Setting it in stone… Midwest Raceway Track Build
During the week I had high expectations to finish the temporary track set up. The plan was to begin test runs to ensure the cars maintain speed down the track. While placing the first straight way section, it became evident that the track had different plans and it became to difficult ???? Never-the-less, my son and regained our composure, after enjoying cherry ???? slushes.
I extended the bracing to support three track sections that were not fitting together very well. There is a picture below. We also observed the cars seemed to be rabbit hopping in a few sections of the curves. Once we identified the cause we used small chunks to raise the lanes for a smoother transition from one section to the next. It worked wonderfully!
So, although we did not accomplish the week's expectations. We made progress by making riser permanent and leveling. 
Discussion
Test a variety of cars, too! Test with popular successful castings as well as outliers that may be too wide (90 Audi Quattro) or too low slung (Caddy GTP Hypercar) so that you get a better feel for the cars that will not work at all. Finding out now means that it won't be mail-in racers being your beta testers, unless you specifically ask for custom builds of different weights to test with prior to racing in earnest
Good luck, nice to hear about so much progress!
- good point. Keep a list of "don't work" cars would help builder choices as a starting point.t — dr_dodge
- Thanks for the insight. My son and I have run over 40 cars, different styles, sizes, and shapes. From low riders to Uhaul trucks. I'll definitely make a list of "don't work" cars. — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
Added permanent bracing and added the last two sections of the track. Bracing will be added for for last two sections after testing.
What should look for and/or listen for when testing? My son and I ran several cars and made adjustments based on slow speeds, fishtailing, and cars spinning out. 
- looking good — dr_dodge
- Beautiful layout. I’m still learning straights but I imagine you need some speed going into the 180’s. — alva1370
- Based on what i have seen on my own track it helps to have the turns level front to back but with a slight down slope twards the exit side of the turn. — JBlotner42
- Thanks! — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
- Nice layout — CutRock_R_Marc_D
- Thanks Cutrock. We posted a video testing a few non modified cars. It’s on the thread called Test and Tune. — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
While waiting for a section of track, we are working on diorama attractions. In Nebraska an artist used 39 cars to make Carhedge. We will have a tribute to it on our track. 
- Looking forward to running on this track someday. — Dutch_Clutch_Racing
- I’m asking for test cars. Might be a good opportunity to get an early feel for the track :) — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
- looks good so far — dr_dodge
- "Carhedge," I love it!! Making use of Adventure Force & Metal Machines in there, I see — Chris_Hood
- What are you looking for to test? Anything in particular....weight...car or truck? Message me on Redline Derby your address. — Dutch_Clutch_Racing
- Dutch_Clutch_Racing, I made a new thread called "Cars for Testing". I include the weight request and a few other details. Truck do well, so far. — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
- Chris_Hood, excellent eye.... Yes, the Adventure force are reasonable and the Metal Machines are the ones that didn't run down our track. We are including two crushed Hot Wheels, just for the heck of it. — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
After a few weeks of testing and making adjustments. We have settled on a permanent setup for the track. Thanks to Chase Family Racing, Dr. Dodge, Zizzer, Alva, Conman, JBlotner, and AbbyNormal for sending in cars for my son and I to finalize our track design.
The adjustments we made include decreasing the raising the the first open curve. This involved us decreasing the angle of the first open straight track lane. Doing this slowed the cars down a bit and leveled out the entry in to the curve. The exit of the curve remains below the entry. This allows the cars to exit more smoothly while gaining speed. In our testing and tuning video, you will notice the cars hit the exit violently, causing them to ride the curb, fishtail, or spin out.
We were pleased with the last curve,for the most part all the cars entered and exited smoothly. From the exit, cars would race down the angled straight away to the finish line. We decreased the angle of the last straight way to test a cars ability to maintain speed and cross the finish line strong. Doing this also gives us the opportunity to do a run out allowing the drivers to slow down after crossing the finish line.
Please leave your thoughts and comments on our changes. Do you think our observations are correct? Do you think the adjustments will work or flop? What were your observations when you watched our video?
- It looks good to me! Looking forward to seeing on it! — ManiacMotorsports
- Awesome track, keep at it. — alva1370
- Thanks! — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
- Looking good! — JBlotner42
- I loove the adjustable brackets! — dr_dodge
- The adjustable brackets saved me from many grey hairs. The minor tweaks have helped us dial this track in. — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
Track looks great. Excited to see some cars racing down the track.
- What is really impressive, Steve, is that Grave Digger runs down it better than Thunder Girl now. I'll capture some video after I button everything down. — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
Here is a snap shot of the bridge in its permanent place. We will do some touch up paint amd add lights in the coming weeks.
Check out the channel for a Short featuring the final test runs with the bridge in place,
youtube.com/shorts/KIoYNEbY8Qc?feature=share
- love it! — dr_dodge
- Looking very nice! — ManiacMotorsports
- Looking great ! — CutRock_R_Marc_D
- Thank you! — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
This week, I've been working on some finishing touches and camera placement. I adjusted the slope of the track out of the start gate. I wasn't pleased with it. Seems to be better now. Below are placement ideas for couple of camera to help capture action, and provide variation in the videos. I hope to do some video this weekend to test the postion and location of the cameras.
Start Gate
Facing the first open curve (cars heading towards)
Facing the second open curve (Cars going away)
- Sweet! Can't wait to race! — Zizzer_Prime
- nice — dr_dodge
- Nice cans! Hope they capture the action we'll! — ManiacMotorsports
Awesome awesome work and planning. Looking forward to seeing some action videos and racing.
Didn't get as much done today as planned. Yard work and taking down Halloween decorations took much longer than expected. Put up divider panels for videos. Used black out sheets, I used for a few photo shoots last year.
- You are making great progress! Someday I want to have a track. — johnson9195
- lookin' good! — dr_dodge
- I hope it happens for you. I’ve had so much fun planning and building with my son. Watching him and his friends racing cars has been fulfilling. The video and photography have been fun new skill challenges. — Midwest_Diecast_Raceway
- Looking good! — ManiacMotorsports
Looks incredible! Very smooth transitions. I haven't started the build, hopefully I will figure out where we will be moving to first. Then the grand kids can help, it sounds like a great time with your son. Keep posting.
Can we get a list of favorite curse words or sentences or new curse words, while building a track? There's a forum I'd like to see. It actually worries me that I'm over thinking mine. I read these nightmare stories I'm expecting a stephen king track.
take your time and work it it
working with your kid, troubleshooting is an important thing, too
enjoy
dr