First turn in a tack: Two lanes, or open?
Hi there everyone! I am building my first track - you guys have really inspired me, thank you!
I wondered what 'best practice' is for the first turn in a track? I know that the spirit of building is just testing it out - but I see that there is some success in a certain formula. For example, most videos I have watched have two lanes in their first turn, after the straight from the gate.
Is this because it keeps cars straight as they build speed? Has anyone got experience with an open track furst turn, such as 90 degree Crash Circuit turn?
Truth is, I only have Crash Circuit, and wasn't sure if I needed to source a two-lane turn before I build.
Would love to know your thoughts!
Thanks - Joe
Discussion
The orange track is like the "barrel" of a rifle. get the bullet/car moving straight with some inertia, then let them go
My Jamestown bypass, made to simulate the hiway around the "backside of town" (my HO train set) uses cheap orange, into some short crash track, and then onto the back of flooring material, which is all level.
The launch, then hump, then curve at the beginning is designed to slow fast cars for the corner, and stop slow cars before the corner.
this makes sorting good potential cars easy,
I have a bunch of vids in the thread, you can see it progress
www.redlinederby.com/topic/jamestown-gets-a-beltway-bypass/5558
Welcome, and good luck!
dr
- Thank you very much! Really appreciate the advice. — RacerJoe_UK
- I guess I am asking if the first 90 degree turn should have two lanes or be open? I can see you have a two-lane turn in your photos — RacerJoe_UK
- that is correct — dr_dodge
There are benefits to both ways. The open track first curve tend to run more fair in my opinion, If they are divided lanes you either need two that are opposite so each car gets an inside lane or some sort of cross over turn to negate the inside lane advantage. The longer the divided section one slow car can really Stifle a fast car. In 4 lap races where every point matters that can be frustrating.
- Check out Ricks diecast racing for a good example.of what all open track start can look like. — Milestone_Racing
- https://youtube.com/@ricksdiecastracing?si=JklsVxSBpYX9T8ar — Milestone_Racing
- Thank you so much for your guidance. Really appreciate it. I'll check out the video! — RacerJoe_UK
- kinda like real racing! — Stoopid_Fish_Racing
- I think the important thing to remember is that open track racing is often a drag race to the end of the single lane section. I bet 7 out of 10 times. Whoever is first at that point ends up winning the lap so as a builder that is the thing I look for most when trying to decide which tracks I like to race on or not. I think the best track lay outs run even to that point. After that it's anybody's ball game but If you're first at that point, you've got a pretty good shot. — Milestone_Racing
- I agree that open tracks are quite fun because I love seeing overtakes. It’s for this reason why I like Rick’s track. Can’t wait to see my cars go down it in Custom Carnage!! — ConMan_Customs
- Also good point on slow cars really screwing over fast cars starting in the back… I’ve seen too many good cars get unfair DNFs since the car in front of them is a stinker — ConMan_Customs
"If they are divided lanes you either need two that are opposite so each car gets an inside lane or some sort of cross over turn to negate the inside lane advantage"
That's the way I have my track set up. I have the turns stacked on each other to save room. The cars come down a 12' stretch into a 180, 10' through the crossover, another 10' two lane 180 and into the crash racers track. When it's dialed in, it's a fast track. The cars seem to accelerate out of the turns. If I can keep the cars from flying off during the crossover, it's a real fun track.
- That's a cool setup — JBlotner42
- Very cool track! Really appreciate the feedback, thank you. — RacerJoe_UK
I have 10' of divided track and two open Crash Racers before the first turn, Idea is to have Seperated lanes to build speed without banging. then open and come what may.