[lornecherry]

Just a quick update to let you all know how the testing is going.

I'm continuing to test several custom surfaces for the D'nano, in attempt to replicate the performance/grip of racing carpet and EVA foam, without the associated problems of a car that is content to run for 20 minutes at near 700 KMH scale speed. Here's what I've found so far:

Carpet: The d'NaNo's front wheel axles eat carpet fibre like my teenagers inhale Mac n' Cheese ... resulting in a time-consuming clean-out of the front assembly every 15 minutes. (the cars, not my kids!) This is unexceptable, and will result in eventually stripping the front-end screws. Moreover, any endurance racing would be determined by this factor also, as your steering slowly goes away or gets lop-sided as the fibers build up. I sure hope the HTUSA tracks have no fibers, or they are in for a nasty surprise on any race longer than five minutes. And I'm curious as to why they continue to sell HTUSA the carpet-like tracks, after showing a new interlocking plastic surface at the '09 hobby show?

With respect to the carpet fiber issues, I'm also experimenting with modifing the front end (larger overhang on the rims, foams, etc.) to see if that helps in keeping the fibers out.

Of note, I have tried a least 10 different types of carpet -- including the best Mini-Z Ozite with the very lowest/compacted fiber, all have the same issues ...if it has fiber, it will eventually find its way into a d'Nano's axle. Carpet is also difficult to get to lie perfectly flat if it's not fastened down. And if it's fastened down, it's not portable.

On the upside: nothing beats the roll-out convenience and light weight of racing carpet. Handling is so natural -- I can run near full throttle on a banked oval with car drifting up to the high side just a touch -- just like NASCAR or Indy car. Rails and track barriers attach in seconds with Velcro.

EVA foam: love it, very natural handling to the "smooth side" of the foam, but the interlocking joints are just too annoying -- feels like I'm constantly driving over the expansion joints of a bridge in my Dodge truck. And interlocking foam is far from portable -- my fascination with puzzle pieces evaporated about 40 years ago.

EVA roll-up foam -- oh yes, there is such a thing -- it has issues with deploying wrinkle-free though -- working on that problem with the manufacturer. My current rail system has to be redesigned too.

Regupol: I'm also working on a roll-up surface with a variant of this type rubber -- very popular in Europe. Awaiting shipment of two custom formulations (regular Regupol has too high a coefficient of friction ...or simply, too much grip). Needs to be anti-static also. A little heavy also, as it's much denser than EVA or other foams.

I have a few other tricks up my sleeve that I cant reveal at this time - but I'm determined to make this work -- a big (at least 16-20' x 8-10') light-weight, portable track that rolls up in seconds .... all with full-scale race feel and without the puzzle piece issues. I'll check back in a couple of weeks to update. - Lorne