Looking for layout advice

[ckouba]

My 1/24th stable has reached critical mass and now I think that I "need" to build a routed track to facilitate this. Thankfully I have a supportive spouse and some space in the basement. It's a little narrow though and I keep mentally running into potential sight line issues so I thought I'd solicit some ideas here.

Constraints:
The area is rectangular, about 24' x 10'. The space available is more like 24' x 7' as there are stairs in one corner along the long wall. It currently has a 16' x 4' table with plastic track on it. Pics:

Prior to the table/track setup (yes, you may keep the comments reagarding the 1970's casino carpet & faux panelling to yourselves)


The current setup:


It's got about 3' at the far end between the side of the table and the stairs.

I've been poking through the other home-built circuits looking for someone who has a similar space constraint and an appealing solution but so far haven't found the one which makes me grab the router.

It needs to support 1/24 racing, but also be interesting enough for 1/32. I built a proof of concept track with 4" spacing and that seems to work well.

I would like 4 lanes but understand that will dictate some tight radii and the amount of space might not support that.

It will have a crossover to attempt to equalize lane lengths as more of a natural byproduct of the x-over than a forced effort to be equal. I understand equal lengths doesn't mean competitively identical lanes.

It needs a balance between a high speed straight and some twisties to connect the ends.

From an aesthetics perspective, I think it will need some sort of elevation changes but nothing radcial to achieve the objective.

Needs to be a joy to drive. No pressure, right?

Given those constraints, what would you do? Where would you put drivers stations? Recommendations for a power supply? I need to check the commercially available driver stations selections, any recommendations there? Not too scared to build my own either though.

Anyone have pictures they can point me toward for tracks in similarly-sized spaces?

Thanks in advance for killing any free time I might have this fall!
Chris

[2FER SLOTS]

You have a great place to have a track
Fill the place up with slot car and nobody will notice the floors or walls.

We put this layout in a 24x8 unfinished,very primitive basement.
Three lanes 4" space lots of fun on 80' of pretty close racing.



More in my Gallery or the build thread "Little King in my basement."

Hope you enjoy your track build........looking forward to it

[ckouba]

Ooooh, I like it! That has potential.

Something I forgot to mention is in addition to stairs in the lower left, there's a doorway to another room in the the lower right corner. Should be easy enough to work around though.

Where did you go with the driver's stations?

Thanks!
Chris

[2FER SLOTS]

Because of the basement configuration,driver's aren't in optimal positions.



But it is working.

Drivers should be on the long straight for best site lines.

[tim neja]

You've got a very nice area for a track. Take a look in the "CLubs Track" section as well. But the "Grand Loop" raceway posted here is nice. Dennis Samson's "Pebblestone" is also a great 3 lane track that would fit nicely--and you can look at my "Hillside" raceway as well. It's got a 9' by 22' foot print--- only 7' at the donut end. It's got an elevation change too which is very fun!! Lot's of great tracks on here with good ideas for you. I would suggest you go 3 lane as that gives you a LOT of racing and saves a LOT of space!! I would NOT try to FILL THE ROOM with track!! You can get a lot of racing in a well planned small space and make it a lot more comfortable without being cramped!! The pic above looks WAY too cramped to have a good social atmosphere--and let's face it--racing's about socializing as much as racing!!
BTW--my track allows for 1/24 racing!! It IS fun to be able to run the bigger cars--as I race Retro at my local commercial track--and those cars work well at home too!
T

[ckouba]

Grand Loop:

http://www.slotcarillustrated.com/po...ght=grand+loop

Pebblestone:

http://socald3.phanfare.com/4770321#imageID=106386337

Hillside:

http://www.slotcarillustrated.com/po...5&d=1342635705



Thanks for the pointers Tim. Just keeping them linked here for future reference.

Yeah, the basement is a little cramped and I understand the social thing too. I don't intend to stuff every last bit of track length in there just to have it. I am more concerned about making sure it flows well and is fun to drive. My little 3 lane is a good start and has been fun the time or two that I've had people over so I know I don't need a million lanes either.

As it currently sits:


It flows nicely, I'm just ready for something bigger.

Chris

[tim neja]

Yeah---that's nice. Just expand on that same idea-- and add some scenery--youi'll be styling!!

[SouthernSlotter]

With 7' wide to work with you need to have a straight along the side wall. That way you won't have to marshal that area. Four lanes is tough with 4" lane spacing unless you elevate a section of the track and work some track under the elevation. Three lanes might be a better fit.
Do a search for the "Coffin" track and work a layout off that plan. Looks like it, or something close might work for your space.
Tim made a good point in not filling up the room with track. You need some room to move around and a place for racers to set up slot boxes.