I had concerns about attaching all of the cool looking chrome detail parts onto my car's body, worrying they would just be broken right off. During the testing today Rob suffered some spectacular crashes and none of the detail parts were broken on his beautiful car. After some reconsideration, I have decided to put on my "big boy pants" and complete my build with all of the chrome parts provided in the kit! They just look too cool not to have those parts in place!

That's a good question Steven. I think at this point it is play it by ear. We can discuss more on Monday.

While I am at it, we discussed rules for the Midgets just a bit. The plan is to race them as close to "out of the box" stock as possible. 

Here is a first draft of some rule considerations:

- Cars must be built using Mid America Kits parts.

- The cars come with those old crappy Cox plastic crown gears. These crown gears can be replaced with another plastic (i.e. Parma) crown gear. The original kit crown gear is a 29 tooth. Replacement gears must be 28 tooth to 30 tooth only.

- Mike Guthrie has made some brass weights to use as ballast. They are made out of "of the shelf" .092" brass strip, 1/2" wide and cut to 1 1/4" in length, with a hole drilled in them for the body mounting screw to pass through. They brass piece weighs 6 to 8 grams and sits in the bottom front portion of the chassis. The piece cannot be soldered or glued in place (must be left to rattle loosely). We plan to make these up and have them available for racers. This will be the only additional weight allowed - NO LEAD!

- Front wheels/tires can be made to rotate independently.

- The stock tires are approximaitely .915" diameter and .415" width, both front and rear. Bob Nakamura stocks Pro_track Daytona fronts that are .900" tall with a width of .340". These will be allowed as replacement front tires. Front tires must be kept close to .900" to maintain minimum ground clearance.

- Minimum ground clearance at the lowest point under the car will be .062".

- Overall width is 3.0" (determined by track width).

- Motor must be the stock Mid America 25K motor supplied with kit. Motor pinion gear must also remain stock as supplied.

Again, these are first draft considerations for rules. Voice your opinions and concerns now!

Here's some updated photos of Rob's midget.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0347.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0348.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0349.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0350.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0351.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0352.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0353.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0354.jpg

Today after prepping the track fro Monday's race we did some testing of the Mid America Midget kits. It looks like these things are going to be a lot of fun! They handle a lot better than I ever thought they would!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghHMz55_5_0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Xo1pGhRjQ

Results from September 11, 2025 race:

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/RRR09112025a.jpg

The first of the new IROC races with the NSR Porsche 908
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/RRR09112025b.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/RRR09112025c.jpg

6

(7 replies, posted in Cars)

I have some Doc.

Thanks Howie for the fantastic race and FOOD!

A great way to start the season! Thanks to Howie for this race report:

The opening race for the 2026 season at Rapid Raceway (Northwest True Scale) was held on Sept. 6, '25. Very good racing and fun times were had at this event. Thanks to all for making it over here and adding to the fun! Two races consisting of 2 times through at 4-minute heats were added together, that is 1hr. and 4 minutes per racer on the track. This is the closest race between 1st. and 2nd. place ever at a trophy race here at Rapid. Concourse winner was Steve's entry.
Results:
1st......Bob Nak-----------735.5 laps.---------4.417 fast time.
2nd....Fly Racing----------734.7--------------4.799
3rd.....Meat---------------719.4---------------4.803
4th.....DC Dynamo--------702.5--------------4.309
5th.....Bart-----------------698.7--------------4.333
6th.....Bill------------------676.6--------------4.952
7th.....Mike G.-------------654.0--------------4.889
8th.....Steve----------------623.6-------------4.026
9th.....Timmy--------------545.2--------------5.246
10th...Howie--------------446.5--------------4.678
11th...Weddle it be-------305.0--------------5.402
12th...Mad Max-----------256.9--------------?
13th. Hersche-------------231.0--------------5.219
14th. Doug----------------DQ. (changed cars)

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0337.jpg

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http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0333.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0334.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0336.jpg

The redesign calls for the use of most all of the original track pieces.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0341.jpg

It's hard to get the perspective from this photo but, this is how the tabletop came to rest when we attempted to move it just a couple of feet....
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0342.jpg

This photo better illustrates the end result....oops........
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0343.jpg

Yup, those pool table legs were pretty.......pretty much for show!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0345.jpg

With three of the four pool table legs broken off the only thing that kept the tabletop from totally hitting the floor were the two dressers supporting the other side!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0346.jpg

Watch for updates as construction continues!

The TooBad Motorplex track has been acquired by Ken "Gearloose Jr." Palefenier and moved to his location in Beaverton. With the help of Frank Lynn, they have come up with a revised layout to fit Ken's available space. I was invited over to Ken's last night to check out his progress.

The redesign of the track layout fits the room well. Almost all of the original track pieces are incorporated into the new configuration. Ken had built a new "tabletop" and frame work to support the track, which he anchored up against and to two walls. The platform and framework are extremely stout! Underneath an old pool table provided a base of support for the middle of the tabletop. On the opposite side of the table from its anchor point to the wall, a pair of old heavy duty dressers provide the support.

Our first topic of disussion was how the track could be marshalled for a race. After discussing different options it was decided it might be best to move the track away from the end wall enough to leave room for turn marshal access. Ken and I are a lot alike in how we build things. The table is extra sturdy with 2 X 6 deck type construction. It took some doing for Ken to first get it loose from the walls.  Once we had the tabletop loose we felt we could just slide it a couple of feet away from the back wall, and then reattach it to the side wall. It was a great plan.......

In the process of performing "the slide"...........the pool table (support structure in the middle) did not slide.....We broke three of the four legs off of the pool table. The track and tabletop fell to the floor on one side emitting a very loud BOOM! Amazingly, aside from the pool able legs there was no damage! Our dialog then switched to fixing what we broke. Ken immediately came up with a solution, and although I felt bad contributing to the destruction, I left for home leaving Ken with a much bigger mess than he had when I arrived. There is no doubt in my mind Ken will have the tabletop back up and remounted in no time! Ken's construction working ability is impressive!

It's a tight fit but Ken has the track in his living room. I love the banners he has on the walls! A very cool track room!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0338.jpg

This portion of the track will probably look familiar to those that raced on the original layout. What you can't see in the photo is how Ken banked the outside turn. It came out really nice!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0339.jpg

This portion of the new layout will have an overpass.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0340.jpg

The race is ON! Minimum number met!

12

(13 replies, posted in Cars)

Sorry Doc, those are still on back order!

13

(13 replies, posted in Cars)

Order placed on Aug. 30, 2025.

14

(13 replies, posted in Cars)

Steven and I are planning to put in an order with Team Bluegroove. If any of you are interested in getting any bodies let us know ASAP! We need to know by the end of the week (Aug.29)!

Latest race results:

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/RRR08212025a.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/RRR08212025b.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/RRR08212025c.jpg

The NASTE Point Series Champion for 2025, Daniel "Doc" Fritz is sponsoring an IROC series for this upcoming season. He has already assembled four outstanding NSR Porsche 908 cars to use in the IROC style races. Watch here for more details!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/Dociroc2.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/Dociroc3.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/Dociroc4.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/Dociroc5.jpg

17

(1 replies, posted in Cars)

I like them. I think they are best on really technical tracks.

Hey y'all, I only have about 200 bodies left. Out of those 200 half are 1/32. The remaining 1/24 bodies are mostly NASCAR, Indy/F-1, and some smaller sports cars. If you are looking for any of those types of bodies or Womp bodies this is your last chance. I will be boxing up what's left to head to Ebay.

Saturday August 16th Bob Nakamura and I made a trip up to Pacific Slot Car Raceways in Edgewood Washington. We participated in races for two of the three scheduled for that day. The races were run on their Twister track which is an 8 lane flat track. For myself the track was challenging, both in terms of racing and turn marshalling! The track was originally at Slot Car Central years ago but it still in beautiful shape! Amazing actually considering it is well over 25 years old!
As a raceway owner you could not ask for anyone better than Jim. He took the time to talk to me about his business and give me some of the inside info on the cars and race procedures. The races consisted of three minute heat races with the computer controlling the track power through the heats and lane change periods. The races ran smoothly and efficiently and over before you knew it. Fast and friendly racing was what I found at Pacific Slot Car Raceway! I met some fantastic people and fellow racers and was treated like one of the group. I'd like to thank you all for that! I'd also like to thank Jim for agreeing to put this together! I had a blast!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/PSCR01a.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/PSCR01.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/PSCR01b.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/PSCR01c.jpg

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I have a bunch of used Flexi type cars I am putting up for sale. Flexi 2's, Champion Turbo's & Astro's, a few in 4.5 inch wheelbase as well as 4.0". If you are in need of any, or just want extras, now is the time to speak up!

I sold out most of my previous inventory, these are new acquisitions! Many are like new!

Frank Lynn and Ken Palfenier have made arrangements to pick up the track!

Looks like a new westside track is coming!

I received a phone call from one of our old NASTE racing buddies that raced 1/32 with us on my old track in Fairview. Bryan Dickerson (A.K.A. The Farmer) gave me a call today. He and his wife sold their farm and are planning to move to Portugal. Bryan ended up with my old track (TooBad Motorplex) and he wants to take it with him to Portugal. However, he is not sure at this point if he will have enough room in his crates to get it there. Anyway, if anyone is interested he might be inetersted in parting with it if somebody has the room and really wants it. If you are a person that is interested, get ahold of me and I will give you his contact info.

I never set out or made it a point to collect clear plastic slot car bodies......However look at what has happened! Since I have started selling on Ebay again, I decided it was time to get them all out so I could see exactly what I have. I have 10 tubs full of bodies, and when I layed them out on the track, they pretty much filled the entire 82 feet of track suface! So, for the next two to three weeks Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway will be shut down. If you are in need of ANY 1/32 or 1/24 clear (Lexan mostly) bodies, come on by! I am in the mood to make deals! Or if you just want to see a really large assortment of bodies you need to check it out before I box them back up and or sell them! None of these bodies have been purchased new in the last 10 years or so (they're old and older!). Locally we use clear bodies for the Columbia River Slot Car Racers Womp and Flexi classes. Remember; I am a motivated seller!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjdgTuXQEx0

Here's something for y'all to consider; Rob is considering these for a Monday Racing class at Redline Raceway. The kits are sold by Mid America Products. The kits contain all the parts needed to fully assemble a running car. The motors in the kit are Mid America's FK motor rated at 25K. The kits are very nice! The body and driver figure are very nicely molded. The kit includes all the chrome detail parts the original 1960s kit came with.

My curiosity got the better of me, so I completed a quick assembly of one of the kit cars for a short test session. To be honest I was not expecting much. The chassis went together easily, the only "tweaking" mine required was a little grinding on the grub screw for the crown gear (it hit the motor's pinion gear). Pretty minor stuff, and it may of just been my kit (the pinion could have been pressed further onto the motor).

After assembling the chassis, I taped the incomplete body onto the completed chassis and headed over to the track. I hit the throttle and off it went, backwards. I have had the best luck running FK motors wired in reverse, so I swapped the crown gear to the other side of the chassis to get the car to go in the correct direction.

I was actually surprised by the car's performance! I've had a lot of experience racing Womp class cars, and this little guy had similar characteristics. Cornering speeds were not as high as those with Womps, but hey, this thing is narrow with a 10 gram body (without any of the chrome detail parts). So my next thought was; how much worse will the handling be with the 4 gram driver figure sitting way up on top of this body? I taped the driver figure in place on top of the midget body. To my surprise I could not detect any difference in handling.

The handling of this car right out of the box really surprised me! I would have bet money it would not handle this well! Especially when you consider in box stock configuration; the front wheels do not rotate independently, and there is not added weight/ballast for tuning. The car also has foam tires all the way around that are pretty grippy! At this point I don't know exactly what Rob has in mind for this class as far as any allowable modifications or changes. I would be fine racing these things "box stock" with no modifications!

Bottom line for me is; these midgets look really cool and they are actually fun to run! They are challenging to get around the track at a fast pace, but that is part of their appeal to me. Now I need to paint this thing!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/Rob_Redline_Midget3.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/Rob_Redline_Midget2.jpg

Nice racin' Rico!