Building Six Pines Slot Car Park

Part 1: Why build a Slot Car Track? Sitting here after the last month of cutting, sweeping, routing, sweeping, joining, sweeping (have I mentioned that MDF dust is a pain?), some more routing and finally some swearing and cursing I am beginning to wonder. In a way, even though I still have many more hours of work ahead of me, it has been mightily satisfying. But I am frustrated. I want it finished, so I can turn some laps!!!

OK, where do I start. Long before I found out about SCR, I wanted to do a slot car track. I was sick and tired of putting up & pulling down my Scalex setup. Not to add, that doing figure 8's does have its limitations in the "Fun" stakes. So it was set, a fully fledged slot car track was going to be built in my shed, using packets and packets of Hornby's finest.

I searched the net and found some great ideas, as well as some great software. The best bit of software that I found, was this little gem, called Slotman. Its software for the administration of slotcar tracks and has many features. Unfortunately, some of the features, such as the track timing, require specific hardware, but it does come with a track design function, with downloadable packs for most popular track types. I also found that the software was invaluable when creating routed designs. It gave you a quick idea of what your track could look like, without spending hours with either CAD programs or Pencil and paper

Other places on the net that I found to be helpful were the slot car forums & web sites, namely Slot Car Illustrated, Slot Forum and Auslot. If you haven't looked at these sites, give them the once over. The news, hints and tips are invaluable to anyone at least half interested in 1/32 slot racing.

Anyhow, just to give you an indication on some of the plastic track designs I came up with, check out the images below (click on them to view a larger image) These designs are for Scalex Sport track. If you want more info, please send me a note via the Contact SCR page:

Then came a revelation. I was wondering through my local shopping center, where I saw a flyer for a small group of 1/32 slotters, who raced on MDF routed tracks, the group being South City Raceways. I wrote down the number, gave them a call, gave the racing a shot and became hooked.

There was no way I was going to build a Plastic track.....

COMING SOON - PART 2