Pits Top

I've now added a circuit sign and clock to the roof of the pits building, plus a few adverts on the barriers outside.

I've reluctantly removed the only section of original Scalextric track from the circuit.  It's a chicane set I used for the one of the corners but the cars always ran a little slower over it and the new Ford GT40 pretty much grinds to a halt.

The electrical connections are good but original Scalextric track was designed before Magnatraction (the stronger magnets in later cars that help keep them on the track).  Where the two lanes come close together, the magnet is attracted to all the strips of metal and slows the car too much.  So I've replaced it with the remaining pieces I had of the modern Scalextric Sport.

It's the Pits

I've almost completed the pit building.  It's two storeys with six garages underneath and a viewing room above, made from foamboard and MDF, with some plastic for the windows.  On the walls in the room are tiny posters of my favourite car movies along with various office equipment.  In the garages are tool boxes and fire extinguishers, and a couple of dubious posters...

Here are three shots of the pits - the first without flash, the second with flash, and the third with the installed lighting turned on.

Final touches to do are adding some fuel lines and a something like a "Welcome to Highwood Circuit" sign on the roof.

Scalextric Swapmeet

Andy and I went to this Swapmeet today.  Loads of traders selling new and second-hand cars and accessories.  A couple of four-lane tracks set up for kids to try out (1/32 and 1/64 scale) plus a 40 foot drag strip.  This had some nice customised cars in both 1/24 and 1/32 scale but I don't really see the attraction of racing cars in a straight line.

Andy pretty much cleared out the hall of Metro 6R4s - the mad 4WD rally version of the Rover Metro.  He bought six, bringing his collection to 14 plus some bits.  There's a race series in there somewhere...

We bought some buildings for scenery and I bought three second-hand cars: a 1995 Lister Storm, a 1993 Jaguar XJ220 and, in need of a bit of TLC, an old Porsche 911.

Here's a great video from YouTube user LondonScalextric of the swapmeet, featuring me at 0:18 and the Lister Storm I bought at 1:20.