Dragtracks - Smittsburg International Dragway
This Dragtracks set was originally modified by our very own Smitty from Sloppy Jalopies Garage. The modifications allow you to use Hot Wheels segment track pieces, between the Dragtracks starting gate and finish line. I have decided to keep the Smittsburg International Dragway stickers on the grand stands to honor his track building skills.
Here is the original track joiner design for the Dragtrack set.
And the modification Smitty made at each end to allow the Hot Wheels segment track to be used. Effectively recreating the joiner tabs used for Hot Wheels track.
In the initial set up and testing I found a "speed bump" at the finish line end of the track where the Hot Wheels segment track joined up to the Dragtracks track piece. Not consistently but occasionally sending a test car off the track. My fix was to use duct tape to raise the Hot Wheels track bed height to match the Dragtracks piece. I placed a small square next to the edge, then a longer piece over it, and then an even longer piece over that. This was enough to match the Dragtracks bed height and give a smooth transition onto the final run to the finish line. (I wasn't to careful with the tape as it would not show once the track pieces were joined together. And the top piece will have to be replaced every now and then anyway. You can see in the photo below it rips and ripples each time you join up up the track pieces.
My future plans are to add a sound switch (done), re-install the on/off switch (the original switch wasnt worth reinstalling - so I am staying with the wall switch device) and the 1/2 player switch functions (done). And test out a Smitty designed HW track transition piece.
Discussion
Thanks to 'big mike' then as well!
If you decide to use Hot Wheels track pieces to expand your own Dragtrack set - here is a thread on getting the most out of your track pieces.
http://www.redlinederby.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1617&p=25847#p25847
nothing wrong with the incredible smitty mistake saver, duct tape...
but, what about glueing a strip of milk jug to the tabs ? [flexible glue]. j.b.rivet style...
you could taper them, wider towards the D T track...
the narrower section won't hang up as much when pushed in and out...
On the Jegs website, what is the difference between the $112 set and the $84 set?
I think it is the color, and the 4 included cars... both sets add reaction & elapsed times and have 1 or 2 player option...
buy the AC converter if it is still on sale...$9 instead of $19...
On the Jegs website, what is the difference between the $112 set and the $84 set?
There is also a difference in the Christmas tree functions.
The one I have is an earlier version (blue plastic)and is similar (or the same as) the current $84 dollar version. I think it is called the "Sportsman".
Both staging lights come on at the same time. Then the yellow lights come on in descending order. Then the green. I understand from others the timing is off between the light sequence and is not consistent with a real Christmas tree timing.
The Pro series (red plastic) I believe can be changed to be where all three yellow lights come on at the same time and then the green. Not sure of the timing realism for this set up compared to a real Christmas tree.
I think the track color is also different between the sets.
Correct me if I got it wrong or left out other details...
. j.b.rivet style...
you could taper them, wider towards the D T track...
the narrower section won't hang up as much when pushed in and out...
That would indeed be a more durable way to do it and depending on the thickness of your local milk jugs - could be built up like the duct tape to make a gradual stepped incline. You could also use the plastic from blister packs or any other plastic piece to make your stepped transition.
one of our league racers "big mike" made those Smittsburg" stickers when he was in central me. tech...'08 or '09.
Smitty are YOU "big Mike"?
nope 5'7"... big mike is real big, 5x tees... moved on to other hobbies
Sound!
I drilled a hole in the right hand track side of the grand stands - next to the track ramp to add on a SP/ST - One/Off type switch for the built in sound effects. The sound still works great! Not as loud as I expected it to be based on others comments, but I think the kids and even some adults will get a kick out of the staging and track run sounds it makes. And it can be disabled for those late night testing sessions!
Low and slow test set up.
Found some PVC pipe pieces to make a set of shorty legs for the planned table top set up. Although both legs are the same length the grand stands leaned a little to the right - so a temporary support block was put in place.
The red things under the grand stands are the hand held release buttons Smitty made from automotive starter buttons (replaces the foot pedals.)
The wiring sticking out the at the back of the grandstand base is the 1/2 player switch wires. I pulled them out for a temporary bypass. The original switches are on their way here with the new transition piece that Smitty has sent for further testing. When the circuit is open (off) the set runs in the two player mode. Close the circuit (on) it switches to the single player mode. I was surprised that either release button worked to reset stage or release the cars. I thought for sure that only one starter button/foot pedal would have functioned in the one player mode.
Contact solution box is temporarily supporting the transition for now!
Here is a test view for the video camera set up.
one of our league racers "big mike" made those Smittsburg" stickers when he was in central me. tech...'08 or '09.