"The Track" at Harbor Hobbies, Winthrop Harbor

[OTE_TheMissile]

1225 Sheridan Rd., Suite H
Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096

http://www.harbor-hobby.net

About a mile south of the Wisconsin/Illinois border, take I-94 southbound to Russel Road, Russel goes east to Sheridan, turn south on Sheridan and head into town, The Track is in the middle of a strip mall on your left.

I think they're already one or two weeks into the season and I should be starting pretty quick here myself. Racing on carpet might seem a little odd (especially coming from me) but track owner Eric Whiteside has to be one of the most creative carpet track owners I've ever met or heard of. Every Friday night they "offroad" the current onroad layout with makeshift ramps, haphazardly laid out corner dots, washboard sections made from fire hose, and Eric's infamous "microbursts". He's got some of that Paragon stuff in a spritz bottle and enjoys coating one random corner of the track when nobody's looking. The carpet looks exactly the same from the stand but turns into an ice rink as soon as you hit it. Since all of the jumps are basically flat planks of particle board leaning against old track boards, the layouts have a very "short course" feel to them as opposed to your typical supercross-style offroad track. On rare occasion Eric even made the mistake of letting me design some of the tracks, resulting in split-lanes, booby traps, and Laughlin Leaps becoming popular features.

Racing is friendly and fun, very laid back. Tons of electricity available in the pits, and each bench has a fluorescent light under the shelf. Food rocks too, you can get pizza delivered right to your pit or my personal favorite place to eat on race night, Droopy's on the other side of the parking lot. People on a diet need not apply.

General Rules for Racing

NO SWEARING. This is a Family environment, Children are present.
NO Food or Drinks in track area. They must stay in the pit/store area.
Cars will be replaced on track were they left the track.
If you are not racing you are expected to marshal.
NO non racers (excluding Marshal) are allowed on the track.
NO Substitute Drivers allowed.
All Drivers must check in at the main Register before racing.
Races need to start on time, There will be no waiting for drivers
to “finish repairs.”
ALL Transmitters MUST be turned off if they are not being used in a race.
All cars must use a AMBrc Transponder.
Loaner Transponder are available on a limited basis. It is highly recommended that you use a AMBrc Personal Transponder
All cars must pass a tech inspection when asked by the race director.
All non-Spektrum Drivers must use a radio clip and be willing to use a different radio channel if asked by the race director. Channel preference is decided by time of entry for that nights race.
Traction Compound can be used, Cans must be kept closed when not in use.
NO OPEN Traction Compound is allow in the store area.
NO Pitting of cars in the store area.

Stock Slash

Traxxas Slash, no after market chassis's or chassis modifications.
Must use stock shocks or Traxxas shocks specifically intended for the Slash.
Radio gear may be changed, fluids may be changed,any SCT type tire/rim from any manufacturer.
Motors will be the stock Titan 12T, any ROAR 27T, or ROAR 17.5 Brushless motor. Variable timing advance ESC's are not allowed, ie, SPX, SXX, and Tekin RS/Pro.
Batteries will be limited to any 7.2v-8.4v, 6-7-cell, nimh, or 2s 7.4v ROAR approved lipo
Bodies must be SCT specific, and should be painted to replicate current or past vehicles.
Option parts will be limited to any part specifically designed for the Traxxas Slash produced by MIP, Traxxas, Integy or RPM.
Race Director has final say on legality.

SCT

Any SCT chassis
Batteries, will be same as Stock Slash.
Motors, will be 10.5 BL or Brushed equivalent.
Any SCT tire/ rim combo.

[OTE_TheMissile]

Video from last fall. LeMans-esque landrush start, transmitters on the floor of the driver's stand until the tone.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=45312601

[mhodgie]

Yep! Great place to play. Although that vid is a bit outdated. Things have progressed a bit since then and gotten a good bit more modern.

Drop by and have a few laps and laughs! I'll be back soon.

Mike

[OTE_TheMissile]

Whatup Hodge? Yeah I know that vid is old, but I figured why not?

Should have the 524 race-ready in another week or two, currently waiting on the next revision of those Wide-5 wheels I've been developing with Zero Tolerance. Friggin' lawyers, slow everything down

[OTE_TheMissile]

Proof you can take a beating racing Short Course on carpet:

[audiostylz]

Yeah I know, dead post....

Right now the track is slow because of the summer season. There are still race days going on. Asphault Assault Series starting at The Track this summer, then there is a summer asphault series going on every other Saturday. The next race is on the 19th, so 1 week from today. With the closing of Tracksides carpet track, The Track @ Harbor Hobbies is the only carpet track in Lake County that I know of now.

Right now the popular classes are RCGT, VTA, Mini on Sunday racing and Short Course Trucks on Friday nights.

Normal winter setup is Sat-Mon On Road track setup. Racing on Sundays at noon. Teus-Fri Off Road setup with racing Friday night at 7pm.

Summer setup is On Road Sat-Thurs. Off Road Friday only.

Come support the only Carpet track around! Great people and good atmosphere.

[OlGrumpy]

I may have to give them a try sometime Mike.

[audiostylz]

Originally Posted by OlGrumpy

I may have to give them a try sometime Mike.

It's a good little place to goto. If you decide to come down for a trip, do it sometime this fall and stay for a Friday night SCT race, come to practice on Sat. then race in the VTA class on sunday then head back home right after that.