[PloughJockey]

The aim was to get a fast circuit as was possible into a confined space which could easily be packed away, taking up minimal room in storage. Hence there being no “figure of eight” or bridges and lane lengths are marginally different.


A total area of 12’ x 6’ (3.65m x1.8m) it breaks up into three 6’ x 4’ (1.8m x 1.22m) in 15 minutes and when stacked on top of each other is 12” (0.30m) deep The latter dimension is the reason  for no buildings and minimal foliage, plus the boards flex when being manhandled. In storage it is designed to stand on it’s 4’ (1.22m) side on rubber door stops keeping it off the ground.


All tracks are parallel wired underneath at multiple points to avoid bad joint issues and minimise power loss. Lap counting and timing is achieved with optocouplers and a homebrewed circuits and programme.
   


There is also the opportunity, should the track move to a larger room (dream on), to insert an as yet unbuilt, additional sections of track!


The whole thing sits on two sets of Lidl’s folding decorating tables and seems stable until you bump into it. Making it a perfect test environment to develop cars which race during fracking .

[john roche]

Hi, nice track! I'd be interested to see how you join the sections together?

Cheers

John

[JasonB]

Very nice layout, and looks well made. Good job.

[rallyhub]

Well done.
What kind of cars do you use on your track?

rallyhub

[PloughJockey]

Hi

Attached sketch shows how the joints align and are locked in place. The dowel pegs are slightly tapered at the ends to gain initial rough alignment and guidance, so when the coach bolts pull the boards together the dowel tightens, this brings everything true.

If I was doing this again I would use hardwood for the interlocking battens rather than the pine I used.

As the copper tape wraps over the edge of the MDF board the achieves continuity but this is not reliable so I back this up with additional multi pin plugs between each board.

   

The cars I use are 1/32 of various manufacturers for GT, F1 and saloons etc

[john roche]

Thanks for the sketch. I've rewired my track and am considering the best way to join and dismantle it. It was previously fixed but we are considering moving house so I want it to be portable.

Cheers

John

[PloughJockey]

Hi John

A second time round I would use hardwood for those battens as it would be less prone to distortion. I used 4 pin aviation plugs and sockets as they can be locked in place. I wish I had opted for 90 degree bend as they would stick out less. I originally had Molex connectors but ditched them as they too difficult to get apart.

Good luck with the build.