[StuBeeDoo]

I'm at the point in my rally track build where I'm getting the run-offs/borders made and thinking about how I'm going to stop the cars flying off the table and nose-first onto the floor or into a 1:1 brick wall when they de-slot.

Although I don't want to fully go down the scenary route, I feel trees and/or hedges would be a nice alternative to the (Scalextric) fences and Armco-type barriers I have spare (those look too "race track"). I have an idea for trees - an old artificial Christmas tree will be getting cut-up for them. But what about hedges? ...... Or other "vegetation" type barriers

Can anyone provide me with some inspiration, please? Anything I do must be very cheap - I'd rather spend my available funds on cars.

TIA
Stuart.

 

[Ember]

What about green (nylon?) scouring pad? Sold here under the brand name of Scotch Brite. Bound to be a similar product in your end of the world.

Embs

 

[stoooo]

How about some twigs cut up and stacked to look like log piles such as those seen on the Welsh stages ?

 

[Ian B]

I'll go with Embs

this isn't a brilliant example but they aren't alf cheap!

 

[StuBeeDoo]

Thanks for the replies so far, especially to Bleep for posting the pic.

I'm liking both ideas a lot.

I'm a bit worried about the Scotchbrite, though, as my cars would be rubbing against it on a regular basis, the way I drive them.

I'm wondering if felt would be better for me.

I may have to go forraging(sp?) for twigs at the weekend.

Keep 'em coming people!

 

[stoooo]

Stay away from felt. It sheds like crazy and gums up your braids and axles. I had it on my old boards, and it was a nightmare. Never again.

How about strips of green grocer underlay (probably not a technical term) wrapped around sturdy bits of cardboard/plastic/wood ? A fuzzy hedge type effect without the incessant shedding.

 

[StuBeeDoo]

QUOTE (stoooo @ 24 Nov 2011, 14:11) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Stay away from felt. It sheds like crazy and gums up your braids and axles.
Good point, Stoooo. I must admit I didn't think of that. Since I posted that, though, I've found some coloured foam sheets on eBay on green, brown and black. I think they're the answer...... Black to widen the tarmac in places, brown for earth and green for hedges/grass banks.

 

[stoooo]

QUOTE (StuBeeDoo @ 24 Nov 2011, 18:34) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Since I posted that, though, I've found some coloured foam sheets on eBay on green, brown and black. I think they're the answer......
Links please.

 

[Graham Lane]

How about styrofoam? You can buy it dead cheap in sheets and carve it to look like walls and rock faces. It will stick with vinyl glue to a base such as cardboard which will then slip under the track to keep it in place.

Here's some examples of a wall where I've stuck pieces of styrofoam on a hardboard backing.

or as stone.

Carve the foam

Paint it black

Paint it grey

Dry-brush white

cork works well too...

 

[StuBeeDoo]

Graham, that's amazing! Far beyond my very limited skills. Thanks for sharing.

I'd be too embarrassed to post-up what I've actually done with my layout. It's just a good job no-one but me will ever see it.

 

[soupdragon]

All I'll say is avoid lichen.

I tried that, I thought with a 2 inch cork run off strip it would be fine.

However the cars still launched themselves into the undergrowth on a regualr basis, and in a race there wasn't time to untangle the stuff from bumpers, spoilers and the like. My circuit was supposed to look like the Circuit of Ireland, but within a few weeks it was more like the Paris-Dakar with a blasted desert where the verdant lichen had been.

 

[ProXDriver]

An easy idea: Hay bales.

If you have kids, their friends, or any mates that owe you favors...pick-up some small foam blocks from a hobby or craft store, coat them in glue and roll them in several layers sawdust. You can then glue them around the perimeter of the runoffs (place them in a few rows, the second higher than the second row; the second row stacked a bit higher for added protection against cars clearing the first row of barriers...)

If the cars hit it, they bounce-off. Usually. And the amount of sawdust that breaks loose isn't going to harm anything.

 

[StuBeeDoo]

This is what I've come-up with so far...........

Asda Smart Price 2ft Christmas tree!

40ish branches of varying lengths, and cheap as chips. I'll be going back for a load more, now I've seen the result. Spaced <2in apart they work a treat. For now, they're a push-fit in my DIY run-offs, but I may invest in a glue gun at some point. Much more "rally" than any of Scalextric's Armco.

I like pretty-much all the suggestions here, but I'm a lazy b****r and I'll always go for the easiest option. Thank you all for the input.