[JohnR]

wow, cant believe i decided to jump down this rabbit hole,lol.  When I was a kid , had a Strombeker track with a huge banked curve that came from Montgomery Ward.  Lots of memories, several neighborhood kids had tracks and we went from house to house, usually Mothers telling us we were to loud.
Im old now, in my 70s, most my childhood friends have passed on but Im itching to make a race track.
I want 1/32 digital track and was set on Carrera but one of the first post I read on another forum was ...Im firing Carrera for some other digital equipment.  But those Carrera cars. such eye candy,lol.  But you gotta start somewhere,right??
I will build a 6ft x 8ft table, in two sections with rollers and have seen a couple on You Tube that was really kewl.  I am hoping for a decent long straight to start race into a bank curve.  Would like to include a big wide enough bridge that would have lanes running underneath it , to seem cars are going into a tunnel,pitt stops , hair pin if possible and digital lane changers.
Appreciate all advice and tips,
John

[KensRedZed]

Hello JohnR,

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're on the right track.

[JasonB]

Welcome aboard John.

Carrera is a good system, they don't make the fastest cars but everything about it is solid and reliable.

However, the track is wide, so you might find it a challenge to squeeze in everything on your wish list.

[woodcote]

Welcome John 

As you say, you've gotta start somewhere... and Carrera digital is an excellent starting point. It really is a great system, especially when paired with the SmartRace app. There are plenty of add-ons to keep most people very happy for the long-term.

My only concern is the space you will need for a decent track. 8 x 6 feet is very small for Carrera. I'd look at doubling the length. If you did, you could build Jason's design here: https://slotracer.online/track-plans/car...-1019.html - and we could help with locations for lane chargers and pit lane.

There are lots of designs on the SmartRace website here: https://www.smartrace.de/en/track-layout-database/ - and you can see what you can squeeze into various spaces. That might be very helpful to get your creative juices flowing.

If space is limited, then perhaps look at Scalextric ARC Pro, which has a smaller footprint - and you can convert pretty much any 1:32 scale analogue car (including Carrera) to Scalextric digital. Although not cross-compatible, the two digital systems are similar, offering wireless controllers and race control via apps (there is a SmartRace app for Scalextric ARC).

Good luck!

[JohnR]

Yeah man,thanks for the reply’s.  Wow,my balloon is busted,seems not enough space in my my man cave which is managed by a wife .  Well I do have a large garage, nothing fancy,has my work bench,tool boxes etc,loaded wall shelves.  But it has ac/heat.  Gonna take some brain cells to come up with a plan.  Wife parks her Highlander in there (no problem,still enough room) while I park my old truck out doors.  I need a plan to be able to Easily take it down and maybe cover it and place it in (sections?) securely against a wall.  Large carport door will prohibit lifting to ceiling. :drinkingcheers Sorry so lengthy.  So now I’m looking for suggestions for a large table built in sections for a Carrera set up,what 14 foot in width?
Thanks again
JR

[JasonB]

John, don't let your balloons get busted. 

There are loads of options available to you. If you want an 8' x 6' track then a smaller track system with tighter corners might be better. In 1:32 scale Scalextric would be the best choice for that area, and Carrera would probably be the worst. But you could also think about smaller scales. Scalextric, Carrera, and many others make 1:43 and HO scale cars and track.

But if you've got the option of a bigger track space, then I'd go for it, because now you've jumped down this rabbit hole, I'd bet a pound to a penny that you'll want more than an 8' x 6' space within a few months, that's just how it goes.

Anyway, here's an idea for an 6' x 14' Carrera Track...

       

[DPJ]

Welcome back to slot cars! I did what you're thinking about doing, 7 years ago, and just last year was forced to take it all apart because I just didn't have the space for it. What I did was use a single full sheet of MDF and built it with legs so I can put it on its side. Here's the build thread from another forum if you want to see the progress.

Here was the finished track and what it looked like stowed.

   

   

[JohnR]

Thanks man.  I do like your layout.  And I did go to the other forum (and am a member for 2 days now) but it would not let me look at the pics.  Im a dummy my brain cells are on vacation again, as you stated you were using a 4x10 sheet of wood,I kept visualizing 4x8; I can do this , yes!!  then the balloon popped,,,4x10 dummy.  
Yeah I was still wanting to get this into my cave but its just to small.  8 ft width maybe 9,but I can go 7 foot deep easy.  
I can go to the garage, it has air and heat and build a pretty large set up.  But, I have not made my mind up on that.  I will have to put the poor Deere and Honda mower out in the hot, hot, cold shed.
Thanks bro
John

[JohnR]

Hey, yeah I still cant do anything on Slot Car Illustrated,sent the web master a message.  Is that a fairly current message board,lot of posters and readers?
Back on subject, I can do a 12 ft wide by 6 ft table in the garage but I gotta lot of moving and rearanging.   Once I get that done you think its ok if I then come back here to this forum and kinda start over for ideas. 
I just need to first get an idea of how I will build a table and get that done first.
Getting ahead of myself, is it easy to find older cars that are usable to learn with?
Thanks
John

[DPJ]

SCI is a 1ManShow - Alan that runs the Scale Racing Center in Tacoma Washington and 132SlotCar.us website are all the same guy. He's nearly drowning with daily tasks to keep slot cars flying off the shelves and running races at the track. And with being sick and normal "life" occurrences I'd imagine not much time is spent on the website as of late.

Any car that's 1:32 or 1:24 scale will work on Carrera track, doesn't matter who made it. I would suggest trying to make the table as light as possible. Unless you plan on putting all your weight on it, you don't need 2x4 construction. When mine was completed I was able to put it on its side by myself, and move it - the heaviest part was the MDF itself, I could've saved 10lbs if I used plywood.

12x6 is plenty of space to do a great layout with landscaping and space for cars to hang out, parking lots. I still have leftover bits and pieces I'd like to get rid of if you're interested in landscaping or lighting.