Now with Video: Building a Track That'll Fit in My Closet
Back in November I posted a question, "What to do if there's no space for a permanent track". The responses where helpful and focused my mind on a track solution that works in our house. The solution was HINGES!
We love straight drag races, so what we need is a sturdy starting gate and drop that can be re-used again and again. I determined it could be done by attaching some spare wood we have together with a couple of $2 hinges Home Depot. Below you'll see what it looks like at first.
I like it. My daughter, AB, promised to use tape, skickers, and paint to make it pretty.
Next step is to build a starting gate. I've build three out of cardboard, so this is the first one built with wood. The gate can be removed for easy storage. Looking forward to posting some test runs on Youtube in the coming days.
Thanks again for responses to my previous post. Nice to have a supportive community.
UPDATE: Today we recorded some video of the new starting gate. It needs some decoration and love, but it is ready for use in a few drag race tournaments.
Discussion
I enjoyed the video of your track and starting gate solution. I'll try it on the track I want to make for my grandson. Portability is very desirable where space is at a premium! Keep up the good work!
- Welcome. Part of the fun will be painting it with my kids. Really looking forward to doing that with them. — AB_IB_Racing
Love that start gate. Gravity is the best friend to a start gate. You use it for yours, I use it for mine and I've seen some others use it for theirs. A little bit of ingenuity, a little bit of Gravity and BAM! a start gate. Great work guys. Finally gonna sub now.
- Thanks! When we tested it at lower angles (10, 15 degrees) the gate needed some help. But above 30 it swings freely (after the application of some grease.) — AB_IB_Racing
Nice. Hinges do make things swing along at a nice fast pace. Ha ha.