Mag-less racing

[Scuderia Scalextric]

I have just posted an item about what tyre to use to go mag-less racing, but does anyone have any other hints or tips? I have a 8 x 4 ft Scalextric Sport (6-car digital powerbase) track in my garage, and race against the Pacer system (which is very effective by the way). All my cars (Rally, Touring, Trans-Am, F1 classic, F1 digital and Classic Le Mans) have magnets, but I have considered trying some as mag-less, either to race against the clock, or against the Pacer cars, if I can get enough grip. Many thanks.

[gorp]

magnets help badly design toys compete

my digital run minimum mags with replacement silicones with analog sometimes more

silicones or urethanes are ok and easily available on net

believe rule of thumb is ures clean track and sillys puts down base

clean tires with spit or tape

[Andy P.]

gorp is right. Magnets "mask" problems a car might have, such as wobbly front axles, non-round tires/wheels and bad weight distribution. I have even read about people using magnets to equal out performance.

Going magless means you have to really approach the car as if it were a real race car. Weight, its distribution, traction, friction, etc. etc. all play a role.

Driving is also very different as the cars slide and drift a lot more.

A few tips:

The car must be pristine inside. No lint, no excess grease etc.

The axles must be tight but have enough play to move freely. Personally I also don't like a lot of up and down play on the front axle.

The wheel must be true i.e. perfect round and rotate perfectly.

The tires must be sanded (unless they are silicone) and clean.

Track must also be very clean.

You will likely have to add 5-15 grams on various parts of the car.

Have fun!

[gorp]

also remember that this is a toy and turning is based on guide to rear axle so front axle is only there for appearance and adding weight to front end of car

[Andy P.]

also remember that this is a toy and turning is based on guide to rear axle so front axle is only there for appearance and adding weight to front end of car

That is a matter of opinion and debate...

[gorp]

you do not seriously believe that you are racing on 4 tires only ?

you can know how a toy will corner by looking at guide to rear axle length

thats why modern day f1s have difficulty on scaly r1 curves

and why nascars  fly off  r1 carera banked curves

happens just like clockwork

[Scuderia Scalextric]

Many thanks for the advice both - I have removed the magnet from my Lancia Delta S4, and although it can get around, I can see that it needs some weights to help stabilise it. I used to use copper coins on my old cars, but I presume that I can get some small lead weights on line? Will also consider some better tyres, but am enjoying the adding fun of having a more skittish car. Will try my Mk II Escort next, and have the Lancia Stratos twinpack on order so will try one of these as well!

[PhilAppleRaily]

gorp is right. Magnets "mask" problems a car might have, such as wobbly front axles, non-round tires/wheels and bad weight distribution. I have even read about people using magnets to equal out performance.

Going magless means you have to really approach the car as if it were a real race car. Weight, its distribution, traction, friction, etc. etc. all play a role.

Driving is also very different as the cars slide and drift a lot more.

A few tips:

The car must be pristine inside. No lint, no excess grease etc.

The axles must be tight but have enough play to move freely. Personally I also don't like a lot of up and down play on the front axle.

The wheel must be true i.e. perfect round and rotate perfectly.

The tires must be sanded (unless they are silicone) and clean.

Track must also be very clean.

You will likely have to add 5-15 grams on various parts of the car.

Have fun!

Do you know what kind of weight you can add in a magless car? 5 to 15 grams of what? Any weight having the size of the original squared magnets? Where to find them?

Thanks in advance.

[Andy P.]

trial and error starting with 2.5 or 5 grams ... there is no clear formula.

Some say you need weight on the tires that drive the car. Others say it should be on the guide..

[woodcote]

Although Scalextric don't produce ballast and other hop-up part for running magless, there is a good list of stockists who might be able to help: https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/stockists/

 

From that list, I've used Pendle Slot Racing and they stock weights from a few manufacturers, as well as their own lead sheet. They are really knowledgeable and will be able to advise on weight, tyres and other parts.

 

I've enjoyed making my Scalextric cars magless the past few years. I find that the amount of weight depends on the car and especially its centre of gravity. A tall, heavy car needs more weight low down to stabilise it than a low, light car. I start will just a couple of grams by the guide and a gram in front of each of the rear wheels. I use either blu-tak or double-sided tape as a temporary fixture and when I'm happy I have it right, I use Shoe Goo to fix the weight permanently, ready for some hard racing 😎

 

Good luck and have fun!

[gorp]

fishing supply shops can supply the weights and the line to tie em on

 

 

just in case try covering down side of magnet with tape to adjust downforce

[Race Engineer]

Magnets are not speed dependent but otherwise are bit like aero down force; both drop off quickly when the car gets sideways so there is less time to recover from excess speed in the corner