[Slots-O-Fun]

When I signed on to SlotForum, Wankel Ickx challenged me to reveal my track. Well it just wasn't in a state of readiness at that time but it is much further along. I must say that I really enjoy hearing of everyone's car and track building experiences. Here is my contribution beginning with a brief history.

A year and a half ago my wife bought me the biggest Scalextric GP set for my birthday. I slot raced as a kid in Lorne Park, Ontario so that gift was beyond my expectations. I loved it but with all of the corners the same radius it got just a little boring. It was also way too short. I built a table in an unused corner of the basement. It is a little unusual as it wraps around the corner of our furnace room rather than "filling" in a corner.

The table is made up of a 4ft X 4ft sheet of plywood attached to a 4ft X 8ft sheet of plywood making an "L" shape totaling 48 sq. ft. It actually takes up about 20% of the whole floor - I have a loving family!

As a big Targa Florio fan there was no question that I wanted a track that mimicked the great race - lots of corners a village and elevations. I was given an R1 hairpin set and a 908/3 for Christmas. I soon began adding scenery and a village. The mountains are old styrofoam packing pieces and the hills are painted papier-mâché. My Targa is born!

I know that a lot of people like the idea of a long straight but it just isn't my thing. I like the curves! I added a second hairpin to extend the circuit. Check out my sophisticated track planning equipment!

I added a third hairpin to maximize table space and a large R3 corner for a high speed section. I also set up a "major" elevation change to keep the Targa theme on track. To build the hill I used Styrofoam supporting foam core. A lap time takes about 6-7 seconds. Keep your 917LH cars at home!

Finally I covered the last section with papier-mâché, painted it and then grassed it over. I am now adding shrubs and road signs. A friend painted the village, made of cut cardboard wine boxes(drink faster honey!). He got a little excited and it is too cartoon-like. I'll have to fix that too one day.

I can't say this was a planned track at all. It just sort of happened! It is a lot of fun to drive. Lots of trigger action and why not since you can't steer a slot.

There are more photos in my gallery if you want a look. Who's next?

 

[MattZani]

i just dont like the side swipes with the yellow stripes, very toy like!

 

[MattZani]

whoops forgot!

nice looking track and pretty good on plexi track! targa tracks are best routed for all the squeezes and sharp sections!

 

[GT Junior]

Very nice! It does seem to capture the spirit of the Targa Florio very well. I especially like the last photograph.

Enjoy it

GTJ

 

[Slots-O-Fun]

Matt,

The wiping out the stripes is on the to-do list. They are slowly peeling off anyway.

Routed track - one day for sure but in the mean time this is just fine.

 

[zipp]

Slots of Fun,

Top job.
Love the layout, and great use of the space. Lots of rear end, slide action around those R1's.

The effort put into the scenery has been well spent, as it looks fantastic

Looks like that circuit is..(ahem).... Slots of fun, to drive

 

[Slotrace.dk]

How about a close-up of the buildings/city?

Have you thought of going digital?

 

[Slots-O-Fun]

Thanks guys. I really enjoy racing it. Here is a shot that shows some of the buildings.

As I said they are a little to cartoon-like to be real. I am following the thread that outlines how using plasticast as a mould. I am going to try that as the boxes make great buildings.

I am not sure we even have digital yet in Canada! The complexity scares me in terms of modifying cars. Maybe I am incorrect.

My next addition planned was a more sophisticated race management system - more accurate timing, lap counting etc. I was looking at SlotTrak. I would also like to upgrade controllers to PMs as I find the standard Scaleys pretty limited.

I am also following SportWorld as it seems to have it all - electronic controllers and race management. I don't really care about the online racing but the race management is interesting. I am awaiting word on the bugs being sorted out. Any thoughts?

 

[jmswms]

If you're going to do some more scenery work including working with plaster, I found the www site Bragdon to be extraordinarily interesting. Blows my mind when I see what's available for doing scenery. Of course, most of it is usually used by Model Railroaders, but why should they have the monopoly on great scenery.

 

[whyterider]

Nice layout Slots-of-Fun

If you intend to create some more buildings for your layout, you might find the following free software handy.

It's a easy-to-use CAD program called Alibra Design Xpress 8.2 and you can download it for free with no limitations at www.download.com (is a largish file so broadband would be good). Don't worry, I'm not on any commission, so this is genuine feedback!!!

I use it when designing scenery with my sons for Warhammer 40K/Lord of the Rings miniature wargaming.

It prints out to the EXACT size as per the design, so all I do is stick the drawing/template to some 5mm foamboard, cut it out (with a stanley knife on a cutting board for good results). Glue it together with PVA glue and paint it up using texturted paint (don't spray it, this melts the foam). Overcoat it to a colour of choice and hey presto, some FIIIINNNEEE looking buildings!!

Designing them on a CAD program might seem long winded at first, but if you have several to do, it's a quicker way of doing it.

Have fun

 

[duc]

QUOTE (whyterider @ 16 Mar 2006, 15:30)It's a easy-to-use CAD program called Alibra Design Xpress 8.2 .....

I just searched for it but it is Alibre ........
Whyterider, thanx anyway. Will have a look at it myself as well.

@S-o-F: hope you don't mind, but the layout of your village was exactly the idea i was looking for for my future Targa-track.

Thanx and very much interested in your track, progress and findigs.

So, yesterday evening i immediately started. For the moment i use styrofoam. Might keep it, might change to wood. Donno yet.

Patrick

 

[jmswms]

It looks great, but you've got a hairpin turn surrounded by buildings. It's fine if the buildings are cardboard, but if you make them plaster then they'll chip everytime a car goes careening into them. Right? Or, do you have some system in to prevent damage to the buildings from crashing cars?

 

[Slots-O-Fun]

Partrick, copy away! It is a great section of track, blasting through the village to the hairpin!

jm, the buildings are just out of reach if a car's rear end breaks loose (917LM's excluded I am sure).

I should add that I lay down two thicknesses of cardboard, which equals one layer of Scalextric track, as a boarder. I simply used the R1 as a template to add walking area/boarder and painted it dark dark grey. I did the same thing in the hairpin surrounding the curve in the hills with the 908/3 in it. I like this better than the plastic Scalextric boarder in beige.

These are the photos that inspired my village. You will soon see why my buildings need a repaint!

I should also mention that there are a bunch of Targa Florio photos in my gallery if anyone wants reference photos

 

[The Stickman]

Very cool. I like it alot. Good work on the scenery.

 

[nitro]

great track and dedication....I can actually imagine driving it in real surreal life

Ignore early -ve comments it looks fantastic.
Its a shame scalextric cars don't create the echoing boom that is heard off the building if you where spectating in the village...
are you going to paint the track

 

[Wankel Ickx]

A challenge squarely dealt with, I'd say.

Nice work.

QUOTE ...why should they have the monopoly on great scenery.

Why indeed.

 

[Slots-O-Fun]

I am thinking of painting the track. Its funny but as more and more of the "scene" comes alive the less and less real is the black track surface. I think I will no doubt paint it at some point.

I didn't mention in this thread (it is in another) that I bought a second power base and reversed the wires on the circuit board so I can run cars in either direction. It is really cool on a track like this which is not very symetrical. Good investment for $25 - almost like having a second track.

 

[scaleymatt]

Slots-O-Fun, that circuit looks great!!

Matt

 

[whyterider]

QUOTE (nitro @ 16 Mar 2006, 20:30)Its a shame scalextric cars don't create the echoing boom that is heard off the building if you where spectating in the village...
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>It's funny you should mention it, because I was giving this some thought the other day.

In the world of car modding there was/is a piece of kit that you could install that would make a 1.6 Ford Fiesta (for example) sound like a V8. I believe it boosted sound thru external speakers or whatever. And I was

thinking how fantastic would it be to have the technology in a slotcar

- albeit on a smaller scale of course!

 

[FZSsemans®]

QUOTE (Slots-O-Fun @ 16 Mar 2006, 22:33)I am thinking of painting the track. Its funny but as more and more of the "scene" comes alive the less and less real is the black track surface. I think I will no doubt paint it at some point.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like this layout a lot!
and painting the track is cool! adding little pieces sanding paper (very corse) on the track makes it even more fun.
Targa florio rules!!