Last summer as an experiment I set up a 2-lane slot car track in my back
yard using Carrera track. I was curious as to how well it would stand up
to rain, and some hot +90F weather.
The stainless steel power rails worked perfectly, and the plastic track did
not seem to be effected by the high daytime temperatures we sometimes
get here in Wisconsin.
My yard has a slight grade away from the foundation, but the track conformed
nicely to these irregularities, and added to the overall layout.
Racing outdoors was a blast, but I discovered that night racing with LED
headlights does not work. LED headlights do not project their light forward
to illuminate the track. Low voltage garden lighting at the turns was required.
My initial tests were a success. Aside from having to sweep the track with
a broom before a day of racing the track held up well to the elements.
Later in the summer I expanded the layout by adding additional straights.
As the grass grew longer though, it became difficult to see the cars unless
you were standing.
Here we see Michael and brother Ralf battling it out in the esses.
Garden gnomes from a nearby magic mushroom ranch stopped by
one afternoon for a vintage Carrera event.
The entire track was torn down in late Autumn and stored in plastic
bins in the shed. Over the winter I purchased additional track so
that this Summer when I set it up again it will be even larger.
The only other item I intend to add is a set of Carrera's new wireless
infra-red hand controls and Mobil 1 receiving tower. As the track
grew larger it became a chore to set the hand controls down and
walk over to where a car had gone off. The wireless controls should
eliminate that problem nicely.
Carrera track with its locking track sections and turn aprons was a
perfect choice. I wouldn't attempt an outdoor raceway with Scalextric
or Ninco track however, as their power rails would rust and the turn
aprons would not stay attached.
-gb-
yard using Carrera track. I was curious as to how well it would stand up
to rain, and some hot +90F weather.
The stainless steel power rails worked perfectly, and the plastic track did
not seem to be effected by the high daytime temperatures we sometimes
get here in Wisconsin.
My yard has a slight grade away from the foundation, but the track conformed
nicely to these irregularities, and added to the overall layout.
Racing outdoors was a blast, but I discovered that night racing with LED
headlights does not work. LED headlights do not project their light forward
to illuminate the track. Low voltage garden lighting at the turns was required.
My initial tests were a success. Aside from having to sweep the track with
a broom before a day of racing the track held up well to the elements.
Later in the summer I expanded the layout by adding additional straights.
As the grass grew longer though, it became difficult to see the cars unless
you were standing.
Here we see Michael and brother Ralf battling it out in the esses.
Garden gnomes from a nearby magic mushroom ranch stopped by
one afternoon for a vintage Carrera event.
The entire track was torn down in late Autumn and stored in plastic
bins in the shed. Over the winter I purchased additional track so
that this Summer when I set it up again it will be even larger.
The only other item I intend to add is a set of Carrera's new wireless
infra-red hand controls and Mobil 1 receiving tower. As the track
grew larger it became a chore to set the hand controls down and
walk over to where a car had gone off. The wireless controls should
eliminate that problem nicely.
Carrera track with its locking track sections and turn aprons was a
perfect choice. I wouldn't attempt an outdoor raceway with Scalextric
or Ninco track however, as their power rails would rust and the turn
aprons would not stay attached.
-gb-