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There
are many types of barriers you can use to make a
track. When deciding what to use to make a track,
keep in mind that listed below are a few suggestions,
listed in order of least to most cost.
Masking tape - a single roll of
masking tape or colored duct tape can work wonders
to make an interesting track layout on a driveway,
garage floor or living room floor. Use fountain
drink cup tops for corner dots and tape them down.
Pros: very cheap, disposable, never gets knocked
around or rearranged; (real) cars can drive over
it with no damage. Cons: racers can cut the track
(you can add any of the methods below), peeling
up the tape can get you sticky.
Common garden hose - easy to find, just look in
your back yard, garage or ask a neighbor for some
old garden hose. Use duct tape or fiber strapping
tape to extend pieces, create corners or "T"
junctions. Tape the hose in place for a more secure
layout. Pros: can't cut the track; cheap, usually
free; easy to cut and adjust. Cons: heavy to carry
around; can be hard to make long straight sections.
PVC pipe - thin 1'' diameter PVC
pipe is very durable, light, and cheap if you buy
it in 10 foot lengths. You can tape it together
with duct tape or use pipe connectors to make "T"
junctions, large radius turns and more. Pros: easy
on the cars (PVC pipe is flexible); cheap; light.
Cons: cars can move the pipe easily (use bricks
to hold in place); white PVC shows tire marks pretty
quickly.
1" x 2" wood - wood is
a universal building material and is pretty durable
for R/C racing purposes. Although it's cheap, it
is probably the most expensive alternative of those
presented here, and it can be difficult to make
rounded turns unless you cut the inside of the turns
from thin plywood with a jig saw. Pros: durable;
nice looking; easy to paint. Cons: heavy; tough
to make some track layouts; turns will be tough
on cars.
Track size
A track built specifically for the Micro RS4 should
have lanes about 1.5m (5') wide and a straightaway
from 20-50 feet long. Racers usually like to go
full speed for a top speed run for a few seconds
each lap, so adjust the length of your track for
stock motors or modified motors, depending on what
the racing group decides to run. Try to have a "sweeper"
turn (long, wide turn) at the end of the straight
so drivers have less wrecks.
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