Mobile Road Course in the works
Trying something a little different - how about a completely mobile, downhill, dual-lane, road course style track setup? When I say mobile I mean the entire track can literally be transported as a single, ready-to-race assembly - basically roll it off a trailer into a location, plug in a timing system, throw a couple cars on the start and send 'em.
Well today I was able to begin working on the track build using the 8'x4' track kit orderd from Spool Heads. I'm not really big on open track racing so my setup includes dual lanes for the entire length, with no open track or jump. Since it's intended for mobile use the 3D print filament was upgraded to a type that is a little more rigid and heat tolerant than the standard filament.
After digging into the well-packaged boxes and laying things out on a basement table, which isn't big enough to fit the entire track but I was anxious to check out the quality level and how the pieces/parts fit together. I am happy to report that everything is really solid and well made. The pieces are smooth, snap together very well and it feels sturdy just sitting on the table. I didn't notice it at first but all of the pieces have their specs printed on the underside which really helps with fiquring what can work where. With the extensive variety of curve radius, banking, elevation change and straight section options you can create all kinds of configurations. This track is intended to sit on a flat platform, have about 50 inches of total drop and will end up somewhere between 45 to 50 feet in total length. It comes with an electronic start gate and two remote start buttons. Spool Heads is in the process of developing a timing system but it’s not ready yet so I’ll need to adapt another system for now.
The biggest hurdle will be creating a support structure for the track that keeps everything firmly in place on the wheeled platform, looks nice, and allows easy viewing of the entire track. We have a couple ideas for accomplishing that so hopefully, they'll work out.
Thought I'd share a few pics.
Discussion
Our mobile dual-lane road course build is moving along with the 4x10ft wheeled base completed. The initial plan was to go with a metal or aluminum frame but I remembered I had some nice 2x4s left over from our pole barn construction so it’s now a wood frame, which actually worked out nicely. Next up will be making several platforms and slopes for the various turns and downhill portions of the track. Since I’m not sure of the exact heights of the turn platforms I decided to use a shelving unit which will allow testing at different heights. Once i know what platform heights work best everything will be bolted together.
This is almost more fun than mowing the lawn!
- Hey, that car looks a little big for the track ...... — SpyDude
- lol Didn’t even notice the “Hail No” Beetle had photo bombed the pic. — ChiefWopahoo
- Nice. — JBlotner42
Hey, any idea what we're racing on this track?
A little more progress on the mobile track build. Hopefully I'll be testing the layout in the next week or two. 
Got the track to the point where I could start dropping some cars to test the layout. Made several adjustments until the cars could complete their runs w/o getting airborne. Cars slow a little too much on the last two turns so I need improve that portion but so far I'm pretty happy with the flow.
First of all, nicely done! Tracks like this are the key to promoting this hobby.
On the topic of cars slowing in the final turns, it appears that you have a lot of flat corners on that level which is acting like an uphill section and killing momentum. Could you possibly gradually drop the corner exit, maybe just 3"-4", on the 2 final corners?
- Yes, the final two turns being on a flat surface is the problem. I’ll have to get creative but somehow I need to make the track slope from the last banked turn, through the seeeper to the finish. — ChiefWopahoo
- Drop the right side (exit side) one notch on the legs and see how that does. You will need to support the entrance to keep it all down hill slope, but that should be an easy fabrication. — JBlotner42
Getting closer. Built a start ramp to house the start gate and of course give the cars a kick out of the door. The layout seems to be working fairly well so I'm pretty happy with that. I'm finding that what's typically a fast straight track car/casting doesn't necessarily have the same success on the curves. For the most part cars with a low center of gravity, moderate length & width chassis & weights in the 40-60g range are kicking butt on this track. Long wheelbases, heavier weights, skinny, exposed tires and anything protruding on the body sides seem to send them into flight mode. The fastest ones are on the hairy edge the entire run. Pretty fun to watch. I gotta give another shout out to the track products from Spool Heads - I'm still impressed!
Next up is the timing system. I've ordered a Derby Magic 2-lane ET Timer which they'll custom space the sensors to work with the Spool Heads track and I'll have to mount an activation switch to the Spool Heads start gate.
Gotta say - I'm havin some fun putting this one together.
- wow, amazing! — dr_dodge
- Beautiful track, looking forward to seeing it in action. — alva1370
- This is looking so fun! — ToysOnTrack
Videos of a couple test runs. The first half of each video is real time
More track testing. This time it's rush hour over the whumps
Tweaking continues. Amazing what a small difference of the angle of the slopes and/or pitch of the banked turns will do to the track flow and success (or failure) of the cars when it comes to staying on track. It's coming together though.
sorry for the crappy lighting
Another rest run
youtube.com/shorts/Ia1xk9arGzg?si=WanULt8tIq3WPjoh
Thanks dr. There are indeed a lot of options by using shelving racks like this and you’re right, there is still a lot of real estate left for changing things up and adding length if wanted. Having the capability to easily adjust the heights of the platforms and angles of the slopes is a big help when it comes to finding the speed “sweet spot” where cars are fast but stay on track. The slopes are connected to the shelf platforms with piano hinges so I can move them up or down several inches in either direction. Hard to see in the videos but two of the shelves are also tilted to help with the pitch of the turns. Lots of flexibility when it comes to the setup. When happy with the flow using the Spool Heads track system also allows each track piece to be secured down with hidden hardware so nothing moves. Since it’s intended to be mobile for use at events and such, still coming are braces for the ramps, back and side walls, and lighting.
I’m not a much of an artist but I could imagine a diorama scene with a different theme on each level.
Learning a lot and having fun with this build, that’s for sure.
- With that setup you could also go even higher by adding more levels above. That is a super nifty idea. — JBlotner42
- very nice work! Keep us posted. and "basic diorama" panels would be a great solution, as some could be removable to change themes from time to times — dr_dodge
I've thought about the possibility of a mobile, modular track but I've enough projects as it is. Looking forward to your results!