Custom 1/32 Slot Car Build

[Flygirl]

Well, since you asked: Here's an overview of the track. One day I'll add scenery and I think it'll really be something.

Built with 1/2" MDF and stained glass tape as the conductor on each side of the slot. Lots of undercutting in the spiral. Two plank bridges and a dirt "infield" section shake things up and add different textures. 10 amp adjustable voltage power supply, and the PC-driven timing system I mentioned earlier.

I had never used a router before this project; I'm lots better with one now!

The spiral is banked all the way through and the cars can run this track surprisingly fast. I run only non-mag cars, there are no traction magnets holding the cars to the track. It's the old school way and generally considered "pure" slot car racing.

What's really cool about routed tracks is that the turns aren't constant radius, and follow the racing line like 1:1 cars do. With multiple lanes, the cars converge on the apex of a corner, then fan out again through the straights.

Earlier this year I was lucky enough to do some unlimited racing on an Ogilvie hillclimb track from the 1960s. We had seven lanes going at once and the action was incredible! I'd suggest to anyone, to go to a slot car parlor, rent a car, and just have at it for a half hour or so. The rhythm is intoxicating and some of the cars are so fast, you drive more by sound and rhythm than sight.