Wiring brakes on a 12x6 four lanes oval ?

[demether]

Hi,

As you may have seen here : http://homeracingworld.us/viewtopic.php ... 867#p85867

I'm currently planning to build an 1/32 (I also plan to run 1/43 and 1/25 cars on it) oval track, with 4 lanes, 2 symetrical wide R4 turns. Size will be (around) 12'x6'.

I'm not a "slot car brake at all cost" advocate. My 4 lanes HO track has no brakes wired, even if it's a road course. I run cars from stock tjets to tyco440 on it, and I never felt the need for brakes (the speed, motor magnets, weight and inertia of the magnetless cars made them slow down fast enough for me, not speaking of the traction magnets of some chassis).

So now I'm wondering if brake is necessary for the best oval racing experience. So I'm asking specialists here.


Thank you a lot for your help !

[btaylor]

I would think that it would be a matter of choice. I run a big oval no brakes no magnets,and I like it. others may not,it would be up to you,there is no real cost involved in adding brakes if you are already using parma type controllers.

[HomeRacingWorld]

I agree.

Just wired it for brakes and see how you like it. Easy enough to disconnect.

[demether]

thanks for your answer. I know wiring brakes is relatively easy, I was just wondering if it was something usual/common or not in "classic" US oval slot racing or not ;)

[Nor Cal Mike]

I prefer brakes although they are used very diligently on my D oval.

[The Old Jaybird]

I got brakes on my 8x16 MDF oval, but when running the track find that less brakes, just a touch, is the fast way around. Sort of back up the corner, touch of brakes to set the car, let it coast thru 1/2 the corner, then apply power on the way out. Pretty much like 1:1 racing.

TOJ

[HomeRacingWorld]

Racing on Razor Jon's smaller 11 footer now. Brakes make it better.

[demether]

Thanks for your comments !

Razor oval seems quite similar to my future "mine" :lol: at least on the widest 3 and 4 lanes. I'll wire the brakes, after all if I use bolts or "banana plugs" (not sure it's the same name in english :lol: ) I just have to not plug the brake cable and that's all.


TOJ : I hear you, it's the kind of feelings and particular way of racing I'm looking for, building an oval track :music-rockout:

[RichD]

All of the Shoreline Model Raceways tracks are wired for brakes. We also all use controllers with adjustable brakes. Most of the time you will get lower lap times with some brakes. All of my cars are run with the brakes turned down, but I have run some proxy cars that needed a lot of brakes. Without a brake control you might unhook the brake wire if your car has a lot of brakes, but most of the time some brake would be faster. You can add a 25 ohm potentiometer from Radio Shack (they call it a rheostat) to the brake circuit. The pot can either be on the controller or part of the track wiring.