Scalextric Sport Wires Exposed in the Slots

[goosenapper]

Having broken down my digital Carrera track this weekend in favor of reliving some analog fun, I can't help but look at my Sport lap counter and terminal track and think, "what a bonehead design this is!" :doh:

The wires heading from the terminal and the lap counter to lane 2 are exposed in the lane 1 slot. Unless you run exclusively Scalextric, Fly, or Monogram cars, you will clip these wires. Running Slot.it cars are out of the question on my track, as they clunk and bounce each lap. Same goes with Avant slot, NSR, Carrera, and just about everything else.

So what I'm looking for is some direction as to how to reposition these wires without destroying my lap counter and terminal.

Sure, I've tried sanding and trimming guide flags, but they still drag on the wires and now I'm beginning to see actual wear on the wire coatings. I'm looking for a more permanent fix that can be done to the track, not each car. It makes more sense to fix the track once than to do so to each and every car that I wish to drive on it.

:think: Any ideas? (-beyond throwing out the stock terminal and going to photosensors for timing, that's not in the budget. I'm looking to fix what I have, not replace them. Thanks.)

[Ember]

I'd go with Dave's suggestion. You should be able to re-route the wires pretty easily. I ditched the lap counter and power terminal pretty quickly because I didn't like the big lumps in the middle of my scenery. I actually don't have any timing on my track, I must do that one day.

[goosenapper]

Yeah, I suppose I'll have to cut and solder then. I had read an old thread about this that was started by ElSecundo on one of the other slot car sites, and someone on there said to just cut the plastic, but didn't offer any details. I'll play around with it and will probably end up cutting, soldering, and rewiring them.

It's a bit shocking that this design made it in to production. Putting something as crucial as say wires carrying power to the rails in the way of moving guide flags doesn't seem too bright. :roll:

[Ember]

Shhhhhhh..... If you think about it in that way the evil Health and Safety Elves will ban slot cars altogether. I mean you have live power to exposed rails. Then there's the chance of a car flying off the track and hitting someone in the eye....Terribly dangerous. Just ask the insurance company that I tried to get cover for a commercial track with.