Slot Car Speedway & Hobbies, 1/24 th scale slot car racing is coming back to Jax, Sept 2nd will be the grand opening. I checked the track out and it is 8 lanes and 150'. The track location is 1906-3 Parental Home Road. 904-722-3995. I will be racing there, and hope to see other racers in the area support the new track. Grand opening may be moved to Sept 9th, but the track should be up and running this weekend.:thumbsup:

Do they have HO tracks?

Do they have HO tracks?
There is only the big track at this time.

Where is that on parental home road if I get off at beach blvd by the shell gas station?Is that in a blue building?I've driven by twice in the last few weeks to look for a sign but I could not find one.

Where is that on parental home road if I get off at beach blvd by the shell gas station?Is that in a blue building?I've driven by twice in the last few weeks to look for a sign but I could not find one.

Here's a map to the track:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=1906-3+Parental+Home+Road&city=Jacksonville&state=FL&zipcode=

We'll be there checking it out!
Tom

DEI.2: Who's going to be running the track? What type of track is it (i.e. Engleman, Kingleman, etc.)? Do you know what classes are being run?
Tom

It's a 150 ft Hill climb. If your not familiar with that it has switch backs and one straightaway is over the other. It's a big track made to take up less room. I am bad with names and can't remember the owners name at the moment. He was talking about starting off with Nascar Flexcars and is open to about anything if there's enough to make a class. He will have cars and parts for sale, and best of all air conditioning. If you are headed south on Parental Home from Beach, There is a beige (I think it was) bld on your right just before you get to a Lil Champ, just after Hogan. At the end of the bld. there is a glass door that faces east, that's the entrance. Grand opening is Sept 2 at 12:00 o'clock. There was no sign yet when I was there. Hope to see ya there.

It's a 150 ft Hill climb. If your not familiar with that it has switch backs and one straightaway is over the other. It's a big track made to take up less room. I am bad with names and can't remember the owners name at the moment. He was talking about starting off with Nascar Flexcars and is open to about anything if there's enough to make a class. He will have cars and parts for sale, and best of all air conditioning. If you are headed south on Parental Home from Beach, There is a beige (I think it was) bld on your right just before you get to a Lil Champ, before you get to Hogan. At the end of the bld. there is a glass door that faces east, that's the entrance. Grand opening is Sept 2 at 12:00 o'clock. There was no sign yet when I was there. Hope to see ya there.

Drove by there yesterday and saw the building, they have a banner that says "Slot Car Raceway - Coming Soon" on the end of the building. It's got a blue-bordered roof, looks like a steel or aluminum building I think, in an L-shape.

I looked in the window to see if I could spot the track, but the space I saw was small, so I took it that there was a front part of the raceway that would sell parts and the track might be in the back? Or is the track around the side of the building?

Been digging to find our old 1/24 stuff, so far I've had plenty of luck on my dad's stuff but my old winning car (okay, winning in the junior and intermediate classes... but only a month from the senior classes at that rate!) has gotten lost somewhere. I guess I might have to start from scratch. :(

Is this hillclimb like the one shown on the Tunkels' website? I checked their site to see what a hillclimb was, and their example looks to me like a reversed Kingleman with the drivers' station on the short straight side, which will make things both familiar and unfamiliar for me. I only got to run about 4-5 months on the J&G Speedway back in '92, but I still remember it fondly (some of the few memories I still hold of when I was 10, 11 years old).

I look forward to lots of races!

If you seen the hill climb on Tunkels website, That the one. The owner showed me a new flex car and it looked real close to the one I have which is 20 years old. I have group 15,20,and 27's and international 15 also. They all need work from sitting way to long. The bodies are even rotting away. I was on a website and it still looks like you can get a new flex for about $50.00 bucks. Alot cheaper than the RC cars I run, plus you can carry everything in a tackle box. The place is not very big so mabe the rent is cheap enough to keep this place going, and it will stay around.

I went looking at my stuff from 20 years ago. Well its going to be time to buy some new stuff to run the NASCAR 4.5" and the GTP classes they run.

Lype- if you are in Daytona check out the Race Place in Holly Hill. Would be nice to have some HO tracks pop up. Seems a shame to have all of these HOs and no place to run... except of course at home. Sorry guys- I can't get into the 1/24th but it sounds like fun. Let me know if you decided to throw a 1/32nd class on the track for giggles... -Marc

Dei.2
You Have A Pm

The trick to finding Slot Car Speedway & Hobbies is that the entrance door is on the Parental Home Road side of the building.

Hopefully the nice big "SLOT CARS" sign will be on the building instead of in the building very soon.

Buddy Houser is the track owner and has been around 1/24 slots since the early '90's. Buddy was usually a "front-runner" at Jax Model Raceway and J &G and has been running in the Florida Division 2 series the past few years. He's a real helpful guy who wants to provide a fun place to race.

The track is up and running and as soon as some guys get the rust and cobwebs knocked off there should be excellent racing. In fact, JT (one of the regular "hot shoes" at J & G) was there tonight learning his way around the Hillclimb.



Rollin

The trick to finding Slot Car Speedway & Hobbies is that the entrance door is on the Parental Home Road side of the building.

Hopefully the nice big "SLOT CARS" sign will be on the building instead of in the building very soon.

Buddy Houser is the track owner and has been around 1/24 slots since the early '90's. Buddy was usually a "front-runner" at Jax Model Raceway and J &G and has been running in the Florida Division 2 series the past few years. He's a real helpful guy who wants to provide a fun place to race.

The track is up and running and as soon as some guys get the rust and cobwebs knocked off there should be excellent racing. In fact, JT (one of the regular "hot shoes" at J & G) was there tonight learning his way around the Hillclimb.



Rollin
I'll be stopping by tonite to try the track out.

Hey guys, I hope to get to know all of you real soon.
We are fully open now. I'm trying to get the big sign hung and I have smaller signs on the way. I still have a few cosmetic things to do inside but the track is ready to go and the parts counter is full of 1/24th parts. I have some 1/32nd, cars and tracks and in a few months I plan to sell HO cars and tracks.
The track is a very fast 153ft Ogilvie Hillclimb. This track was used for the 2004 AMSRA Nationals, when it was in Tampa. Ogilvie does not have a pic on there web site http://www.bmts.com/~ogilvie/index.htm but it is basicly the same as the one on the Tunkel site. If I knew how to post a pic here I would.
I want to start a racing program ASAP. I have plans to join a FL state series next year and I have a option for a AMSRA Race which would draw guys from FL other states early next year. There is also a track in Daytona that would like to get a mini series going with us when we are ready.
I think we should start with AM NASCAR on Wednesday 09-20-06 and grow it from there. Basic rules are Flexi type chassis with a NASCAR body, Sealed 16D motor with 1/8th axle and 48p gears.

Slot Car Speedway & Hobbies
1906-3 Parental Home Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-722-3995
www.SCSHobbies.com

Hours:
Tues - Friday 6pm to 8:30pm
Saturday 12pm to 8:30pm
Sunday 1pm to 6pm

** of course when we are racing the hours will be later **

Stop in and see us
Buddy H

To see a picture of the track go to www.slotcars.org/tunkeltracks/tracks/index.html click on 165' hill climb.

Was at the track today, it's fast!!!!

Hey guys, Just FYI I will be closed tonight and Saturday. I'm in a wedding in GA, all my back ups to cover the shop are out of town or not avalible. I will be open Sunday @ 1pm til 6pm. Sorry for the short notice.

Sept 20th, first Nascar race. Starting time 7:30. Be there. :thumbsup:

Sept 20th, first Nascar race. Starting time 7:30. Be there. :thumbsup:
I might come on out. I dont have a car yet, but I could turnmarshall or something. Should be a good race!

We had our 1st race last night, we ran Stock NASCAR with a 5.300 break out.
Half of the guys have not race in many years and the others were totally new to our hobby. I think everyone learned alot and had a good time.
Here is how we finished up.
1. John T (JT)
2. Rollin I
3. John B
4. Steve S
5. Doug
6. Ben G
7. Lee P (Pinky)
8. Steve T

Bob Thanks for coming up and giving use an extra hand in pitting!! :thumbsup: We got to get you running ASAP.

Next Race is Saturday 9-23 @7:30pm Stock Nascar
Then Wednesday 9-27 @7:30pm Stock Nascar
In a couple of weeks we will try to get the next class GTP going, they are fast and fun to drive.

If any one needs any help getting the car setup just right, let me know I will be glad to help you out.

Steve S give me a call tonight.

Thanks Guys

I had a blast last night. That was alot more fun than I remembered.Thanks Buddy for a great place to race.

Finally ... 1/24 scale racing comes BACK to Jacksonville!!

After twelve long years of having to travel at least one hour to race .... it's great to have a track in town.

Amazing ... JT picked up right where he left off!

Bob, thanks for helping out. You're always welcome to drive anything in my box.

And ... I doubt if they're on this board, but thanks to Cory and Philip from the track in Holly Hill for stopping by and lending a hand.

I'll be in Gainesville Saturday night (Go Gators!!) but I'll be back on Wednesday.

I would try to make it in to the races, but the shop isn't handicap-friendly. There is no handicap ramp for the door, which means I cannot get into the shop. If Buddy can figure a way to get a ramp up, Erik and I will come check out the racing and look toward getting involved.

Congratulations to JT for his win!

Tom

Tom

I'm going to try to get that fixed but it will probably be another month or so. I have a cousin that is in a wheel chair that would like to get into Slots.

Thanks
Buddy

The results from Saturday.

1 JT (two in a row)
2 Cory
3 Doug
4 Steve S
5 Mike S
6 Steve T

Next Race Wednesday. Should be a good turn out, see yall then.

Stock NASCAR race tonight @ 7:30pm

Is JT going to get 3 in a row??

Yes, sir.

Wednesday Results:

1. JT
2. Rollin
3. John B
4. Mike S.
5. Doug
6. Steve S.
7. Cory
8. Lee

It started off close but in the end JT won by 1 lap over Rollin.
See everyone Saturday or next Wednesday.
I want to get a 2nd class going in the next few weeks. GTP!!
Thanks
Buddy

The Wednesday night race should be good. A few of the new guys have been in the shop a lot getting track time and they really have their cars running good.

I think that I have a hall pass for tonight! I'll come out and do a little turn marshalling for you guys!! Just dont wreck in my corner okay?? lol. see ya tonight!!

We had a new winner tonight.... :cool:
1. Rollin I
2. JT
3. John B
4. Doug S
5. Ben G
6. Mike S
7. Steve S
8. Lee P

See ya Saturday. :thumbsup:

I would still like to get into your track, but you need a handicapped ramp. You really need to get it up before the ADA rep sees that you don't have one.

That's not the way to win friends.

That's not the way to win friends.

It was a badly worded comment on his part. The local ADA rep is known for being a little over-the-top at times, as Publix and some other stores have found out. I'm not even sure the store would be the one to get in trouble, because the onus is typically on the owner of the shopping center IIRC, and they did a terrible job of setting up shops that aren't exactly easily accesible, and even worse to get out of in the event of an emergency. At that point, all you can do is contact the owner and tell them they need to get off their butts and get to work, or ask if there's a way you can get some of the work done and be compensated for doing what they should have done in the first place.

This same ADA rep got onto a comic/game store for not having the minimum width aisles, and there wasn't any way they could fit their merchandise into such a small store while meeting those minimums. Turns out they got someone to agree to them making it as accessible as possible. I think at some point the rep just finally got ticked off after being blocked a lot of times trying to park because carts were in his way, having accessibility problems that were as best shrugged off and at worst laughed off, and eventually it kind of wore on him. I know I'd have that kind of problem seeing all the stuff a lot of people make handicapped people go through. Down at Hobby Planet's shopping center the guy who runs the convenience store tried to put up a sign declaring that all parking in front of his store, including the lone handicapped parking spot and access ramp, were 10-minute parking, and threatened to have vehicles towed over it. It's a constant problem for people.

Anyway, back to the point, I think it's like the comment someone made about the fire marshal's view of the place, I know the person who said it wasn't saying, "Oh, I'm going to go tell the fire marshal and that'll show them!" It was a sort of, "I hope they don't go nuts on a guy because he's doing what he can." I can't speak for the other guy, but I know my dad isn't going to do anything that would hurt the place, because he genuinely does want to try to get up there some time and try a race or two. He's avoided taking resistors out of our 1/24 controllers and putting in 25-ohm resistors to make easier handles for him to use, because he's still hoping we'll be able to use those controllers. Our 1/24 box is sitting in an easy-to-grab spot, waiting to be refilled. Sound like a guy who's going to do something to get the track in trouble? Heck no.

Check the time stamp, and consider this - he'd been up since early the previous morning, and between his diabetes and medication for a tumor it makes it hard for him to communicate ideas in the best possible way. Give someone a little leeway and ask for an explanation before jumping to conclusions.

Tom and Erik,

No need for apologies or explanations. I think that Buddy has already talked to the landlord about the situation. I know that Buddy badly wants a ramp because he has a cousin that needs the access and wants to race - and help around the shop. And I have a friend who has to use a power-chair due to MS who would like to race. What I'm saying is .... this is top of mind.

I know you guys understand the challenges of finding enough space for a commercial 1/24th scale track that doesn't eat you out of house and home on rent. We may never have a place as user-friendly as Speedy, Gonzo, and Johnny's J&G Speedway was. Decent parking, easy access, plenty of room. The first challenge was to get set up and running. Now, Buddy can tackle some of the remaining issues.

Rollin

Yeah, he was just trying to make you aware of the guy before it became a problem. Slot car is obviously a sport that is handicapped-friendly, and a ramp also makes good business sense. :thumbsup:

I also know it's not easy to get a ramp set up, I remember talking to a store owner one time who said he had to talk to the landlord and go through all sorts of hoops and hurdles to get it done. :freak:

Hey, If we can get the landlords approval I can form up a couple of ramps and pour a little concrete into them. It will not be a "professional" job but will work.

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/slot_car_track_door_veiw.jpg

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/slot_car_track_2_.jpg


Here' a little eye candy from the very first race a couple of weeks ago.
Sorry it took so long but the computer and
I have been in an arguement! :lol: I think that I won!! :tongue:
This should be enough to keep you guys going a couple of days till the next race. By the way, WHO HIT ME IN THE HEAD!!! LOL

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/WALL_VEIW_OF_TRACK.jpg

Oh, by the way. The very first race was on 9-20-2006. Heres a picture of some of the drivers that night!!

Thanks for the pics Bob!! And the building :thumbsup:

Thanks BullFrog, I was thinking the same thing.

If anyone out there wants to open a Perfect Hobby Shop Raceway I will make you a sweet deal on my other track in storage.

See yall

Wow... at 25 I feel like the most mature person in the conversation. Stop beating your chests and understand when a friendly piece of advice is posted, instead of jumping up and saying, "Are you threatenin' ME?!?" I explained, and he's not the only one who's heard the same thing, others are saying it too. People want you to stay in business, not get shut down over silly things. You just got an offer of help, and instead of accepting you agree with an off-the-mark point of view?

Just chill down, I've heard a lot of comments from people who are worried, and I doubt you've got a half-dozen guys trying to report you for infractions or some other nonsense. They just want to see a 1/24 scale track succeed, and not have problems because of silly things.

The end............................................... ...................

Hey, If we can get the landlords approval I can form up a couple of ramps and pour a little concrete into them. It will not be a "professional" job but will work.


Bob
Here are some guide lines you might need. When it comes to the ADA, the City, State and Feds are strict about it. Not to pick, but life safety issues are very important in the world we live in today. I would hate to see anybody get taken to court for what ever the reason is.

Follow this link:
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#4.8

This link contains the information on ramps, IE: concerning, runs, heights and landings and so forth.

I for one would like to see Buddy stay around for a long time. I would like to get over ther to race with you guys on a saturday night. When time permits.

:wave:

Good stuff. I didn't think about it, but a ramp would take a lot more though than I first realized, because you need to make it the right steepness and all that. Sort of the same reason we don't have banking while running trucks - sometimes weight + angle = BAD.


The pics of the track had me exciting too, though I worry what following cars around that could do to my poor perception. Look at the elevation changes on that thing, is there even a level spot on the track? I'd be following my car all night up and down, side to side, and when I'm done you'll see me walking around looking like a human bobble head who's rolling his eyes at everything. Try getting THAT mental image out of your head today! :p


Seriously, I'm sure we all want to see the track succeed. All tracks, really. Many of us have our reasons for not being in to check it out, from the accessibility to just plain cash constraints. But over time, assuming things stay in shape, I'm sure we'd all be into checking it out, and those of us who are doing the 1/32 gig could split nights - Fridays with the 1/32, Saturdays with the 1/24. Or something like that. A peaceful state of slot car co-existence.

Seriously, I'm sure we all want to see the track succeed. All tracks, really. Many of us have our reasons for not being in to check it out, from the accessibility to just plain cash constraints. But over time, assuming things stay in shape, I'm sure we'd all be into checking it out, and those of us who are doing the 1/32 gig could split nights - Fridays with the 1/32, Saturdays with the 1/24. Or something like that. A peaceful state of slot car co-existence.


It's not a 1/24 OR 1/32 world. You'll even find posters promoting the Boggy Creek fund raiser hanging in Buddy's shop. Both are fun and both have their ups and downs.

Shoot, we even got Speedy at the control of one of Buddy's cars when he was at the shop a couple of weeks ago. It didn't take him very many laps to start knocking tenths off of his lap times. The ol' finger still has it. :thumbsup:

Everyone is welcome to come out. If you don't have a car, I'll gladly loan you the best car in my box or help you build one. :p

It's not a 1/24 OR 1/32 world.

My point exactly! It's 1/24 AND 1/32 world! :thumbsup:

I would also like to see Buddy's track survive, that's why I tried to warn him about the way the ADA rep works. He's very zealous about checking out new businesses and if he finds any violations he goes after them. I've had a couple of friends of mine already cited by the man.

Well......, no post in quite some time now. How about some race results or something. last saturdays or wednesday nights race results???? If anyone can hear me just nod your head.... :lol: