Up, running, and already changing the layout

An interesting thing happened when I added the grass mat [hereby forever known simply as "grass"]: I took out the elevation and got almost two feet more room on either side. So I lengthened the backstretch by two lengths and added a left/right/left infield:

I'm now able to race at night without waking my 2 year old daughter up. Pretty impressive.

Adding that part [where the car is] to the infield to make it an infield worked out for now. The table will be expanding off where that post is, so I'll likely redesign the entire layout to fit. I'm going to try to keep it open and flowing, but with some challenging bits. I'd like to replace some more 1/60s with some wider radius turns. Something like that infield being done with 2/30s instead of 1/60s would mean you could go through it faster, get more flow...hell, I'll probably get crazy and use multiple radius turns together! That's it!

I touched on this before, way back around Post #13 from this blog. I have curves of four different radii now. I'm going to hit the track editor and see what I can make out of them. I don't mind tight curves, but not two of the same radius together, if I can help it.

Here's the other side, for those interested. 

I haven't taken any lap times yet, although I'm about ready to. I still want a little more time on the track, getting used to it being flat and slightly different. Once I get a chance to do that with a few cars I'll give 'em all a go and see what happens.

The Porsche is LOVING the new layout. Any opportunity to add more straights is okay by this guy.

So far the Matra, Porsche and Alfa are responding best to the changes. The Fords are better in a straight line, and tend to get a little squirrely through the curves. The new infield replaced the front straight, which gave the longer Fords an advantage.

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As I'm racing and have now put down the grass, I no longer am thinking about the unfinished state of the track. I'm already pretty happy with it, and I think this will keep my interest for awhile. This winter/spring got kinda messed up due to the wasp situation, and I'm glad that's over. It's too hot to race in the day right now, but not at night. We're also having some cooler days lately, so that's good.

Scored some grass

Got a little time today and had to get to laying down the grass covering. I think it looks pretty good.

It's kinda plain right now, as I have very little in the way of decor. I like the color, however. It's darker than I was expecting, which is good for a background.

It went on pretty fast. I decided beforehand I was going to lay the track flat for now, and it'll still be plenty fun for racing. I have a few pals coming over next week to do some racing, so we'll see what happens. I need to get the attic cleanup up before that, though.

Ran out of grass. I have to go see the guy.

I also need to go back to the hardware store and pick up another roll. I got all the way across the back with two rolls, but will need another one for the extensions, which will be put in this week.

There's a lot of green on the backstretch.

Pros: Way quieter than running on raw wood. I'm going to test it tonight, but I think I'll be able to race with my two year old downstairs sleeping. Also nice color contrast. The weird thing is, I know what it is, and I know it's not ultimately what I want, but I'm actually cool with doing this as a stepping stone to other things. The big question is how long can I go before I tire of it?

It does look damn good though. Gives good car definition, and even works with the gray track.

Cool! Revitalized!

Slight Change Of Plan

Thought I had everything figured out until I was leaving the hardware store the other day. I was there to pick up a bbq grill for my stepdaughter's 18th birthday tomorrow. On the way out the door there stood a sale on something I hadn't considered in awhile....green astro/turf/fiber/carpet/stuff.

I left there with two rolls, but I think I probably should have gotten three, as there isn't enough to cover the to as-yet-to-exist extensions. So I'll be going back for a third one.

I had no plan to buy this stuff. My plan all along has been to get the track to a point I like and then start decor. Serious decor. The green carpet was one of those things I always thought I'd never do. Don't know why....incomplete? Lazy? Unmotivated? Not sure, but I think it'll be way better than the unfinished wood. It's been two years after all.

Good gripping qualities, but this is going to be stapled into the table so it doesn't move.

I don't know what got into me. It caught the corner of my eye, and once I saw it I said "slot cars" and grabbed a couple rolls.

Maybe I just need to feel like it's getting somewhere. Maybe I need more of a table that I can experiment with layouts more than a permanent solution.

I think it'll look good once finished. I imagine the track with pop right off the green with all that contrast.

It'll be okay. Going to be just fine. If this doesn't work, or I'm not happy with it, I can always take it out and use it in my patio. But I'm going to do my best to give it a shot. It'll either satisfy me for now or it'll force to me get started on the scenery making.

The other end of the track. I'll pick up a third roll of this stuff, take down the track, add the extensions, carpet it, and that'll do-er.

Meanwhile, the cars are running great. Taking a few more out tonight for a clean-and-run. Once I've got them all running I'll do the final race before breaking the track down. I still have to take height measurements for all the transitions, bridges and stuff.

Back after a minor naturally occuring difficulty

My attic was invaded by wasps a couple of months ago. They ended up building a nest and taking over. Today the guy came and took away the nest. The wasps are gone, and hopefully won't be back.

So, here's what I have for a plan forthcoming: I have the wood to build the extensions, and since this wasp thing took so much of my quality springtime away, I'm going to get started on that right away. I'll have to wait until the end of the month, but that's when it's going to happen. In the meantime, I'll take down my track and go over track plans with the extensions on. I have extra track ready to add, but I'm not sure how much extra track. I think I'll be able to cover one wing, but I'm going to go ahead and build them both. I can always get more track.

My birthday is coming, and my wife is throwing a small party. It's mostly with friends that are also parents, but with babies, so there will be no kids running around. I want to set up the track outside in the grass and make a nice, big course. I'm going to try and put it somewhat in the corner so there's still room to do other stuff. It's a surprise to my wife, who probably thinks I'm going to bring people up to the racing room. It'll be in pieces.

I'm going to take the 2" wings off and rebuild them with the new 4" extensions, then attach them to the side of the main table. I'll get more stability all the way around.

But that's not for a week or two. Until then, I'd like to lube and tune my cars, dust my track and run a few last races on this layout for all the marbles. I'll post extensive coverage here as usual.