More Realistic Dirt (slotcar) Racing?

[LAMing]

Since it's been quiet in here for a while... maybe this would be a good time to do some brain picking...

Have any of you tried to simulate the action of dirt racing a bit more realistically?

That is, typically, our dirt cars have WAY too much bite and they circle the track blindingly fast. Actual dirt racing is a slower paced event, with a lot of power sliding in the corners that we all like to watch.

SO... have any of you tried REDUCING the traction at the rear SIGNIFICANTLY to better reflect this?

When I was last active in slots years ago (early 90's, mainly vintage racing), I stumbled onto some things that looked to have potential to accomplish this, but I ended up packing up the slot stuff and eventually sold it before I pursued it to see if it would pan out or not.

First, I discovered by accident that if I used the vinyl tires that came in the old 1/32 "Snap-Tite" NASCAR kits of the time... the car would spin its tires profusely, and would really slide into, and around, the curves. Throttle control became very important. This slowed down the pace of the car... but seemed to INCREASE the fun and challenge... and looked more realistic to boot.

I also learned that larger radius curves used in conjunction with the above "loose" car made the effect even better. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to try this concept in a racing condition (my wife and daughther had gotten their fill of slot racing!), so only ran a solo car.

So, I'm wondering if any of you have tried something along these lines... and if so, what did you use for tires that had a lot less bite? How did the idea work under racing conditions?

Comments? Experiences?

[BIG E]

I guess you're talking 1/32 stuff. Ditch the magnets, use narrow foam or semi-soft sanded rubber tires. Round off the corners on the rear tires, too.
Try adding a little extra weight to the front half of the car, (reducing rear wheel traction). I personally dislike cars that corner like they're on rails, whether it be a 180 gram 1/24 hardbody on a club/commercial track, or one of my favorite "pancake motored" HO cars. "Race with skill, not magnets" an old friend of mine used to say. Put the driving back into the driver's hands.

I like your way of thinking, be it dirt cars on an oval or sports cars on a road course. Enjoy... Ernie

[Ember]

Not sure that I agree with the RM suggestion that tread removal would lessen grip. It would mean more rubber contacting the surface and therefore increase available traction.

You could try harder compound tyres, like the zero grips. Or even just old tyres. Or coat your rear tyres with something to seal them slightly. Nail polish would be too extreme but there is bound to be something suitable out there.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I went through this process already, and I can tell you that the answer is to use fingernail polish on the inside and out side of the tire tread a little at a time until you get the amount of ghrip you want. The center of the tire will make full contact, and the part of the tire surface you apply polish to will slip. Just adjust a bit at a time until you get what you want. Simple, and accurate.

[LAMing]

Thank you very much guys for some input. Some additional thoughts/input...

The scale/cars/track:

Yes, in my case I'm talking 1/32 cars. In particular, Carrera D132-based cars on a Carrera D132 oval. The magnets are already ditched. I will likely be adding weight up near the front to help accomplish my goals as well as make them stay slotted better. I don't mind them staying slotted better... just want looseness/tire spinning to help slow things up and to make for more driving technique. (You CAN waste too much time in a radical slide, 'ya know!)

Fingernail Polish:

There's an idea. Does it wear off and thus the traction returns? My thinking of tire traction is to try for traction "parity", so to speak. Finding a different tire might put me into a situation of trying to find a suitable tire for a particular wheel.

Wonder what a strip of black electrical tape around the center of the tire would do? Hmmm. Might result in another technique that is "tuneable", yet obvious if it begins to wear off/etc.

Ember:

Zero grips? Got a link?

Thanks again!

[Ember]

[LAMing]

Thanks Ember.

[chris]

Maybe you could paint something onto the corners of your track so it doesn't matter what tyres you have, the surface will be slick.

Chris.

[BIG E]

[choc-ice]

[Nor Cal Mike]

Does anyone else remember seeing the clay surfaced oval track that was mounted inside a covered moving type trailer? It has been several years since I have seen it on pictured the web. I tried a search but came up snake eyes. The guy took it around to fairs and other events. He built up the slots and electrical conductor rails off of the surface and filled in between with some type of compacted clay soil to bring it back to level. He ran sprint cars on it in the pictures. I have no idea of the traction level. Heck, who knows, it may have been stickier than a conventional wood track.

[chbronco]

Yes see that,pretty cool most realistic .lost of mantaince you would think, moisture content, grooming ,but if I had the time and space I would try it.

[MoparGreg]