The first photo shows the basic woodwork and the attention to detail that laid the foundations for the track. The tubular legs have a levelling facility and all the tables are rigidly joined to effectively make a single unit. Initially four 4x2 tables created the base of the ‘U’ with two 3x2 ‘arms’ being attached at either end. We’ll see later that this was changed slightly in the light of experience.

Fred then covered all this with a single sheet of 3/16 cork for sound insulation and to provide the theme of the circuit, ‘Hot Air Desert Raceway’. The track was ‘roughed in’, without nailing it down presumably, to allow some running time and test out the driveability. Fred used old Aurora Model Motoring track except for the elevated back section, which makes use of 2x10 15” ‘Harrison Woodrow Model Motoring’ straights. This lessens the joints on this flat-out blast, as well as minimising any potential unevenness (and therefore de-slotting) from using 30 year old track pieces. (If running lots of magnet cars this might cause problems, as I understand the new track rails are not magnetic – so no braking effect can be obtained from the traction magnets grabbing the rails. However, since this is basically a TJet track, no problem!)

The elevation of the back straight quickly got ‘fixed’ as being correct so a wooden box support was built the full length of the table. However, the descent to this from the left-hand end of the track, comprising the ‘steps’ and old Country Bridge didn’t drive too well. This made way for a gradual transition from the elevated section to baseboard level, the descent being supported by a one-piece plywood ramp and stout blocking. The tighter radiused bends and short straight were also ‘lost’, giving way to a smooth sweeping curve off the decline.

The right hand ascent received similar treatment, making for a quicker lap overall. The resultant smooth but steep rise, instead of the ‘stepped’ approach to the tight 90 degree left hander, in turn led to problems for the marshal who now had to deal with cars rising into a corner quicker than they could take it. )

At this point Fred colour-coded the track, using Tamiya or equivalent paint markers, although this didn’t signify the end of the track modifications! The final mod’ was to extend the ‘four-lane split’, making it into a nine foot run before the cars come back together to loop around ‘Gasoline Alley’. This change also necessitated moving the start/finish line to just before Hanger Corner, the big, sweeping 180 degree turn into the Snakepit, before the ascent to The Ridgeback.

Attention then turned to landscaping, which appears to use real rocks to provide the transition between desert floor and The Ridgeback road. Cork shoulders take care of the ‘slide zone’ for the TJets that feature on the track and a liberal sprinkling of buildings and parked cars adds life to the scene.

I like Fred’s minimal approach to the landscaping. There’s sufficient to add interest without overwhelming the cars and layout themselves. The cameos at each end are more than adequate for their purpose. Some people seem to want to cram every last item onto the board, which makes for an overcrowded and unrealistic track that is hard to keep clean and in good repair. It also makes marshalling a lot more difficult. Then of course, there’s the time and expense of providing all the scenery, which detracts from the whole point – running cars!

Here is a driver’s eye view of a lap, penned by the maker, Fred DeBaugh:

Leaving the start/finish line you head into a right hand bend, the outer four lanes of the large, 8-lane turn (which comprise Hanger Corner). A sharp switch back after the Cobblestone sections takes you onto the right hand table extension (The Snakepit). On the extension you enter a sweeping left, followed by a left and a right before heading into the ascent. Thrown in this section but not readily visible on the photos are four Aurora "squeeze" tracks. Some gradual lefts take you to the elevated back straight for the longest flat-out section on the layout (Ridgeback Road).

At the end of the layout are two gentle lefts and a continuous right on the left-hand extension to bring you back down to table level. You then have a long straight before entering a sharp left (down to 6" radius for the inside blue lane). This area then gets a little tricky with two splits making the transition into the 9' of single lane track. At the end of the single lane are the reverse “Y” tracks to bring the lanes together again. Finally you'll drive through a series of rights of varying radii (Gasoline Alley) before emptying out onto the lower back straight and the run to the finish line.

I would have to say that the section of single lane tracks, specifically the transitions in and out, are some of the more challenging for the drivers - and from a marshal’s standpoint the 8-lane turn, with cars running in both directions on the inner and outer lanes, is the most maddening. But the track does work well and is pretty fun to drive once you have a little practice. I wanted more than a few dragstrip straights and some easy turns at the ends.

The whole track will be coming down within the next year when I move. But plans are in the works for a possible 8' x 20' (6) lane track at the new house.

This last minute addition came from Fred:

The Start/Finish bridge is constructed from a Bachmann HO train bridge that happens to perfectly span 4 lanes of HO track. I then added the "corrugated aluminium" sides and weathered it. There are 4 tiny screw in bulbs mounted underneath which shine on the timing system’s photo sensors, embedded in the track.

Anyone with Internet access is invited to check out http://www.oldslots.com. The track pictures are located on the MISC. page, where you’ll find more photo’s and Fred’s email address. Fred@Oldslots.Com