IMPORTANT NOTICE

Because of circumstances beyond our control,all T-jet races at
Tjettom's Slot Car Alley will be cancelled directly after the Dash
For Cash race next Sunday,June 22nd.
Due to the inability of procurring suitable replacement T-jet
motor parts; ie. armatures and motor magnets,we have been forced to
face the facts and come to the unhappy decision to end future
competitive T-jet racing after all.
Furthermore,it has been noted that because of the unavailability
of said (suitable)replacement motor parts,extreme differences in
performance and competition has become quite an issue. Due to this
lack of fairness and equality,we fear that the legacy of fun that has
been historical associated with T-jet racing could become an issue as
well.
It is with great sadness that this day has come. Hopefully there
may again be a day that competitive T-jet racing at Tjettom's Slot
Car Alley returns.Until then,or further notice...long live the T-
jet....

Regards,
Tjettom Baker

Sounds like it's time to go "Big Block" Non-Mag Racing!! As far as competition level goes, The Cream allways rises! There is no fair in racing, Money wins! That's why it's been the sport of Kings for 5000yrs. Still sad to here about, hope it dosn't happen here in Buffalo.

Instead, you could have a AW/JL - Aurora Tuff Ones race. These cars are pretty close.

NO THANKS! It's T-jet racing or nothing! The T-Jet is a true legacy that is still unique after 40 years...I'm a loyal fan of the lil bugger........Only slot car I own nowadays....An believe me I've owned almost all of em at one point or another...

Tjettom

You must live in a cave if you can't get parts

Wheels,..... Does living in a cave make a difference in the availability of useable t-jet armatures and quantities of decent motor magnets....?

I don't live in a cave either....What's your problem?

Tjettom

Tom why not just tweak the rules to bring it down to a level field? "suitable" - sounds like it's already stacked in the usual winners' favor.

Maybe some just aren't ready to lose?

Swamper Gene, ? I guess I don't understand your post..

Tom

Ok, what I guess we all need here is to see your rules...
(Before we make total fools of ourselves arguing something we don't know about...) lol

And BTW way Tom...
What are you going to race...?

Scott

Good arms are hard to find.May I suggest the Johnny Lightning mags
and arms as a replacement? If not try the Magnatraction arms with
the tuff-one and afx magnets,that is what Fray used to run and plenty
are still around.

Scott's got it right...without knowing "The Rulez" it is hard really see where you're coming from, though words like "suitable" and "useable" used in conjunction with "competitive" suggest whatever rules are in place have allowed a sorting problem to surface. The only way to fix that is to use the rules to establish equity among what readily available parts are prevalent in your group. The guys with the primo parts who are likely winning might not like it, but if the spread in performance is due to deep pockets and wide technical variations, they're really not proving anything anyway.

If it's coupled with building issues, start spreading the tips around. :thumbsup:

:freak:

Try Lucky Bob's Raceway. He has thousands of brand new, in the case T-Jets. He also has the parts and accessories to build or rebuild them. If you don't see it on the website, give him a call, it might not be on there yet.

Lucky Bob's Raceway
5822 W. Forest Home
Milwaukee, WI. 53220
Phone: 414-327-4003
Email: LUCKYBOB@WI.RR.COM
Website: www.lucky-bobs-slot-cars.com

Why not just switch over to the Tyco 440x2 long wheel base pan chassis? They are more consistant handling and performance wise than a lifelike, and you actually have to drive them. We have had years of competitive racing with the Tycos, and still run some of the same cars. Once you buy a Tyco, you won't race anything else.

Rich

www.myspace.com/northtexasslotcars

Wheels,..... Does living in a cave make a difference in the availability of useable t-jet armatures and quantities of decent motor magnets....?

I don't live in a cave either....What's your problem?

Tjettom

IT'S CALLED A JOKE. :confused:

In G-jet our club has a claiming rule.Just set a fair price and
the field will level out.

switch to stock chassis with silicone rears.... not as fast, but just as much fun.
no fuss, no muss, no hard feelings or jealousy over who was able to spend the most on their toy car.


This is why I could never get serious about joining a racing club.

No offense, I just don't get it I guess. If the whole point is getting together to have a good time, why get bogged down with over regulation and arguments over complicated rules and restrictions? Why not just race stock, out of the box, cars? Then you can have an open drag comptetion at the end of the day, just for for kicks, no rules.... fastest car wins, period.


Like I said, I guess I just don't get it.

Long live basement racing!

I'm with VideoJim, "I'd never join a club, that would have me for a member". Claiming rules are in effect at the 1:1 local roundy round tracks here in Western NewYork, it seams to work. No sense throwing 50g's into a motor your competition can claim from you for 10. We also run a Stock T-Jet class, exception is any "Copper" brush, and slip on skinny sillys, and a stock Hard Plastic body, no cuts, Lot's-o-fun.

Tycos, Tycos, Tycos

Tyco's Tyco's Tyco's, Beef or Chicken?

This same topic is all over the www, no idea if it is the same poster but so far any suggestions for a way out gets rejected out of hand.

At least there has been no shortage of good suggestions...

Scott

SRT's. Cheap, Plentyfull, almost any Tomy body back to original AFX will fit. Even the AW X-Traction bodies snap right on. Add slip on Sili's and if you want the racing REALLY tight turn the volts down to around 15. They stick like a Neo but you can actually see them! I know a guy who has added a neo dot to his SRT's and he can't find a car that will beat them. I use them to run my vintage AFX Can-Am bods. Cool to see those cars move fast.

Later, The Just another idea by the cheap and also T-Jet frustrated Rockinator

FFS, what's wrong with you guys anyway ?

If you can't get it together with your T-Jets,
just consult Dave at Dave's H.O. Raceway.

Dave's H.O. Raceway http://www.geocities.com/daveshoraceway/

They've been racing T-Jets over there for 18 years.

TO MOST REPLYS :

Please reread original post a little slower.
To all others; with alternatives: Thank you very much but...We already have or still do race or use these other cars/methods but after racing HO for over 45 years prefer racing Tjets. If you notice in the original post it mentions the short comings of the modern day (competitive) tjet and that is suitable replacement [motor] parts....IE armatures and motor magnets. Please note, Cannabalized JL arms/ magnets are not replacement parts either. They are in short supply as well. This issue has been investigated-reason for the post is to see if there is any answers to rectifying this problem...The competitive tjet is becoming extinct...

Thanks,
Tjettom Baker

Tom, ole buddy. since Auriro parts haven;t been made in many years, it stands to reason that T-Jetters will simply rin out of consumable parts. There a potentially 3 fixes to this problem,

1. Use other parts form other car of which there is no shortage of usable parts.

2. Allow aftermarket parts to be use thereby reitalizing the market,

3. Since Aurora no longer exists and no longer makes parts, it time to let T-Jet simply Die in peice.

You only want to use original Aurora parts, but they are almost gone, you don;t want to use any aftermarket parts, so that is a problem.

A question?

What exactly do you want?

Medic, (ole buddy)?....

Here's my response to your most offensive and re dic clueless questions....

1. Use other parts form other car of which there is no shortage of usable parts.

ANSWER...Do you really think there is a such thing as the SAME parts on other cars? Don't you reallize what you think is no shortage of so called "useable" parts is non existant! There are NO replacement parts for or from these other "cars".
The parts that you think you may be able to get are in very
SHORT supply and are from cannabalized JL's... And furtermore are not the same parts used by any organized groups to date...for tjet racing that is....I will try making this simple and perfectly clear!

2. Allow aftermarket parts to be use thereby reitalizing the market,

ANSWER, If you paid attention to my post,I'm sure you read -REPLACEABLE MOTOR PARTS.... Nothing was mentioned about any other chassis parts. It said MOTOR PARTS, ie. ARMATURES and MAGNETS!! DO YOU KNOW OF AFTERMARKET motor parts? Apparently you do...How about letting the rest of us in on it? As my post never said ANYTHING about shortage or not using any other aftermarket CHASSIS parts...They are all available by any amount you need! And most any decent tjet racer already has a ton of empty available chassis....

3. Since Aurora no longer exists and no longer makes parts, it time to let T-Jet simply Die in peice.

ANSWER; I would certainly hope you know we all have a good idea about Aurora being out of business as well as not making parts...You may also find out some day that there was ton of cars made that could still be used if it wasn't for A SHORTAGE OF MOTOR PARTS ! ie: Armatures and motor magnets...How do you know it is time for anything to die? Are you a medic? What would you think about tjet racing if some enthusiasts like me or some individual would find some way to produce tjet MOTOR parts? Just cause you hate tjets,why do you care about them or say they should die? You know,I kinda wish the best for every other HO racers endeavors...Ya ever owned any classic cars and appreciated the fact that there are cottage industries to help keep em from dieing? Gee, ya know some people aren't as trendy as others and Old School is Cool with lots of us... Most times a lot more enjoyable too..

You only want to use original Aurora parts, but they are almost gone, you don;t want to use any aftermarket parts, so that is a problem.

ANSWER; Where in the HE__ did you hear or read this CRA_? I think reading slower might give you some MUCH better insight to my post ....
Where in the world did I say I only wanted to use "original Aurora" parts?
AND...duh?...WE KNOW they are almost gone...Why do you think the reason for my original post!!!
Also why would you say I wouldn't use any aftermarket parts? That's totally insane! Why on earth would someone turn down a chance to have aftermarket tjet MOTOR parts???

I just can't beleive you would waste my time typing all this? Please reread the original post again. Hopefully other tjet enthusiasts will too and maybe someone besides you will have a heck of a lot better solution than...
"It time to let T-jet simply die in piece".......???

Tjettom Baker

Can you not buy after market mags anymore? I would have thought that market was doing ok still..I know you can get rewinds done, guess it would be expensive though to race then.. too bad hate to see any class of car go away..you can pick up a lot of nos tjets in the next HOHT auction as Dan of Dash motorsports donated a HUGE lot of bodies that Bob, Randy and I have custom painted.. (Ok who didn't see I was going to do a shamless promotion for the Auction and Plug our Sponsers...)


Dave

Very simple.

Adapt to survive.

Or dont.

Mike(Ice9)

Mike, That is easier said than done with racing amoungst organized groups who have control of the rules.I'm sure you must know this. I'm not merely posting this information for the basement racer although I see I might not should have posted on this board. I see many are not up to speed as far as competitive tjet racing with the major sanctioned groups is concerned. I did not know that when first posting on this board.Just any aftermarket motor parts don't necessarily fit the legality of the rules. If that were the case,plenty afx as well as many custom arms and magnets could be used but then the cars wouldn't be tjets anymore. They would either be modified,outlaw,or unlimited tjets. Then you may as well run inline cars instead...

Tjettom Baker

Tom.....

With all due respect,there seems to be a group out there that thinks that anyone not involved with one of the big "sanctioned" race organization are somehow second class HO racers who are out of touch with reality.

IMHO,"basement racers" probably make up 90% or better of the guys involved in HO slot car racing.Hardly second class citizens.
Speaking for myself,and perhaps some others out there,when I got back into the hobby 5 or 6 years ago,I was drawn to the "sanctioned racing".

I gave up on that real quick,after seeing all of the crap that goes along with it on the boards.I dont know for sure,but I would be willing to bet that a lot of others did as I did and soon just said the heck with organized racing.

I think that a huge part in the success of this bulletin board is the fact that the majority of us here are "basement racers" and participate here because it is devoid of the constant bickering that goes on in other boards where the sun rises and sets on "sanctioned racing".Personally,I think its sundown for a lot of the sanctioned groups.

Read here a while,and you will see that quite a few guys here have some pretty nice little "organized" clubs of their own.And what they do is of no less importance to me then what the "organized"clubs do.In fact,what they do means absolutely nothing to me.

So Tom,as I said from the start,with all due respect,this just happens to be my opinion based on my observations over the last few years..YMMV.

Mike(basement racer for life)

What would you think about tjet racing if some enthusiasts like me or some individual would find some way to produce tjet MOTOR parts?

WHP offered that recenctly and was shaot down by the Fray People.

Another big problem, YOY and many others want to buy cases of parts to sort through to have that 1 good car, Tou are desroying your own hobby by these actions,

Larry, I was thinking probably 200-500 armatures as well as 100-200 pair of good AFX magnets.


So where does that leave the newbie,

If the T-Jets racers can't share any better than this, it's time to let the class die,

You hospital auxillary ladies are breakin my heart.

Let me remind you that in some places on the planet.....say anywhere outside of slot alley... it was hard to get parts even when the lil bastages were still in production. So from my perspective parts access is pretty darn good now by comparison.

Speaking of perspective...get some! We've been racing "orphans" for some time. "No factory support". Not to mention the fact that they are right on the cusp of being antiques anyway. The only reason we're just now getting around to peewhining was some huge production numbers originally.

So I would ask where or on what planet does anyform of vintage racing actually exist where it is affordable and specifically selected parts rain from the sky like skittles at little er no cost just so Johnny newcomer can have a taste? Bonghit I say!

The bottom line is that there is nuthin wrong with the concept of quality reproduction parts. However expecting them for milk money is where fantasy t-jet campers meet the bully on the block...aka cold hard reality.

Then and now, it's always really been all about ascertaining the good parts from the mediocre or subpar parts anyway. Regardless of whether yer lumping through a box from granny's attic, the last known mastercase of unmolested NOS chassis, a tangled scum pile from ebay, or paying some aftermarket manufacturer to ensure perfection straight out of the can the costs will be relative! Quality takes time and time is money. To get one ya gotta give the other. So if yer not willing to sift parts AND yer not willing to pay some one else to do it for you ....then there is NO answer!

So how bad do ya really wanna race anyway? Cuz if ya really wanna race... you'll just race. Remember that concept?.... Real racin' was in a dank dark basement or a stuffy attic. Real racing was on the rec-room rug with the family cat er dog going nuts and Mom scowling cuz she could never get the vacuuming done. Real racing was actually trying something different from time to time.

Didnt wanna hear 'bout no sanctioning bodies then er now. At the point where I gotta attend meetings and have discussions while listening to disertations about the "whatness and why" of lil toy cars... I B DUN!

....cuz I'm already married!

Mickey, This is incredible...Just how much drama do you read out of my words anyway??? This is utterly ridiculous...
You are amazing....I can't beleive it!

Once again let me reply to your questions and statements! I am going slow so read this carefully...

WHP offered that recenctly and was shaot down by the Fray People.
ANSWER; WHP probably should have asked the racers who use the armatures. The Fray is a small part of the hobby anyway. Just because the FRAY people and WHP can't do business is totally irrelavant to the rest of the tjet world. Do you think just because two entities can't do business that is reason no one else should? GEEZ!

Another big problem, YOY and many others want to buy cases of parts to sort through to have that 1 good car, Tou are desroying your own hobby by these actions,
ANSWER; Do you dream this stuff? Who says I "want" to buy a case of anything?
And if I did have to buy a case to have to sort thru to get that 1 good car YOU might understand my concern for my ORIGINAL post!! GEEZ!!
I'm not too sure there are many cases to find that "1" good car either...How's that!
"Tou are destroying your own hobby by these actions"
ANSWER; Are you refering to my buying cases in which I have never done? Or is this something you made up?
If you could read clearly my actions are looking for ways to recify the problems with my hobby in which you are not part of the cure.

Quote:
Larry, I was thinking probably 200-500 armatures as well as 100-200 pair of good AFX magnets.
ANSWER; You got a problem with this one too?
Yeah, I think if I could find the source for this quantity at the minimum I would be more than wise to be in the buying market for future use although mostly because I personally know about at least a hundred tjet friends who probably would like the most of it. I am a hobbiest. I have almost depleted a 45 year supply of tjet parts already from helping friends and newbies. Is that Ok?

So where does that leave the newbie,
ANSWER; Take a guess....Well no maybe that's not an alternative....LET ME TELL YOU WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE A NEWBIE..If I can help him that's what built the Tjet genre of the hobby to begin with. Getting together and having a good time which (some of us )would like to preserve for years to come...

If the T-Jets racers can't share any better than this, it's time to let the class die,
ANSWER; Gee thanks for all your cordial concern.....
Hope you never see dire straits Mickey my X friend.

Tjettom

I apologise for posting on this site. It wont happen again.
Beleive me,
Tjettom Baker

Sorry Tom. Hope you find something to fill the void.

Well, I don't have a basement, my track is in the garage, next to my old outdated hot rod. We don't have any organized races down here in Texas. It's pretty much a slot car frontier. We race Tycos. It's just the most dependable racing in these parts.
I wrote a song. It goes like this..... Tycos, Tyyyyyyyyyyycos,Tycoooooooooooos

Tyco Tom

Hey, I saw this in another thread, and thought it might help.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXPHC0&P=ML

:thumbsup:

Medic you race as much as you type? I know you can't marshall!

And what ever happened to all that Tyco stuff sent out your way?

I apologise for posting on this site. It wont happen again.
Beleive me,
Tjettom Baker

Aw c'mon Tom! A little racous debate is all in good fun.

So far it's been a pretty dull spring/summer around here. Until you came along the only guy we had to pound on was Dan (Lenny) and he only went 12rounds. :p

I just read through this thread again, and it got me to thinking.................they don't race front engine cars at Indy anymore. I just thought it was sad.

Ted the Tyco Tornado

Tom

Excatly, what do you want out of the T-Jets world (parts) and how do you propose to get them (them) and what will you do thit them?

Medic, you should probably let this go after your actions over on Planet of Speed...

http://www.planetofspeed.net/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=4227&start=60

Destroying a body given to you for free by Tom whether you agree with him on T-Jets or not was a despicable thing..... it speaks volumes unfortunately.

If I had known what was goin on at the other BB's I would not have opened my yap.I was busy working on my track yesterday and didnt hit all the DL's like I normally do.

Tom,I hope you come back.You seem like a guy who knows a thing or two or three.

This is a pretty good bunch of guys.We could always use another.

Mike(Ice9)

Yeah, Tom. All in all we just enjoy racing and everything to do with it. Organized or not, the thrill is what it's all about. It really is a sad passing, the racing of pure Tjet times. Tycos are also a finite supply. Any Tyco purist doesn't like the Mattels. (you ever notice how the smaller magnets rattle in the chassis of a mattel?) Fifty or sixty years from now, I'll be mourning the loss of pure Tyco racing. So, I'm there man. I hope you continue to post here. Knowledge is scarce around these parts, and you seem to know exactly, specifically what you are talking about.
Would you consider changing your handle to TycoTom?

Rich

Rich, I promised myself to stay off the boards with too much pertinent information and just save it for the folks I deal with in the racing community but since I am doing a review on controllers that I promised to do since Jerry Schmoyer was kind enough to custom build me two controllers that he will soon have on the market.So,look for a report soon concerning Jerry Schmoyers custom built Stage II adjustable ohm controllers. They are the best resistor controllers I have EVER had the pleasure to try out! They are custom made for tjets and are fully adjustable in two ranges. He also sells fixed ohm tjet controllers in I beleive 90 and 120 ohm. These adjustable ohm models are so smooth and controllable as they are available in 120-180 and 142-225 ohm range. They make all tjets VERY smooth and under control all the way from FRAY/ NITRO cars to box stock tjets....VERY NICE!....

Hey Rick...A little more news....How did you know what my nick name was for most of the time since the 80's ---Yep....
Tyco Tom...and now you know another part to the rest of the story. Another sad bit of news is you won't be running those TYCOs near as long as you think you are..Yep, NO armatures...It had been said when Mattel took over Tyco they did away with all inventory. It was also said when current vendors deplete their inventory that's it unless something happens.
Well, I've been in the shop all day working on various dirt car masters for some resin casters and it's late with a full day fabricating tomorrow...

Thanks for the replys and hope all are happy and well...
Tjettom Baker

... Another sad bit of news is you won't be running those TYCOs near as long as you think you are..Yep, NO armatures...It had been said when Mattel took over Tyco they did away with all inventory. It was also said when current vendors deplete their inventory that's it unless something happens.

I don't understand any of this knee jerking about the availability of any slot car parts.
Unless this thread is some kind of fiction to check up the racers about their knowledge.

Like when racing Tycos use the stock Wizzard A3P01 armature because unlike the Tyco ones they're more consistently good.
__________________

http://www.sloganizer.net/en/style8,SuperFist.png

Hey Superfist.....That's great to know...Thanks for the heads up! These are the things I'm tryin to find out...That sounds like a great replacement armature... I'll pass that info on to my friends who have a weekly Tyco race. I'm sure they'll appreciate hearing the good news...

You call it knee jerking if you like,I call it communication with others who might also have concern.
I have only stated what I hear.I do appreciate all valid opinions.
If you consider my efforts knee jerking please let me know so I won't post and waste good peoples time...

Thanks,
Tjettom Baker

Sorry about that Tom, it's more about me.
The guys I race with are all over that tech stuff and test and tune all the time.

Wizzard has 3 stock arms that work for the Tycos. ST01, WS01 & A3P01.
Most of the guys know want the A3P01 and that's the one I use.
__________________

http://www.sloganizer.net/en/style8,SuperFist.png

Cool data guys. I know arms are supposed to get tired after a while, but I have some Tycos I've been using the same arms in since 1990. They still run great! Sure some of them have slowed down, but others have developed a kind of character. A predictability under race conditions that gives me an edge. Everyone knows tires fall off during a race heat. How about arms? I have no hard technical evidence, just the way the car feels. I have one set up for long wheel base. I use the 74 Charger on it. It's a beast of a body, but this chassis seems to like it. I swear the car knows how to run a 3 minute heat by itself. I can really push the car hard throughout the heat. I find that most guys are subject to tire grip, and as the heat goes on, they tend to over shoot the corners. Not this car. I actually have fun near the end of the heat dragging a competitor into a corner too hard, or chasing into a corner too hard. It's rarely the fastest, but the car just seems to stick. I've looked at it real close, and it doesn't have any stronger traction magnets than any other Tyco. It feels like the torque band changes slightly as the heat goes on. Is this just theory, or has someone else experienced this with another brand?

Rich

www.myspace.com/northtexasslotcars