[73emgee]

Watkins Glen Scale Raceway
Track Info

This track is a scale replica of the historic track in upstate NY.  During the early 1970’s, the track width was expanded, the Start/Finish line was relocated, and the “Boot” section was added for the U.S. Grand Prix.  I was able to obtain a copy of the actual engineering plans used for these track improvements from the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen.  Using these plans, I scaled down the 3.4 miles of the actual track to fit the available space in my basement, which resulted in a scale of, .0313” (slot car track) = 1’ (actual track).  Using this scale, all the actual turn radii and straights were redrawn on 4’x 8’ ½”MDF sheets and cutout to form the scale track surface. The actual track elevations were also taken from the plans and scaled down to build the track benchwork.  The lowest point on the track is in the “toe of the boot”, the actual elevation is 979.940 feet which scaled downed to 30.5” above the basement floor.  The highest point on the track is Turn 5 (Outer Loop) which leads into the entrance of the “Boot” section.

Your car is always going uphill or down, never flat.  There are 11 turns on the track, 7 are compound increasing radius turns where you enter the turn using one radius and exit the turn on a larger radius. There is also a 1-8 degree camber in most turns, this in conjunction with the increasing radius turns allows good speed to be carried through the corners even though the turns are closely spaced, especially in the “Boot” section.

The slots do not run parallel to the edges of the track like many slot car tracks.  The slots were laid out to replicate the actual racing line as much as possible and still accommodate the 3.5” lane spacing.  There are no bridges, overpasses, or “squeeze” sections to obstruct driver site lines or create marshalling obstacles.   

Specifications:
Track Footprint                 19.5’ x 8.5’
Track Width                      15”
Track Length (average)     60’
Number of Lanes              3                     
Lane Spacing                    3.5”
Track Surface                    3 sanded coats of Flat latex paint over an oil base primer.
Power Supply                    Regulated 0-20 Volts, 10Amps.
Track Conductor               Non-Magnetic Braid.
Driver Stations                  XLR and 3-post alligator controller connections with individual track call buttons.
Race Management            “TrackMate” hardware, “Race Coordinator” software.
Sensor Type                      Infrared LED’s.
Location                            Purcellville, VA
 
Here are some photos of the track taken by fellow IHRS member Rick Foster.





Bob