That is actually a very good question because there is a significant amount of knowledge, I took from big car racing to slot car racing that has helped me stay at the top of the pack. Even though the numbers are scaled down the concept is much the same. For instance, knowing how tire height, width, and compound, gear ratios, "motor timing low end torque vs high rpm", downforce, body aerodynamics, chassis flex, weight distribution and balance of the car, is much the same and very important for the performance of the car. Another thing that is crucial to consistency is the track and motor temperatures. I was the first one to bring a temperature gun and keep data on the track temp and my motor temps. Some of the guys would tease me about it until they realized that my cars were outperforming theirs and it didn't matter what they tried they were falling behind...now there is not a slot car box at the track that doesn't have a temp gun in it. Then I started testing a motor dyno out and it has really been helpful. It measures the rpm at 8 different points. I ran 10 motors on it a few weeks ago getting ready for a big race and then I took the data and made a list of which motor was going to be the best and then tested them in the same car and each one performed on the track just as the dyno said they would. I went to the race and qualified number 1 and 2 in both classes I entered.
Some of the lanes can be ran wide open if the car is set up right but some of the lanes, they are blipping the trigger. But it isn't easy to race those cars because they are so quick and you can lose where your car is really easy, and they can't go into a corner with another car on the outside of them or they will both go flying off the track. It takes a lot of skill. I don't think I could drive one of them. They are not concerned about looks as much as performance. There is not much you can do to make those cars look good. You are right about the drag cars looking much better, but they are hard shell bodies and are designed to look more like a real car. The wing cars are Lexan bodies and are designed for speed and handling. They are the fastest slot cars in the world. They may not look like much, but tire compound, chassis setup and the way they wing a body is crucial in the performance of those cars. Some of those guys will change motors eight times during a race...9 including their qualifying motor. The same with the tires. It costs a lot of money to race the upper pro class. But most of them race for manufactures and other sponsors.
Over 30 years. I raced for a manufacturer for about 8 years until I went back full time on a real car team. I just traded my fuel altered for this dragster about 20 minutes ago.What a good looking work space. How long have you been doing these drags with slots? I never had any idea this was so popular and for those more adept at the sport, lucrative although the money rarely covers expenses. Keep the pictures and report your successes. DNFs and rare bad finishes are optional to report.
Nice truck!
That is my buddy Cody's dad's truck. Cody is a blind young man that races with me. He has an awesome 1966 custom built Nova too. They went down south earlier this year and drove it in the Power Tour that started in TN, and went through GA, FL, before returning to TN. They had a 5-speed tranny built for it to replace the 4-speed for the trip. It raised the gas milage from 8 mpg to 14 mpg. They build some nice custom cars in their little shop. I think his Nova will be here sometime today so I will take a pic if shows up.
Love the pics under the hood. Carbureted and simple. Nice detail.
His dad decided not to drive the Nova yesterday, so I didn't get a pic of it. But I will the next time he has it at the track.
Here is a pic of Cody’s 1966 Nova.
Wow, nice car!
They did a nice job on it. It is at the Orange County Fairgrounds right now for a car show tomorrow. They had a blast doing the Power Tour earlier this year. It has a Comp Thumper cam with 190 AFR heads on it with a dual plane air gap Edelbrock intake and 650 Holly double pumper carb.
