My Barriers Were Up But Now I've Decided To Be More Open

Do I have my barriers up with you? Well I did. I put barriers all around the track but in the end decided it was too enclosed so I have removed some to produce a more open section of the track so I have more space for advertising boards at a later date.

The twisty section at the end is now completely enclosed for driver safety because hopefully this will end up being the forest section of the track.

I had to modify (I mean cut to pieces!) some sections of barrier and border to get them to fit and in some places I just added a tyre wall just to break things up a bit. I'm fairly pleased with the result and can't wait for the grass to be delivered now.

Test Race

After all this hard work it was time to test out the track, yay!!!! :)

I might slowly add a few barriers and need to add in the lane change corers once I have returned the faulty items but for the next few day it's time to sit back and enjoy out new Hot Scalextric in all it's glory! Trouble is the boys are getting better than me so I must find time for practice! (Very competitive household :))

Grass and asphalt to lay next but I'm still considering the option so until then, if you want me I will be in the play room playing Scalextric.

Building Buildings

Morning comes and the boys are happy with Daddy's progress overnight but it still doesn't look like a proper race track so it's time to add some atmospheric buildings. I asked the boys what they wanted and their suggestion was a tran track that goes down the stairs, a jump and strawberry's or raspberry's so I had the casting vote and decided some proper buildings were in order.

First up was the garage for the pit lane.

I later decided there wasn't enough room behind the pit lane so it has moved but I'm sure we will find something for the pit lane in time.

Next was the grand stands.

Because they are simple push together construction the boys loved helping. They chose the stickers but it was Daddy's job to stick them on (a wonky Fiat may be true to life but may send me over the edge!)

Next up was a Dunlop footbridge. The bridge to nowhere I would refer to it as because you would still be trapped in the circuit but it looks good.

Finally a control tower so I can disqualify any bad drivers for dangerous conduct on the race track and yes this has already happened more than once!!!!!

I'm happy with the outcome so far and it's starting to come together well.

How To Prevent A Crash

Boys being boys will want to see how fast a car can go before it crashes and even crash into other cars just for the fun of it so barriers are essential before letting them loose with the track.

As I mentioned before, don't put the track in a corner of a room, fitting barriers was even harder than the track itself!!!!!

Good job I'm of slim build and not scared of confined spaces!!

More barriers and tyre walls to add for effect but this should do the job at keeping the cars on the track rater than the floor but time will tell!!

Track Time

Building work done and while the boys sleep it's time to lay down the track.

For now I have decided not to fix the track to the board so I can be flexible if I decide something isn't working right or the track needs a slight tweak. A note to anyone building a large track: DO NOT build it in the corner of a room as I have because reaching the far corner is problematic to say the least!!!

Track down and tested and it's already looking good but it could be better. Time to add some buildings and let's make a proper race track :) !!!

Building Work Complete!

After two days hard work and a lot of help from an inquisitive four year old (who has memorised how to build a kitchen cabinet so there is no excuse to not have a go!) the building work is done!!!

Now to add the fun. Time to start building the track :)

The Big Build

We started the day with an empty room, a pile of track, a flat-pack kitchen and some random pieces of wood and started to create.

Good job I had expert building help from King Arthur! The base units are almost complete (these were a deal breaker to create storage space where the old furniture just had to be removed to make way for the extra large track!)

Base units are now done, except for doors but they aren't important are they? There is no way a door will hold up the track!! Time for some sleep before another day of hard graft with my boys.