"New" track...
I was asked (by HappyCamper) if I was going to change my track for the final Rookie race...and the answer is 'yes'.
I've been toying with this idea since I ran the Hill Climb. The Drag Track track sections didn't seem to be bothered by my angling the track up...there was a little 'flex' there. So, I took my incline section from my 'orange track' and I layer the Drag Track on it. And when you throw in a Smitty Starter, things work pretty nice...
"New" track: https://youtu.be/p2cjb7iln3A
Now, I need to get the Maxx Traxxx finish line sorted out, and fix things a little more permanently...but I really like the nice, gradual slope of the 1/8" aluminium. There's no hard transition this way...the cars aaccelerating over a longer section of track.
I'll keep you posted!
P.S. the track is currently 220"...and I could probably add another section to get it to be scale quarter mile :)
Discussion
I started tinkering with my Maxx Traxxx finish line last night....to see if I can get it a little more accurate. It is a very simple system...the paddles have a cam on the top that depress a switch on a circuit board. The problem seems to be in the switches...I'm sure that they are very cheap switches.
The switch for the right lane seemed a little 'tighter' that the left...so I put a little graphite on it and that seemed to get it a little more free. But, there is also an issue with the point at which the the lights fire.
So, I bent an 'S' in the paddle that of the that fired at a higher point.
There's still a good bit of tinkering to do to get it right...but I do have it closer that it was. Once I get this one sorted, I'll build another with pics. I like the way these lines work...they just need some tweaking to get them right!
I liked having my Redline Hill track...which was just my hinged track up on stilts. It was like 12-feet of downhill with a very short straight to finish. Was really interesting seeing how cars performed differently. Hoping I can do the same with my shelf track at some point.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6839718354_d93c317ffa_z.jpg