Finally finished my track!

Gamma Burst · #1 07-02-2003, 11:01 PM

Hi all, I finally finished my track. It is on an 8' x 8' surface and the actual track length is a little over 45 feet long, or 0.55 scale miles. It took almost 5 months working on it an hour here and there, but it is done at last.

I still have to get the computer timing system going. I am going to use a flag system where the flags are at different heights for each car. When a car passes the start/finish line the flag will break the beam of a laser and trigger a lap time.

The software I will use is VRS 2001 (http://www.i2mnet.com). I think it is a pretty good piece of code and a decent price too. Another software product I was looking at is the PC Lap Counter found at (http://users.skynet.be/bk274532/index.html). A lot of really cool features too, but a bit more spendy.

It will probably be a week or two before that gets completed, but it should be a blast! Let me know what you think as I have posted pictures below.

Gamma Burst · #2 07-02-2003, 11:04 PM

Oops, sorry for the huge size of the picture. I just wanted to attach a file. This is my first picture post. I have a few more pictures, but I don't think I should post them until I can just attach them as files. Can anyone give me some instructions?

Thank you.

faulkbeets · #3 07-02-2003, 11:15 PM

superb!! i love the size

Azimov · #4 07-02-2003, 11:39 PM

Man, that is nice! And, frikkin huge. I mean the track, not the pic. Well, the pic is too, lol. Post these things over in the track section so we can bulk that baby up!

Gamma Burst · #5 07-03-2003, 12:51 AM

Thank you, I am glad you like it. Yeah, it is pretty big, but I wanted a really nice one (large and lots of detail). I am probably still going to ad details bit by bit, but the main track is now done. I think a good lap time for this track will be around 9-10 seconds. I will post some more pics of it in the track section tomorrow. Thanks again everyone!

Cool Dad · #6 07-03-2003, 03:19 AM

wow!!!that's incredible! VERY nice!!! I'd love to build a track like that. How is the surface of your track. Is it kind of grippy so the cars get great traction? I bet it's a blast! Wish I could give it a run! hehehe...

Bad Company · #7 07-03-2003, 05:56 AM

Wow! I would love to get some time in racing on that!

#8 07-03-2003, 06:29 AM

Okay look, I'll buy the first pizza, but we've gotta raid Gamma Burst's house tonight to run our cars.
I can be there by one or two 0'clock this afternoon.

Nice track!

MadScott · #9 07-03-2003, 10:38 AM

Very nice track GB. By 2:00? Might be 3 but I'll bring the Cheetos.

TypeZer0 · #10 07-03-2003, 01:03 PM

i'll bring some exotic dancers for cheerleaders

oh and i'll bring the keg too

moshbmxa · #11 07-03-2003, 04:08 PM

i like typezer0's idea!

Bad Company · #12 07-03-2003, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TypeZer0
i'll bring some exotic dancers for cheerleaders oh and i'll bring the keg too

Suddenly the thought of racing Zip Zaps was forgotten....Bring on the dancers!

Gamma Burst · #13 07-03-2003, 05:20 PM

Dancers and Cheetos eh. Well not exactly my initial intentions for building it, but hey it should be fun either way.

Quote:

How is the surface of your track. Is it kind of grippy so the cars get great traction? I bet it's a blast!

The surface is sanded plywood (two 4' x 8' x 15/32"). I did a little extra sanding on the corners as the standard sanded plywood was still a little too grippy. Then a coat of paint primer and finally two coats of eggshell paint. The surface is really great. I get no flipping with fast motors like R-Spec II, Perfection 3.8 or 4.2, etc. There is also no spinning out either. I had to play with the front/rear tire combos and suspension, but now it is just all fun driving.

Thanks for all the great comments and let me know when I should expect the dancers.

Also, I know there is a thread to post pictures of homemade tracks somewhere, but can't seem to find it. Can anyone post where it is so I can add my pictures to it? Thank you.