Modular Micro RC Track - Minimum Lane Width?
 

Hi all,

I am planning on building a modular track system that I can use in my living room and for it to also be portable enough to take to places. At the moment I have a Micro DT but I am considering getting a Micro Truggy or even an SCT.

At this stage I have mocked up some basic track designs in CAD that is based on using a 1200 x 600mm piece of ply (4' x 2'). The simplest one using 5 sheets is shown below but I have layouts that use 6 and 7 boards as well and they track could get even bigger if space allows. I will be adding features/terrain/small jumps to each board except for the start/finish.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1952589

At this stage I am a little concerned about the lane width. With 600w boards and 30mm allowance for barriers I am at abut 540mm or 21". I have done a bit of hunting around and found a website that says about 20" is OK for micros and found a couple of tracks about this width on YouTube. This width looks OK for Micro-T/DT but perhaps a bit small for the 1:24 cars although there is one store track I found that seems to be good with this width. Most people with 1:24 cars look to be using the wider RCP track size, so about 840mm/33" lane width. Any thoughts on the lane width I will be using (540mm/21")?

CG

The 21" lane width will be fine (though it is on the lower end of the desired width range). You will find that you will be racing within a 12" strip most of the time (fastest line). Tight and / or technical tracks help make for better drivers. I've raced on 36" lanes with 1/10 and 1/8 buggies and it really helps you concentrate on your line and can add that extra bit of fun.

You are much better off having a challenging track with longer lap times and more track length for obstacles than an open, simple design (that you are likely to get bored of).

What makes you want to use plywood? I'm designing a micro track using a tarp, tape and cardboard lol.

The main idea is for it to be modular, portable, ready to race almost anywhere quickly and have some amount of consistency. I have made tracks around the house before using whatever I had available but I figured this was kind of the next level. A bit like playing with Hotwheels cars on the carpet versus having a bunch of Hotweels playsets.

I have done a quick 'Proof Of Concept' video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwlH3hvGNHw I am OK with the lane width so I am going ahead with the build to see what I get in the end. If it's not big enough...well time for a new project then!

CG

I like your Idea of using ply, What tyre compound are you using on your minis' and how do you find the grip?

I am just using the standard tires that came on my Micro Desert Truck. They are a good balance of slip/grip on the ply where they are not uncontrolable but they slide. Of course with my track that may be irrelevant on some modules as I plan on putting down different surfaces, features and textures over the ply to create challenging conditions.

CG

How about using the foam mats people use when camping, or doing yoga? It might eliminate the need to coat your track, but still keep it light and portable? :)

It was considered, but that is essentially what the RCP tracks are. My intent is to use things like paper mache (a very tough version), 2-part epoxy putty, more thin ply, polished stones (the pretty ones people use in their garden!) and possibly even fiberglass to create a feature packed track. Foam, like EVA foam, is a possibility too. It depends on where my mind takes me once I get the modules and lane markers done, which should have been worked on yesterday and today if it wasn't so damn hot.

I will keep the forum posted as I develop and finish the modules.

CG

I look forward to seeing the progress, I am currently developing a Mini Z track. I am using a 3 metre wide x 6 metre long roll of black linoleum flooring. I am using the foam they use in the manufacture of settees and chairs as barriers. I shall take some pictures and post them when the weather brightens up a little:).

Good luck with your build CG . :)

Dan

I have finally finished building most of the modules and making the lane markers. Here's a quick video using 5 modules...

http://youtu.be/AusATqPcUVU I wanted to show more layouts in the video, especially with more modules, but I broke a tie rod in filming the first one. Hopefully I can fix or replace that and try again. On to adding terrain after that which should be fun.

CG

Track looks awesome! Your driving needs work lol.

Tell me about it. I don't drive any where near enough to get practice.

OK, so I am behind on making terrain but now that I have fixed the tie rods on the Micro DT I have made a video to show the modularity of the track system....

http://youtu.be/w8NEA91CGNc

I have finally gotten a little bit of terrain done but it has been slow going. I have made some features using Plaster Of Paris and each piece has some zinc plated steel glued underneath. I then use rare earth magnets as dowels to hold the pieces into a module that has been drilled with an array of holes. You can see it flash by in this onboard video!

http://youtu.be/5DP9odxde6s

A couple more views of the track set-up from last weekend with the new terrain.

Overview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im3PbP_ojVE Close up of plaster terrain section
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHqxPGGE_s

Fancy fancy. What made you choose those materials for the terrain?

Plaster was the first cab of the rank idea wise. It is easy to mould and shape.

My original plan in my head was paper mache (using wall paper glue) and I am also set up to have a go at that too but I haven't had a chance to get started on it yet. I will probably make some more plaster casts first before moving onto the next medium. I have a bunch of other ideas for terrain I am toying with as well from wood to putties and everything in between.