Scafremon
07-29-2007, 05:52 PM
I had my first 'event' (if you will) on my slot car track. Prior to that, the track had only been used by myself, and an occassional neighbor or two.
Last weekend, my house was the 'host' of the annual combination B-Day party for those in my family with late June - early July birthdays. It was just planned to be a get-together, bbq, swimming, gift exchange, chit-chat. Although I had prepared the track for possible racing, I did not mention or push it, since I really wasn't sure if anyone would be interested in it. The track was in the garage (as always), and the doors were closed.
During the day, I would casually ask some of my nieces and their boyfriends (teens to early 20's) if they were familiar with slot cars. None were, at least not by that description (how else would you describe them?) When I said they were lil cars that ran on a plastic track, a few realized what I was talking about. "You mean 'toy' cars - yea, I had a track when I was a kid". I would let the subject change, since I didn't want to push it.
Just about the time when most of the family would start packing up and leaving, I wandered into the garage, where I found my older sister and her ex-husband running some cars on the track. I opened the garage door to get some air in, and helped them in getting the right controllers for the cars they were racing. I turned on the lap timing computer, but it was locking up on boot-up. One of my nieces bf's had walked out at this time, and he downloaded a program off another computer and get my slot computer working.
Shortly thereafter, my family had all wandered out to the track, and were lined up two-deep at each driver's station, waiting their turn for a run.
I quickly set-up some 2 minute heats with lane rotations, and we were all having fun racing. The most fun of the evening I think was the interactions between the racers and the marshalls. "Blue Lane.... BLUE LANE....OTHER DIRECTION!!!" they yelled while laughing, as the marshalls scampered about trying to correctly reslot a car. From 13 yrs old to 60+, all were having a great time.
I'd be busting a gut, as I would watch my sisters car go flying off the track, only to look up at her, and see that she was staring intently at someone else car racing around the track, thinking it was hers.
Although we always knew who won a heat, it would be forgotten as soon as the next heat started. Sure, competetive juices were flowing, but in the end, it was just the fun had by all that mattered.
After a few hours of racing, the racers started thinning out, since it was a Sunday evening, and most had work the next morning. A few more "I Challenge You" races were requested and completed, and then, the track went silent again.
I don't think anyone who was there is going to rush out and start buying slot track and cars. But, it was made quite clear to me by most all who were there, that I am to host another family party over Labor Day Weekend, so some grudge match races can be run, and so that those who didn't get a chance to win on the "Green Lane" get their opportunity.
I'll end this epic post with a big "THANK YOU" to everyone here at Hobbytalk, as you all helped me create a 'toy' in my garage that brought smiles and laughter to all my family.
Jeff
PS: With Labor Day fast approaching, I'd appreciate help in getting my X-Tractions prepared. See other thread. :-)
Last weekend, my house was the 'host' of the annual combination B-Day party for those in my family with late June - early July birthdays. It was just planned to be a get-together, bbq, swimming, gift exchange, chit-chat. Although I had prepared the track for possible racing, I did not mention or push it, since I really wasn't sure if anyone would be interested in it. The track was in the garage (as always), and the doors were closed.
During the day, I would casually ask some of my nieces and their boyfriends (teens to early 20's) if they were familiar with slot cars. None were, at least not by that description (how else would you describe them?) When I said they were lil cars that ran on a plastic track, a few realized what I was talking about. "You mean 'toy' cars - yea, I had a track when I was a kid". I would let the subject change, since I didn't want to push it.
Just about the time when most of the family would start packing up and leaving, I wandered into the garage, where I found my older sister and her ex-husband running some cars on the track. I opened the garage door to get some air in, and helped them in getting the right controllers for the cars they were racing. I turned on the lap timing computer, but it was locking up on boot-up. One of my nieces bf's had walked out at this time, and he downloaded a program off another computer and get my slot computer working.
Shortly thereafter, my family had all wandered out to the track, and were lined up two-deep at each driver's station, waiting their turn for a run.
I quickly set-up some 2 minute heats with lane rotations, and we were all having fun racing. The most fun of the evening I think was the interactions between the racers and the marshalls. "Blue Lane.... BLUE LANE....OTHER DIRECTION!!!" they yelled while laughing, as the marshalls scampered about trying to correctly reslot a car. From 13 yrs old to 60+, all were having a great time.
I'd be busting a gut, as I would watch my sisters car go flying off the track, only to look up at her, and see that she was staring intently at someone else car racing around the track, thinking it was hers.
Although we always knew who won a heat, it would be forgotten as soon as the next heat started. Sure, competetive juices were flowing, but in the end, it was just the fun had by all that mattered.
After a few hours of racing, the racers started thinning out, since it was a Sunday evening, and most had work the next morning. A few more "I Challenge You" races were requested and completed, and then, the track went silent again.
I don't think anyone who was there is going to rush out and start buying slot track and cars. But, it was made quite clear to me by most all who were there, that I am to host another family party over Labor Day Weekend, so some grudge match races can be run, and so that those who didn't get a chance to win on the "Green Lane" get their opportunity.
I'll end this epic post with a big "THANK YOU" to everyone here at Hobbytalk, as you all helped me create a 'toy' in my garage that brought smiles and laughter to all my family.
Jeff
PS: With Labor Day fast approaching, I'd appreciate help in getting my X-Tractions prepared. See other thread. :-)