Building the official 3DBotMaker Test Track

3DBotMaker Monday, 2/12/2018

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I finally decided to make a real race track to test new products and for filming. I was inspired by LeageofSpeed’s Bootleg Run Track. Those curves really add to the action, which lead to my first problem, finding 2-lane curve tracks. Vintage pieces on eBay were limited and pretty expensive, so I designed my own.



The frame for the track is made with 2x3’s. The 3DBotMaker 2-Lane Start Gate and 2-Lane Connectors both feature screw holes which came in very handy for mounting everything to the wood. I discovered that mounting a connector at the top and bottom of the transition works great to support the track.


I added some panels to the wood and created a backdrop to make everything clean. Just need to add a finish gate.




Discussion

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3D....I'm honored my man, truly!!! Bootleg Run is a fun track with a nasty side as well. 

...once again truly an honor to be an inspiration for your build!!!

I look forward to following the action forthcoming!!!

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Rusty 2/12/18

Great looking set up.You know we have to ask..Will you be selling those 2 lane curves??


  • Yes. They're currently in the test phase but I'll let you know when I start selling them. — 3DBotMaker
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redlinederby 2/12/18
Site manager

Dude! I want those connectors with the screw holes! Are you selling those too? Although I think I have a 4-lane connector from stuff you sent me before...hmmmm...

What is the black siding you're using? Looks like the foam rug puzzle pieces from a kids room, just painted black.

And for what it's worth Max Traxxx sells 180-degree, 2-lane curves. Not as nice as what it looks like yours are but there is a retail option out there.

Love the frame work you made too...now you're getting me thinking if I have an extra corner where I can do something similar. Having a road course would be a lot of fun. What are dimensions of the space that takes up? Looks like maybe 8-feet wide but 3-feet deep, or close...

All in all, more great stuff from 3BM. I'm gonna go visit your store and see what's new. Thanks for posting and keeping the racing community in mind.


  • Yes all the connectors I sell now have screw holes. The black siding is floor mat I picked up at Costco for $12. — 3DBotMaker
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3DBotMaker 2/12/18


Here's my schematic to give you an idea of the size. It's about 8ft by 3ft in floor space.


  • Wow. Nice. I wish I had the discipline to make plans like that. — redlinederby
  • Where is the exact finish line? Is that exactly at the end of the 'end runoff' or already before that? — anonymous968
  • And what is the inner radius and outer radius of the 180 double curves? Since I am building this as a one lane track (due to lack of double line curves) I just want to see how close I can get to them (or use an average) with the single lane curves I got here. — anonymous968
  • I am building this track as a mirrored one-lane track, since I do not have any other track parts available to me. Now I placed sharper 180 turns at the end of both square (well approx.) plateau's, would this be about right to get an estimate for the time? I am using 180s from this pack: https://play.hotwheels.com/en-us/shop/productdetail?id=10001137&ProductName=Hot-Wheels-Track-Builder-Track-Essentials-Curve-Pack&Category=toytype&SubCategory=Accessories&SeoName=accessories — anonymous968
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Mopar_Mafia 2/13/18

I used the 3DBotmaker connectors with the screw holes on Gulf City Dragway. They work great! It is a very nice tool keeping both lanes straight and secure. I recommend then heartily. They slide into the track very snug but not overly tight.

I did have some fitment issues with older thicker classic HW Orange Track (Original 1968 track). It was overly tight and caused some bowing and alignment problems.  I don't think it was a quality issue with 3DBotmakers product, it is very good. I used the slightly thinner newer track (without the blue circles) and it is flawless. Just my 2 cents but you'll love those connectors.

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redlinederby 2/13/18
Site manager

I dug out the 4-lane connector I had from you and it reminded me that my only concern with them was the cross piece because that's the part that actually touches the wood track base. Unless you space the connectors pretty close together, the track can sag in the space between. This might be a bit unique for those of us with seamless track, but it's nonetheless been a thorn in my side since I've built my track and something I'd love to solve.

I don't want to put holes in my track to screw it down but also want the track to lay flat and be less likely to move. I have some ideas and sketches jotted down somewhere if you'd be interested in seeing them. Maybe give you some ideas on something you could 3D print.

Love it...a mini Bootleg Run!!! Bootleg Run takes up some space, but it fits that section of the house so we can get by with it being set up for a day or two...plus it's the rest of the Legion  of Speeds favorite track.


  • From what I see here, am I right to assume the finish line is exactly at the end of the 2" x 3" lumber part that makes the End Runoff? Asking this because hope to finish my one-lane track of this tomorrow. And want to start testing and taking down times at the start of next week. — anonymous968
  • Ehm, just checking, is this Bootleg run the same as the 3D botmaker official track for qualification for KotM? — anonymous968
  • No...that's my track Bootleg Run built in 2017 and was the inspiration for 3D to start building tracks which led to Race Mountain — LeagueofSpeed
  • Thanks, I will then just wait for the reply on 3D on his design. — anonymous968

From this photo, it looks like the track edge/wall sits inside the curve edge...if so, the cars can and will hit that coming out of the curve resulting in wrecks. Also, I had to use the track with the higher track wall exiting the curves, as the lower wall track was not holding the cars as they exited the curves. I don't know if it's true for all road courses, but calibrating Bootleg Run was one of the biggest challenges I faced.



  • These curves are definitely still in the prototyping phase. Any idea of the elevation angle on the HW curves? — 3DBotMaker

Here you can see the track is flush with the top of Widow Maker as the cars enter (right), and the track walls are higher as they exit Widow Maker (left)...this was a must on Bootleg Run in order for the cars to stay on the track.



  • Also, this view is why I really want a GoPro for Bootleg Run — LeagueofSpeed
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Mopar_Mafia 2/13/18

@ redlinederby. I have not experienced any sagging, bulging or ramping with this on the 2 lane track. These connectors are right and tight. I am using them on each track connection. I did have trouble getting them to work on the older thicker track but not with the thinner seemless. Hope this helps


  • I'm gonna play with it again. It's tough on a seamless track regardless. It is a thicker plastic too. — redlinederby
  • It will bow in some where the track is connected, but it's still much better than a seam and uneven track walls — LeagueofSpeed
  • maybe it had something to do with cy gluing the track together and sanding the joints smooth.... — Mopar_Mafia

@ 3D...I'll take some measurements and post some pics...they are more vertical than your prototype for sure. Also, I don't use the center sections of the curves, as it makes them 210 instead of 180...they were included with the set's back in the day incase a figure 8 was desired instead of an oval. I'd need it back eventually, but I could send you the actual piece so you'd have it in hand if you like...just PM me your address, as it would be the dead center of a 210 curve...but would give you some hard data.

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sub4ra 2/14/18

Wow I could use the red banked curve for racing on my YouTube channel!  I live in Modesto, if memory serves me correctly don't you live close to me?


  • Yes I live close. The curves are still in prototype. — 3DBotMaker
  • What’s you’re YouTube channel? — 3DBotMaker
  • Same as my user name here, sub4ra — sub4ra
  • I race scale quarter mile and starting my second season of NASCAR. I'm also doing a mail in season, so two leagues of nascar. — sub4ra
  • I've had my eyes on the lane mergers and starting gate for awhile. And now the curves! — sub4ra

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