[monkeyinc]

Hello everyone, Ive not had a scalextric set since the late 80's early 90's, i see things have moved on massively.

Im now in the position where I have been granted permission (from the wife) to turn the loft space into a scalextric dream, I have a space of about 18 feet x 18 feet. And im here for advice, inspiration and guidance (wanna get it right first time around)

Id really like a track changing from 4 lanes to 3 lanes to 2 lanes is this possible?

I want to fix my track into place with all the suroundings etc, however has anyone ever done or tried to have 2 or 3 different tracks in one. By this i mean moving a couple of key pieces of track which then change the circuit, is this possible?

Ive seen the scx pitstop is the scalextric similar in that you can fuel your cars up etc?

So many questions, but I will leave it at that for the moment! Any help or encouragement would be much appriciated.

Once work commences I shall update through photos vids etc, although im a long way from that at the min, just wanna get a good understanding of everything first.

Many thanks Matt

 

[Michael363672]

Hi Matt

Welcome to the forum

First off where are you located

If it is the uk i would go for scalexric as it easiest to get and the simplest in chipping cars

Without any mods to the powebase you can run as many lanes as you want as long as you only have 2 going thru the start finish base just use pit lane pieces to make the exra lanes unless you fancy some track cutting and pcb soldering then you can have more thru start finish

Also scalextric uses a pc to do fuel not the pit lane
if you connect to pc then you can add pitpro, which is an upgraded pit game to do pit lane refueling

Michael

 

[ss67]

Hi & welcome,

If you're going to be using the new 6 car powerbase you can connect it to SSDC software (with the correct cable) to run with fuel loads.

It is possible to have more than two lanes for the start finish too.

Follow some of the links in my signature for the software and mods.

 

[monkeyinc]

Hi guys thanks for the speedy replies, I'm located in the UK Plymouth, so think scalextric digital is def the wayto go.

Like the idea of having the new 6 car power base, and if I could have 3 lanes down the start finish that would be awesome.

There's so much to think about!

Also thinking if having a tunnel on a straight, recommend it or not?

When you say chip/modding cars does this make them faster handle better?

Thanks for your advice guys

 

[Michael363672]

Chipping = adding digital chip this allows the cars to run on a digital track

Modding = getting chip to fit every system has its own chips some are easyer to do than others

4 / 3 lane pb is possible if you not good with fine soldering and using a mltimeter then get Rikorocket to give you a price to do it
You will need to get another sensor board to cokplete thhis either from 6 car lap counter or another pb

As long as tunnle is on a straight you should be ok but dont make it too long remember any cars stopping in it will get totaled as you cant see they are there

Michael

 

[grimboracer]

Hi Matt

first thing first, you need to get your loft sorted. this costs more money than you think, trust me. loft floors are not designed to take any weight, so it will need Reinforcing. then power to the loft and then making the loft space as dust free as poss, or you will be forever cleaning your track. this is what i did with mine.Loft Build

as you mention about the track changing from 2-3-4 lanes that is what i have done with mine Track Link.
and if you are going to use a 6 car power base as ss67 said SSDC is a must once you get your head around the program its great.

good luck with the build

lee

 

[monkeyinc]

cheers for the advice, will have to contact rikorocket nearer the time that im ready to proceed for the track etc, is he like the scalextric oricle!?

Loved reading through your links grimboracer its great seeing ur loft come to life. Might well be seeking your advice through my project!

Like you say first things first get the loft scalextric ready!

Will keep you all posted.

 

[Martyn_]

Best bit of advice I could offer is don't think your first idea/effort will be the one that lasts. I've been dabbling for about 6 months (12 months elapsed time, but I'm usually up the beach all summer!) and I'm just about to settle on my final config. It'll be my fourth attempt in the loft in this period. I'm going to do a thread one day, so keep an eye on it as I'll probably be asking similar questions to what you will be asking.

A few great threads about loft jobs on the forum, grimbos is really informative, as is bigbird's and several others. Plough through the past posts on track & scenery, it'll really help you in your project.

Best of luck, looking forward to following the developments of your story.

If your ever in south Wales, myself (in Porthcawl) and Mr Modifier in Ammanford are always up for having a good race/test/tune/"just muck about" sesh with all and sundry who share our hobby.

 

[monkeyinc]

Hi snurfen, thanks for taking the time to post and the offer of a sesh if im ever up your way.

Yeah read through grimbos last night made a good read, I shall check out bigbirds later, about to start emptying the loft space ready for some builders quotes!!

 

[richardtheforth]

Hi Matt,
Good advice above, and I'd agree with Snurfen... don't be in a rush to fix your track down.
You won't get to a track you love straight away. There's loads of stuff here on the forum about what sort of thing makes for a good track, so take your time. The Members Track Index is a great place to waste several weeks of your life getting ideas!

Having said that, do the loft exactly how you want it, others will have great ideas about all of the details, but it's going to be your space so enjoy it...
Briefly, I didn't strengthen the floor, as there is a supporting wall running along the centre of the loft where I stand.
I did have to do a lot of work on the upstairs lighting, plumbing & electrics before I covered it with flooring, and I fitted a big solid loft ladder too. I insulated the eves, then screwed plaster board over it, and laid the old lounge carpet on the floor.
I painted all of the exposed timber with a couple of coats of white emulsion, which has made a big difference to how the space looks. It's made for a relatively dust free, relatively stable temperature space.

Enjoy setting up a track, racing on it, changing the bits you don't like, keeping the bits you do, adapting & refining & fiddling with it. I'm on about the 9th evolution of my track (loft link in signature) and I'm still enjoying tinkering with it. I'm here for the long haul, so I don't feel there's any rush to get to 'the' track.

As much as I'd love to do a scenic track, I know that as soon as I start fixing it down I'll get bored with it...
Keep us posted with what you do, and remember we really ant to see those pictures!
Cheers,
Richard

 

[monkeyinc]

You got any pics of what you have done?

I think taking my time is def the way forward, get everything just right. Spending lots of time searching through the forum finding lots of great ideas. I will def upload photos during the project ad vids.