| DIGITAL MODEL CAR RACING TIPS |
 |
 |
|
The Digital Age---6 Cars---2 Lanes So you really want to race? But risking your body, not to say $100,000 or so for a car, just doesn't fit your lifestyle? Some claim that a Play Station or X-Box video game is the closest you can get to real racing. Others believe that fuel-powered 1/8 scale radio control cars offer everything the real cars have but a driver's seat. In truth, nothing but real racing really provides the life-threatening risk that goes beyond an adrenalin rush. Nothing matches that, but, for me, digital model car racing comes darn close, far closer to getting all my attention than a two-dimensional video game or a drive around a parking lot. There is a fairly large percentage of real racers that also race model cars. There's a group of about three dozen model car racers who complete regularly in my area. About a fourth of them also race full-size cars or motorcycles; one's an SCCA Class Champion, another an autocross winner, others compete with flat track motorcycles, moto-cross and motorcycle enduros. Most of them have now had the chance to race on digital lane-changing systems and, without exception, they agree that, bar that life-threatening experience, this is the closest you can get to real racing. For the first time in the history of racing model cars on a tabletop, you really can recreate the appearance, the speed and, now, the movements of real racing cars. Digital racing system have provided an element of racing realism that has been missing from tabletop racing, you can now "maneuver" the cars, in addition to controlling their cornering and regulating their acceleration and braking. "Maneuver" is the key element that has been missing from model car racing. The "action" of traditional slot car racing is two cars (or even better three or four) and drivers with speed and skill equal enough to be able to run side by side for lap after lap. Exciting, of course! Something that happens on a real race track? It happens less than rarely. Real race cars MANEUVER from one side of the track to other to be able to get past that nearest car. Digital has added that "move-over" maneuvering capability and it changes everything. Full-size racing cars only have the track all themselves for brief moments, hardly ever the chance to pass at will just about anywhere. Full-size racecars are often found in groups, (clumps, if you prefer), with two or more drivers attempting to get around the lead car. The element that makes a race a race, as opposed to a timed fastest lap, is that concentration of three or four or five or even six cars in a melee, all vying for the inside line. My ancient Webster's Dictionary calls a melee "A fight between combatants mingling in a confused mass." And I've not seen that on any four-lane model car track. Somehow, two cars running side-by-side, watching only for curves where one car might knerf the other, has never been anything like a melee---but melees are almost always the most exciting part of any real car race. Scalextric, Carrera, SCX, NINCO and Artin have new cars and controllers that use digital technology to allow you to drive the cars more like real racing machines than slot cars. The new systems allow four to six cars to race at once in one lane, with each car under your complete control. There's no need for more than two lanes. With the digital systems, the better drivers will soon learn which is the "fastest line" around the track and you will be "the first of the losers" if you can't figure out how to pass the leader---the second lane is for passing. That's what happens on a real race track, even in NASCAR. It's a first for tabletop racing. Until now, tabletop racing was still "slot racing" with each car able to zip along more-or-less without regard to any other car on the track---that's not the way it is on a real race track. The new digital systems all feature a diagonal slot in a special track section to allow the cars to move from Lane 1 to Lane 2. With the Scalextric Sport Digital, Carrera Digital 132, Ninco N-Digital and Artin systems, there's a small metal flap that aligns either with the straight-ahead slot or with the crossover slot. A button on your controller "opens" that flap to the crossover when you want to change lanes. There's an electronic sensor just before the crossover that identifies your car, so only your car will take the crossover path to change lanes. The SCX Digital system is similar except the lane-change mechanics take place inside the car with a special lane-selecting pickup system. The track plans in Model Car Racing, starting back in issue number 16 have Scalextric and Carrera lane changers located at what I would guess would the best places to best simulate real racing action. These systems all have built-in car identification systems for fool-proof lap counting and timing. Most of the systems also offer optional computer-generated pit stop track sections so each car must add enough "fuel" finish the race.
MORE INFORMATION:
There’s more about digital model car racing in the book SLOT CAR RACING IN THE DIGITAL AGE. There is also some more recent information in later issues of Model Car Racing magazine. The Pros and Cons of the digital systems are listed below and, below that, the pros and cons of each track system since much of value of any of digital systems is based on how well the track itself suits your needs. Finally, there’s an index of the more recent articles on digital model car racing.
Picking the Best Digital System; Pros and Cons Scalextric Sport Digital System: Pros: •Cars can be raced on any brand of analog with no change •Retrofit chips are easy to install and will fit any brand •Only terminal controller/connector track and lane-changers needed to adapt system to conventional Sport track •Curved and straight lane-changers available •Pit lanes with programmable stops and fuel loads available. •Offers connection to computer and/or monitor •Can race up to 6 cars
Cons: •Cars cannot be raced on any other brand of digital •Must buy second transformer for racing four or more cars •Power barely adequate for 6 cars even with best recommended upgrade •Reversing requires removal and replacement of all lane changers as well as terminal controller/connector track
Carrera 132 Digital System: Pros: •Cars can be raced on any brand of analog with no change •Only terminal controller/connector track and lane-changers needed to adapt system to conventional Carrera track •Offers wireless infrared controller option •Pit lanes with programmable stops and fuel loads available •Can race up to 6 cars
Cons: •Retrofit chips will only fit some Carrera cars and no other brand •Cars cannot be raced on any other brand of digital •Only straight lane-changers available •Lane changers are two full straight track sections long •No connection to computer and/or monitor •Must buy second transformer and connector track for racing four or more cars •Power barely adequate for 6 cars even with best recommended upgrade •Reversing requires removal and replacement of all lane changers as well as terminal controller/connector track
NINCO N-Digital System: Pros: •Retrofit chips are easy to install and will fit any brand •Only terminal controller/connector track and lane-changers needed to adapt system to conventional NINCO track •Lane changers are just one track section long •Pit lanes with programmable stops and fuel loads available •Offers connection to computer and/or monitor •Can race up to 8 cars •Ample power, with second transformer for racing eight cars Cons: •Cars cannot be raced on any brand of analog unless the chip is removed and conventional wires reconnected •Cars cannot be raced on any other brand of digital •Must buy second transformer for racing four or more cars •Reversing requires removal and replacement of all lane changers as conventional Carrera track •No wireless infrared controller option •Pit lanes with programmable stops and fuel loads available
SCX Digital System: Pros: •Low-cost and mechanically simple lane-changers •Lane changers are just one track section long •Curved and straight lane-changers available •Pit lanes with programmable stops and fuel loads available. •Offers connection to computer and/or monitor •Can race up to 6 cars Cons: •Retrofit chips will only fit some SCX Digital cars and no other brands •Track not interchangeable with SCX conventional track •Cars cannot be raced on any brand of analog •Cars cannot be raced on any other brand of digital •No out-outer curves available •Must buy second transformer for racing four or more cars •Power barely adequate for 6 cars even with best recommended upgrade •Reversing requires removal and replacement of all lane changers as well as terminal controller/connector track
The New Slot.it oXygen System Slot.it it is preparing production of their new Oxigen digital racing system for Scalextric Sport Digital or NINCO N-Digital track and cars (so far, we do not know if the Oxigen system will work with Carrera Digital 132). The Oxigen system supplements the existing Scalextric or NINCO systems so you must still utilize the Sport Digital or N-Digital in-car chips and the lane changers and lap-counting sensors in the track. The advantage the Slot.it Oxigen system offers is that you can use the same car to race on Sport Digital or NINCO N-Digital (and, we hope, on Carrera Digital 132) track. The Oxigen system will also allow any of the cars to operate on virtually any analog track. The Slot.it Oxigen system should be available by late 2009. The Slot.it Oxigen system operates with a 24Ghz Wireless with the option of up 20 cars on the track and four lanes. Each already digital-equipped car must also be fitted with a Slot.it SCP-1 module. Slot.it will offer O2 receivers to be installed at each lane changer and they will offer Sport Digital and NINCO double crossovers already fitted with receivers. The Slot.it SCP-1 cartridge talks the in-car module, then the in-car module powers the motor and talks to the lap counter. There are two versions, both utilize the SCP-1 in-car cartridge: With the Slot.it “Hybrid O2” system the 02 lap counter talks to the O2 interface to utilize existing lap counters, stop-and-go boxes or PCs. The DS lap counters and most other computer systems and PC interfaces will operate the lap counting, scoring and stop-and-go pit work as usual to control the race. The “Pure O2” Slot.it system talks to the SCP-1 cartridge in the car and, with an additional smart LC module installed, the car talks to the lap counter for lap counting and race management through your PC computer. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Picking the Best Track; Pros and Cons
Sport Track: Pros: •Snap-together assembly and disassembly •Locks together well on a sold floor or tabletop •Slightly rough surface (allows a broader choice of super-grip or powerslides through corners) •Best variety of different track sections •Great-looking borders for all curves •Borders for all curves are wide enough •Cars are less noisy on this relatively soft track •Flexible enough to allow some misalignment •Flexible enough to allow slight banking in turns •Great looking guard rails •Excellent low-cost lap counter/timers •Plug-in option for reversing •Highly-recommended "Pacer" option to race against yourself •Interchanges with Scalextric and SCX and can be adapted to NINCO Cons: •Track comes apart too easily to be moved without compete disassembly •Borders do not attach firmly enough for use on crossing bridges •Must buy second transformer and connector track for individual power supply to each lane •Lane spacing a bit close for modern Formula 1 and sports/GT cars •No banked curves available
Scalextric "Classic" Track (no longer produced): Pros: •Easiest track made to assemble and disassemble •Because of the above, it is one of the best tracks for younger children •Locks together well on a solid floor or tabletop •Good compromise between too little and too much traction •Best variety of different track sections •Cars are less noisy on this relatively soft track •Flexible enough to allow some misalignment •Flexible enough to allow slight banking in turns •Great-looking borders for standard curves •Borders for all curves are wide enough •Great looking guard rails for standard curves •Excellent low-cost lap counter/timers •Plug-in option for reversing •Highly-recommended "Pacer" option to race against yourself •Interchanges with SCX and can be adapted to Sport and NINCO Cons: •Track comes apart too easily to be moved without compete disassembly •Borders do not attach firmly enough for use on crossing bridges •Must buy second transformer and connector track for individual power supply to each lane •Slot too shallow for many other brands of cars •No outer-outer curves available •Lane spacing a bit close for modern Formula 1 and sports/GT cars •No banked curves available •Color of outer curve and straight borders not realistic •No longer produced so some sections are difficult to find
SCX Track: Pros: •Easiest track made to assemble and disassemble •Because of the above, it is one of the best tracks for younger children •Locks together well on a solid floor or tabletop •Good compromise between too little and too much traction •Best variety of different track sections •Cars are less noisy on this relatively soft track •Flexible enough to allow some misalignment •Flexible enough to allow slight banking in turns •Great looking guard rails for standard curves •Excellent low-cost lap counter/timers •Plug-in option for reversing •Interchanges with Scalextric’ older “Classic” track and can be adapted to Sport and NINCO •Outer-outer lanes available Cons: •Track comes apart too easily to be moved without compete disassembly •Borders do not attach firmly enough for use on crossing bridges •Must buy second transformer and connector track for individual power supply to each lane •Slot too shallow for many other brands of cars •No outer-outer curves available •Lane spacing a bit close for modern Formula 1 and sports/GT cars •Track surface too rough in some racers' opinions •Borders are too narrow to be really useful
NINCO Track: Pros: •Track assembles easily and holds together well •Offers outer-outer curves •Slot deep enough to allow any brand of car to operate •Cars are less noisy on this relatively soft track •Flexible enough to allow some misalignment •Flexible enough to allow some banking in turns •Borders available for inside and outside of all curves •Borders for outer curves are wide enough •Individual lane power standard •Reversing standard •Brake feature standard Cons: •Track surface too rough in some racers' opinions •Can be more difficult to find •Can be more expensive •No banked track •Color of borders not realistic •No self-racing program track
Carrera Track: Pros: •Track holds together tightly enough to operate on carpet or to move •Offers outer-outer curves •Offers borders for all curves •Borders are wide enough for any 1/32 scale car •Offers banked turns •Connector track has built-in brake feature •Slot is deep enough for any brand of car •Individual lane power standard •Brakes standard Cons: •Can be difficult for under-12-year olds to disassemble •Plastic tabs can break-off if track is carelessly disassembled. •Track can break if stepped on •Reversing only avialable with Carrera cars •Borders are black with "Construction Zone" red and white chevrons •Solid wall guardrails not realisticv •No self-racing program track
Artin Track: Pros: •Lowest cost •Track locks together easily and firmly •Offers outer-outer curves •Borders attach easily and firmly Cons: •Can be difficult for under-12-year olds to disassemble •Plastic tabs can break-off if track is carelessly disassembled. •Track can break if stepped on •Borders are black with "Construction Zone" yellow chevrons •No self-racing program track
Riggen or Strombecker/Bachmann Track (no longer produced): Pros: •Locks together tightly •Lane spacing wide enough Cons: •Can be difficult for under-12-year olds to disassemble •No half inner curves available •No half straights available •Only standard and outer curves available •No borders available •Track can break if stepped on
-------------------------------- INDX OF RECENT ARTICLES ON DIGITAL RACING In Model Car Racing magazine 2007, 2008 and 2009:
(Note: every issue also has track plans that include locations for lane-changers for Scalextric Sport Digital and Carrera Pro-X track---see "Race Tracks on a Tabletop" and "Real Race Track Plans" under the upper bar “Model Resources”, then hit “Model Car Raacing Indexes”) • NINCO’s N-Digital In Detail, issue #31 • Sport Digital in any Slot.it Car, issue #31 • NINCO N-Digital In-Car Installation, issue #32 • Year Two: The Pros & Cons of Sport Digital: Carrera Digital 132 & Pro-X, NINCO N-Digital and SCX Digital, issue #33 • NINCO N-Digital, Getting Started, issue #33 • NINCO N-Digital In Scalextric 2006 Formula 1 Cars, issues #34 • NINCO N-Digital In Scalextric or SCX Cars, issue #35 • Scalextric Sport Digital Tri-Oval, issue #36 •Driving With Digital, Part 1, Issue #37 •Driving With Digital, Part 2, Issue #38 •Formula 1, SCX Digital 2007 Ferrari, McLaren & Williams, Issue #39 •Assemble a 2-Lane Indy F1 Track On a 5 x 9-Foot Ping-Pong Tabletop with SCX Digital, Issue #40 •Assemble a 2-Lane Indy F1 Track On a 5 x 9-Foot Ping-Pong Tabletop with Carrera Digital 132, Issue #40 •Six Cars Lap the 2-Lane Indy F1 Track with Carrera Digital 132, Issue #40 •Quick-Change: Digital-to-Analog-to-Digital with Carrera Digital 132, Issue #41 •Quick-Change: Digital-to-Analog-to-Digital With Scalextric Sport & Sport Digital, Issue #42 •Installing Carrera Digital 132 Chips in Scalextric Cars, Issue #43 •Installing SCX Digital in SCX “streamlined” NASCAR Cars, Issue #44 •Scalextric Sport Digital Pit Lane Game, Issue #45 •NINCO N-Digital Chip Installation, Issue #46 |
