Open Track vs. Drag Racing...

I'm glad youre enjoying the event. To be honest, I didnt know how the redline community was going to react to our variation of racing styles. As a kid, we grew up inventing all sorts of hot wheels racing, including drags also an event where cars fly off a ramp unto the floor and cars that land on their wheels proceed to the next event. We even had a Demo Derby, where two cars charged at one another and the one to stay on the track advanced to the next round. 

There definitely is some risk to open track racing, for the most part its pretty mild, but what i love about it is the realistic racing we frequently get witness. The passes, the moves, the hits and wipeouts. I'll say it can be hard for some to watch their mods, or stocks take some damage, but at the end of the day its the experiences we have with them that matter. 

I know the redline community will keep exploring new ideas, and keep hosting events to appeal to all. Thats why i love redlinederby.com :D

I also think the bar has been raised with the open track type of racing.I've toyed with the idea some using  fat track.Cool seeing the cars sling past one another.Kinda like the Sizzlers cars do.

We are also planning a two lane curving track to see the difference.I have a lot of old Tyco TCR two lane curve slot car track and hope to make one with it..We will see how this works..It's all for fun either way!

Rusty

When I first saw some open track racing way back when, I didn't like it at all. It looked shotty and haphazard. It also told to me that it would near impossible to engineer a car to have any advantage...open track racing just seems like a lot of luck (and it is). It always seemed like a big Hot Wheels slot machine...

But after seeing various tracks come and go over the past few years, I think what has me more convinced on open track is the setup of the track. It's all about the track, not the cars. If the track seems fair and reliable with some applied physics, it makes all the difference. And I think it's the only way to avoid the "dump cars on a track and see what happens" problem that is inherent in open track. If it's well organized and presented, that's half the battle.

The one part about the World Race tracks that have made a difference to me is having them start with lanes that feed into the open track - orange track to black track. The fact that McJiggles and crew are giving all cars a start in each lane only helps the fairness factor. 

Personally, I see open track as more of a stock investment than modding. Like I said, you just can't rely on your modifications to mean anything, so why bother? But that's no reason not to have it get the love and attention it has recently. I like the spectacle (and videos) of the open track but I'll always just buy a stock car to enter and hope for the best...and that's okay. Any reason to find a car and race is a good one.

But like Cooper said...we've built Redline Derby to be the home any and all diecast racing, so there's room for everything.

I have a few "alternate" racing formats jotted down too...don't know if they'll see light of day, but hey, you never know. If anything, this gives me (and others) confidence to at least try and see what happens. If it sucks, it sucks and we move on. But if it's fun then we keep 'em rolling...

I too thought/think there is a great deal of luck in the open track racing...but same goes for a Rip N Race. With knolwedge you can pick or build a car that may perform well depending on the track set ups. 

I always enjoyed the DCR racing, and when the tracks were opened to the public... I stayed away from the open track. My thought here was the single lane East Ridge course had less variables to deal with. Just build your best straght line car and see how it deals with 3, or 4 corners. Open track all bets are off, cars spin, flip, roll, finish backwards, you name it. Lots can happen by chance, fate, etc. but the passes are very exciting. 

I agree that open track has a place here... as do loops, jumps, Strollers newest set up... you name it. Its easy here, enter the races you want... sit back and enjoy playing with your "collectables" 

Well said, TE! I guess, what I was trying to say is, basically...all types of racing can exist here. 

The open track format isn't exactly what I'm used to...but, I'm sure that I'll be building some type of armored brick for the next race!

The videos have really taken the racing to a new level. I rend to just show the Semis and the finals, because I figure that people want to see the results quickly! But, if you don't mind the wait, I can start putting up whole races as well :)

Man, I love to see the open races and how the cars react. Those videos are so well produced and capture all the action. You're never winning until its all over. Personally, I feel a good modded car well create an edge for itself to win but, anything can happen and that's the beauty. Carnage is a badge of honor! Having 5 different races set up by a host is awesome too, this allows new racers the opportunity to see their builds several times.

I see a permanent open track design in my future (think model train set up with grassy hills, curves, signage and timer). Id also like to see a dual lane drag track with each lane wide enough that a car could either wipe out or hit the wall at such an angle its a disadvantage (giving a greater edge to a straight racer).

I'll race anything, 6 months hasn't slow my enthusiasm for this hobby and its due to all the great members here that just feed that fire of creativity in racing and design.

Roll on gentlemen!

2seven