Slot forum test track...., A way to compare the cars we own? Options

[hankscorpio]

After finally getty my own track up and running and tuning some of my own cars GregK had a good suggestion about a way to compare models we don't own against the one we do...

The idea was simple we develop a "test track design" from commonly available parts that any of us could build on the "Rug" for a test session.. By only using times to 1/10 th of a second even the analogue lap counter timer can be used and removes the competitive element! hopefully ...

The idea is to see not who is the fastest racer but what are the fastest cars and by how much on a "standard" track then by timing cars with "Mods" we can see which ones worked best etc.... as long as we are all honest of course... which of course we would be!

All we would need is a "track design" to begin with to start to build up a table of the best cars... Any ideas, designs etc for the track appreciated.

So who is up for doing some testing of their cars.... if we can find a dozen or so people who would like to play could make for some intersting results...

I'm game... digital or analogue it doesn't matter all are welcome.

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This has turned out to be a very successful (and long) thread. It’s been requested that the final test track layout be
replicated here at the beginning where it’s easy to find for reference. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge, hope this helps...
John

 Screen_shot_2012_04_09_at_3.01.23_PM.png ( 193.36K ) Number of downloads: 188


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[diegu]

Great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!

once we have a layout, we could set it up using Ninco, Carrera, SCX, Scaley.... no matter what.

In the list, besides the car, we would just have to jot down

-which track

- which tyres

- mag no mag

So this could be a cool list. 

BTW. I would suggest, to use 1/100 sec accuracy, as 1/10 is rather coarse.

Regards,

Diegu

[Koala2]

Excellent suggestion, but ofcourse it comes from a brilliant man, so that's no surprise.
Now lets have some ideas of how long and what should be in it ?
Only R2 and about a four foot straight or two or do we include hairpins and/or R1.
Doesnt matter if lanes are not equal since we could all use the same line in testing.
Quid ?

[JL-F1]

I'm thinking an oval and maybe use ghost function to drive the car as fast as it can go on one speed setting without de-slotting, maybe inside lane so no wall running.
Then get the fastest lap this can generate and compare
Otherwise driving skill is involved

[hankscorpio]

Nice to have you on board guys...

Yeah definately agree we need to ensure that the design uses an "inside lane" for timings in the main to allow NO MAG running without needing loads of borders...

We do need to test the handling as well as the raw speed... In my pinion the following corners would give the following effects

Would be good to use R3's within a combination of straights to test for high speed cornering...

Would be good to use R1's to give a low speed handling and acceleration test into the longest straight... maybe the chicaine curve set?

Using a flat crossover would help make the design more compact but not sure how many have some... obviously us argos shoppers have loads!.

Must admit though it wasn't my original idea... © Gregk but the more of us that play the better it will be.

Diegu I know what you mean about timing accuracy but analoge scalextric users only have 1/10 lap timing as standard...

[Michael363672]

Is this not along the line of the long gone sport world ? was trying to achive ?

[Doug]

Great idea, but we've talked about it before. Not that we can't talk about it again, by all means.

Previous idea was to use a bog standard Scalextric Top Gear set - simple and compact. The only problem was that it has a lap counter that is accurate to 1/10th of a second and not to 1/100th of a second. This may not appear to be important, but when testing high performance slot cars, after a while it is important.

Anyway, we didn't move on from this. I found the track layout to be a little too small and would like to see a design at least twice as big. If anyone is keen on this, we can put up a standard track-plan and publish rankings for the track for different cars.

Keep the ideas coming.

[GregK]

Yes please ........... I am very much up for this as it will make help me make a more informed choice about what car and what manufacturer I should spend my money on.

The results would be much more meaningful and allow an easy comparison. This would be especially helpful for newbies.

Maybe we would need 2 or 3 different designs ........ come on guys, what do you think??

[ute]

I like this ..but would keep it simple so all can enjoy

an oval ..and yes analog lap timer ..i know its only 1/10 ...but we all have them

nice and basic ..so even kids and newbies can enjoy a cross continent racing ......take a picture of your time so there is no "fudging"

think of Bonneville salt flats ..its only a straightaway....different class's

lets do it

[distantkiwi]

I agree with the 2 different designs. One for 1/100s and one for 1/10s. I think the 1/10s should only use R2s as that is what comes with most sets. This would be useful for newbs(like me). And the 1/100s for you lot who know how to make your cars fly(on the track). This track should be more complex with parts that don't come with the sets but most would own.

We'd have to agree on the power used too, or add that as a factor to the times.

- car
- track brand
- tyres
- mag no mag
- power used
- throttle?
- standard throttle map or not?

How about something a little different ( ) like this layout for the simple one? With barriers on the small circles outside curve.

[hankscorpio]

all good points so i tried to develop something using standard parts...

The blue lane would be used for running so a minimum of borders were required even for magless testing

the running direction is right to left on the top straight i.e. out of the hairpin and onto the straight...



any thoughts appreciated should give about a 34ft running length and therefore an average car would give a 4 to 5 second lap timed to 1/10th would be enough to put cars into equal catagorries...

Will finally put paid to the myths about whether a carrera version is worse or an HPI doesn't handle at all

what do we think... anybody else got any ideas... MrKiwi track while although being easy to build would only be a 2 second lap not sure if thats big enough to say anything... however mine may be to big at 9x5 but should fit into an average living room...

all input welcomed... also who is gonna sign up to play along

[diegu]

Hi Hank,

nice space-saver- layout. I would replace the R2-straight-R2-straight-R2-R2 on the left side by a fast curve (R3 or R4). Easier to drive and should tell more about the car, as currently there are - ignoring the hairpin - only R2's in the layout.

Following the feedback of the others, it seems that there will only be a Scaley version, so I am out of the game with my Ninco thing.

If someone was interested in setting this up as Ninco the crossing has to be left out.

Regards,

Diegu

[asjwood]

I am definitely interested in playing along although I don't have much of a car collection to be that useful yet...

As a rug racer I would say that size is certainly about right for me.

I agree though that some R3s at the end of the main straight might be a good modification. Although I don't have any yet, they are next on my list.

[hankscorpio]

Following the feedback of the others, it seems that there will only be a Scaley version, so I am out of the game with my Ninco thing. If someone was interested in setting this up as Ninco the crossing has to be left out.

If we all think a "bridge" wuld be better than a crossing to allow other makes its a fair comment... perhaps somebody can suggest another twist without using a flat crossing to keep a car on the iside lane for as long as possible...

I think a switch to R3's on the straight is a good idea... was trying to keep the track parts as simple as possible... will modify and return tomorrow with another version...

Come on Greg if you are reading..... we could do with a Mr flippant signiture moment of inspiration here!

(be warned i'm back on the p[ain killers today and my touch typing is all over the place)

[asjwood]

The problem with using a bridge as a crossing is ensuring that everyone ends up with exactly the same gradient of incline. I'm sure it's possible to standardise this somehow though.