Home Racing World

Several months ago I was approached by an acquaintance who knew about my situation renting the facility I have my tracks in. In about a year if nothing changes I will have to abandon the location after I stop getting my disability insurance checks. At that point I will be forced to make just my social security income pay my bills. This person told me that he was in the process of buying a property in Sanford, Fl. that has a steel building he plans to use as a wood working shop. There is also a house on the property that he says is big enough for at least one of my tracks and for me to live in. The proposed rent, which includes utilities, is very reasonable and the property is partially fenced in so my dog will have some running space. If I can get a long term lease in writing I can't think of any reason why I shouldn't do this. The track will then be indoors and air conditioned, no dust to clean off every day and I will be able to play 24/7 if I want to. Even though I own the mobile home I currently live in (I pay lot rent), it is close to 50 years old and falling apart. It would probably last until I get tossed into a managed care facility but it's not worth much to sell.

So in a couple of months I will have to find a new name for my raceway. Sanford Speedway comes to mind. I hope this way I will be able to keep a track up and running for several more years. And maybe more people will show up regularly as it will be a more comfortable environment. And if they don't it will be their loss.

Bob,

I know we talked quite a bit about this when I was visiting with Marty and yourself. If the deal is reasonable, I think the gains in AC (so those of us accustomed to the northern climes don't melt!), the 24x7 ability to play and the room for the dog sounds like a great deal. I don't envy you having to move the track but as it is built like a tank it should take a move just fine again. Of course, now I'll have to setup the GPS to come visit the new place.

Good luck!!!

It's only 14 miles from the existing location and right off the Seminole County expressway.

Bob, it sounds like a good move if everything works out the way you want it to. Having the track at home and being able to use it all the time will be a big plus for you and the A/C is another bonus. I know the little A/C unit I put in the garage last year was worth every penny now that we are in the summer months down here. Its just nasty right now!

Yep, I agree on those little A/C units these days. They are so much better than they used to be. My steel building is 40X40X12, and two of those little 110 units cool it just fine all the way to 100 degrees outside. The trick is to turn them on in the evening and let them cool all night, so they don't have to work as hard during the heat of the day.

I go Monday afternoon to check out the new place. Unless there is a real deal killer lurking in the shadows I'll shake hands with the owner and set the wheels in motion for yet another big move. I swore four years ago that I would never move again until the one six feet under.

Never say never. Hope this one goes well and fills every need.

Sanford Magna-Track? Sanford Airport Raceway? Bob's Model Raceway? Sanford 1/32 Slot Car Speed Track? Sanford Florida Model Raceway?

Of course the angler likes: Lake Jessup Speed Slots - 1/32 Slot Car Racing - Feed your Need for Speed!

The cardboard sign over my pitbox when there: 'Will Work for Slot Cars'

I've got an 19 year old and a 16 year old that have strong backs...we can get their help for sure!

I hope this works out for you Bob, sounds like a good opportunity, I appreciate having my track downstairs to play on whenever I want...

I have now seen the property and I will probably be moving. The house is not as big as I had hoped for. I had feared this from what I could see from the outside. Unless Marty can find a home for Palm Bay Raceway (the 65' mdf track) and keep it the way it is I will have to reconfigure it to fit the new space. Instead of a 8'x16' rectangle I will have room for a 16'x10' "L" shape that is 4' deep. Making a simple bent figure 8 the best configuration. That would allow me to reuse about 75% of the existing mdf track. My new landlord can make me new track sections in his wood shop. Second option (if Marty can find a home for the existing track) is to build an entirely new mdf track using what we have learned over the last couple of years. Instead of making the mdf look like sectional plastic track (which the current track does) do a free form layout with a minimum lane spacing of 3.5" with four lanes. I'm not in favor of three or two lanes. It would still be some form of a figure 8 with an overpass. Third option, build a new configuration with the scaley sport track I have that fits the space available. I doubt the third option will happen. Now that I have been there a routed wood track is almost required.

Bob, while not your perfect place perhaps, it still would be home, have AC and the puppy there. Routing a track is really not hard

sounds like it is coming together - new track sounds good - access to the woodshop for refurb or new is handy.....could be a goer

start a new thread with your new track plan :)

Hope it works out for you, Bob. Sounds like you have some options with your tracks to make it a fit.

Hope this all turns out well for you. The A/C part alone, would be a very positive "thing" for me, anyway. I'm addicted to it.