Dark clouds

[Czar]

I actually agree with some of the posts that counter my initial post. First, Harry you are totally right about someone who really has a passion for slot racing. And I will probably agree that my friend just didn't "feel the love", so it would have only been a matter of time.
Also, I certainly don't want all cars to be alike. But it seems that it was a lot easier to race a Ninco against a Scalextric, against a Fly. even though they all had very different driving characteristics. But, maybe that is just nostalgia. Maybe that is also why two of those brands are gone now.
So thanks to everyone who has given me a different perspective to think about.

[slothead]

In many cases maybe we shouldn't 'have' to race cars against siblings, but if that makes for the best matchups so be it. The search for parity in racing is endless, and while important always proves hard to achieve because the nature of racing is creating a better car or finding an advantage somewhere. For a manufacturer that might mean increasing the profit margin by changing parts or even the layout (such as switching from sidewinder to inline chassis design). It's up to us as users to decide how to arrange racing when parity is desired.

For my simulated Can-Am races all of the cars have Paul Gage tires except a few Slot-It cars which have stock tires. That's my attempt at parity between brands since I have Carrera, Fly, Revell-Monogram, and CG Slotcars in the series. I'm also experimenting with different mpg rates for cars based on speed so faster cars may have to pit more or longer. I do this to maximize my fun, and others may have to find their own creative ways to do the same when mixing car makes.

A quick story - when my brother from Oregon came for a visit my then 8 year old grandson couldn't wait to take him up in the barn to see our routed oval and race. Of course he gave my brother one of our worst handling cars while choosing one of the fastest for himself. It was a massacre. Since my grandson had 1000's of laps of experience on the track when I chose different cars for them and gave the better one to my brother some fun racing actually ensued. My grandson did this whenever he could get a new driver on the track so I guess parity just didn't compute for him.

[WaltB]

I'm relatively new to 1/32 but had HO since the T-jet days. I consider myself a collector / modeler that runs laps as I've had little exposure to racing slots. I have raced 1:1 and am fairly competitive by nature, so a bit different outlook on things.

Exposure - with the lack of hobby shops and advertising people don't know slots exist. I've tried to get my grandson interested but sports and video games are at the forefront of interest of most 9 year olds. Mention it to other people and you mostly get the blank stare.

Space and Cost - takes a LOT of room to setup a 1/32 of even modest size. It isn't exactly cheap either.

Car culture - this has changed dramatically since my childhood in the 60's & 70's. It just ain't the same anymore.

Digital vs Analog - I started, more or less, with the Carrera Digital DTM Championship wireless set. Bought extra cars, controllers, lots of track pieces, etc. I like the lane changing, my grandson likes to crash you coming out of the pits. I just switched it back to analog because I don't care for the limited offerings from Carrera and the fact their digital system excludes all other brands. To convert cars gets spendy fast and the track should be Digital/Analog from the start- if forum members can do it so can Carrera.

Performance - I agree like cars of the same brand should be similar, but across brands/classes not so much.

It's a niche (?) hobby with a lot of different aspects , always has been and probably always will be. Like someone said; you're a slot guy (or girl) or you're not.

Just my 3 cents worth, Walt

[DaveKennedy]

[BARC 1]

I hear what you are saying, but there has never been real parity across the board. I like the effort manufactures are going to to provide us with scale models that move. If an FF050 is required , then I am fine with it.

On my home track, almost all cars get the motors swapped out to the small Minebea square cans that have 6 poles and turn about 16 K. These motors are half the size of an FF50, but on my home track will keep up with most stock cars, and provide very smooth running.

Yesterday my Son in Law was over and we raced 5- 50 lap races head to head. I was running a stock Scaley P4 with the magnets removed, He chose a Scratch Built GT 40 with the small Minebea Square can.

I edged him 3 races to 5, and all races finished with the cars in the same lap!!!

For this race we were running both lanes at 12 volts, but as Bob mentioned variable voltage control on each lane will quickly add parity to the racing. For me it is not about being the fastest car, it is about running 5 races with results like my Son in Law, and I had yesterday. To expect different manufactures to deliver on that is a tall order. Each of us has different tracks, and car requirements. Most tracks have a terminal velocity time regardless of what motor is in the car. In my case the small Minebea motors get you there.

So in the end, it has, and always be, up to us to tune our cars to what we want. That is part of what makes this fun for me.

[noddaz]

I am glad I don't have these issues! I race different brands and I know different brands have different capabilities! Usually good times are had by all. Currently I race on a regular track when I get the chance, and also a Carrera digital track when I get the chance. And I have been known to sometimes motor my Scaley Javelin on the Carrera digital track. No worries.. Just fun.
Not always sunshine and rainbows, but dark clouds? No.
Scott