Posted 21 April 2009 - 09:40 AM
Hey guys, thanks for the kudos.
Prior to beginning, I corresponded with Todd the Tileguy, aka "scenery god". He asked those sort of questions as well, and had some good advice for defining what my goal was.
That got me to thinking, that I really hadnt been thinking.
Because I am not enough of a fan or historian to really know enough about any race track or racing series, details of a track etc. and, because this was my first time doing any kind of scenery, I decided to not try to replicate any specific track or race. This gives me the freedom to incorporate things I like from various tracks when I see something I like.
Likewise and really largely due to the layout of my track and not really having open areas, I decided against trying to build buildings or a town, eventually I decided there really was not a place for a pit lane, garage area and do any justice to them.
I know, at this point, your thinking, "Race track on the moon". But, I did come up with a idea of my "theme".
My theme is a racetrack through the country in the fall. So, think Road America or Watkins Glen along about October. So, being a race track, it will have guard rails, berms, tire stacks, hay bales, race signage. Since I am 47 and fell in love with racing and slot cars in the late 60's, if it's a little old school, thats ok by me.
Another thing Todd advised, think about what you are after, a raceable track with nice scenery, or a fully decked out scale diorama. Well, I really want scenery that I am proud of, (read, not ashamed of) and my goal all along has been a great driving race track. So, it's a race track first and a scale diorama second.
So, imagine a drive through the country in the fall. Thats what I am after. I know, he sets his goals low and consistently fails to achieve them. haha.
So, yes to the signage, that will have to do to "make it racey". Some fans hanging out here and there will have to complete the picture. I guess I would rather do less and do a good job of what I do, than to busy it up with less than great buildings etc.
not shown in these pics, the entire length of the back straight will be signage. I am going to first paint it with a peeled paint technique. Then, just print signage and attach it to the back wall. I am thinking some retro style race track signage, and eventually mixing in signs from the businesses of folks who have helped me, local businesses of interest etc. just to have some fun with it. That back wall will be visible at all times from the racer stations. there is a shorter front wall that will get signage, seen from the back side of the track.
I think if I print my signage on heavy stock, I can attach it to my walls with rubber cement. this way I can change it up from time to time.
I know, probably boring, but it's achievable and will let me get back to racing. Since our home is dominated by a five year old and a ten month old, time to work on the track for more than a half hour at a time is quite limited. I actually got the track built by doing all nighters in the shop. I need to get that inspired on the scenery so I can knock it out pronto.
thanks guys, I hope to have more pics soon to share as that will mean there is progress.
John
Pretzel City Speedway track slave
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) as I don't have the room for a pit lane etc., so I hope to let the scenery disguise that fact and just have a nice piece of road do race on.
