let me fit a 90-degree R3 turn at the end, which should be an improvement over the R2 turn I had before. There is also one less “squiggle” on the downhill ride from the highest section – which still remains the most technical section of the circuit.

The "Alpine" portion of the track will be similar to the prior design, with some changes.

Overall, the levels of each section will be much as they were before, although the alpine section may not be quite as high it was previously (it was almost 16 inches above the base level of the track). How high depends on how things “feel” during construction and how much room is available around the edges of the space. I’ve moved some scenic elements around for better placement and track visibility; the planned sky lift/cable car feature will be there (non-operating, sorry) and the configuration of the Old City will remain pretty much as before. I’d also like to add a small water feature, purely for visual interest. As before, the pit lane is non operational--the track will be analog, as are all my cars.

The "Old City" portion of the track will be configured much the same as this one.

In the end, the simple fact is that I loved the track the way it was previously, and the tweaks involved in the new design are there to make it slightly smoother and to improve sight lines. Actually, the biggest difference in the tracks will be the underpinnings; the old track was supported by a collection of small tables (of differing heights) a small 3-drawer dresser and some hollow-core doors. Track supports were cobbled together out of cardboard boxes, 2x4 cut-offs and other bits of wood and styrofoam. Once plastered in, it looked good and all held together quite well – but there was little if any pre-planning for electrical, lighting or time keeping, which were rudimentary, at best. Everything underneath was hidden by large panels of foam core, which looked OK and were removable, but certainly not sturdy.

This might give you an idea of how my first track was supported. Pretty sketchy.

This time around, the track will be supported by proper cabinetry, with plenty of room for storage, doors to hide everything. Power, wiring, timing and audio will be fully integrated into the track and designed for easier hookup and maintenance. Pretty sure I will be using SmartRace here as well. As the prior effort was just cobbled together as I went along, this one will be planned more carefully from the start. This will take some time and effort, but I do not lack for tools.

One of the biggest jobs is to clean the space out and prepare it for construction—currently it is home to leftover project lumber, some furniture, golf clubs, a small refrigerator, a window AC unit, table saw and an old Barbie dollhouse, among other things. But where will I put all of that? As Some in the garage, some in the attic, and some in the trash bin, I guess.

 

Slot Car Buying / Collecting: What’s Your Plan?

It’s always interesting to see other people’s slot car collections. It’s not uncommon for enthusiasts to have a few hundred, and some folks have literally thousands of cars on the shelves. A lot get raced, some never see the track and some people will buy two of whatever they like—one to run and one to keep in the jewel case. The hows and whys run the gamut; some folks simply collect (as an investment) and other keep a strict focus on their choices and purchase primarily with racing in mind.

As I’ve mentioned before, I mostly restrict my purchases to endurance type racing cars, like you’d see at LeMans. It’s not that I don’t appreciate other kinds of cars—it’s just that I’m not as big a fan of other types of racing, and most of all, I simply can’t afford to buy EVERYTHING. But there are those who do.

Beyond that—and the fact that I run analog-only—I have a few other guidelines for purchasing:

1) For some cars, like Classic Le Mans and Group C, I may have at least 2 of every type, which could simply mean a different livery but better yet, a slight variation of a model. I also like to have variations on a model from different manufacturers (like a Jaguar XJS from Scalextric and Slot.it...or a McLaren 720 from Carrera and Sideways). I like even numbers.

2) I’m not one for buying the same exact car in a bunch of different liveries. Maybe two – but that’s about it.

3) If I can buy a new car without a case and save some money, I’ll do it. I don’t need another case for my shelf. My cars are purchased to run.

4) I’m not averse to buying a gently used car. Again, I’m not buying for investment. If a car is missing a mirror or two, and is in otherwise nice shape, I’m OK with it – I can make a replacement on my 3D printer.

A recent eBay purchase. Excellent shape except for the missing mirrors. We can fix that.

5) Driver variations – some sellers will charge more for a car that’s numbered to represent a specific (famous) driver. If this is the case and its stablemate is practically identical (but for the number) I’ll buy the cheaper option. I don’t feel like paying the premium.

6) If you haven’t figured out that I’m kinda cheap (I am) then understand I always look for a bargain. When I first started buying cars, Carreras went for about $30 and new Scalextrics for not much more. I think Flys were somewhere between $40-50. Though new cars are much better, there remains a psychological barrier that makes it hard to feel good paying more than $60 for a non-digital car. But I have bought some MR Slotcar, Revoslot, NSR and a handful of others that are closer to $100. With shipping, my SRC Toyota cost more than that—and the MR Slotcar Shadow I have on order will be close. It’s a good thing I’m “caught up” on most of the cars I’ve been wanting, because whatever is to come will be significantly more expensive than what I already have.

Already put my pre-order in for this baby. Not cheap - but what are you gonna do?

7) I try to patronize and support various online dealers. Often you can find great deals as long as you meet their free shipping requirements. I do shop price but good service also counts for a lot in my book. I scan eBay constantly for deals on older cars and used cars—but prices there can be crazy, too.

I’m curious what other people’s criteria might be for buying cars. Do you just “buy what you like” or do you have a special focus? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter or Facebook.

Car & Driver Magazine Features Custom Slot Car Track Featuring 'Animal House' and More

 We've all seen the work of Slot Mods Racing - they've produced plenty of awesome real-world-inspired slot car tracks. Featured on Car & Driver, the company's newest creation brings together The Blues Brothers, Animal House, Mad Magazine, and other pop culture icons to the small stage. This track isn't modeled on anything that exists in the real world - instead it takes inspiration from decades-old pop culture.

The new track, called Mad Cave Raceway, combines nostalgic movie scenes - including the infamous float parade from Animal House along with references to The Blues Brothers and billboards for Mad Magazine and Spy vs. Spy cartoons. As you can see from the photo above, the track even includes a custom car made in the shape of the cake float from the Animal House movie.  To read the original article, go HERE.

"Figuring" it out - Making Your Slot Car Track Come Alive

If you’re creating a scenic slot car track, there’s one thing you can add that will really bring your layout to life—and that’s adding some people. Whether it’s dozens of figures to populate a grandstand, a busy pit crew, some vigilant track marshals or just spectators wandering around, adding figures to your track really adds a lot of fun detail that can can look good and even tell a story.

Expert modeler and figure caster John Kit shows off some famous race car drivers.

For many years, the selection of figures that would be applicable to a slot car track was pretty sparse. Scalextric, Monogram, MRRC, Strombecker and Carrera provides very familiar (and limted) poses that could be placed around a track. While there were a few other options available, like a few metal cast figures and the inevitable Airfix/army man conversions, the available choices were mostly of vintage types—with 1960’s era Racing helmets and bareheaded pit crews, watched by spectators in old-fashioned clothing. Even the TV camera crews looked like something out of a 1950’s television studio. If you were modeling a modern track, it was a little anachronistic.

In the 2000s, things got better, as Carrera, Scalextric and a few other manufacturers updated their figures to more modern-looking examples—with helmeted pit crews and fewer spectators wearing mid-century era suits and ties or dresses. While it was an improvement, the prices could be pretty steep. Some advanced modelers employed old school resin casting and conversion methods to great effect, providing some extra variety and unique poses they could use on their own track.

You'd have to admit these Carrera figures are an improvement over the old stuff :-)

In recent years, however, the advent of 3D printing has caused an explosion in the number and variety of poses available to the modern track builder. Today one can find literally thousands of varied spectator poses as well as a wide variety of pit crews, drivers, track staff and many other useful types. These figures can be purchased painted and finished or unpainted, depending upon your preference and skill level. For those who own s 3D printer, there are a wide range of choices available in ready-to-print .STL files that you can output in any quantity you like. Many of these files are freely available on websites like Thingiverse, and others can be purchased on popular sites like Cults3D. Try searching for things like "figures", "people", "crowd", “man", "woman" – but be prepared to wade through lots of fantasy figures, etc. to find what you like.

Some examples of figure files available from Dolphin Studios on Cults3D.com

The results you get will vary, depending on the type of printer you have and your level of experience. FDM, or filament printers, use large spools of plastic (usually PLA or polyactic acid) and are capable of printing pretty good figures if you learn how to dial in the settings (temperature, layer thickness, support structure) just right. It took me a while to fine-tune my own settings, but once I figured it out, the output was quite good.

Resin, or DLP printers, use a different process that exposes a UV light-sensitive resin layer-by-layer to create a figure on a build plate. Like the various types of plastic available for filament printers, there is a wide range of resins to choose from, depending on your needs. Also, working with resin can be a little tricky, since it requires careful handling and disposal. That said, resin printers can provide a higher level of quality than filament printers—and this is one reason why it is the most popular printer for those who print very complex and detailed fantasy and gaming figures. As always, getting the print settings just right and learning by trial-and-error will lead to good results.

Some of the track spectators I have printed on my filament printer. Time to paint!

My own experience has led me to use both free and purchased print files for most of my figures, which will supplement the dozens and dozens of vintage and more recent figures I had collected over the years. I have both FDM and DLP printers, though I have mostly used the filament printer up to this point, since I have been able to get its figure output to be very consistent in a short period of time.

To see some really excellent track figures, creative ideas and discover some good resources, there are a few Facebook groups you may want to check out:

Scenic Slotcar Figures

Scenics & Slot Tracks

Boone’s Slot Car Garage

STNE Scalextric Trackside NE

Over the coming months, I’ll highlight some of my own figure projects and provide some pointers on getting the most out of your printer, as well as some examples of conversions and repairs I’ve made when the printer’s output was a little less than perfect.