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rail systems
Jbear, there are many different grades of PVC. Porta-Trax uses a custom grade that is 70% softer than the PVC piping that is commonly sold in plumbing supply shops. Moreover, we cushion the rails with a layer of Velcro (which also adds air cushioning between the brace and the rail).
Corners are tension-fitted to provide a degree of absortion, while still preserving a realistic deflection from the wall. We are also able to coat the rails with a no-mar finish that further absorbs shock and will not mark the cars in anyway.
The engineering for the hobbyist rail system is handed down from our commercial rental tracks, which use a 3-piece rail and cost in the thousands and are scaled from famous race circuits. And believe you me, commercial operators are highly sensitive to cars marking or breaking wheh hitting a track wall. This was one of the first problems we addressed.
We have also tried to simulate a full-scale racing experience ...our corner markers allow you to ride just over the edge of the rail for the best racing line ...go to much over and you'll "lose it" just like in full scale racing. Straight-aways and corner deflect the car similar to a full-scale track wall.
Finally, on carpet or the new Ozite, our rails attach anywhere and hold securely. I'll take some more pictures of me standing on a corner rail (I'm on the wrong side of 200 lbs.). We have run a fully modded HPI 6-cell into a cornerwall. No damage to the car, and the rail springs back into place
The downside? This system is very expensive to manufacture as industrial Velcro is not cheap.
I will be sending samples of the Porta-Trax rail system (works on carpet or rubber) to the forum owners along with the new Ozite surface.
For now, I've attached another picture (this is actually a 6x8 Microsizer track built on our EVA foam base) to show the rail system, one of our corner marking systems, and the true-radius corners. -Lorne
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