Great Video Marty! Like you, I visited Cincyslots 2 weeks ago. This was my first visit to a commercial track or any track for that matter. Met Bruce, his crew and his regular Thursday race group. Everyone was super nice and helpful. I agree with asking a lot of questions. I did. Its a great way to "break-the-ice" with folks you don't know and you learn tons. Although I didn't race, I did leave with a new SIdeways Porsche 935!
Absolutely great info 👍🏻 There's a commercial track in Vegas that has been there for 30 years... I remember when it first opened, across town. From what I understand it's still going strong. With as much negativity and division in the world today.... Just remember, we have slot cars😁 Thanks Marty...🤙🏻
@@twolinesslotcars that's why you need to take me to SEMA... That way you would have a local ride to wherever else you wanted to go and you could save the 80 bucks. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I like to follow a fast guy to learn the braking and acceleration points. Don't race a guy to the corner or you will wreck every time, just build your muscle memory and you will get faster.
The last lap of almost every race at my local club ends in spectacular wrecks. Everyone pushes harder down the last straight on the last lap than any other time. Wrecking at turn 1 doesn’t matter as much as a win or fastest lap. Haha!
Great ideas, totally agree. Wish I had seen this before hand. I think your attitude going in will help. No need to be timid. Everyone is pretty friendly and warm.
Re-commentling, I think my first comment got deleted because it had a link in it. Anyway, great video Marty, thanks for continuing to put up content for us just starting out in the hobby. Like you, I recently had my first club racing experience with the Wednesday Night Racers in the Philadelphia area. Check them out on FB or their new website. My experience was very similar to yours. I arrived at Great Traditions slot car shop completely empty-handed, but after some introductions and orientation a guy lent me a controller and 2 other club members lent me cars for each of the 2 class races that night. Of course I finished last but my goal was to stay in the slot and learn the ropes. Everyone was very friendly and was happy to share their knowledge and experience. I did contribute to the event by marshalling when I was not racing. Like you, I learned more in those 4 hours about racing procedures, cars, tracks, tuning, rules etc than I could ever learn on my own. I 100% encourage folks to find a club or commercial track and get out there and enjoy the hobby with other slot car enthusiasts.
UA-cam must have done that Tom. So sorry! I appreciate the kind words! I just hope this video helps someone who is riding the fence about walking into a club for the first time.. don’t be anxious! Just go have fun and learn!
Very helpful Marty!!! I’ve been thinking about a trip to Cincy sometime this year. It’s a haul but I think it’d be worth the trip. I used to race on large commercial tracks with my dad from when I was 10 up to 16 years old. My best memories competing with dad. I remember it taking me forever to get comfortable racing I was so intimidated. Dad kept encouraging me and taking me and that experience has served me well. Well done mate!
Cad1900.. thanks so much. Yes, I know that it can be very intimidating. I think if you go in with the correct mindset, you can have a wonderful time at any track. The thing for me is.. everyone has to start somewhere. If you ask good questions and are not offended by people trying to help, you can fit in anywhere. Make sure you check the race schedule at Cincy Slots..they only race from October to March.. but it is a great shop to just browse.. they have a ton of slot cars.
@@twolinesslotcars I had a great time! The people at Alpine Slot Cars in Helen, Ga were super friendly and very helpful. The class we ran was for NSR box stock GT3. Little did I know that even though it is "box stock" you don't just take it out of the box and race it. One of the guys that worked there spent about an hour setting up my car and explaining what he was doing. Made for a very fun experience and I even finished a little better than I expected.
I can’t express how much fun we had and how welcome we felt when we went to CincySlots. Everyone answered all of the many questions we had. Made us feel like we were part of the gang. Hopefully that’s the way other club tracks are. Only downside, next trips not going to be cheap…
Marty, the problem with home tracks is the startup cost and space available. Those two things limit participation to single and "empty nesters". The commercial tracks could bring in younger guys if they had some smaller, introductive tracks and cultivated younger folks. Maybe the business model just doesn't work. Home, club tracks with friends and family works.
@MartyFord. I want to run at cincy slots. I haven’t been to Ohio in 20 years and I am mostly familiar with Akron. I was thinking of starting a track here in DFW but it’s tough to find adorable space. Plus I would need a fairly large I mean LARGE race course.
We have the cars.... Just need to figure the categories they fall in. Vintage, Classic,SportsCar,GTP,GT LMP,GROUP 5 GROUP C INDY,FORMULA Rally, AMERICAN Muscle it goes on and on.....
I will be interested to see how this goes for you and your brother. I did a little commercial racing late 60s and stopped after a few times because of the way I was treated. Of course I was 16/17 at the time.
Greg, I continue to hear stories like this over and over again. I have no past experience with commercial tracks. I had similar experiences at a few RC tracks. Similar problems there I am sure. No fun, not friendly, people yelling at marshals, etc. Cincy Slots was a first for me. Great experience! I am sure there are lots of great clubs just like it out there. That is the optimist in me. LOL.
It will be sold through Slot Car Corner, they said it would start shipping in February. Is made by CG.. the info sort of disappeared from the web.. slotcarcorner.com/collections/cg-slotcars-tire-truer-pre-order-4
I am a home track channel. I went to my first club/commercial track a few weeks ago and a bunch of people ask me to give some advice on what to expect if they decided to do the same.
@@twolinesslotcars The attitudes and bullshit from the commercial tracks back in the 60's ruined the hobby. Became too competitive. The availability of home track equipment is terrific. I restarted the hobby at home in June of 2021; about the same time you got going. Home and scratch building is a HOBBY, not a hard core racing competition. Just my opinion.
@@Gladstone-Gander that is a fair opinion based on your experience. I would not enjoy that environment either. I hope that many clubs have learned from the past and are doing better to create a better culture at the track. That is the beauty of the home track! Thanks for the comment. People need to be aware that there was damage done years ago and it needed cleaned up.
Hey Marty Enjoy your Chanel as my 11 year old and I just got into slot cars over Christmas. He got his first set. I have a question for you or any other person on here that gets this question. We are looking to hook up my laptop to the digital control ll unit. Is there a pc to control unit cable I can get my hands on. Im in Australia so take that into consideration. Things are ridiculously expensive here as originally we are from Canada. Moved here 2 years ago now. So yah if anyone knows where we can get that cable please any help would be great. Thanks in advance.
Thanks so much! Are you on Carrera? You have two options for Carrera Digital.. use the Carrera Bluetooth adapter or this: www.lebhobbies.com/race-link-30349usb25-usb-interface-for-carrera-d124132-25-cord-p-11470.html I could not find it in Australia, but that doesn't mean it is not available. Most people appear to have moved on to the bluetooth adapter and SmartRace on the iPad.
I agree that taking in the entire experience is probably good. Sort of dip your toes in the water to see if the environment is for you. But, there is nothing wrong with racing that first night, if you can find some help. Ultimately, we want everyone to enjoy the hobby! Danny, I know that at your RC track, you have had a great experience over the years. People lending a hand to help. It is always great to hear those sort of stories.. they are out there.
When I was running RC I was a darned good marshal, but even so some drivers would still yell about the job I was doing. As soon as that happened, I was sure to move more slowly towards their car.
@@johnniehobby yes!!! 😂 I refuse to listen to some one abusing marshals! Thanks for your content! Your channel was one of the first channels I discovered when I started my slot car journey last year. You answered a lot of questions for me. I appreciate it!
Good advise to everyone and I SPY a Ken Miles GT40 behind you. In 1/24 scale.
Jorge! Thanks man! That belongs to Jon Mark! He left it behind last week and I took advantage of its beauty and put it in the background!
Great Video Marty! Like you, I visited Cincyslots 2 weeks ago. This was my first visit to a commercial track or any track for that matter. Met Bruce, his crew and his regular Thursday race group. Everyone was super nice and helpful. I agree with asking a lot of questions. I did. Its a great way to "break-the-ice" with folks you don't know and you learn tons. Although I didn't race, I did leave with a new SIdeways Porsche 935!
The 935 is a great choice!!! What livery?? We are planning to come back down this week. Will you be there? Make sure we get a chance to meet!
Absolutely great info 👍🏻
There's a commercial track in Vegas that has been there for 30 years... I remember when it first opened, across town. From what I understand it's still going strong.
With as much negativity and division in the world today.... Just remember, we have slot cars😁
Thanks Marty...🤙🏻
Thanks John! I was in Vegas for SEMA and we wanted to go visit the track.. but it was an $80 Uber drive for 4.5 miles 😬
@@twolinesslotcars that's why you need to take me to SEMA...
That way you would have a local ride to wherever else you wanted to go and you could save the 80 bucks. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Food for thought LOL
Marty- You're a good motivator, and speaker- Great info- great video! Thanks...
Thank you so much Clint!
Great video Marty, good info and most of all your enthusiasm is infectious :)
Thank you kindly Dave! I wish we didn’t have this big pond between us or we would do some racing together!
I like to follow a fast guy to learn the braking and acceleration points. Don't race a guy to the corner or you will wreck every time, just build your muscle memory and you will get faster.
But I have to beat my brother to the corner!!!😩😩😂😂 great advice Darrell!
We are our worst enemies on the track!!!😂😂😂
The last lap of almost every race at my local club ends in spectacular wrecks. Everyone pushes harder down the last straight on the last lap than any other time. Wrecking at turn 1 doesn’t matter as much as a win or fastest lap. Haha!
Great ideas, totally agree. Wish I had seen this before hand. I think your attitude going in will help. No need to be timid. Everyone is pretty friendly and warm.
Absolutely!
We had 2 First times.
1 Commercial Track
2 HOST league (Home Organization of SlotCar Tracks)
HOST has been TOTALLY AWESOME!
Re-commentling, I think my first comment got deleted because it had a link in it. Anyway, great video Marty, thanks for continuing to put up content for us just starting out in the hobby. Like you, I recently had my first club racing experience with the Wednesday Night Racers in the Philadelphia area. Check them out on FB or their new website.
My experience was very similar to yours. I arrived at Great Traditions slot car shop completely empty-handed, but after some introductions and orientation a guy lent me a controller and 2 other club members lent me cars for each of the 2 class races that night. Of course I finished last but my goal was to stay in the slot and learn the ropes. Everyone was very friendly and was happy to share their knowledge and experience. I did contribute to the event by marshalling when I was not racing. Like you, I learned more in those 4 hours about racing procedures, cars, tracks, tuning, rules etc than I could ever learn on my own.
I 100% encourage folks to find a club or commercial track and get out there and enjoy the hobby with other slot car enthusiasts.
UA-cam must have done that Tom. So sorry! I appreciate the kind words! I just hope this video helps someone who is riding the fence about walking into a club for the first time.. don’t be anxious! Just go have fun and learn!
G'day Marty , totally agree with you 👍 💯 thank you
Thanks Rhys!
Very helpful Marty!!! I’ve been thinking about a trip to Cincy sometime this year. It’s a haul but I think it’d be worth the trip. I used to race on large commercial tracks with my dad from when I was 10 up to 16 years old. My best memories competing with dad. I remember it taking me forever to get comfortable racing I was so intimidated. Dad kept encouraging me and taking me and that experience has served me well. Well done mate!
Cad1900.. thanks so much. Yes, I know that it can be very intimidating. I think if you go in with the correct mindset, you can have a wonderful time at any track. The thing for me is.. everyone has to start somewhere. If you ask good questions and are not offended by people trying to help, you can fit in anywhere. Make sure you check the race schedule at Cincy Slots..they only race from October to March.. but it is a great shop to just browse.. they have a ton of slot cars.
@@twolinesslotcars ok great thank you I’ll check their schedule. I’ve purchased several from Bruce but I’d like to see what they have in the shop.
Great video. Thank you so much. I'm going this weekend to a commercial track to race for the first time. I feel better now. Lol
lol… Randy! Just go have fun! The rest will take care of itself.. would love to know how it goes!
@@twolinesslotcars I had a great time! The people at Alpine Slot Cars in Helen, Ga were super friendly and very helpful. The class we ran was for NSR box stock GT3. Little did I know that even though it is "box stock" you don't just take it out of the box and race it. One of the guys that worked there spent about an hour setting up my car and explaining what he was doing. Made for a very fun experience and I even finished a little better than I expected.
@@randyholbrook9609 this is fantastic! Way to go Alpine Slot Cars! I am happy you had a great experience! Go have fun racing!
Outstanding advice, appreciate it Outstanding advice, appreciate it Outstanding advice, appreciate it
Glad it was helpful!
@@twolinesslotcars have you done a video on tools needed for pit boxes and such for beginners like myself?
@@kennypreston5791 did you read my mind?
@@twolinesslotcars L O l
I can’t express how much fun we had and how welcome we felt when we went to CincySlots. Everyone answered all of the many questions we had. Made us feel like we were part of the gang. Hopefully that’s the way other club tracks are. Only downside, next trips not going to be cheap…
Truth
Great video, good info
Thanks for watching!
Excellent!
Thanks Jim!
Marty, the problem with home tracks is the startup cost and space available. Those two things limit participation to single and "empty nesters". The commercial tracks could bring in younger guys if they had some smaller, introductive tracks and cultivated younger folks. Maybe the business model just doesn't work. Home, club tracks with friends and family works.
Great insight Gladstone Gander!
Darryl is the awesome.
His cars is too.
Yes.. he is the man!
Great video!
Great video Marty.
Thanks 👍
Marty, Marty, Marty, you did not read the rules! JOKING ASIDE, really great advice and insight..KUTO's to you sir.
😂😂 thanks dafingers1! I read the rules, but… going to the track and seeing what goes on helps clarify the rules.
@MartyFord. I want to run at cincy slots. I haven’t been to Ohio in 20 years and I am mostly familiar with Akron. I was thinking of starting a track here in DFW but it’s tough to find adorable space. Plus I would need a fairly large I mean LARGE race course.
James.. I am in the same boat.. I can’t find cheap rent for a club track.
We have the cars....
Just need to figure the categories they fall in.
Vintage, Classic,SportsCar,GTP,GT LMP,GROUP 5 GROUP C INDY,FORMULA Rally, AMERICAN Muscle it goes on and on.....
I will be interested to see how this goes for you and your brother. I did a little commercial racing late 60s and stopped after a few times because of the way I was treated. Of course I was 16/17 at the time.
Greg, I continue to hear stories like this over and over again. I have no past experience with commercial tracks. I had similar experiences at a few RC tracks. Similar problems there I am sure. No fun, not friendly, people yelling at marshals, etc. Cincy Slots was a first for me. Great experience! I am sure there are lots of great clubs just like it out there. That is the optimist in me. LOL.
@@twolinesslotcars Send me your email and I'll send some pics of my track. Don't have the room you have.
@@Clearwater124 thet5guy@gmail.com
Marty. Great stuff as usual. Where and when can I find the new tire truing machine you have been talking about?
It will be sold through Slot Car Corner, they said it would start shipping in February. Is made by CG.. the info sort of disappeared from the web..
slotcarcorner.com/collections/cg-slotcars-tire-truer-pre-order-4
@@twolinesslotcars you are then man… because of your ideas on searching for tracks I found a “hidden” club near Atlanta where I live.
Marty, are you going to be a home track channel? Some of your followers have no interest in commercial track racing.
I am a home track channel. I went to my first club/commercial track a few weeks ago and a bunch of people ask me to give some advice on what to expect if they decided to do the same.
@@twolinesslotcars The attitudes and bullshit from the commercial tracks back in the 60's ruined the hobby. Became too competitive. The availability of home track equipment is terrific. I restarted the hobby at home in June of 2021; about the same time you got going. Home and scratch building is a HOBBY, not a hard core racing competition. Just my opinion.
@@Gladstone-Gander that is a fair opinion based on your experience. I would not enjoy that environment either. I hope that many clubs have learned from the past and are doing better to create a better culture at the track. That is the beauty of the home track! Thanks for the comment. People need to be aware that there was damage done years ago and it needed cleaned up.
Hey Marty Enjoy your Chanel as my 11 year old and I just got into slot cars over Christmas. He got his first set. I have a question for you or any other person on here that gets this question. We are looking to hook up my laptop to the digital control ll unit. Is there a pc to control unit cable I can get my hands on. Im in Australia so take that into consideration. Things are ridiculously expensive here as originally we are from Canada. Moved here 2 years ago now. So yah if anyone knows where we can get that cable please any help would be great. Thanks in advance.
Thanks so much! Are you on Carrera? You have two options for Carrera Digital.. use the Carrera Bluetooth adapter or this:
www.lebhobbies.com/race-link-30349usb25-usb-interface-for-carrera-d124132-25-cord-p-11470.html
I could not find it in Australia, but that doesn't mean it is not available. Most people appear to have moved on to the bluetooth adapter and SmartRace on the iPad.
Hi Marty, thats great advice so now how do I find out about local slotcar clubs and race nights, any good forums to recommmend etc
Gene, that’s a great question! Are you a part of the Home Racing World Forums? That would be a great place to start!
@@twolinesslotcars is that facebook or just google it?
@@chrisholmes6029 homeracingworld.us/TeamHRW/
There is also a Facebook page
My thoughts are your first night there should be a watch and see night. Ask questions?
I agree that taking in the entire experience is probably good. Sort of dip your toes in the water to see if the environment is for you. But, there is nothing wrong with racing that first night, if you can find some help. Ultimately, we want everyone to enjoy the hobby! Danny, I know that at your RC track, you have had a great experience over the years. People lending a hand to help. It is always great to hear those sort of stories.. they are out there.
Never be the guy who shouts at the corner marshalls! Not only is it your own fault you crashed, but it's a good way to look like an instant ass.
Exactly John!!
When I was running RC I was a darned good marshal, but even so some drivers would still yell about the job I was doing. As soon as that happened, I was sure to move more slowly towards their car.
@@johnniehobby yes!!! 😂 I refuse to listen to some one abusing marshals! Thanks for your content! Your channel was one of the first channels I discovered when I started my slot car journey last year. You answered a lot of questions for me. I appreciate it!
Thanks, Marty. It's always nice to hear that my videos are helpful.