Whispering Pines Thunderdome
Details
- Style: Road course
- Total length: 49 ft.
- Lanes: 2
- Built by: AbbyNormal
About
Whispering Pines is a reinterpretation of the cornball name of our subdivision SW of Portland Oregon. It was carved into a small forest area in 1965 and we have been fortunate to live amongst the tall pines since 1993. Thunderdome because it really combines two very different very challenging racing experiences. Finally, it even includes an extra helping of Lady Luck in the form of a dice roll. Overall its a bit of a mix of road racing, drag racing, and smash and bash action while earning points. My primary goal was to create a different racing experience which would be point based sort of like a multi-track race --- which it is.
Let's look at each track in detail.
Whispering Pines Speedway is a road track that starts with 16 feet of 2 lane track that is a mix of orange track and 3D printed sections. That transitions to 33 feet of AFCR (Action Force Crash Racer) for a total of 49 feet. Slopes range from between 7 to 9 degrees for a fast running track that ends in a flatline run that tests cars staying rolling until the finish line.
Start - A Slanman start gate is controlled by starting LEDs in a Slanman Start/Finish tower and a solenoid that is powered by an Arduino. Starting slope can range from 7 to 10 degrees with 8 degrees being most common. Four feet of orange track lead to Lost Soul Corner.
Lost Soul Corner - 3DBotmaker was how I discovered this crazy hobby so I of course obtained the sushi shop (via Slanman) as a salute to them. I've renamed it The Lost Soul Teriaki Shop. This is a Slanman high banked 3D printed 180. Enjoy the scenery as you fly by or stop for a teriaki plate and some oolong tea.
Next is a 4.5 foot section of orange track with a Slanman 3D printed crossover lane switch.
Big Burger 180 - If your appetite is a bit larger then hold out for Jimmi's Burger Palace. It's a hoppin' place situated on a spacious SpoolHeads 3D printed 180deg curve. The exit of this 180 has the first yellow marker for 1 point and its the transition to open track.
Next is a 4 foot section of AFCR open track at a good angle for speed.
Surgar Creek Corners - Here you can stop by Sugar Creek Customs where Luke and his crew can fix anything except brakes. His truck is normally parked out front. This is a standard AFCR 180 corner and the location of the second yellow marker worth 2 points.
Next is another 4 foot section of AFCR track and a popular place to pass slow traffic.
Starvation Creek Park - This has always been a strange place. Was there starvation? Was there even a creek? There seems to be no answers. And now there are reports of a track employee overdue and an apparent Sweetus Maximus sighting. Or in plain language a honey badger of unusual size. We are advising full speed through this AFCR 180 there is a yellow marker here worth 3 points.
Next is another 4 feet of AFCR track and a last chance to floor it at you head to Terrible Tilly.
Terrible Tilly - The original Terrible Tilly was a lighthouse off the Oregon coast which was remote and often in rough seas. It could take weeks to land supplies there safely. At Whisperig Pines Tilly will spit your car out and into Finishline Lake. If you can make it to the exit you will find another yellow marker worth 4 points.
Finishline - Leaving Terrible Tilly you will encounter 2 Slanman 3D printed 45deg curves and several feet of track flatlined. Too much speed and you may skid out and stall in the 45's. Too little speed and you're doomed to not make it to the yellow marker for an additional 5 points.
Whispering Pines Tour de Crash - Is a 2 lane track that is part drag race, road race, and crash and bash fest. Lady Luck plays a part with a dice roll to see is a separate ramming car is available. It's possible to win whatever car is on the block while adding to your point totals.
Start - A Slanman start gate is manually operated and starts the timing cycle as the cars head down a heavily textured surface sort of like a dirt road. The timing gate determines the drag race winner and then the cars enter a vintage Hot Wheels orange 180.
Hells Bells 180 - Cars exit the high banked 180 at speed and proceed over the Whispering Pines Speedway on a section of classic DT orange track. Some cars spin out on the exit.
Flying Overpass - A graceful arc of cheap DT track guides the fast moving cars to the main event. Some cars get air while others get crossed up, while the lucky roll onward.
Tour de Crash - The crash pad is where all hell can break loose as both cars ram into weighted barrels (some heavy some light). These go flying and the cars blast their way through trying to get to the red line or the extra-points blue line. If your luck prevails your car may hit the bonus car thus awarding you a new car prize. Anything can happen.
