The Ring
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
This version of The Ring is the fifth custom routed three lane wood track that I’ve built for myself.
Briefly, the Ring is a private three lane custom routed scale model slot car race track occupying a footprint of approximately 22′ x 7′. The track surface is constructed from 3/8″ mdf routed using a 1/8″ flat bit sunk 1/4″ deep. The track ‘floats’ on open grid bench work and is fully scenerized using a cloth soaked hydrocal hard shell base over cardboard strips. There are 1/8″ borders raised an average of 1 1/4″ high above the track surface. The three lanes are spaced 3 1/2″ apart but for the single squeeze where spacing drops to just 1″. Lane lengths are very close (green=72′ 2 3/4″, yellow=72′ 3″, red=72′ 2 7/8″) and the number of left and right turns are identical. Outside gutters are at least 6″. Three overpasses provide a minimum clearance of 3 3/4″, enough for Fly Euro Trucks. Total track surface elevation change is just 7″ but appears greater. Average race surface height from the floor is 2′ 9″.
The track was painted using a standard roller and mid range flat latex paint. Dollar store acrylic paints were used to paint the ‘patches’, skid marks, lines and race driver tributes.
Wired positive, this track was ‘taped’ using Venture Tape Master Foil Plus 7/32″ width and .038mm thick (red core) part no. 1750. Four soldered ‘power taps’ ensure continuous and uninterrupted power throughout from a Pyramid 30A adjustable power supply. Trackmate hardware and SlotTrak software provide the timing while Trackmate driver stations ensure easy controller hookup via alligator clips or banana plugs.
As racing is a priority at this track racer’s sight lines and ease of marshaling were kept in mind during the construction of this track.
Model railroading inspired the scenic ‘dimension’. But for a handful of recognizable items (grid rats
and pit accessories, half tires, guardrails, signage posts and 7 ‘Kleinbahn’ HO light posts) everything is scratch built from wood or styrene or cast from either plastic, resin or urethane. All but 5 trees are hand made, including various birches, aspens & hemlocks. Don’t overlook what raw scenic materials you can find in your local green belt or at the bottom of a Muskoka lake… Pictures and a blurb on how some of these scenic items were created may make it here. As always, time will tell.
The Happy Canadian Scale Modeler!
