Are there any floor racers out there?

[Jim Norton]

Does anybody do any serious racing on the floor?

Once a year, we do an annual race. By setting up on the floor it allows us a different track (and even scale) each year.

Two things that make this possible and desirable:

1) The little benches are a God send. Sitting in the floor will kill you for one of these events! The benches make getting up and down easy and do not get in the way of things.

2) Marshalls? You could imagine how confusing and uncomfortable it would be to marshall a track on the floor. We use a scored method of racing which eliminates marshalls.

Many times when you tell people you race on the floor they dismiss it as anything but casual racing and playing. The two photos above show this year's floor course!

Jim Norton
Huntsville, AL

[GT40]

Jim,

I used to race on the floor until the track got stepped on or up-heaved by people tripping on wires. It's a risky set-up but fun and it allows for a large layout if you can keep mishaps under control. Best of luck. Enjoy!!

[NicoRosberg.]

The Derby 24hr has to be the most 'serious' HO floor race in the world. Imagine doing 2-3 hour marshaling stints for starters.

[tabcomary]

it would be great to hear more about your marshall-free scoring system!

[neorules]

We raise our floor up about 2 1/2 - 3 ft. It helps convincing people to marshall. The agony of watching a 3 year old trying to put a car in the slot the correct direction is motivation enough to invest in tables. If you're having fun and your back can handle it go for it.

[kmas65]

Floor racing I was for a while then built a 6x9 top for the coffee table (see gallery pics). I noticed that my butt killed the next day....so sore when I carpet raced. also when your on the floor your cars survive the big crashes better.....love this, this is roots racing.

[Jim Norton]

Tabcomary:

We have devised a scoring system which creates very close and competive racing without the needs of marshalls or any electronics.

Each driver runs 10 heats races in each of the 4 lanes. Each heat race is 5 laps. The driver with the LOWEST score at the end of the event is the winner.

The perfect senario:

All 4 racers start at the start line. The the first heat race starts, concludes and all drivers complete the 5 laps. The winner is a scored a "1", second a "2", third a "3" and 4th a "4". Then, the second heat begins with all drivers at the start line. The process repeats. If its not a perfect (wreck free race) as outlined here the scenario applies below.

The typical scenario:

All racers start at the start line for the second heat race. The heat race begins and one driver crashes on the second lap. Since this driver is the first to wreck he is scored a "4" and sets out the heat. The remaining 3 drivers then return to the start line and the heat is started over. This time another driver crashes. Since this driver is the second to go out he is scored a "3." Now, the remaining 2 drivers return to the start. The heat race is started over once again. This time both cars make the 5 laps. The winner is scored a "1" and second place a "2." All cars then return to the line for the third heat race and the process repeats.

We have found this offers a very close style of racing and very competitive. Rarely is anyone lapped and everyone is always 5 laps away from claiming a heat win. Every race has 4 drivers racing for a win each and every time. We have developed a score sheet which tracks who is on what lane and who is currently what place. I hope that is somewhat clear!

Jim Norton
Huntsville, AL

[slotcardan]

floor racing rules

AFX Aurora Ultra 5 racing set - YouTube

[onefastmustang]

I floor race with my autoworld nhra dragstrip track

[David S]

Floor racing!!!!! Is there any other way?????

[CSRC]

Jim,

Posting a score sheet would be great. The system looks promising and worth a try-out.

Jim G.

[Jim Norton]

CSRC and others:

Below is a photo showing a completed score sheet as a background. I hope to post a better image soon.

Even though it looks like much is going on there its really just a simple tabulation. In this race we ran 8 heat races consisting of 5 laps each in lieu of the more typical 4 heats of 10 laps. Reason being to allow drivers a second opportunity in all 4 lanes

Here are some observations:

1) The number to the right of the driver's name is the lane. Notice that the driver's name is written in the same block in all 8 heats while the lane assignment changes.

2) The 5 blocks below the drivers are the 5 heat races. The large square which contains a 1, 2, 3 or 4 is the driver's finishing position in that heat. The smaller numbers to the right is a running tabulation of drivers position in heat and overall race.

3) Notice at the start of Heat 6 one point seperates first place Jim with 54 points from second place Dusty with 55. By the end of Heat 6 Jim has stretched his lead by 4 points.

4) Want to know who was leading at the end of Heat Three? Dusty with 26 points.

5) Who was in last place in the second race of Heat 8? Pat in lane 1 with 123 points.

6) Who won the most heat races? Roy in lane 4 Heat 6 with 3 wins (3 "1s").

7) To put this in race perspective each point stands for 1/10th of a second. With that said in Heat 8 Race 2 Dusty leads Roy by 3/10ths of a second.

Much, much more fun and informative than traditional Crash and Burn!

Jim Norton
Huntsville, AL