Scale MPH

[Vintage 1/24]

The physics of scale play is a pretty interesting topic:

First dimension of Size (linear).
Second dimension brings in Area (square roots).
Third dimension would be Volume (cube roots), which leads directly to density, mass, and power-to-weight.

Thinking about other physical realities, like the fact that 1/32 scale water is pretty thick stuff, etc. there is lots to think about as we consider Time (Fourth dimension?) and rates.

For now I really like Turbokev's "it matters how tall you are" approach! So at 6'2" my car feels slower than another racer who is 5'6"! Great insight!

[slothead]

Perspective may be a better way to frame this - going 40 mph in a car is no big deal while going 40 mph on a go kart 4" off the ground is thrilling. A slot car going 10 actual mph on a table top track by perspective is a blur nearing light speed.

As for obtaining 'desired' speeds three things work on Shepherd Speedway - choice of motor, choice of tire size and compound, and track voltage. Tires win out here with a slick surface (hardboard) since big motors and higher voltage are no help if you can't get hooked up traction wise. With various motors and a single voltage setting three unique classes of cars (speedwise) developed using stock, silicone, and silicone over foam tires. A slower 'stock' tired car can become a track demon with stickier tires, but it's a lot of fun having to learn how to drive all of them and be competitive within each class.

My personal 'if I ever win the lottery' thought is to build an actual scale sized replica of a full size track. I think I'd start with a half mile banked dirt oval, something like Eldora. How about true scale replicas of Indy, Daytona, or a road course? Everyone on HRW will be invited to join the fun.

Slothead

[4424ever]

Slot head we think alike I've always though a scale replica of Daytona including the road coarse would be one of the ultimate tracks to build but we have to get the lottery thing figured out first!

[Florida_Slotter]

[vonsirius]

If you race on our little permanent track (2´90 x 0´90 meters) a fast motor it´s not always a good choice,
I haved just finished a 60´s F1 "championship" whith my son, we run 8 cars on 7 rounds whith a points system for wining a race, finish at the same lap and so on...

6 cars was origial SCX cars from the 60´s / 70´s whith an open RX motor from the era, the other two was a modern Scalextric ones whith a faster motor ( at least 5000rpm more , that is 1/4 more rpm s than the others).
After three weeks of racing the podium was for 3 old SCX ones while the first Scalextric one was on fourth position!
It was a surprise for us.

Anyway it was a great fun!!!

[balsaworks]