What is your experience with digital

[KD11]

I run non-mag with Paul Gauge Tires on most of my cars. My track is a 6 X 17 oval Carrera digital 132. I have added chips in many brands of cars as well as in several 1/24 scale brass scratch builds. I have also tried some silicone tires on the 1/24 scale car and they seem to have a very similar performance as the PGT's.

I also run analog Sprint Cars, 1950 era stock cars, and Northeast style Mods on our local commercial track.

I guess a few of us old dogs can learn new tricks. Hum now that I think about it, why are some so opposed to digital? They have learned to use a digital computer, but maybe they would rather be using a manual typewriter. I can't figure it out. I started racing slot cars in the early 60's as have a lot of us have. It's fine if you not interested in digital. If you have no experience with digital why can't you just say I have no experience period. Instead of trashing us that have a more forward thinking point of view.

[mattb]

I don't really understand why guys disparage digital. From the outside looking in, it's not for me. That's me not anybody else. Anything that keeps slot racing strong or adds to the supply side is good for everybody. I think it maybe comes down to a lot of factors and thoughts from all of us. For me, it is not wanting to re-learn what I do. Our small group all race 1/24 at home and commercially. We really run retro stuff, not retro like guys talk about on the net, but retro like a flat brass chassis like was common in 1965! No hinge, no piano wire, just a piece of flat brass! This is really retro and half of our group never raced slots till they were in their 70's. Just getting around a big track is a challenge for some of the guys! To buy rtr cars and learn digital would be that much more of a challenge and certainly limit the available cars we race. We like running cars from our era or rods/muscle like we drive 1 to 1. Us guys that build work hard to make all cars run equal. Some guys don't build at all and we build for them. Not sure any of us want to run any of the currently available dig cars. I don't want to have to mod a dig car with body and wheels that we really want to run. remember I service about 15-20 cars total. I have built all of them. For me I'm content with where I am at and what slot racing is to me.

I can also see the guys that get into pit stops and tires and all of the factors that go into digital racing really can enjoy an experience like real racing. Really a different level than analog cars in one slot by themselves. Lot more thinking and thought than just following your slot and maybe trying to not get nerfed in a corner. This also takes a couple 3/4 guys or more that really understand how to race and use the aspects of digital to their advantage. I do think people that have no previous slot experience would be exposed to digital like at the Corvette Museum and be hooked on the action. Analog slots may not have the same attraction and look like an old hobby.

I like the idea of not running a magnet and cars allowed to drift thru the switches, especially if they go too fast. Just alike a real car trying to change lanes too quick, it will lose control and spin out.

It's all good and it's good to see and hear all the comments.

[Czar]

I run no magnet, with Paul Gage tires, on a painted Carrera road track. I have Carrera 1/32 cars and I have chipped other cars.

Reviews/ReviewArchives/CZAR/Gneissring%20sixth%20final.pdf

[patwa]

We run magnets, upgraded motors in most cases (slot.it boxers or 25k scaley),slot.it chips and PG tires. Nascar is the main class on a repro of Indy.16 ft. X 8 ft.
The action is lightning fast because that's the way we like it. Saying this there are also plenty of variations. I also build scratch cars and enjoy the challenges with those. These come in all shapes and eras. Here is my latest digital car. Marmon Wasp 1911 Indy winner. Resin body, brass drop axle and suspension, FF scaley motor and F1 chip. Cheers.

[mattb]

My grandmother was a housekeeper/maid for the Marmon family In Indianapolis when she was young. 1915-1920, I guess. Hard to get the Marmon around corners after running something sleek like Lotus 38, isn't it? I really have to slow down when I switch over to the cars I have that use Strombecker Dirt Track bodies. I have a heavily modified Monogram 1/18 scale body that I am trying to make a Belanger Special with. I am hoping that my chassis skill may finally be good enough to build an old upright car that can turn corners!!!

Appreciate all the responses on this subject.

[patwa]

Just enough mag to make it drivable.
Not too stuck just nice to use.
Still need to be very gentle on the go pedal.
Drives like a dream.
Funny you should say about the Lotus, I just finished one of those as well.

[Czar]

Matt, interesting family history. It is too bad that so few people know the rich history of Indiana in the automobile world. With Auburn, (my hometown) Cord, Duesenberg, Allison, And Studebaker, Indiana was the home of the finest American automobile engineering of its time.

(A sad aside; spellchecker does not recognize Duesenberg or Studebaker as real words.)

[oldtymer]

[mattb]

A little off topic, but that never stops me. My numbers are as good as I can remember, but I think that in 1930 there were over 100 different car companies in America. I remember reading that half of them were in Indiana.
Even today there are a lot of professional race shops in Indiana. Of course, the 500 is one reason, but teams like John Force have teams based in Indy. Of course, lot of sprint car companies here also.

I am real fan of the 500 as it was from the 50's into the late 70's. Lot of cottage industries during those early years, lots of guys working in the back of filling stations and small shops doing Indy work. Those were the days.

/

[strangebrew]

[patwa]

I scratch build brass digital cars ,no problems. I have become a bit bored with the retail stuff. I have no experience with Carrera so no comment. Yes the digital cars take a hammering but as the drivers skill improves this happens less. I find that building them tough to race is the best answer. For instance the rear view mirror on the Wasp above is brass and acts as a roll cage, works well.
No the track is not cheap. That is a time vs. money thing. No you don't need different power supply, but 15v max, otherwise the smoke comes out of the chips. It's very hard to get it back in! Slot.it chips are built for SSD and are much tougher.18k motors will run fine with SSD F1 chips (the eye is on a wire and easier to fit), anything faster will require slot.it chip, 25k max. for reliability.
Ferrite man between motor and chip as well as chip to guide will help with a clean signal through track.
As mentioned above this is not a lecture or conversion attempt just information sharing. Enjoy.

[buspor63]

I don't think I've already replied. My group, Foothills Scale Slotcars, runs digital no mag on Carrera plastic and wood hybrid.

[BARC 1]

Some passionate responses

I started slotting in the 60s. I currently just returned to the hobby. I used to have a wooden 1/24 scale track, but wanted to change it up . Went with 143 and have just recently decided to go digital. Carrera d132 chips in1/43 scale cars. First week into digital and I am having a blast

I still plan on running analog, as I am not going to abandon my scratch built cars. My plan is to build 6 digital cars and focus on the racing they will provide.

For me I am going try and have the best of both worlds. It doesn't have to be a case of either or.

I also have a model railroad, so scenery appeals to me. Digital racing IMO provides a realistic trackscape to race 6 cars on a narrow track in limited space and still have it look good.

[dw5555]

[Czar]

"Can you change lanes going full speed down a short straight without deslotting or causing a jam up behind you. "

That is kind of a loaded question. It really depends on how many feet per second you are traveling, and how well your car handles - just like real cars. But more specifically, yes, lane changing is quick, precise, and can be done at speeds that will surprise you. If you are leading a car, and that car is literally touching your car from behind, you can change lanes and the other driver won't. Straight line lane changes can be very quickly without upsetting the car. But you don't have to change lanes if you don't want to. Reading the responses I believe some of you think you have to change lanes every time there is a lane changer. If you feel like you will de-slot because you are going to fast, don't change lanes. If it gives you a bad line, don't change lanes. If there is traffic in one lane, switch to another to avoid it. If the situation doesn't demand it, don't change lanes unless you want to.