by BIG E » Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:20 pm
Dennis, I've also considered making a very small oval, but never with the 3" hairpin curve for the inside two lanes!
I'm assuming that you're using TOMY A/FX track, correct? The A/FX website (afxracing.com) will show you that the 3" turn is not a standard 180 degree turn, but a chicane or "squeeze" turn. (It also has a small simulated stone wall inside of the innermost lane, which you could probably grind off and fill in if you so desire). I don't know if you were aware of the "squeeze" configuration, as this track was originally intended to simulate a road course hairpin turn. On an oval, it will make the two inner lanes a completely different and unequal challenge to the outer two lanes. Of course, if that was your intention, you're in business!
The track diagram shows that the 3" curve fits inside of the 6" curve smoothly. Once assembled, it looks like the beginnings of the straights would be unequal in length as you suspect. Odds are that you would be able to even them out by the use of different length straight tracks for the inner two and outer two lanes, especially that all the A/FX straights come in 3,6,9, & 15" sizes. (Standard HO tracks are 3" wide, that's what gives us the 3" differential in the track sizes.)
Just by "eyeballing" the website picture, it looks like a 6" straight on each side will do the trick. Sorry I can't just lay the tracks out here and let you know for sure, as all of my sectional track is packed up and 'buried' in the basement at the present time. My friends and I have been spoiled by racing on various "Max Trax" type Drag, Oval, and Road Course raceways over the past few years!
There are two questions that I have:
1. How long do you intend to make the straightaways?
2. What type of HO cars do you plan to run on this little 'mini-oval' once it's completed?
You may also have to try different voltage power supplies, depending upon the above factors.
It's an interesting idea, and I hope I've been of some help to you with your project. Keep us posted!
-- Good Luck, and... Enjoy!! -- Ernie