Copper Mill Raceway

[silver rocket]

Hey guys,

 

let me firstly say that while there were a few hiccups last night I think you are guys are being a bit hard on yourselves. James and I take our hat off to you guys for the work you have done so far and how accomodating both dave & kirk were to people who didn't know anyone there, let me say on behalf of james & myself they could hardley have done more to make us feel welcome. Dave is a real nice bloke, perhaps too nice ( I doubt I would let strangers drive my $250 slot cars untill I knew they coudl drive anyway), who has a kick arse setup that is in it's infancy & the poetential for good digital racing once he gets it all tweaked is awesome!

 

Your "niceness" Dave was perhaps a contributing cause to some of the problems, (we felt for you when some racers kept smacking into parked cars, once you get serious racers bringing their own cars most of these problems will dissapear anyway. James & I both said that he best thing about last night was that me met a few really awesome people (i can see long term friendships developing), a few dickheads as well yeah but you get that hey it's not like we have never been pissed ourselves or seen ppl pissed, it's all good... :nice:

 

Part of my buisness involves running events that cater for up to 100 competitors so I can speak with some experience here. You guys made the best of a bad situation, once it was obvious that the format wasn't workin you bailed on it & just got down to some racing. Once the racing time was outwaying the waiting time ppl were getting into it. Kirk came over & asked us what we thought which is alot more than what some hosts I have seen do, it's my way or the highway sorta thing...

 

I have to say the roast beef was a highlight of the night, seriously who cooked that? casue I'm a half decent cook, (my bro is a top chef too) I cook lots & read about it lots etc & i'll be dammed if that wasnt some of the best roast beef I have tasted! James concured...

 

Anyway like I said i reckon you guys did a pretty good job, dont beat yourselves up too much it was interesting to race digital for the first time, 8 drivers on 4 lanes is indead interestin! We had to bail at out 9:30 as I worked all day sat till 4 & had to work all day sunday on the tools as well otherwise we would have stayed longer for sure..

 

I see many good days of racing in the future don't worry!

 

Well done Dave on your track & thanks for the invite!

Edited August 23, 2009 by silver rocket

[GTR XU-1]

Just had a bit of a test and tune night at CMR tonight for the European historic 1960s touring cars.

 

We had about 8 guys turn up for some pizza and social drinks - who are interested in slot cars and the night went well.

 

We were all busy preparing and for most of us were chipping cars for the first time....and blowing chips also for the first time...Dimi and Kirk!!! (Both from Team NSU tt)

 

As I bought enough ninco chips to cover everyone, after a significant number of burnt chips (manufacture issues not install) it left us a bit short. Team BMW 2002 had to fly the flag solo with my car as the lone entry - which significantly hampered test data.

 

Team Ford (Cortina and Mk 1 escort) had 3 entries but were too focussed and adament to get their head lights to work without affecting the N-digital timing to even be considered a threat to the upcoming championship!!

 

The privateer and solo Trabant entry didnt participate in the testing and tuning (due to chip supply issues). Although the driver did come along to 'spy' on set up and engineering along the pits.

 

There will be more entries once the season kicks off (shortly) with entries such as Renault 8, simca 1000 and mini's.

 

All in all though, despite Team NSUs failure to get the chips in the car, revell really have made a sweet bit of gear in the TT, and these cars will be hard to beat. I would like tp say the same for the Spirits BMW 2002, but sadly there were a few issues. The cars are quick - but absolute pigs and realiabilty will damper championship hopes!!!

 

Till next time boys

 

Dave

[SlotsNZ]

Heya Dave,

 

sometimes those mess about nights are more fun than the serious racing. No pressure, plenty of banter and cameraderie, not to mention the pizza and malted lubrication.

I've seen a few of those 2002s that are little bullets without magnets, so if you can get these things right, and have enough downforce for your digital track, it should go well - and that may be your biggest problem, they ride pretty high, so don't have a lot of pull onto the track.

 

All that said, there have been a few threads on forums about getting the Spirit BMW2002 to run right. If you're allowed to change motors, - down-power it. They have waaaaay to much grunt, and that alone makes them darn twitchy to drive. Actually a scaley motor, or Slot.it teal/green/blue bell, or a HAWK with a Ninco NC-1 to long frame adaptor is a good choice, de-torque them. Or if you can get your hands on one a BLACK can NC-2 Ninco motor (not the red one), they're just about right.

 

I found with mine that lots of things were not on square.

I would

flatten the chassis in a hot pan

shorten the rear axle 2mm and make sure the hubs are true before tyres fitted

Set it up aon a chassis block as only a small amount out of out shape on those will translate into many rashers of bacon.

make sure the guide sits full depth at the front, check the screw settings on the front axle. They need to remove lateral and up and down slot, and carry just enough weight to stop it being a tripod.

 

I sold it, and now regret that, another is coming, - in a very nice jagermeifter suit.......

[GTR XU-1]

Not that this is strictly slot car news but the Copper Mill Raceway group just grew by one more member today.

 

My wife gave birth to our second child (and first son) in less than 4 hours at 9.5 pound....Dad is very proud of both mum and son!

 

Both children will be car mad and slot car mad and as Dad, Uncle, Grandpa and Grandad are all car nuts.... they wont really have much choice. Even our 16 month old daughter has an interest in cars and slot cars already. She points and makes a broom broom sound even if she sees a picture of a race car or slot car!

 

In the mean time, racing has been put on hold at CMR until mid November.

 

Dave

[knoath]

My wife gave birth to our second child in less than 4 hours

You're a fast worker Dave!!! :(

 

Seriously, Congratulations!!!

First Birthday pressie is always a difficult one isn't it?

Controller or a car?......

 

Don't keep the racers away for too long.

 

Dick

[Ontheflipside]

Congratulations Dave. Family slotting doesn't stop. You will be eventually building a track for a grandson like I have.

 

I'm back over in Perth next week - will look out for the XU-1 (one of my old favorites)

 

Flip

[Ember]

Congratulations Dave and Mrs Dave. Two littl'uns under 2 years. Ooh fun and games in your household for long long time.

[knoath]

Dave, when my first born wouldn't sleep, I'd take him for a drive and he'd soon drop off.

If I had have had a slot car track, I'd have just taken him out for a few hundred laps and the Mabuchi Whir would have done the same trick!

 

Something to think about mate!

[GTR XU-1]

Cheers Dick.....

 

I will have you sell that to my wife!!!...."Just going out to the shed love to play with the slot cars to get the kids to sleep!"...."I'll just make my bed in the dog house while I am at it!"

 

Embs - Should be fun and games for a couple of years at least!. Will be good when the kids are around 6 years old. My brother Kirk (Captains son is only 5 weeks older than my daughter and they are spinning the wheel and are trying to have a crack again for #2 also. The cousins should all be around the same age so there will be some good slot car nights with children flying their slot car off every corner in a couple of years time.

 

Mum and Bub are doing great by the way.

 

Dave

[Ember]

I've been told that the car ride works a treat, so it can't all be wishful thinking on Dick's behalf. Though the high pitched whine of a mabuchi motor might be pushing things a little far.

 

Glad to hear both are well.

What does one do to celebrate now that it is politically and physically incorrect to hand out cigars?

 

The next question is, how soon do you think you can get away with buying Junior his first slot car?

 

Enjoy each moment of peace you have left.

[Captain]

Dave,

 

Congratulations once again. I visited Levi (Daves son) in hospital on Friday - He looks like he's got all the makings for a future slot car champion. 2 kids under 2 years old will be plenty of fun!! No pressure to get the guys back on your track, but on behalf of your regular runners... hurry the f@ck up... nah seriously - no pressure... no seriously... ok maybe a little bit. :mallet: Congratulations. Get the squid (kid) into the house and get settled first.

[GTR XU-1]

Well with Child No 2 settled in there has been a little bit of happenings at the raceway. We have had three or four test and tune nights now with our group of racers and our entry level clas of 1960s / early 70s historic european touring car series is expanding nicely. We have had a few guys from this site get on board and we are just about ready to kick off the racing year in 2010.

 

In the basic entry class we are aiming for low cost functioning cars and are aiming at 6 sec lap times (5.5s max) for all cars just to keep it low cost and rely on driver skill more than who built the outright quickest car as this is going to be our entry class. I think we have about 13 - 14 racers now with Spirit BMW 2002, Revell NSU tts, Scalextric Ford cortinas and Mk 1 escorts, Scalextric Mini, Revell Simca 1000 and a Revell Trabant in amongst a few others that escape my mind. I took a quick snap of some of the cars on the grid (these are just the ones that get left at my house)

 

 

We have Ozzyneil (Neil), Lone Racer (Mike), and Fordmanau (Wade) coming along of whom we have met only through this forum (Great bunch of guys by the way!!!)

 

The race track has also just been fully recopper taped and working excellently.

 

Captain (Kirk) has been busy getting on to doing some of the last finishing touches along the back straight. he has made an old fence and 'planted' a few trees which just finishes off the narrow little strip nicely (Note the lichen on the posts and burnt out posts). The old man also made up a water tank for the windmill just to fill in a void there also. Photos below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave

Edited November 30, 2009 by GTR XU-1

[knoath]

Some great work has been done here Dave and Kirk!

There's nothing wrong with the rust work you've got here Dave and I love the burnt out posts!!!

Might have to steal your idea of getting that water tank off the ground though!!!

 

Love the 'early Bathurst' class you've got lined up too!

 

Thanks for the pics!

Dick

[Ontheflipside]

Great work Dave. What did you use for the fence posts, very authentic.

[knoath]

Dave, can you tell me where you got the tractor tyre???

[GTR XU-1]

Dave, can you tell me where you got the tractor tyre???

 

Dick,

 

The tractor tyres were off a 1/32 scale radio control toy tractor that we got from a hobby store (Stanbridges) over here. It basically cost us $30 for four scale tyres!!!! The tractor is no longer with us so I cant tell you the brand. Alternatively, check out the tyres on the toys is toyworld, toysrus, Kmart, where ever!!!

 

The fence posts were made from balsa, just roughened up and painted with water base paint.

 

Dave

[knoath]

:nice: Thanks Dave.

[Captain]

Great work Dave. What did you use for the fence posts, very authentic.

 

 

The fences are dead easy - anyone can do it. I'll explain...

I just got some square balsa dowel and cut it to lengths. I then measured out all the holes for the wire and punched them through with a chunky compass point. If the balsa split, there wasn't too much concern, as it would just add to the roughened character. Then took to the dowel posts shaving off all the nice square corners with a scalpal (spelling?). I made some triangular in cross section and left some sqare-ish and just roughened up the smooth balsa surface with shallow slashes across the surface. By the way, some of the sides were shaved down to the holes ie about 50% of post thickness where they had been burnt by a freak fire along the fence line. They were then just painted grey and the bottoms were painted black and any potentially burnt bits were painted black (I used an acrylic colour mars black as it isn't so black and glossy (available from art supply stores). I watered down the black paint and just streaked it over some of the grey posts to show up some of the grooves and defects in the timber. Then just added blobs of light pasty green colour (and some bright orange) for fungi and lichen. The wire I used was very fine fuse wire (which is stronger than cotton and was more of a rigid wirey appearance). It was nice and shiny so I thought I'd put it in a container of rusty bolts with a massive amount of salt and water and just left it outside topping up the water every now and then when it dried out. I was hoping the salt would speed up the oxidisation process. I had it in for 1.5 weeks due to time, but I reckon longer would have been better. I did get some surface rust effect but it definately took the shine off it elsewhere which was the main aim. Then just threaded it all together.

 

Kirk

[triggy]

The fumes from a hyrochloric acid bottle ( pool supplies shop) will tarnish, rust mostbasic metals in a day or 2. Or just dip a brush in hydrochloric acid the "paint" the item and almost instant rust.

[Ember]

Looks great fellas. The tractor tyre's a nice touch. It's amazing how 'alive' some of these tracks have become recently.

 

Good luck with your next race night.

 

Cheers

Embs

[GTR XU-1]

The 2010 season kicked off at the Copper Mill Raceway - all I can say is N-digit blows. It is so unreliable and requires so much maintenance.....having said that, we finally got it all running but it is just so time consuming and temperamental.

 

Regardless, We painstakingly managed to churn out one round and get some points on the board (for the lucky few). As always, the N-digital always comes to life at the end of the night when most have left. A couple of guys called it quits before the racing got underway.

 

But back to the racing - Qualifying was a shocker for most. Ozzyneil slaughtered pole with a time of 6.21 seconds. second was in the low 7s, third was in the high 7s then daylight for the rest of the field.

 

Qualifying Results in order of position:

 

Ozzyneil (cortina), Lone Racer (mike-Simca1000), Robin (Non member - BMW), GTR XU-1 (Dave - BMW), Brian (my old man-cortina), Fordmanau (NSU-Wade), Captain (NSU-Kirk) and Dimi(NSU -Non member). I might add the NSU boys had serious qualifying issues and managed to fill the back three grid position!!!. Grid below (9th and 10th on th ephoto were non entrants).

 

 

Racing was a disaster!!! I had a case of my rear axle slowly slipping sideways until my wheels were heavily rubbing the chasis and had to retire with 0 points, Followed by Kirk and My old man (So none of my family even finished). The race was one sided the whole way though with Ozzyneil blitzing (and lapping the whole field). Photo below is a representation of the photo finish across the line with Neils Cortina.....then daylight second.

 

 

Everyone had a great night none the less and like I said, after many, many laps the N-digital finally came to life.

 

 

We base our championship points system on average points haul. So if you cant make a round, it doesnt matter. Neil has a comfortable points lead over the entire field. Fordmanau took second place with Robin filling the minor placings.

 

Cheers,

 

Dave

[Captain]

Dave - I'm going to put that first result down to the track. There is no way it was running right til about 11pm. Oh well, that's racing. Some cars (ok - Neils and maybe Mike's) were ok, but what's with everyone elses turning in stop start jerky qualifying laps... wasn't smooth at all. Mine was still like that during the racing. Scorpius will be well worth looking into. We've run many other nights with no trouble, so not sure what was up last night.

 

For anyone considering Ninco digital - it seems that if your track isn't perfectly clean, you'll have some trouble. The track was spot on after we all put some laps in and the rails were clean, but early on it was in some trouble.

[GTR XU-1]

Round 2 of the series was held last night, now with a reconfigured lane change format (including added lane changes) and the removal of the Copper tape from rail. What a difference. The track is so smooth again!!! Woohoo!

 

There was 8 racers (The other half a dozen couldnt make it due to working! - weak excuse)

 

As we dont race for sheep stations we had a few exceptions granted to the racing rules. Dave (a new guy) was permitted to use one of my mustangs as an entry and Mike (my father in law) was allowed to enter his historic 2009 model mercedes benz on a bmw chassis as his trabant and mini both had isssues that couldnt be solved on the night. (Both these cars were a bit quicker than the rest but ...no one cared really.

 

Qualifying was close and tense with it kicking off from youngest to oldest. Times were:

 

Mike W - Mercedes - 6.19

Neil A (Ozzyniel) - Ford Cortina - 6.34

Dave T (GTR XU-1) - BMW 2002 - 6.57

Mike F (Lone Racer) - Simca 1000 - 6.78

Dve ? - Mustang - 6.90

Dimi L - NSU TT - 7.38

Kirk T (Captain) - NSU TT - 7.83

Matt D - Ford Mk1 Escort - 9.20

 

Matt tried a different set up for qualifying on his escort which didnt work at all - hence the slower time, otherwise everyone else is not bad. The NSU boys also need to find their feet again after being the quick cars toward the end of last year.

 

As there was not enough people for all to race at once (No marshalls) we split the field in to two, B Main (slowest half) and the A main. withthe first across the line going through to the A Main.

 

Racing over 10 lap races was good in bothraces. Particularly in the A main , there was only one 'pause in the race' as most didnt deslot at all

 

As our championship is based on average point scores (If you cant make a round it isnt included as a zero score), the championship looks as follows

 

Dave ? - 20

Mike W - 17

Neil A - 15.5 (Ozzyneil)

Robin O - 9

David T - 6.5 (GTRXU1)

Dimi L - 5.5

Matt D - 5

Wade C - 5 (Fordmanau)

Mike F - 3 (Lone Racer)

Kirk T - 2 (Captain)

Brian T - 0

Simon T - 0

Liam S - 0

 

 

20 is the highest score you can get 0 is the lowest. You also loose points for deslots.

 

OK - FOR WA MEMBERS OF AUSLOT.....

 

We have a few guys in the list that were met purely through this forum. If anyone is interested to join the series or come for a look you are more than welcome. We range in age from about 23 through to about 60. You are welcome on the first night to come along and race (you can borrow a car) after that you will know if you like N-digital racing (or us ) so you can use your own car thereafter. At the moment we race about pre 1972 european touring cars - I have the list. If you are interested, keep in mind the following -

 

1) We are not serious win at all cost racers - No. 1 is just to have a good social night in a 'relaxed' atmosphere.....but qualifying is tense!!!

2) We drink socially - not to excess

3) No d!ckhe@ds!...which is pretty much tied in with item (2)

4) Racing about once a month

5) BYO car and chip (after first night)

6) Usually pizza for dinner!!!! - $5 - $10 ea

7) Minimum age of 12 (but needs to accompanied by parent) and keep in mind that we are adults, are drinking and occasionally use adult words

 

Knoath.....you interested!!!!

 

Dave

[Syd]

Round 2 of the series was held last night, now with a reconfigured lane change format (including added lane changes) and the removal of the Copper tape from rail. What a difference. The track is so smooth again!!! Woohoo!

 

There was 8 racers (The other half a dozen couldnt make it due to working! - weak excuse)

 

As we dont race for sheep stations we had a few exceptions granted to the racing rules. Dave (a new guy) was permitted to use one of my mustangs as an entry and Mike (my father in law) was allowed to enter his historic 2009 model mercedes benz on a bmw chassis as his trabant and mini both had isssues that couldnt be solved on the night. (Both these cars were a bit quicker than the rest but ...no one cared really.

 

Qualifying was close and tense with it kicking off from youngest to oldest. Times were:

 

Mike W - Mercedes - 6.19

Neil A (Ozzyniel) - Ford Cortina - 6.34

Dave T (GTR XU-1) - BMW 2002 - 6.57

Mike F (Lone Racer) - Simca 1000 - 6.78

Dve ? - Mustang - 6.90

Dimi L - NSU TT - 7.38

Kirk T (Captain) - NSU TT - 7.83

Matt D - Ford Mk1 Escort - 9.20

 

Matt tried a different set up for qualifying on his escort which didnt work at all - hence the slower time, otherwise everyone else is not bad. The NSU boys also need to find their feet again after being the quick cars toward the end of last year.

 

As there was not enough people for all to race at once (No marshalls) we split the field in to two, B Main (slowest half) and the A main. withthe first across the line going through to the A Main.

 

Racing over 10 lap races was good in bothraces. Particularly in the A main , there was only one 'pause in the race' as most didnt deslot at all

 

As our championship is based on average point scores (If you cant make a round it isnt included as a zero score), the championship looks as follows

 

Dave ? - 20

Mike W - 17

Neil A - 15.5 (Ozzyneil)

Robin O - 9

David T - 6.5 (GTRXU1)

Dimi L - 5.5

Matt D - 5

Wade C - 5 (Fordmanau)

Mike F - 3 (Lone Racer)

Kirk T - 2 (Captain)

Brian T - 0

Simon T - 0

Liam S - 0

 

 

20 is the highest score you can get 0 is the lowest. You also loose points for deslots.

 

OK - FOR WA MEMBERS OF AUSLOT.....

 

We have a few guys in the list that were met purely through this forum. If anyone is interested to join the series or come for a look you are more than welcome. We range in age from about 23 through to about 60. You are welcome on the first night to come along and race (you can borrow a car) after that you will know if you like N-digital racing (or us ) so you can use your own car thereafter. At the moment we race about pre 1972 european touring cars - I have the list. If you are interested, keep in mind the following -

 

1) We are not serious win at all cost racers - No. 1 is just to have a good social night in a 'relaxed' atmosphere.....but qualifying is tense!!!

2) We drink socially - not to excess

3) No d!ckhe@ds!...which is pretty much tied in with item (2)

4) Racing about once a month

5) BYO car and chip (after first night)

6) Usually pizza for dinner!!!! - $5 - $10 ea

7) Minimum age of 12 (but needs to accompanied by parent) and keep in mind that we are adults, are drinking and occasionally use adult words

 

Knoath.....you interested!!!!

 

Dave

Sounds great Dave but we are strictly timber track racers so the invitation to come to one of our meets is relayed back to you. We race every Friday night. Syd

[knoath]

1) We are not serious win at all cost racers - No. 1 is just to have a good social night in a 'relaxed' atmosphere.....but qualifying is tense!!!

2) We drink socially - not to excess

3) No d!ckhe@ds!...which is pretty much tied in with item (2)

4) Racing about once a month

5) BYO car and chip (after first night)

6) Usually pizza for dinner!!!! - $5 - $10 ea

7) Minimum age of 12 (but needs to accompanied by parent) and keep in mind that we are adults, are drinking and occasionally use adult words

 

Knoath.....you interested!!!!

 

Knoath I am!

Now... it's a bloody long walk, so I'd better be off... what's your address?

Seriously Dave, if I'm ever over that side of the island mate, I'll definately look you up!

 

I have a Q though... you mentioned that you removed the copper tape and the track was smooth again... I would have thought the tape would give you better conductivity around the track...?

Ploise exploin...