Designing my first track
So I'm a long time lurker. Found the site when I decided to build a track for me and my son. He's really into monster trucks and I've been trying to get him into HW cars. He digs them, but not as much as the monster trucks. So I essentially too over the diecast car hobby. I guess, the track is more for me, haha.
Attached is my rough idea. The start of the green line is the starting line/highest point. I'd like a gradual decline until midway just before Turn 1, it would be drastic for speed obviously. Turns 2 & 3 would be another gradual decline, into the underpass jug handle, the red line, leading to the final straightaway finish. Blue is a river.
My plan is to use folding tables for the main base of the structure (storage space under the tables). I've already started stocking up on the Crash Racers tracks from my local Wally World.
For the scenic design I'd like to do urban industrial ending in a more suburban setting (typical Northern NJ, haha).
Any thoughts or insight would be appreciated.
Discussion
What you have laid out sounds good. Having a plan is half the battle.
Hello, I'm Jason. I built Jungle Falls Raceway. It's a monster track. Orange track start AFCR road course to finish. I've also built multiple side tracks at my complex.(it's just my basement)
Some advice would be lay the track out flat how you have it drawn up. Just to see if track lines up the way you think. AFCR track turns are not perfect 90° or 180° turns. Once you like the layout time for frame work. Do a small section and test cars... do a little more and test cars. Testing cars every 10 feet or so just helps me understand how much Elevation I need to change so cars make it.
Before I keep going and write you a book, I will say good luck. Enjoy the process and if you have any questions or need any random advice I'm willing to help if I can.
Jungle Falls Raceway
First things first: welcome to the madness of diecast racing! Lurker no more!
First question: how much available real estate do you have to build your track? Are you limited to the size of the tables? Imagine that you're making an imaginary box that this whole thing will fit into--how big is that box?
Is the track going to be semi-permanent or temporary? Where is it going? Are you going to have access all around the track in case of emergencies, such as flood or electrical issues? Speaking of access, cars ARE foinf ro dly ecerywhere, so you need to consider access to every inch of the track, whether it is a crawlspace or a pop-up hatch.These are also all things to consider when building a track.
There are obviously other concerns such as lighting and camera angles, but for now, these are starter points you should be thinking about when building a track. (Old school model railroader here, so I have had to do plenty of this stuff already.)
Now, just on your initial setup, my personal take is this:
-While using the folding tables is a good idea for starting off, don't rely on just the tables. It limits your available track space to whatever is on top of the tables. Think outside the box (or in this case, off the table.) Most tracks in here are going literally ceiling to floor, with at least one going up into the attic space!
-Don't be afraid to go grab some pallets for free lumber. Knock them apart, tap out the nails, cut to whatever size you need, and you have almost-free benchwork.
-I see a lot of space on your start/finish table that could be used for more Crash Racers track, extending the length of your track. Alternately, that space COULD be used for a four-lane drag strip / 2-lane monster truck drag strip.
-Don't limit yourself where the river goes if it interferes with the track layout. Putting it up front like that makes the river a focal point. You can always have a meandering river through the scenery.
-I like the way you designed the upper part of the track with all the back-and-forth twists and turns and the 'jug handle.' I personally would be VERY disappointed if you did NOT call that turn "the Jug Handle."
Again, this is just what I'm seeing on the initial look. You can use what I've given you for a starting point, or discard it: ultimately the track design is up to you. Regardless of what you do, the Numero Uno rule is HAVE FUN !!!!
@SpyDude
First Answer:
I'm in the process (very slow process) of clearing out a larger/master bedroom to convert it into my son's playroom/bedroom. We live in a smaller condo so space is a premium. His mom trashed the place prior to being removed, so this process has been extremely long and time consuming. I have to be able to fit this idea and eventually a twin bed for him in there. Right now he sleeps in a toddler bed, or wakes up in the middle of the night and climbs into bed with me, haha.
Second Answer:
Track is going to be semi-permanent. We live on the second floor so I don't forsee any emergencies such as flooding being an issue. I'm extremely mindful of electrical issues, having experienced one house fire in a lifetime is more than enough. The way the track will be laid out in the room will give me access to every inch of the track. I'll figure out the lighting as I start building. As far as camera angles, didnt really give it much thought as this is something for me and my son. That being said, I have a film and television background so if this ever comes up I think I'll be okay. (Famous last words)
Third Answer:
Obviously my go to for this was folding tables as they're cheap and can support the weight. Plus the storage space under the tables is a bonus. I don't plan on my track going floor to ceiling, but construction won't be for a while so who knows what I'll do. I appreciate the insight though, thanks!
Great idea on the pallets, I'll keep my eye out for some free lumber!
Fouth Answer:
The open space on the table is for diorama. This track layout, while my own creation (although I'm sure it's been done before), is inspired by a real world location where people used to street race in my hometown. I had to modify it a bit, otherwise there'd be a bunch of highways leading nowhere, haha. But the open space will have side streets, houses, shops, etc. Track starts and ends in the suburbs, but the other half is industrial/warehouses/urban. The river has to go there because it's related to the real world location. It's definitely essential to be in the front.
I intend to keep this track strictly for HW cars. We have a bunch of monster truck playsets that he uses and maybe at some point I'll attempt an OurTime4Adventures type course, but I'd like to attempt this first.
Fifth Answer:
I'm from North Jersey, of course we call it a jug handle, LOL!!!
But yeah, this is just the third or forth sketch I've come up with that I didn't just wipe clean and start over. The boy is still really young but I'd like to have him involved in this entire process, Even if we start out with some dual lane orange track, it'll give me the idea of the physics necessary for the build.
Thanks everyone!
- Sounds like you've given this all some thought. Hope my suggestions help, and welcome to diecast racing! — SpyDude
- good thoughts, one thought, folding table suck, think about a simple solid bench that if you or you kid stands on it, (well maybe not you, but) it won't fold up, trash the track or someone (doing what that shouldn't) is safe. simple 2 x 4 bench box, and more storage under, too. bolt together — dr_dodge
- good luck!!! — dr_dodge
- Good points dr dodge. I didn't factor in the possibility of the little one climbing on the table. Maybe a bench like you suggested would be the way to go. Plus it'll give me more freedom when it comes to building this and not limit myself to folding table measurements. Thanks for that! — TommyLateNight
Hi everyone! Newbie here but super excited to get involved where I'm in the early stages of building my first track. I'm actually building the track over the top of my 1/24 scale crawler course as I'm hoping to utilise on my scenery. So far, what I have is 2 lanes that cover around 30 feet of track. What do you think of this layout, as I'd really appreciate some recommendations before I keep going and complete!
- Looks awesome. — alva1370
- Uhhh that's awesome and an incredible resourceful use of space. I scooped up some Dollar Store 2ft orange track today. I need to acquire some corners and we'll see how the little guy likes racing in the living room, lol — TommyLateNight
Looks good, When I built my Track 3rd time I started from the Bottom up adjusting for the angle of each Straight, Corners are angled except for a few that are flat. Lots of testing and running of mainly Stock cars. Now I will be extending the Start line and the Finish line Before the Group B Rally cars Come to the Mountain. I also tried to match up as close as I could between the Divided lanes at the Starts Gate, So evenly matched cars have a good chance to hit the first corner side by side. Extending the Top of the Track by about 10' with divided Slanman lanes into cichanes will now alter that. Have Fun, It's a Blast!
- Thanks! Your setup look amazing! — Ozboy
- After thinking about it, it makes sense to start from the bottom up. — TommyLateNight
- It Helps to adjust the straights decent angle. The two Top straights are less of an angle. — Bent_Rod_Racing
Looks fun! And welcome to RedlineDerby!