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I've used a couple of methods to get my aprons level with the track. If the plywood or mdf is too thin you can shim it with pieces of cardboard installed underneath.  You can also use a thin coat of plaster of paris on top of the plywood or mdf and sand it down to track level (plaster sands very easily). Coat the plaster with primer and paint. Both these methods have worked for me.  ----------------------Bill

I'm holding out for an injection molded body. I know there was an old MPC (I think) model kit. And I've seen a Strombecker slot car listed as a 1/24 scale Ford J a couple times on Ebay (not sure about that one. I've never actually seen one up close).

-----------------Bill

Best thing about the J was it was hard to get around! The paint chips on the upper rear corners were from getting the body through tech!!! I ran a mildly modified chassis under it with an armature I had rewound. I did win a race with it, but if I remember correctly I was only allowed to race it once.

The Vette was a major mod. Alan Blanchard and I each built one. At the time motor magnets for T-Jets were weak. The only thing available as an upgrade were the 20 + year old blue & yellow hop-up magnets. We had found from racing Aurora Magna-Traction cars that the old Aurora Quadra-Lam armarures really came alive with the bigger stronger magnets. So what we did was mill out the inside bottom of the T-Jet chassis where the motor magnets sat. Then we milled out the underside of the T-Jet gearplate for magnet clearance. With the Magna-Traction magnets in the T-Jet chassis (yes they will fit and I can prove it with photos!) they flew! We also redrilled the rear axle holes higher in the rear of the chassis to lower the car. The car in the photo was rebuilt and the T-Jet gear plate was replaced with an A/FX style gear plate and gears to reduce weight. The A/FX gear plate also had to be milled for magnet clearance. We painted up two lexan Corvette bodies in team colors. The cars were very fast but really hard to control!

-----------------------Bill

Looks like it huh!.......sadly those are what some of the HO manufacturers consider "car tires.........................and you guys wonder why I like "O" rings....

---------------Bill

Looks like we got a little off track of what AJ started here. So to help get back on track here's some old stuff!

Back in the 80's I raced with H.O.R.O. (HO Racers of Oregon). We had an "unlimited" T-Jet class that was based on stock T-Jet chassis. You could not use traction magnets of any kind. Alan Blanchard and I built two of these lexan Corvette bodied entries. This #2 car is mine.

Rico - If we add the second class, such as the 1/24 vintage cars, why not add a class we could run on the 1/32 tracks also? We could pick a class of car that we all have already. For example a Slot.It class, or maybe just a 1/32 production chassis non-magnetic class? Something along the lines of what you, Monte, and I have been experimenting with. We could also run that class on 1/24 tracks for a change of pace.

As far as the point series, There are four choices. The NASTE Championship could be determined by; 1) points accumulated from the IROC races only, 2) points accumulated from the non-IROC races only, 3) the total points from both races, 4) Or the points from both races could be tallied and separate winners in both types of races could be named.

  We have grouped racers together by experience or skill level before, and maybe that is something we should go back to. The ability to "throw out" a couple of bad races each season also helps with the "bad race" scenario.

------------------------Bill

A lot of good points have been made here. Since NASTE was established we have always tried to have a slot car racing experience that is just a little different than the norm. We have accomplished that goal in the creative formats we have raced under, and with the cars we have raced. I feel NASTE has been very successful through the years, and one of the reasons is we have always put FUN ahead of competition. Since 1996 NASTE has had more than 100 participants. Many of those people had not raced before, and may never of had the experience had it not been for our group.

As much work as the IROC series is in regards to keeping cars up and running, it is a proven and successful formula. Take for example the last race at Hemi Heights. There were quite a few people in attendance who do not own 1/24 cars, and some people who do not even own ANY slot cars. But from my point of view it was a great race and a lot of fun! Getting people together and racing is what it's all about. With NASTE people get to try a little bit of everything.

So where do we go from here? I started this dialog because I was feeling like I would like to race my own cars, and I think there are others that would also like to race some of there own cars. One thing I'm hearing loud and clear is the IROC format is well liked. So what about this; NASTE maintains the IROC format for the first and primary race at each event. One round of racing just as it was at Hemi Heights on Saturday night. After the IROC race we could race one round of a particular class where interested racers race their own cars.

I already have a set of 1/24 scale flexi cars that could support races on six lane tracks with spares. Bryan and I together have 4 NASTE Radioshack cars for 1/24 four lane tracks. I have plenty of T-Jet based cars for HO. I will soon have 5 1/32 Carrera cars completed for the race coming up in Eugene. If we maintain an IROC series what I would ask is for a committee or team to be established to repair and maintain the stable of cars.

Food for thought?.................Comments????   -----------------------------Bill

Hey, I dressed in BLACK! What more could I do??????  -------------------Bill

So that's the real challenge, finding a class of car that EVERYONE is interested in racing. That has always been one of the challenges, but something NASTE has always been good at finding solutions to. Since NASTE started we have always promoted racing with the emphasis on new racers. We have always tried to make it easy for new people to get up to speed and feel comfortable. I feel that is a goal worth keeping. My feeling is a new class such as the vintage chassis or whatever, would stimulate the racers in our group who are ready for more of a challenge.

I would say the majority of the racers that race with NASTE right now are primarily 1/32 scale enthusiasts. My tentative plan is to come up with a 1/32 car class that can be raced non-magnetic on 1/24 scale tracks as well as 1/32. In additon to that class I would like to have an HO class (probably Aurora T-Jet style cars) to compete on our circuit of HO tracks. Lastly a class of 1/24 scale cars that would be raced on the 1/24 tracks (of course). I would propose the races on the 1/24 tracks would be one round with the 1/32 cars, and the second round with the 1/24 cars. With this format racers would need only 2 cars to participate in ALL the NASTE races, with the option of having a third 1/24 car if they desire. I would also venture to guess there would be "loaner" cars available for new racers, which has always been part of the NASTE program.

So as far as a 1/24 class goes, we have plenty of time to do some testing and decide what we like, and what works best for the group as a whole. Everybody likes something different, everybody has their own ideas, coming to concensus is what NASTE is all about.

--------------------------------------Bill

Hello CascadeMike, Like Monte said, WELCOME!

Oakridge, is that just east of Eugene/Springfield? If so, you have racers in your area!

---------------Bill