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Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 6:56 am
by MoparGreg
On the weekend I started rebuilding my track. Things have changed so I need to make the track fold down off the wall. I finished building the cabinet the track will sit on and was suprised how tall it ended up as I am reusing the doors and hardware. question for everyone. What is the height of your track? From the ground to the track surface?
My cabinets ended up 31.5" high but when the track folds down on it the track surface will be 35" off the ground. I'm wondering if this may be a little high. I'm thinking I may lower it down.
Be interested to hear others track heights and if you like it. I'm not rebuilding this track again so I want to get it right.
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:01 am
by btaylor
All three of my current tracks are built 32" high at the table surface. No particular reason other than comfort zone for me and the chairs I had.
Bob
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:02 am
by Gameover
Do you have kids racing? My track is at 32". Perfect for me. Maybe even. Bit higher would be nice. But my kids are a little short. My two boys race fine but it could be a little shorter. Now keep in mind its all personal preference. I like my track higher as i want to be close to the action. I believe in other threads about height most are between 26-28".
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:14 am
by HomeRacingWorld
Make it to what suits you best. There is no real "ideal" height. The Show-Me Oval is 53 inches, while the roadcourse is 32.
Oval is that high due to the cap poured in our basement.
The MIDMO is lower as per what Bob described. Have some chairs and it's a nice perspective.
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:21 am
by btaylor
The observation height of The Show me is cool! I never knew how awesome the cars looked coming at you till I visited.
Its a whole different feel to the racing at that level. The track was elevated, just not my driving ability :oops:
Bob
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:28 am
by Dangermouse
Can you reach across the track to pick up a car? If so the height is fine. My track is about kitchen bench height - as I originally had model trains on the bench top - sometimes I wish the track was a bit lower. I have a 3 lane race track which I will set the height a bit lower on it. One of my mates has a big Carrera digital layout - his track is probably < 2ft of the ground and the lowest point and 3ft at the highest.
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:40 am
by MoparGreg
Thanks for the replies. Probably a poor choice of words in the subject saying, Ideal', as I know everyone has different preferences. When I redesigned my bench work I just reused the doors and fitted them differently than a did last time for a more flush look. This resulted in a higher track than I was expecting. See my track thread.
I'm not sure if I am going to like the height. I'm going to sleep on it and revisit it tomorrow. I want to make sure I get it right as I don't want to rebuild it again.
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 1:12 pm
by SLOTTING SINCE 1963
I like 750mm which is about 29.5". Makes it easier to reach.
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 2:09 pm
by mattb
50 inches
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Mon Aug 03, 2015 6:19 pm
by dreinecke
Greg - my layout is 33" from floor to the top of the track on the side by the pit. I like it and could easily go higher.
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2015 2:57 am
by MoparGreg
Thanks for all the replies guys. I've decided to leave it as is at the height it's going to be. I would of preferred it to be 8-10 inches lower but it's going to fine at the height it's going to be.
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2015 9:06 am
by bigears
My track is 49 inches high. I like to view the cars when the platform is higher. To me the cars look more realistic when viewed on a higher platform.
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2015 9:34 am
by RazorJon
get you a pair of those 80's platform shoes to wear while racing we can change your name to DiscoGreg :banana-dance:
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:08 am
by VTECFOUR
My favorite track of all time was Luf's old upstairs Targa with huge elevation changes so the view changed quite a bit throughout a lap.
When it came to building a new home track, I did a compressed version.

The track sits on a 8' x 12' table at a height of 23 inches. My highest track point is 47" so I get a nice 10' sweeping climb to that point when running counter-clockwise.
The low point is at the driver stations so that allows sitting on chairs and still getting good perspectives.
That's my experience.
Dan
Re: Ideal track height?

Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2015 3:04 pm
by MoparGreg