the Lugnuts International Speedplant, a 1:32 slot car track

Porsche defeats Ferrari in a dramatic re-creation of the finish of the classic racing film Le Mans.

The Lugnuts International Speedplant is constructed of Scalextric Sport track, a 1:32 scale plastic sectional track, available just about anywhere. The layout itself, inspired by a fellow slot geek (thanks Randy!) at the Slot Car Illustrated.com forums, was made using SlotMan design software, an excellent free track editing and timing utility. Lane lengths are equal at 56' 2", thanks to the use of an overpass. The track features a good variety of turns and one long straightaway. Each lane is independently powered by a stock Scalextric wall wart (part #C996). A pair of Professor Motor PMTR2044's keep the cars under control, while timing and scoring is flawlessly detected by a Mr. Bugs SensorTrak hooked up to an old PII 500 PC running Gregory Braun's Lap Timer 2000 software. Ready to run cars sans magnet are the norm around here, and one can expect a well sorted Slot.it or Fly Chevron on race rubber, for example, to get around in about 6.5 seconds. Lanes are identified with discreet red and white stickers placed at regular intervals around the circuit.

The stock Scalextric power base is hidden beneath the track, thus concealing some messy and unsightly wiring. This tidies up the look of the track, and also provides one less thing to hit. The powerbase is connected to a piece of straight track, both velcroed to the underside of the table, with jumper wires (part #C8248) running to two different locations above. Directional change can be made by switching the jumpers on the power base. The controllers are plugged into panels on the front side of the table. These, in turn, are connected to Scalextric extension cables (part # C8247) which then plug into the power base.

Fish eye lens? Not likely! The photo above was produced using a nifty utility known as Autostitch. Made up of no fewer than thirty seven original images, Autostitch seamlessly and effortlessly stitched the photos together to produce this panoramic image. Click the image for the huge, hi-res version. Download your own free demo copy of Autostitch here.

Fifty six feet of fun!

Parts List for the Lugnuts International Speedplant:

Scalextric Sport Straight	C8205	32
Scalextric Sport 1/2 straight	C8207	3
Scalextric Sport short straight	C8236	1
Scalextric Sport curve 1	C8202	4
Scalextric Sport curve 2	C8206	13
Scalextric Sport curve 4	C8235	8

Using a similar parts list, alternate layouts are possible. Click for more diagrams.

Click the image to read about table contruction.

Video! Click the thumbnails below for exciting video action!

The in car videos were shot with a Nikon Coolpix S4, strapped to a Fly truck chassis. The Nikon produces .mov files which were then converted to .wmv files and edited. Most of the still photos on this site were shot with a Fuji Finepix S5200. While the Fuji camera yields vastly superior quality video over the Nikon, it's size and weight prohibited it from getting around the track effectively, as the first video illustrates:

	Who put that bridge there? 20 seconds, 1.2mb.
	Intense wheel to wheel action, as seen from the track side camera. 31 seconds, 700kb.
	Fierce competion between brothers. 23 seconds, 900kb.
	An in car clip, complete with wipeout. 22 seconds, 1.8mb.
	A "making of" clip of the in car video. 16 seconds, 500kb.
	This in car blooper produced lots of giggles. 10 seconds, 495kb.

Click the thumbnail images below for various views of the Speedplant:

	Here's a look at the south end of the Speedplant.
	And from the opposite end, looking to the north.
	The power base is hidden beneath the table, eliminating clutter above.
	Professor Motor controllers are secured by velcro when not in use.
	Thirsty racers can keep a refreshment close by with these handy drink holders, available at your local auto parts store.
	Race control is situated between the two racers.
	Lane markers are made using an ordinary one-hole punch and self adhesive vinyl.
	The nerd in the striped shirt thinks he's doing the scoring, but it's actually done by the Mr. Bugs SensorTrak.
	Timing and scoring is capably managed by Lap Timer 2000.
	Here's a shot of the rig used for the in car videos. The Nikon Coolpix S4 is held by elastic bands to a Fly truck chassis.
	This shot clearly illustrates the excessive width of the Nikon camera, making it impossible to pass the leading car, thus limiting the video opportunities.
	Stewart has the edge on Hulme in this classic Can-Am duel.
	It's 1970 all over again as the Porsche 917LH goes up against the Ferrari 512 Coda Lunga.
	The privately run Jägermeister 956C takes on the mighty Porsche factory entry.
	BMW CSL 3.5 versus Zakspeed Capri in late seventies Group 5 action.
	The fabulous Penske/Donohue Lola T70 Mk3B.
	The beautiful Ferrari 312PB makes a hasty exit from the Shell hairpin.
	Here's the 1967 Chaparral 2F getting around the circuit in a big hurry.
	Jaguar XJR9's duke it out.
	The BMW CSL looks good under the flash.
	Two Fly F.I.A. race trucks about to get it on down the start/finish straight.
	Who says race trucks aren't fast?
	Spec racing action with Slot.it 956's. Thanks to my good buddy Reckless Racer for the fine photo.

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