Anyone using standard orange track for a large dragstrip?

shadowracer Wednesday, 5/15/2013

Hello all.

I've been planning and assembling the stuff to make a 4 lane dragstrip out of some thin smooth wood and some pvc strips for lane dividers. The intent is to have a track that I can set up at my church and other odd events, so it has to break down for transport.

Anyway, in the Toys R us the other day, I came across some standard orange track, 99 cents per strip, and i was curious if anyone has used this regular sectional track for a large portable strip. I know it can be had in 50 foot rolls, but honestly, with shipping etc, the sectional is more cost effective for me. (only thing I don't understand is the oddball length for these track pieces...i thought they were 2 feet but when I got home and measured it was more like 20 and 3/4 inch)

Long story short, I was happy to find the track pieces, as it works out cheaper than anything decent that I couold build myself...but I was wondering if there are any pitfalls involved in using sectional on a large portable strip.


Discussion

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model40fan 5/15/13

go shadow go !... I think the less than 24" has more to do with shelf spacing at stores than hot wheels wanting to sell more connectors...
xxx mart wouldn't carry the [racing experts / drag tracks], because of it's size they could fit a lot more different items on the same shelf, gaining a higher profit per square inch of shelf space...so they told the owner...

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Nightstalker 5/15/13

Yepper! Both my Drag Strips and the soon to come "Gauntlet" are and will be sectional. I did measure the sections while constructing the tracks to make sure both lanes are as close to being exact as I could make them. There is a difference in lengths, not much but enough to blame loosing a close race because of. Yes! they are exactly the same. There is no faster lane as long as the track is level (note the level on the foot in the pic). "The Jersey Shore Dragway" is set up 24/7 so it does not change much.
Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox
"The Majestic Dragway" will vary if I cannot set it up in a somewhat level area. I do my best.
Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox
And "The Gauntlet" will be set up as used. A one lane "Pikes Peak" type of best time race course. Yes I will run at least one of these competitions this summer.
Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox

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shadowracer 5/15/13

Yepper! Both my Drag Strips and the soon to come "Gauntlet" are and will be sectional. I did measure the sections while constructing the tracks to make sure both lanes are as close to being exact as I could make them. There is a difference in lengths, not much but enough to blame loosing a close race because of. Yes! they are exactly the same.

When you break it down and take it somewhere, do you assemble and de-assemble the track strips piece by piece, or do you just roll up each lane?

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Preacher 5/15/13

Hey Shadowracer, I'm currently doing the same thing at our church...been doing it for over a year now. We started off with sectional track pieces, but move on to the seamless track, and yes I had to pay a little extra to get it...but personally I think its worth the money. The sectional track, depending on the batch you get can vary in thickness, and effect the way the connectors slide into them. Some HW cars will have a tendency of catching on the sections where the track pieces together, causing wrecks, or slowing a car down and not winning the race. So I built an aluminum track that holds the track in place, not allowing it to shift or move around and keeping it as straight as possible. Do a search for ( Track Build for Dummies) and it explains how it came together. Right now I have 5 pieces that I put together, and it takes me about 15 minutes to set everything up. The track is 32 feet, with a 7.7 ft ramp, and 25 ft of straight away for the cars to battle it out on. We opened this up to our community, and its been great to see the number of people coming out to the races...and some are even coming to church now. There is lots of good information here, and the most important thing is getting something that will work for you...and ultimately have a good time. Hope this helps.

Preacher

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Nightstalker 5/15/13

When you break it down and take it somewhere, do you assemble and de-assemble the track strips piece by piece, or do you just roll up each lane?


I only remove the track pieces connecting the sections, They are numbered & lettered for the correct placement. The sections are held down to the 1x6's with the thinner Velcro, it fits perfect between the ribs on the track underside.

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redlinederby 5/15/13
Site manager

The Redline Derby track has been anywhere between 20 and 25 feet and I've always used sections, the same TRU segments you mentioned. I've had good luck with them. Sure, a roll eliminates the seams but I think a roll might be more trouble to manage and store and keep flat. Segments are easy to store and I don't have to worry much about them getting bent or warped.

I haven't done the money math but I also figure that cost savings between a roll and segments would be negligible so I just go wi th what's readily available, that being the segmented track.

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model40fan 5/16/13

the advantage I see with sections is that you can carry everything you need in a $5.00 flee market suitcase....
does get some funny looks bringing your suitcase to the "gridiron sports pub" !

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Nightstalker 5/16/13

the advantage I see with sections is that you can carry everything you need in a $5.00 flee market suitcase....
does get some funny looks bringing your suitcase to the "gridiron sports pub" !

Until you are set up and running some test runs. Then you have their attention.

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