[pasiro]

What a great, fun days racing

The Tyco's quite suited this twisty but long track, quite surprisingly, and it was a joy to race them on it. The racing was as close as usual

After the Tyco's we had the fun part of the meeting racing micro Scalextric, this was a laugh and a half, worse than racing Magnatraction, but it was still fun all the same

Afternoon saw a mixed grid of SRT's, Lifelike T's and SG+ and the racing was close between all chassis types, although the SG+'s were a little off the pace but not by too much. The LLT's were a match for the SRT's, or would be with better drivers

Looking forward to the next one

 

[Top Down]

Yes, a classic. I loved it - and I haven't laughed so much in weeks.

The Micro minute Challenge was hilarious - but like the Mega G minute Challenge of last year, I think things will soon hot up

 

[DERBY (UK) HO RACING CLUB]

Glad it all went so well, especially as the new computer system didn't miss a beat, well done to all. Sorry I couldn't be there as I am out all day tomorrow

Cheers
Nick

 

[pasiro]

QUOTE (montoya1 @ 30 Jan 2012, 12:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Paul - why were the Micro cars such a joke? Sort the braids out, find some true wheels and fit silicones and they run good.

The word JOKE wasn't used, the words hilarious and fun were

And if you can have fun, why change it

 

[pasiro]

Yes they were poor as they were completely standard, but they had nearly everyone in tears with laughter, and I think a filler race that can do that is very positive.

You can argue that they'd go better with smaller front tyres and silicone rears, maybe worth a try, but I'm not sure we'd have as much fun

I suppose it's down to what people want, a competitive one minute challenge or a fun OMC

I've done that with one of my own, and fitted a quicker motor and it's nice

 

[marctownsend]

QUOTE (Top Down @ 28 Jan 2012, 19:03) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yes, a classic. I loved it - and I haven't laughed so much in weeks.

The Micro minute Challenge was hilarious - but like the Mega G minute Challenge of last year, I think things will soon hot up

Great to see folk enjoying Micros, gave a brand new one a run on a track at the Swindon swapmeet, just a simple up and down a few times layout but surprised how much I enjoyed it.

Are they eligible for any classes up there?

QUOTE (pasiro @ 30 Jan 2012, 12:47) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I've done that with one of my own, and fitted a quicker motor and it's nice

I've had a dabble with one as well, motor from a Turbo, low silicones and pin guide, love it. Would have thought there was more potential though. I put a marchon axle in mine but that was a waste of time, the gear mesh on the new ones is superb.

 

[pasiro]

QUOTE (marctownsend @ 30 Jan 2012, 20:54) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Are they eligible for any classes up there?

Only for the minute challenge on SQUIRM days, I can't really see them catching on other than that, people would find them too much hassle getting the braids just right, then getting braids across the track causing shorts.

QUOTE (marctownsend @ 30 Jan 2012, 20:54) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I've had a dabble with one as well, motor from a Turbo, low silicones and pin guide, love it. Would have thought there was more potential though. I put a marchon axle in mine but that was a waste of time, the gear mesh on the new ones is superb.

They really make some nice cars and I'm surprised no one has come up with a new pickup system for them that clips to the front

 

[marctownsend]

I reckon the mags out of a LifeLike T would be interesting, if a little risky

 

[Julian_Boolean]

I think the reasons for changing from the MR-1 chassis to the Micro Chassis are about profit and also that the braids cope with dirty track rails better than pickup shoes, when I first got an AFX set I couldn't believe how much I had to clean the rails, with Micro Scalextric I never had to clean the rails.

You can replace the braids with homemade pickups, but they run better with good quality braids (SCX Pro), just accept that the braids will at best last a race meeting due to the narrowness of the rails.

 

[pasiro]

QUOTE (Julian_Boolean @ 2 Feb 2012, 19:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I think the reasons for changing from the MR-1 chassis to the Micro Chassis are about profit

That's my thoughts too, pity stuff designed over here can't have any quality to it these days

QUOTE (Julian_Boolean @ 2 Feb 2012, 19:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>and also that the braids cope with dirty track rails better than pickup shoes, when I first got an AFX set I couldn't believe how much I had to clean the rails

When I first got an AFX in around 1980 I was put off by all the trouble it took to keep them running and not getting stuck on the track, it wasn't long before I binned it and got 1/32 again. I suppose if I'd known what I know now when I was 15 I'd still have that set

QUOTE (Julian_Boolean @ 2 Feb 2012, 19:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>You can replace the braids with homemade pickups, but they run better with good quality braids (SCX Pro), just accept that the braids will at best last a race meeting due to the narrowness of the rails.

I've tried, unsuccessfully to use a homemade pickup system on a couple of occasions, but it just made them worse. I do believe though that they have a lot more potential than we think they have, if we'd just give them a chance. I think with the right braids they could be quite competitive under the right circumstances.

 

[Julian_Boolean]

I made homemade pickups out of the metal parts of floppy discs, they worked okay, I've tried SCX Pro braid and it's an improvement over the original braid, though it still wears just as quick, the real problem is the track rail design, but that's a bit difficult to change.

I like the MS cars, the motor is not too fast and the handling adjustable, the only weak point is the braid wear which could be sorted, but while nobody races the MS cars there is no reason to put the time into fixing the problem.

 

[pasiro]

QUOTE (Julian_Boolean @ 3 Feb 2012, 16:16) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I made homemade pickups out of the metal parts of floppy discs, they worked okay, I've tried SCX Pro braid and it's an improvement over the original braid, though it still wears just as quick, the real problem is the track rail design, but that's a bit difficult to change.

I like the MS cars, the motor is not too fast and the handling adjustable, the only weak point is the braid wear which could be sorted, but while nobody races the MS cars there is no reason to put the time into fixing the problem.

I tried something similar to the stuff on the Tyco Pros, but it didn't work all that well, not on my home track anyway. Before that I tried soldering a bit of old pickup to the braid, and that didn't work either. I'm pretty sure with trial and error, should anyone wish to try, a suitable braid could be found, there's plenty to choose from.

 

[Julian_Boolean]

I think for Hornby to produce a new Micro chassis you would have to show a way for them to increase their profits over the existing chassis, the existing one sells otherwise they wouldn't continue to make them.
I think Hornby would be better off doing a deal with Tomy and rebranding AFX cars as Scalextric in the UK or perhaps a similar deal with Mattel and the Tyco cars, but I don't know that the average UK buyer would be prepared to pay the price that AFX cars sell for in the US.