How would you build an open track?

redlinederby Monday, 8/31/2015
Site manager

With all the great action going on in the HW World Race, my eyes have been opened to the fun competition that an open track can create.

I know there are any countless ways to make an open track, and with varying materials. It looks like the Sizzlers black track is a good open (and clean) whereas I know DCR uses slot car tracks. And one guy even just took some metal to bang out his own...no "track" needed.

So, if someone was looking to build an open track, what would you suggest?

Please share your experiences, successes and frustrations. Your ideas might inspire some more open track builds for everyone to enjoy. I know I'm investigating a build...


Discussion

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Stroller 8/31/15

Coincidentally, I made the lower part of my relay track into an open track today.  Even though it is only about 16 feet long and more or less straight.  It does sometimes have some paint swapping and tag and go passing.  A word of warning do not make the railings using white pvc pipe. Even though it may seem smooth it is not to HW cars they touch it and are immediately slowed or stopped.  Weird huh?....Stroller

I'm in the middle of building an open track.  Just straight at this point.  Using MDF as it's nice and smooth and flexible.  To start with going to have a raw MDF racing surface but may cover in polyethylene sheets if it's not slick enough.  I'd considered painting and clear coating but the immense amount of sanding to keep it smooth causes me to reconsider.  Unless perfectly smooth, the racing is loud...and even totally smooth still louder, in an annoying way, than raw MDF.  Hopefully will have some build pics up next weekend.

Unless you're using an off the shelf solution like Sizzler track, getting the cars to turn is the big challenge.  Really there are two normal options and one "new" idea that still has challenges.

One option, like DCR, is to simply use a wall to turn the cars.  This doesn't work so well with multi car races as everybody simply slams into each other at every turn.

The better option is a Sizzler type turn.  Unfortunately those curves are parabolic, the track progressively curves from top to bottom and curves from front to back around the turn.  It's physically impossible to make a flat surface bend like that, you have to form it in the shape you want.  Anyone have access to an injection moulding machine?  Even if you do, need a mold and by that point, just buy Sizzler.  



  • BTW you do need the parabola shape to turn the car...without it, you just end up with a weird ramp launching rather than turning the cars. — MoHasAFastCar
  • I have the casa cristo set that has a slick corner portion using thin plastic sheet to "drift" the car. Has anyone tried using shapelock? — JohnK

I have't given up on that yet because you can sculpt the turn.  Thin wood or plastic sheets cut into a bunch of sections can get you close to the desired shape...but it will be bumpy.  At that point the sculpting begins, cover it with something...Bondo, plaster, joint compound...and the sand into final shape.

Boiled PVC pipes can be deformed.  It's another possibility that just occurs to me today.

Lots of work.  Anyone got a better idea?

The final solution is the drifting turn.  Watch the you tube videos on it.  Cars turn on a flat surface.  However, requires using a wall to start the slide which is a challenge in a multi car race.  There might be a way to accomplish this with a steep slope down and to the side...but even if that works it requires a surface to bend in two ways, which isn't possible without forming it that way...same problem as a normal turn.  Also, all videos are at really low speed.  Might take a lot of space at a decent speed.

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fordman 8/31/15

try piece of lazy suzy with formed lip -[outer flange] 

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Mcjiggles9 9/1/15

Bryan, ever since I saw diecastracerx's open track series on youtube, ive been inventing my own tracks. I started by trying to recreate his with slot car track but found them two narrow and the turns to be exceedingly challenging to construct.

These two clips inspired me years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYZVdfYG4aE  

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H37Sc4AxEiY&index=9&list=FLfBKePVc0NBnGm--NzgY5_g

You know ive started to work with the sizzler track which i prefer due to how wide it is, and of how large the pieces are. As someone mentioned there are only 180 degree turns, but it seems CCRider has already managed to turn them into 90 degrees.

Ive found that the best open tracks just need to be tested and tuned accordingly. I would run test run after test runs to find the perfect set up. 

If you watch CCRiders recently posted Thunder Road video youll notice his setup is very steep, which leads to some very QUICK racing, but if they stay on the track, all cars pretty much finish the race. Ive set mine up at lower angles which often leads to on track DNFs


  • I remember seeing that top video a long time ago too...forgot about that — redlinederby

Seriously, I may never host again...  CCRider, McJiggles, Cliford Shaw, and others have raised the bar so high I can barely see it. This includes video production, and track builds... truly great stuff!!!

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redlinederby 9/1/15
Site manager

Hmmm...I was wondering about cardboard too. Cheap, readily available and very workable. I know it wouldn't be that smooth, per se, but does it have to be? Not necessarily. I think the traits of the track are just that, and people can account for them when building. The only thing is the corners and curves...but you could probably take some thinner cardboard and make something that would be passable.

Maybe a cardboard base with some sort of material on top of it, like linoleum or something smoother...hmmmmm

I think the Sizzler track looks awesome but probably more expensive overall since it's not in retail anymore. Something like cardboard might be a good way to get in an try it before investing. I don't even know if I really have the room for an open track (a short track, if any). 

Great ideas, fellas...inspiring with some great stories.


  • cardboard, lined with poster board maybe? — CrzyTrkrDude
  • and use a slightly bent yardstick that's been soaked in water lined with poster board for a ( graceful slick curve) to" follow " — CrzyTrkrDude
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Rusty 9/3/15

Been following these different Track builds with interest..

Set up a temporary one with orange track to fat track.

Man these cars shag down the track and thru the curves..

Had 90 and 180 degree fat track curves..

I didn't realize how slow the slow mode was in the videos..

Lots of fun..

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Skuxmobile 9/5/15

We use coreflute to make our tracks (real estate signs or perhaps science fair boards); most real estate agents in New Zealand have tonnes of the stuff that would otherwise end in a skip bin. Construction is very simple, I use a pocket knife to cut through a single layer of the coreflute, bend it back to make a track wall. After repeating this on the other side ensuring a good track width,the walls are prevented from bending down again using sticky tape, ensuring walls bend slightly outwards to reduce friction and are high enough so cars pass beneath the tape without snagging. Sections can be slotted into each other fairly easily with a bit of bending. The track needs support from beneath, planks of wood and poles achieve this.

Coreflute is ideal as it is lower friction than cardboard, so a lesser gradient is needed for cars to reliably get down the hill, allowing for longer tracks. I used to make tracks with planks of wood, but with coreflute, the track can be folded flat for storage, and it's lightweight construction prevents breakages when the track is collapses(a tradition we have is to let the cars destroy the track after the tournament is finished).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpbMJJm_G_M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsFUL2bFVng

The racing isn't as good as what I've seen in HW World Race or DCR; having a short laned section at the start of the track seems to set up better races, as is keeping the track narrow. Corners are also difficult, I wish sizzler track was available in NZ. Also, you'll probably realise the racing is 99% luck based, we've had some pretty terrible cars win the no lane track. We do other tracks in our tournaments that require car selection, this track mixes up the tournament, letting everyone have a chance at winning something and hopefully preventing someone dominating the entire tournament. We do get great crashes however, attract curiosity from the neighbors and certainly have a laugh.

Shout out to everyone who posts really innovative stuff on this site, it has been a major source of inspiration for us in organizing our TDS tournaments.


  • Cool idea on the coreflute .Cheap and looks to work great..Cool videos too.. — Rusty
  • That is crazy! Great to see the enthusiasm and creativity. Keep at it — Traction-Event
  • Totally looking whre to buy coreflute right now, thanks for sharing! — redlinederby
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