My track idea
 

Here is an idea for a track. I plan to use it with two booster cars running 2.8 - 3.4 motors. Do you think the lanes are wide enough, or to wide? Also don't go by the proportion of the picture. I ran out of room. Look at the measurements for size. I plan to use a peice of wood as a base. Should I do anything to the wood or just use it as a surface? Also what are good barriers?

looks like a fun track to me. i would probably get some poster board or thick paper to make the course. that may be too slick of a surface tho, i have never made a track myself and am wondering the same things (good barriers, surface).

i used a 4x8 sheet of plywood. sand it and paint it. for my barriers i used real thin walled 1" pvc pipe. it bends pretty good, and i just nailed it on.:D

oops, i forgot. i also put charging pads on the outside wall. they're wired together to an ac plug. i just plug in the ac adapter into the track. to charge, just hold the car onto the pad for 30-45 secs. i'm using a universal 1000mah adapter @ 3v. works great!:D

I think 8" is wide enough to race, your track plan looks good.


I used a 4x8 sheet of particle board, not the rough stuff this sheet was very smooth (and cheap$10).I put 1x4's around the outside edge(the cars will NOT leave the track area) primed everything then painted the surface with a flat charcoal colored paint (looks like asphalt) and I mixed some traction grit into the paint, rolled the paint on with a small smooth foam roller.The surface is smooth and has good traction.The 1x4 border boards are painted dark green with the top edge painted yellow as an aid to see the edge.My track rests on a 6 foot folding table.

I use three sets of zipzap race barrier sets and I can set really any track I can think of up on it (I do need a bridge section though) and still have track pieces left over.I also have three sets of the microsizer track sets and I only used one set so far but the pieces are good for a less solid barrier and little jumps if you like.

So I guesss I'll sand it down and paint it. Could I use rope as a barrier?

I don't see any reason why rope wouldn't work. You just need something to keep the cars on the track right? Someone posted here awhile back some pics of an Initial D track made out of 1/4" foam board. To do the outline he just made two layers and cut out where he wanted the track to go.

thanks for the info guys. anyone want to post some pics?