Professor's Willow Park converts to wood

The Professor · #1 03-14-2009, 01:21 PM

And so it begins, I recieved Luf's video with routing kit and as soon as weather in the Pacific Northwest allows the conversion to wood will begin.

charlie raymond · #2 03-14-2009, 01:40 PM

Welcome to the Big Leagues, Prof!

Just kidding everybody! I like routed racing, like on my own track north of Seattle, AND magnet-based racing on the traditional snap-together tracks.

In any case, I look forward to photos and to hearing more about your progress. As I've said before, one of these days I will attend one of your functions. (Mine is set for Sat Apr 18).

Charlie

DrDiff · #3 03-14-2009, 06:20 PM

OUCH that hurts the wallet. Routing Kit $40, Video $40, Tape Layer $40!

MONEY WELL INVESTED!

geno · #4 03-17-2009, 11:11 AM

I really enjoyed making my track, I'am sure you will too.

Fred Fries · #5 03-17-2009, 01:05 PM

Good luck with your new track, you won't regret it! and don't be afraid to ask questions

Fred

The Professor · #6 03-17-2009, 08:39 PM

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I hope to start teardown of the current track designed by Zoom Beedo in a week or two. For now it's rounding up tape and other supplies to be used. I plan on using my current track plan with the possible addition of a squeeze section just to the left of the DS timers. Just a short squeeze to make things interesting.

DrDiff · #7 03-17-2009, 09:37 PM

I would put the squeeze in a location where it is easy to reach. Accidents will happen at a squeeze.

SlotsNZ · #8 03-18-2009, 04:27 AM

Golly, apart from the limitations caused by plastic track sections, and the overpass being the UNDER pass, that looks awful similar to my track.
I put the squeeze at the far left hairpin, as it is a natural slow point hich keeps the "carnage" down, and easy to marshal.

As mine went, I had fixed radius curves WITHIN each corner, but the sweeper has eliptical entry and exit done manually, to assist the flow.
It is wired to run either way. It is slightly FASTER running clockwise, but feels more technical to drive. It is usually run anti-clockwise, which is more flowing, but slightly slower . . . . and no, I haven't analysed why that conundrum.

2FER SLOTS · #9 03-18-2009, 05:05 AM

Cool thing about wood is you can follow your pattern but not have to be exact. Like making the two turn and a short straight into 1 nice big turn,maybe even with a little banking for fun.

Fred Fries · #10 03-18-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2FER SLOTS

Cool thing about wood is you can follow your pattern but not have to be exact. Like making the two turn and a short straight into 1 nice big turn,maybe even with a little banking for fun.

Exactly ! wished I had done more of this on mine.

Fred

tacoma1 · #11 03-18-2009, 11:41 AM

Professor Professor,

That's going to be a very cool track and can't wait to race on it. See you at Kjel's tonight

John

Zoom Beedo · #12 03-18-2009, 01:14 PM

Prof, one of the biggest problems I've seen with squeeze tracks is putting one in where some of the cars have to slow considerably, while others can go through at full throttle - makes for extremely nasty wrecks and lots of broken cars! If you're set on having a squeeze track, I think the 180 corner in the upper left of your picture might be a safer place for it. As always, YMMV.

The Professor · #13 03-19-2009, 08:05 PM

I think I have finally decided against a squeeze section and will settle for lane spacing changes. My thoughts are to vary the lane spacing from 3 to 4 inches down the straights routed with the flexible strip and then use 3.5" spacing thru the corners.

SlotsNZ · #14 03-19-2009, 08:37 PM

That's one good reason I put mine there too.

Professor - Beware of narrowing straights too much near corners. Cars coming out fishtail, and the car fishtailling LEAST, usually gets more dirve out of the corner. If you are too narrow at exits, the one fishtailing may get a 1/32nd whallop in the nether region. It's the surest way I've seen to rip the nose off open wheelers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoom Beedo

Prof, one of the biggest problems I've seen with squeeze tracks is putting one in where some of the cars have to slow considerably, while others can go through at full throttle - makes for extremely nasty wrecks and lots of broken cars! If you're set on having a squeeze track, I think the 180 corner in the upper left of your picture might be a safer place for it. As always, YMMV.

The Professor · #15 03-19-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlotsNZ

That's one good reason I put mine there too.

Professor - Beware of narrowing straights too much near corners. Cars coming out fishtail, and the car fishtailling LEAST, usually gets more dirve out of the corner. If you are too narrow at exits, the one fishtailing may get a 1/32nd whallop in the nether region. It's the surest way I've seen to rip the nose off open wheelers.

I agree, my plan is to have wider spacing up to 4" on exits and then narrowing down to 3" on the straight and then back to gently match the 3.5" corners. Just to make the cars have a more natural flow from the corners and not have that plastic feel to constant lane spacing. Luf's tracks seem to have the lanes flow back and forth and thats the look I'm hoping to duplicate.