Back in the hobby, checking out the scene...

[ChallengerGuy]

Well, it's been a long hiatus from slot cars but after buying a couple of cars from Fantasy World, I thought I should stop by. Heck, my old "super8mm" login is long gone as I see HRW is under a different forum now. So, is the slot car scene still going? Has everyone jumped to digital or RC or something? In case you don't remember, these were my tracks:

http://www.outriggercanoe.com/mypics/2005_1.html



Anyway, I am considering putting away my pinball machines and making a proper framed-in track very similar to my first one, 3 lanes but this time on legs with wheels so I can actually move it out of my garage should the need arise (for doing stuff in the garage, etc). We shall see. My boys are older now, 9 and 12, and it would be nice to see if they would race a bit now. Sadly, a divorce is also underway and amazingly, it had nothing to do with slot cars. But I digress. I will finally get to run a small race track underneath the tree this year so "yay" for that at least.

Oh, my new screen name refers to my 2012 Dodge. I love it. 6-speed R/T. It's like driving a giant slot car around on the streets.

Cheers,
Mike

PS - I picked up the Slot It #66 and a Fly Porsche 911 that was on sale. It was a toss up between the #66 car and the MRRC Cheetah in flat black...so tempting...

[dreinecke]

Mike,

It is GREAT to see you back here, old buddy! Yep, a few changes around the old place. New forum is great and stable!

Sounds like you've had a time, but I'm glad you seem to be getting back out. What color is the Challenger? I want it in Sublime Green. If that is ever released, I'm selling both kidneys!

[ChallengerGuy]

Thanks David, yes, just getting my feet wet again. Nice to see the good people of HRW are still here. When things go "boom" in your personal life, places like this sort of start to make a difference in your life. (on a side note, things are very amicable and drama free and most importantly, my kids are doing very well, all things considering). So yeah, I am getting the itch to get back into a "deep" hobby (meaning, different facets I can tinker with as time goes on...heck, even thinking about making tires!).

As for my car, well, jusy call me Kowalski. Before I got my plates, I drove around with these on for a month:



And then, when my plates arrived, it appears Kowalski actually made it to San Francisco:



All my car pictures are here for those interested:

After one year I have 7,980 miles on it. My suby takes the brunt of day to day grocery getting.

I think this time around I will make sure I get the cars I truly enjoy (instead of going for volume like back in the heyday). I see that MRRC still make awesome models and the offerings from Slot.It are excellent. Fortunately, I kept about 50 or so of my favourite and heavily modified cars and all the drivers stations, etc. The old laptop still fires up the laptiming software too. Nice. But, it will be a few months before I make any motions towards getting some MDF but in the meantime I have some rearranging in the garage to do. Oh, and explore the forums on here and get caught up a bit.

[Tubby]

Love the Challenger! Good luck with everything!

Tubby

[MoparGreg]

Mike, welcome back. I spent alot of time in the past reading you website. Nice challenger to!!!!

[ListerStormGT]

Welcome back Mike, good to see you back!

[FootScoot]

I'll echo in here, welcome back Mike. Nice Challenger! Things will get better with time. I know from experience. :)

[goosenapper]

Mike, I feel like I'm meeting Stirling Moss here- I don't mean to freak you out, but you are the reason that I got in to 1/32 slot cars- or more accurately, your website chronicling your track builds is. I had been in to HO, but the modern cars didn't do it for me like the old T-Jets did. In one of his reviews, Harry refers to "escorting your favorite magnet around the track," and that's what the newer HO cars feel like. Seeing the detail of the cars and your track gave me inspiration to jump in to 1/32. I still haven't built my own wood track, but I've amassed quite a collection, many of them bought based off of having seen them on your site. Incidentally, I have your site bookmarked and still go back every now and then to look at the shots, hoping that you'd update someday. I was on there yesterday in fact.

Since you may have been away from the hobby during their coming out party, have you taken a look at the Pioneer cars yet? I think their releases may be right up your alley.

Anyway, welcome to HRW, and I'd personally like to thank you for the inspiration! (however my wife would probably want to kill you for getting me started :lol: )

[dreinecke]

Oh, that is a beauty! Are you in SF? I just went there in September and had a great time.

[HomeRacingWorld]

It is great to see you back sir. Yes, old HRW has a facelift (jury is still out) but we are very much alive :)

Yes, life can go boom...and make things unhappy. I am glad to see you are bouncing back and still thinking about slot cars.

Welcome back. Now get busy will ya? We need your great photos and advice here. :)

[ChallengerGuy]

Thanks everyone. This site has always been "down home" in feel and discussion so I look forward to restarting all the enthusiasm. I am glad my track pictures have helped people like Goosenapper too, that's really great. So, yes, looks like a bit of xmas shopping on ebay or the slot retailers and time to start digging out my stuff, dusting it off and making it fun again. Like I said, when the Christmas tree goes up tonight, I will set up a small lock and joiner Aurora four lane racetrack around the bottom of it. It's strange to be able to do things without asking permission anymore. But I am sure I will get used to it! Pictures will for sure follow - you know me and my camera hobby! ha. I am really looking forward to a renewed, fresh approach to the hobby.
Mike
PS - David, I am in Sacramento, not SF. Though I get out there and go sailing when I can.

[Dangermouse]

Hey Mike

I found your site when I first got back into slots about 4 years back - from down here in Australia
it was inspiring - so good to see you back on the best forum in the slot car universe

cheers
David

[Jesla]

*loud whisper* ...he's... ba..ack.............. LOL....DUDE!

[BIG E]

Hey, Kowalski... congrats on the new Challenger. Excellent plates! Remember what the cops in the movie said, "we believe it may be supercharged"!
I saw Vanishing Point 21 times in various theaters and drive-ins at the time. Couldn't get enough of it. Still one of my favorites (in the full length, unedited version) to this day.
Enjoy the car, and welcome back to the hobby.

Happy Holidays... Ernie

[ourwayband]

Nice car!! I too have read your site several times.Glad your back.Now fire up those slots and have some fun!
rusty