1,176 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Getting closer to done everyday! Yesterday I finished up the driver's stations. Kirk Smith installed controller "hangers" when he built the track. He saw photos of some he liked and had them custom fabricated here in town. To keep controllers from shorting out when placed in the brackets, he applied a rubberized coating to them. The coating was pretty well worn off when I got the track. I decided to try for a '60's look by covering them with a metallic or metal flake type of fabric that was popular back in the day. I still had to figure a way to insulate the edge of the cut out from the controllers to prevent the shorting issue. A couple hours at Parkrose Hardware provided me with a solution. I found some 1 1/2 inch rubberized hole plugs. They fit nice and snug and after a little Dremel work and some Goop, the hangers were ready to install!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3208IFC.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3211IFC.jpg

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1,177 Reply by wb0s

(31 replies, posted in Cars)

This one is a K&B Ferrari. Another beautiful restoration by Rob!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3214rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3216rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3219rob.jpg

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1,178 Reply by wb0s

(31 replies, posted in Cars)

Rob stopped by to show me the latest cars he completed. Keep in mind these are restorations, not new builds. Rob takes cars that were poorly built or broken, takes them completely apart, and repaints and rebuilds them. It's amazing what he accomplishes, especially considering what he starts with! I can't build models this nice even starting with new kits!

This Cox Chaparral was originally painted yellow using a brush!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3221rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3223rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3225rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3229rob.jpg

Rob said the headlight area of this car was particularly difficult because of how well the lenses were originally glued into place, and the repair that the nose of the body required.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3231rob.jpg

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1,179 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Thanks Chris!

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1,180 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Ok, ok......

My goal for this renovation was not to end up with a new track. I wanted to retain the originality and history of this track, but make a few improvements. On my list were: 1. more room for driver's at the driver's stations and an indicator light to let them now they had power at their controller hookup. 2. Redo the wiring to make it more easily diagnosable in case of electrical problems. 3. Eliminate the "hole" needed to turn marshal the esses. 4. Move the deadman's or hairpin turn further away from the banked curve to save wear and tear on the braid and the slot. I feel I have met my goals.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3201IFC.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3202IFC.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3203IFC.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3204IFC.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3205IFC.jpg

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1,181 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Oh man, lots of luck with that!

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1,182 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Inside or outside?

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1,183 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Thanks Doc. I'm planning to have some small get togethers after the first of the year, with just a few people at a time to burn some laps in on this puppy. Stay tuned.

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1,184 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Well it's been a long four month process but today at 11:00 A.M. I made the final electrical connection. Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway is now again operational!

After completing hundreds of solder and mechanical connections I threw the switch and the track was up and running with no issues. I ended up rewiring the entire track, excluding the main control panel. Was it really necessary? Probably not. Is it over kill? Definitely, but I really HATE having problems during a race!

Originally the track had 2 power taps. It now has 7. All the wiring has been color coded and designed for ease of diagnostics just incase of an issue. The use of terminal blocks will ease the reconnection of any necessary braid replacement in the future.

Power tap 1 and driver's station connections for Yellow & White lanes:
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3158IFC.jpg

Power tap 2 and driver's station connections for Red & Blue lanes:
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3161IFC.jpg

Power tap 3 at the downhill exit straight off the bank:
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3166IFC.jpg

Power tap 4 at the start of the lower straight after the esses:
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3170IFC.jpg

Power tap 5 at the end of the lower straight at the entrance to the chicane:
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3171IFC.jpg

Power tap 6 at the beginning of the back straight after the lead on curve:
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3173IFC.jpg

Power tap 7 at the end of the back straight at the entrance to the bank:
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3194IFC.jpg

This is the wiring for the lap counter section:
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3181IFC.jpg

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1,185 Reply by wb0s

(1 replies, posted in Cars)

DEFINITELY!

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1,186 Reply by wb0s

(12 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

Thanks for the update Chris. Fantastic news for your folks. I'm sure the fact that your Dad stays in such great shape helps a lot with his recovery! I don't think I could have kept up with your Dad when I was 30. Your Mom is probably just as fit I would imagine.

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1,187 Reply by wb0s

(12 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

Awesome work on the camper Chris! Thanks for posting the link so everyone can check it out. It is way cool!

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1,188 Reply by wb0s

(12 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

Sounds like you're making progress on all fronts Doc!

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1,189 Reply by wb0s

(6 replies, posted in NASTE)

WOW!.......and I thought it was called stuffing!

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1,190 Reply by wb0s

(6 replies, posted in NASTE)

Thanks Chris, and Happy Turkey Day to you and all NASTE folks!

By the way...........what the hell is "tryptophan"????

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1,191 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Thanks Doc. It should be up and running in about another week barring any unforeseen circumstances............

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1,192 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Today I finished up the track braid replacement. It took 800 feet of new braid to replace all of the old stuff. After I finished up with the braid I took time to install the track side boards using some of the old existing material as well as a section of new material.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3154IFC.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3157IFC.jpg

Go to forum: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway

1,193 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

For the last few days while I was waiting for another roll of braid to arrive, I worked on the track wiring. Like the braid this has turned into complete replacement of the wiring. I decided to add more power taps and re-do how the track braid connects to the track wiring. At this point I have most of one side of the track rewired.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3153IFC.jpg

I also painted the lane striping on the new section and touched them up where repairs were made to the existing track surface.

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1,194 Topic by wb0s

(31 replies, posted in Cars)

Check out these really nice 1/24 Cox cars my friend Rob just completed. Many of the parts were sourced from parts cars and incomplete kits. Rob researched each car extensively to obtain the correct colors and decals. To get the correctly sized decals to accurately represent the real cars, numerous decal sheets were used from different manufacturers including Pattos. He took extra care to ensure all the small details were correct. Rob built show winning model airplanes for many years. These are the first slot cars (or model cars for that matter) he has built. He really did a nice job on these cars, they are beautiful!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3129rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3139rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3145rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3142rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3143rob.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_3144rob.jpg

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1,195 Reply by wb0s

(199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

As of today, 750 feet of braid has been installed on the track, 1one 500 foot spool, and one 250 foot spool! 4 full tubes of adhesive were used to secure the braid to the track. With only another 50 feet of braid to lay I should be done soon. Next up is the painting of the lane colors on the new section of track, and a few touch up spots where the underpass track section was removed for routing and braiding. Then it's time to finish up the wiring!

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1,196 Reply by wb0s

(23 replies, posted in NASTE)

I think the Murder Hornets are transmitting it and we all know how well they hide!!!!

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1,197 Reply by wb0s

(23 replies, posted in NASTE)

Very interesting article Stan. Thanks!

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1,198 Reply by wb0s

(23 replies, posted in NASTE)

Definitely!..........I say we pretend it never even happened!

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1,199 Reply by wb0s

(23 replies, posted in NASTE)

Stan, COVID 2020...............

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1,200 Reply by wb0s

(23 replies, posted in NASTE)

With the next "shut down" looming, I thought it might be a good time to touch base here again. Except for the running of the Annual NASTE Halloween Race, all NASTE racing is still shut down. My track is still in the renovation process but, I am getting closer to having it operational again. Howie still has Rapid Raceway up and running, Bob Nakamura has shut down Springwater Raceway temporarily, and Tom Street's track in Bend is still holding races. I have not talked with any of the other NASTE track owners about their near future plans. Once my track is complete I plan to hold some select races through 2021, and possibly one or two races in December. I do have one OSCAR race scheduled for December 12th.

At this point there are no NASTE Point Races scheduled for the 2021 season. Normally we would have started the 2021 season in September, or with the Halloween race. At this point I am not sure exactly what the 2021 NASTE schedule will look like. I am open to suggestions and comments. At a minimum I will schedule a few races on my track to compete for the title for those interested. Depending on what this COVID situation has in store for us, the Point Series Champion may be determined by as few as four races, but there will be a 2021 Champion!

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