Carrera 1/32 Digital (need help with track layout)

[martin0409]

Hello all, new to this digital racing thing so I hope you can help me. Will the 1/32 digital Carrera Streamline set and 1/32 digital Carrera Formula 0ne Duel set will be compatible to one another. I am planning of buying it both so I can setup an longer track by combining them both, but not exactly sure if they will match each other. Thank you very much for your help.

[MrAdept]

Yes they will be compatible. Both have the older black box control system rather than the new CU that you find in the Time Race or Power Racing.
Don't know if that matters to you, but some newer digital features require the CU. However the racing will be fine with the black box, and the track is the same anyway.

Mark

[martin0409]

Thank you Mark. Will the newer cars run on this older black box control? Can I also put two or more cars in one lane and race them?

[MrAdept]

The black box and the CU both support 6 controllable cars. The CU allows a further 2 cars running automatically as pace and jam cars. I think the black box only allows a pace car.
You can run up to 6 cars on the track at any time. You will need an adapter if you want more than 4 handsets plugged in.
Any of the cars labelled digital 132 will work.

Mark

[oldtymer]

Martin...I started with the 1/32 digital Long Race Set...It came with the 2.4 wireless controllers which I really like...before I even took it out of the box I built a 8x18 table and extra track to make an 81 FT. road course which we are having a blast on . Carrera has many layouts you can download and it tells you exactly how many and what type of track pieces you will need....Have a great time slottin' and remember FUN AIN'T FREE :banana-dance:

Fred

[martin0409]

thank you guys for the great info. now i know what to do.

Martin

[BRS Hobbies]

Martin,

If you desire to display all the race information using a computer and monitor, then I highly recommend getting at least one set that comes with the Control Unit. You can still do this with the Black Box but will need to buy the Black Box lap counter. Also, the Control Unit has a lot of cool accessories that you may be interested in such as the Position Tower, Driver Display and Startlight.

Best regards,
Brian

[DaveKennedy]

Just to clarify a bit more... all Digital132 cars will work on any Digital132 track set. So if a car has a part number with "30xxx" it is a Digital132 car and it will work.
Carrera's track has not changed since 1967... let that sink in for a second. The track has ONLY been altered to change the connection clip system (a few years ago) but even the older version of the connection system (with the connection clips that look like a "C") will work with the current system that uses what I call a "red peg" to fasten the track together.
So when you're buying Carrera track you're getting a system where the currently used analog and digital track pieces are part of a system that's been stable for over 40 years!
No "sport" or "digital only" or "classic" whatever... a straight section of track made in the mid 70's is compatible with the latest Digital132 set from this year.
I work for Carrera and if you have questions you can reach me at my work number M-F 9am-4pm EST at 570-329-6870. I'm the resident slot car nerd... er... racer and the marketing manager for North America.

[oldtymer]

Dave...keep pumping out a great product...I'm enjoying the heck out of my Carrera Layout and ALL the cars and accessories that go with it . They have come a long way since my 1st set in 1961 . Thanks for all your time and effort you are putting into a great slotcar adventure .

Fred

[martin0409]

Thank you again guys, keep posting so I will learn more about digital racing, I have been racing analog for a long time now so I would like to try the digital setup this time around.


Martin

[proxieken]

To me digital is a big improvement in the hobby. You can pretend it is analog any time you want, just run one car in each lane and agree not to switch. Once you get a pack of cars racing it is very addictive and fun. I find the 1/24 cars are a lot of fun as well. The computer is nice to have since it keeps a record of all the cars and drivers best laps and such. Overall I am very happy with the company and the products.

The only complaint I have against Carrera is the limited years a product is available. As a new customer you may have a hard time finding some of the older releases and when you do it will cost you dearly. While the track has remained constant the available cars is always changing.

The other part of this issue is that when something does become available you should act soon to buy it or else you will miss out. Some times I do not have a lot of available cash but I can not wait till I have a little extra spending money. By then the car I wanted may be gone or listed on e-bay for much more than retail.

[martin0409]

I can't wait to have my hands on the two sets I ordered online. And just what Brian suggested, I took one set with control unit to get the most of the experience racing digital. I have one question for you masters of the digital racing; I have a bunch of Carrera analog cars, can these be converted to digital?

Also, can anyone help me out with the track layout? I would like to use 16 ft x 5 ft table and here are the tracks that i will have. I know it's limited but I hope with you experienced people in this type you racing you can help me out. Thank you guys for the help.

22 -standard straights
6 -1/3 straights
20 - 1/60 curves
2 - connecting tracks
2 - right lane change sections
2 - left lane change sections

[proxieken]

I have had good luck using this program for layout- http://www.uracerweb.org/

I have not used it for race management, as it has some connection problem I can not figure out. I like the easy way to do tracks with it.

[R/TRandy]

[oldtymer]