The Edmonton Club (Slot Car Racing Edmonton) is building a drag strip and looking for timing system for our new project. Any ideas or suggestions will be welcome. Looking forward to hearing from my 'fellow slotheads'.
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We've used the Slot Dragon set up in the past. It is a good unit for price, and is well worth it. And it doesn't need a computer.
The drawback is at the starting line. You only need to cover one light to start the christmas tree. The timer starts when the light is uncovered. As such, the length of your car makes a difference
If you have a short car, you're at a disadvantage to someone with a longer car. The longer car can get a good headstart on a short car before redlighting.
When we were using it, we set a max length of 9" to try to even things out a little. Shorter cars could add a guide tongue and have it stick out the front to make the 9".
Other than the start line setup, the Slot Dragon system works great.
The Trackmate system isn't cheap, but because it has 2 lights on the start line, it allows much more fairer starts. When you cover the 1st light, you're staged. Cover the 2nd light before the tree goes green, you've redlighted. Because we "drive" our car up to the line, we set the 2 lights two inches apart. If you push the car in, you can set the lights closer together.
The Trackmate system can give RT, ET, mph and the difference between the winner and loser. The more expensive unit will also give you 60' and 1000' times.
Because Trackmate requires a computer, you can add additional monitors and place them so everyone is not crowded around the start line to see the results.
Trackmate also has other addons such as win lights and a display board at the finish line (at additional costs).
Given the costs of the Trackmate system, I can certainly understand why you're looking for a used system.
There is another drag timing system being developed that has promise, but is coming along slowly.
http://www.racecoordinator.net
Dickie Pearson
Canterbury, NH
HOST - Home Operated Slot Tracks
MSR - Main Street RacingComment
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Also what paint would be best for a drag strip surface and we will be using traction oil. We have used flat latex on our other road course tracks. Any suggestions???Comment
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