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Track Hardware

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The Aspendale Slot Racing Club Circuit is a private 6 lane layout of Scalextric and craftwood construction located in a four car garage. The main straights are craftwood with magnabraid. Total length is approximately 170 feet. Power supply is one 2 amp 12 volt transformer per lane. Lap counting and timing provided by Johnson Racing Systems. Scenery is quite basic with a mixture of handmade and manufactured items.

The total running length of the circuit is about 170 feet, but the configuration can be changed to give 3 differing layouts (70, 120, 170 feet).

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Construction of Aspendale Raceway began about 20 years ago with Scalextric track pieces being used. Craftwood straights were soon added as these provided a smoother surface than Scalextric straights which tended to become bumpy after prolonged use.

The craftwood straights initially had copper tape as conductors until recently being replaced by magnatration braided conductors. The change in conductor material was caused by the newer generation in slot cars that use a strong magnet to provide grip and stability rather than any failure with the copper tape, which had stood up very well. Scalextric track still makes up the rest of the circuit.

The Scalextric track has proved to be tough and durable with little maintenance required. The track is cleaned once or twice a year and left covered by plastic sheeting when not in use.

The original Aspenadale Raceway was about 120 feet in an extended figure 8 pattern together with switch back loop in the lower part of the 8. This layout remained suitable for many years of social racing among family, friends and workmates, but with the resurgence of slot car racing, competition among racers became more intense.

With the 6 lane setup the cars on the middle 2 lanes had an easier run and once the track was learnt the regular racers had a distinct advantage.

To solve this dilemma I decided to add more Scalextric specialist pieces (chicanes and crossovers) and build an extension of loop back curves incorporating a 6 lane crossover which would bring the middle 2 lanes to the outside resulting in a fairer layout for all racers in each lane. There was added bonus of all racers cars being next to each other at some stage.

Unfortunately the regular racers had an even greater advantage, as the circuit had become quite difficult to learn. However the novice racers could run at their own pace and not be harassed by the faster racers when being lapped. However racing is formatted around Aspendale Raceway.

Time by a Scalextric Williams FW20, 70ft Aspendale Loops 10 seconds, Aspendale Raceway 13 seconds and the Aspendale Slot Racing Club Circuit 22 seconds.

Further extensions to be considered is a drag strip abutting the main straight in craftwood looping back into the main circuit via a large radius slightly banked 180 degree turn and shorter straight also in craftwood and magnabraid. This extension would resemble a Nascar type track individually, but could also be incorporated into the main circuit.

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