...the project is far from dead. All final tests have gone very well (and I am somewhat excited that there are finally foam tires coming available for the d'NaNo, which will make the track even faster).
I've been side-tracked these last few months (bad pun) with a few work projects. I still intend to bring this to market, perhaps as early as this Fall; right now I am custom-building a couple of tracks for commerical customers. (which I enjoy) ....also, we will be working on a much larger road course over the summer to show-case what can be done with the system.
The main issue(s) are the actual size of the d'NaNo market in North America and the cost to make these tracks. Just understand that the market for $500+ tracks for the d'NaNo is not large enough to justify a full manufacturing-based business. Kyosho's horrible launch/marketing and their dismal understanding of the core hobbyists in North America (all-be-it in a poor economy) make it seem that the track makers and 3rd party part makers are carrying the entire business themselves, at least here in North America. (deep breath, rant finished; note to self not to hijack own thread
. In short, the jury is out on the success of the d'NaNo itself; it's by no means a failure, but it hasn't "caught-on" like the Mini-Z did early part of the decade.
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That said, the Porta-Trax do drive as good as they look and I'm sure the project will gain traction (another bad pun) as the economy recovers.
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If you'd like a custom track, send me an email to
lecherry@rogers.com with the dimensions of the track you are considering or the room you will be operating in. I will make some suggestions as to design and get you a price.
We will be hand-building a half-dozen or so custom tracks over the summer and can certainly squeeze in another one or two. - Lorne