Vintage Aurora ThunderJet 500 Slot Car Track Version
Riverside International Slot Car Raceway - Here is a broad overview of the Long Course in its scale 1969 configuration. The dogleg on the left leads to Pit Row and the Starting Grid, and was added at the end of the long 1.1 mile back straight. Curve 1 is to the right of the Starting Grid and follows the direction used in actual races on the course.
Dymo Gun track description - Riverside was the actual course for road testing the legendary Shelby Cobra.
NOS early Russell/Aurora pistol grip controllers - State of the art for 1968. Also manufactured in dark blue.
Terminal track showing Dymo Label lane markers - Note the brown striped cotton wrapped wires circa 1966 from my childhood layout. Black slot car track screws are an Aurora accessory. Note the early pot metal Aurora lock tab.
Close-up of track wiring to terminal - Transformer is an Aurora DC-2 used on my childhood layout. Note the knotted controller leads to prevent further separation.
Closeup of the dogleg leading to Pit Row and the Starting Grid - The Start Stop Pylons that were produced by Aurora were modeled after those found at Riverside from 1957. The layout was built on a full sheet of AC interior/exterior 1/2 inch plywood as were many typical basement layouts of the 1960's. This is where and how the Slot car hobby began!
Turn 1 from the Starting Grid - I included one (1) Aurora TJET slotcar wiggle track. Turns are Dymo labeled to correspond to the actual turns found on the 1969 Long Course.
Long Course backfield - When the Long course was amended in 1969, a dogleg approach was added to the downhill backstretch as a speed reduction measure as drivers entered Turn 9. The 1.1 mile straight allowed speeds in excess of 170 MPH and was the focal point for many drivers and spectators alike, as it was the fastest area on the track and the scene of the majority of overtaking maneuvers and crashes.
Speed Corners utilized on the backfield course - The actual banked curve for the course was located at the Turn 9 dogleg leading to the long back downhill straight.
Riverside International Slot Car Raceway Layout Enhancements
--Advertisement
Support Our Hobby - Become A Contributing Writer