Check this out......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/13davek/Racemasters/IMG_5810.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/13davek/Racemasters/IMG_5823.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/13davek/Racemasters/IMG_5806.jpg
Read the full review here:

http://slotcarnews.net/long_beach.htm

I was wondering about the footprint of this set. At 16' x 9', that is a great set, but I would think it is an unworkable size for many people just getting into the hobby. As we talked about in another thread, getting someone to justify a 4x8 table might be too much - this is more than twice that size.
What do you think? How many people not already into the hobby will devote an area 16x9? I'd have a tough time finding an area where I could go 9" wide.

Joe

1. You can never have enough track when just starting out.
2. It has been VERY rare that I have ever used the set diagram to build a layout. But that is just me, newbies may need a formated layout.

More folks should consider the door layout schemes and hinge it if space is a priority.

Anyway, more track is better and much cheaper than having to buy it a-la-carte after you buy a set that is too small.
Thanks,
Keith

What kind of price is this set at?

I'll give them credit, the track options allow for multi lane racing and that is always good. I'm not found of the center push lock/unlock system.


The Champ cars are pretty cool looking!

The price is $147 via the link in the review. The same link leads to a price of $151 for the Super International set so you can do your own calibration. It also reports that a new 4-way split set will be coming out, with new cars. It shows the SRT Porsche 962 yellow and white #7.

23 15" straights in this set, plus 5 18" curves make this compelling but it still includes a whopping 24 6" curves. Those are brutal for TJs and XTs.

The footprint isn't much of an issue for most consumers. They typically don't leave their tracks set up for more than a few weeks at a time anyway. The folks set it up for Christmas and it gets played with for a month or so until next winter. Then maybe dad buys a couple more cars for next Christmas and they set it up again. We're the oddballs here on this site; creating dedicated table layouts.

If someone were to buy a Long Beach set, along with a Super Int'l 4-lane, they'd have all the track needed for a pretty nice layout.

Cool, once I finish cleaning up my basement, i wil have the perfect spot for a set that size!