Sideways Daytona Prototype

[Pappy]

This is how I look at it. No one can drive a car on the edge lap after lap (except maybe Dave Wickum on Cloverleaf's track). I can usually drive consistent laps within 2 or 3/10 of a second of the fastest lap the car will do (on my track). If I can drive at a comfortable speed and the other guy has to put his car on the edge to keep up and he tries to do it, he's going to come out of the slot.

To me, slot car racing is a hobby of thousands of an inch and thousands of a second.

[Giddyup]

[War Eagle River]

You guys are overthinking! For example, if you take a Sideways DP, (by the way what this thread started as!) Some come with an in line with an 9/28 gear ratio, (3.11). And the tire diameter is 20mm. And you take that car and change it to a sidewinder, the closest you can get to the original gear ratio is 11/34 gear ratio, (3.09). The car is going to drive/react completely different. And take same car and change it to an anglewinder...Now, if what you’re saying about tire diameters is true, then that car with a 20mm diameter gets changed to a 19.5mm diameter, then you have to change the gear ratio? I don’t think so...Formulas go right out the window...you still have to drive/race the car, no matter how it’s set up. And each car is different, even those of the same make/models. My advice would be to take each car individually and tune it to how you can race it to your max ability. Trying out different configurations, different tires, different gear ratios, weight placement, etc, until you achieve the performance level you ascertain. Start throwing in formulas, and you’re going to have a mess. If you feel you need a starting point, start by putting the car on the track, and then race the tires off it till you need a new set!