Build Journal: Rattlesnake Ridge Raceway
Over Christmas break I was on YouTube with my grandson and came across a dicast racing video from EP Diecast Racing and was blown away. I spent the next 3 hours watching more diecast racing videos from EP Diecast Racing, 3Dbotmaker, Bay City Diecast Racing, XR Diecast Racing.......well you get the point. My son and I already had a YouTube Channel where we build dioramas and customize toys. After a very short conversation we decided that we were going to build a diecast race track and dive head first into diecast racing.
First thing we needed to decide on what what kind of track to build? We came up with a track plan for a road coaurse but wanted to keep the track contained within a 4'x8' footprint. The orignal plan would have appx. 50lf of track. The 4'x8' footprint would allow for it to be portable and allow for storage without taking up a massive amount of space. This was the start of the puzzle that would become the Rattlesnake Ridge Raceway........................................
We quickly learned that some re-engineering was going to need to take place.
Discussion
Nice wip you got going there. I like the extra-twisty curves.
One suggestion: put it on wheels. That way you can shove it out of the way, pull it out from the wall to get behind it if need be, and so on, without it becoming a permanent fixture.
- That is a great idea. We ended up shrinking the footprint a little bit to make it more manageable. — KitBashers_SpeedShop
- You can get a couple of furniture mover dollies from Harbor Freight and put one under each end, That way, you can maneuver it like a couch. — SpyDude
We quickly decided that 4'x8' was a little to big and decided to shrink the footprint to 3.5'x 6.5'. Now it can easily sit on a folding table without issue. It is still portable and we decided to make the height on the raceway 32" tall to fit through most entry doors when turned on its side. The starting gate and crossover are removable and add an additional 14" of height when installed bringing the overall height when the raceway is fully assembled to 46". All of the terrain scenery is being made from foam insulation board and spray foam to fill the gaps. This will allow for a little movement when the raceway is being transported keeping things nice and light and hopefully the foam will have a little give to it when the raceway is being moved and help prevent damage to the terrain scenery. We also added a storage area in the back of the raceway to stored the crossover and starting gate when the raceway is being transported or stored.
- Looks great so far! — JBlotner42
- Coming along very nicely! — Zamak_Speed_Shop
- Thanks Guys! — KitBashers_SpeedShop
- This photo with the unformed expanding foam makes me weirdly happy, more so compared to the fleshed out scenery — Chris_Hood
We have been working on the raceway for appx. one month now. I am just loading up photos that I have taken over that time to show progress. We just finished up with the base scenery color. We are trying to reasonably match the AI rendition of the raceway. I will try to stay up to date with progress on the raceway. Thanks for the support.... We are having a BLAST!!!!!
- That's looking great for having such a small footprint! — ManiacMotorsports
- Thanks I am excited to see it come together. We are hoping to post some video of some cars racing as we dial everything in this weekend. — KitBashers_SpeedShop
- WOW, this is one sweet track you and your Grandson will enjoy for a long time... — Desert_Rat_Racing
- These Sizzler turns with their high banks, they'll need FAST cars. How's your test filming coming along? — Chris_Hood
- We are getting things pretty dialed in with 9 out of every 10 cars getting to the finish line. Fingers crossed. — KitBashers_SpeedShop
So over the weekend we were able to get the initial paint and scenery work completed. We started to dial in the track making small adjustments as needed to keep more cars on the track. Here are some pics of the initial racing performed Sunday evening.
Here are a few more pics to show the overall work completed on the raceway to date.
Lots more details to add but we have a functional track completed. I will try to post more photos as work continues.
- Some folks see only trees; I see dollar signs, based that one visit to Hobby Lobby and what THEY wanted just for a small package!! — Chris_Hood
THIS!!! Awesome! Creating, building, re-building, imaginations at work. It's great to see the build progressing. Looks like it will be great fun and will inspire your next one!
SWEET!! Love the scenery! I hope I can race there!
- Thanks! We are hoping to host a race maybe this fall. This is all new to us, we are super excited to be jumping into this community. — KitBashers_SpeedShop
For as small a footprint as you have, that's a sweet little track with a lot of action. Well done.
- Thanks. We should have some race footage up on our YouTube channel by the end of March. — KitBashers_SpeedShop
that is amazing, as said, for the footprint,
also quality of build. very well done.
dr
- Thanks! Hope to have some footage of cars running up on our YouTube channel soon. — KitBashers_SpeedShop
A lot to praise here, from how much you got squeezed in to the build footprint to the track name & logo. I always like it when a host names specific portions of the course, many snake-themed ways to go and lean into what you're building with that added personality and home-grown lore
Before you get to actual filming, I'd suggest getting a good amount of test clips under your belt, get a solid feel for how fast you'll have to be in your tracking shots. Also, the very top could use a backdrop attached to the frame, helps maintain the illusion if you follow. Best of luck, keep those updates coming
- Appreciate the feedback. We are working on some removable backdrop pieces that can be stored within the back of the raceway when not in use. — KitBashers_SpeedShop
Here is a link to our YouTube page to see some testing on the track.
Welcome to RedlineDerby newcomers and that's a great looking track in progress!
Dutch