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I've been noticing in the past few months , not only on this board but others too , that new track builds in HO scale are changing from ultra speedways to highly competitive short courses . A lot of them are gearing down to sectional track as well . Wayne Bolton's TOMY short track pictured here on HRW is a prime example . It seems that 4'X8' tracks are making a come back plus many others using door slabs for the base. I have 2 racing friends that ordered routed 4'X8' TKO tracks before their demise . They are drives tracks and a blast to race on .

I also find that some track builds are cutting down to TWO lanes versus 4 . This eliminates the 6'' radius in a lot of layouts .

I always wanted a bigger track than what I have , never having any bigger than 4'X8' . Now , I'm finding contentment in running the shorter courses .

I've been for years limiting my cars to T-Jets and Magna cars . However >>>>> just on a whim , my grandson wanted to run some magnet cars which I haven't touched in years . We ran some TYCO 440X2's and they were a blast on the short track .

Have any of you noticed this trend or is it just me ? I think it's the latest in the WINDS OF CHANGE in HO racing .

Gonzo

Hi Gonzo!

Yes, I definitely like the small tracks but that is due to lack of space to build a large track plus I have BADLHOBBY 10 minutes from me which has 3 large HO tracks to race on.

I like the convenience of set up and take down of my small track along with the challenge it provides in a small area trying to get 4 cars around the small track at one time. We typically run 10 lap heats and call out our laps as we go under the start/finish banner.

A small door track doesn't cost an obsorbanent price to build either to set up and start racing for someone just getting into the hobby. My track is just 36" x 65" in total.

Many cars are highly competitive on a course like mine especially t-jets, magnatraction/xtractions and 440s to name a few. I like the old tyco pro,curve hugger,HP2 and HP7 for variety also which aren't super fast or over powered for a track like mine. I like to actually have to drive the cars.

I really like running a series of 440 chassis cars with the traction magnets removed. These cars drift nicely through the curves.

A small track takes me back to those wonderful days of racing with my cousins again on all our small tracks growing up.

I like this new trend and hope to see more small track builds!

I actually have another small road course in the works myself.

Enjoy!!!

Wayne (Bolton's Speed Shop) :D :D :D :D

I'm all about the 2 lane. With no 6" (few 9") it looks & runs great.

Its nice to be able to run the wider radius turns but the 6" and 9" work fine for me on my little track pictured.

I put a lot of time getting the track adjusted flat at the joints and I filed the slots at the track joints also so they were smooth transitions from track piece to track piece. All these little tweaks have added up to a smooth running track.

My daughters and I have a blast running 10 lap heats on it.

Just like in the old days when we were kids growing up.

No need for sophisticated timing set ups. Just call out your lap as you go under the start/finish banner.

My next 2 small lane road course I am planning on building will have the tomy mechanical lap counter track in place.

:D :D :D

I love my two lane 10x4 Tomy track, Had a 10x8, 4 lane 1/32 wood track before but the lap times were so fast and the track so short it was boring.

What my son thinks about the 1/32 track


Now with the HO track the lap times are super long, lots of straights and turn. He is the cop with a magnet car and me, I'm the robber with a non-magnet car. :dance:







We use PM controllers and run 15 to 19 volts, 5 amps.

That is awesome Austin!

What a great looking track you have and very technical in areas also.

Looks like a lot of fun to race on.

Like you I give my two daughters faster cars then I try to beat them in races with original t-jets and such by having the disadvantage which makes things even more challenging for me and my driving skills.

It is a hoot and we passed hours at times turning laps, laughing and having a great time!

Who would of thought two young girls 8 and 10 years old would be asking their Dad if he wants to race?

Life can't get any better!!!!!

Wayne :D :D :D :D

Hi
It is really nice layout and cars too.
Sylvain

Nice layout Austin. What I like is that it is clean & uncluttered. The "quiet" spaces allow us to have our eyes drawn to the scenic points of interest.