Racing by yourself

[dreinecke]

Like a lot of slot car racers, I'm usually by myself and it is nice to have something or someone to race against. A few evenings ago, I decided to set something up. As my track has several excellent squeezes, I thought it would be best to put two ghost or jam cars in the outer lanes as they can pass everywhere and for me to take the middle lane.

I chose my M/T-motored MRRC vintage GP cars for this session as I love the way they run and look on my track.

So, I did the old rubber band on the throttle trick to give myself a couple of opponents. After setting the highest speed that the two outer lanes wouldn't deslot at, I added a few pieces of green painter's tape to one side of the copper tape to ensure they didn't crash on two corners. This tape is easy to remove and cuts power for a few inches, which is just enough to slow the cars down. One car is a bit faster than the other due to the power settings. I set my lap timer for heats of 50 laps and let it rip!

While this method does not give the variable results an intelligent opponent might, it more than makes for interesting driving! I find I can usually lap the jam cars in 3-4 laps, but as they start to spread out, a few things happen: I can get stuck behind a slower car in a squeeze, while the other car closes from behind quickly. The fact that I'm racing open wheel cars also lends itself to the fun - you can't punt the other car in the aforementioned example or you'll be deslotted yourself.

I've found it actually makes the single racing aspect a blast! I've now run about 10 heats this way with no problems. If someone comes over, I'll simply remove the few pieces of tape and can redo it when needed.

Anyway, these are the ways I've been able to pass the recovery hours.

[ourwayband]

hey David,sounds like some fun racing.There is more to it then some folks might think.I've been having fun on my layout doing some what the same thing..
That what this hobby is all about,having fun!!

Rusty

[DAVE]

Theoretically, by adding a series of sensors around the track on each lane to tell a
computer where the cars are you should be able to program a computer to race
against you. Any computer wiz kids out there with any thoughts on this?

[TsgtRet]

Dave, I've thought about picking up one of the old Scaley Challengers (I think I know where there is still one) for the same reason. I run Ninco track so it would only be 2 lane but at least it's competition....for me the alternative is getting some of the Ninco Rally return loops and just doubling my lap length.

[Florida_Slotter]

Racing against a ghost is better then racing against no one. But then again, racing at all is much better then not racing.

As long as you are having fun, then it's a great thing.

[Burtonbr]

That is a cool way you've been able to set up a couple of ghost cars, I know it is more fun than just running some laps against the timer. I knew I would be racing quite often by myself and that is a big reason I like the Carrera digital, I turn fuel mode on so I have to refuel and set up a couple of ghost cars and try to beat them over 25 or 50 laps, sometimes it a real close finish, but always a lot of fun.
Though nothin beats racing with fellow Slotheads.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I use a couple of C-clamps on controllers to adjust the speeds of the chase cars on my three lane track. Oddly, the trick doesn't work on the middle lane. When I want to run on the outer lanes, I can only have one car to run against. It might be that the middle lane is run in so well, it just comes out faster so the cars can't run a constant setting without being too slow or deslotting.

[SJSlots]

I've owned the Scaley challenger cars more than once and about the only thing they are good for is giving the perception of other cars running. I wish they were more of a challenge. When racing alone my preferred thing to do is race the clock to set the best lap I can with a car then try to stay within 2 or 3 tenths of that time. I agree though that having someone to bang doors with is clearly more fun.

[HomeRacingWorld]

Good to see you Shawn. Come over and race anytime :)

I am curious on how this will play out Doc. Keep us posted please.

[Scatman1]

How about using Scalex Pacer system? As long as your laps are under 10 sec. .

[Fast Co.]

[dreinecke]

Well, as long as it is generating a good discussion on how to have a fun racing experience, that's all that matters.

I have the Scaley system but it does not remotely work on my wood track - I tried.

[BRP32]

I raced by myself for about an hour this evening.

I end up tinkering with cars half the time it seems.

Its fun and all but there is nothing like some one to race with that will give you a challenge......

My 2 daughters race with me but I end up just track marshalling for them while they race.

Its all good.......

Bolton's Speed Shop

[dreinecke]

Well, not everyone has ED, er... ADD... ;)

[LAMing]

RE: Doc and his analog "ghost" cars...

Thou art not far from Digital.

:lol:

Seriously: This is why I went digital (Carrera D132). I know 99% of any racing I do will be solo.

Andre