The Florida Baptist Children's Home campus in Lakeland, Florida http://www.fbchomes.org/ is now the home for my wayward Brystal Scorpion track. The track was one of the first built after Brystal took over Buck Track. The rails had some height issues that were never adequately addressed.
I purchased the track several years ago from a closed hobby shop in upper central Florida. As the photos below show, we trailered it to a friend's house where it was used off and on since. But people's priorities change and the fellow's wife was not enthusiastic about the room it was taking up. So... when Momma ain't happy... .
Several pro racers around the country looked into getting it and re-railing the running surface. But moving costs and other things made it uneconomical. The short ending is that The Children's Home was contacted and they had just the facility to put it in.
We will be doing things to make the track fun and easy to run for the ages of kids at the home. One thing I can ask you is that I need financial help in maintaining the equipment and stable of cars. If you feel so inclined, donations can be made to the Children's Home directly to support this activity.
I am fortunate enough to only live about 5 minutes drive away from the campus. I'm looking forward to helping them organize events and activities to suite their schedule and recreational goals.
Currently I need an new Mastech 3020 power supply or similar adjustable voltage unit. The track now has only a fixed 18 volt unit. Voltage needs to be adjustable down for the younger kids till their skills improve.
The track needs six (6) Parma 45 ohm controllers. I need several sets of "IROC" style cars for the kids to run. I will take parts donations and build out accordingly. Tyco and Tomy NASCAR bodies will be useful.
The timing system is an old 'boat anchor' PC running LaneMaster under DOS. We could use a newer PC, large flat screen, and printer. Current software might be a good thing too.
On January 31, Slottrak said he would round up a late model computer system with track timing software. We're off to a good start. On February 1, Dan Walsh of K.C. MO agreed to provide the Mastech power transformer. dge34us on eBay On February 9th, the power supply was installed and tested. It should bring hours of fun for the kids. On February 20th, several gracious racers from the FHORA Club donated a freaking huge pile of cars for the track. On April 17th, Bruce Beaulieu donated two sets of IROC painted lexans for the track - GOOD JOB! On May 25th, AFX Racemasters donated six Super G Plus chassis and Ford GT-40 bodies. BSRT/Scale Auto supplied the up-graded wheels and tires. Thanks!
The Brystal Scorpion's new home - a game room in the Family Center at the Florida Baptist Children's Home Lakeland campus. Some extra lights need to be installed. Dust covers have been ordered. Just about ready to go!
On Tuesday February 23, 2010, the track was "dedicated.' Upwards of 24 children had the opportunity to run an HO slotcar. It is doubtful any had ever done so prior. It was absolutely thrilling to watch them catch the competitive bug within just a few laps. It was a great few hours of fun. Also I had the opportunity to find all the fleet cars' weaknesses.
Bruce Beaulieu has been racing slots as long a anybody. Anyone that's been at it a while knows him. One of Bruce's many talents is painting these little lexan egg-shells. Bruce has now made Central Florida his home and is very active in our FHORA state club. He graciously agreed to paint two sets of IROC bodies for the FBCH fleet. Well done!!
If you ever need some great work done at fair prices, Bruce is your man.
Tomy Super G Plus from RacemastersRacemasters in the importer and distributor for AFX Racing cars and track. The owner provided six Super G Plus rolling chassis and twelve un-painted Ford GT-40 bodies. BSRT/Scale Auto donated six sets of high-quality wheels and tires. HC Slots up-graded the traction magnets to Venom Level 52 Double Snake Eyes. Also, balanced armatures were installed. These cars should have plenty of speed and sticky for the kids. The GT-40 bodies will be painted in the proper lane colors.
Below is a card received by me from the house parents and children from one of the cottages at the Children's Home. I cannot take credit for this because entire effort is a combination of many good people. Several have been outlined above as to their help. This "Thank You" is for you - I just show up with a box of cars and controls and turn the track on. We will never really know how much of a difference we've made any of the kids' lives by our participation. So to all of you guys that have chipped in - THANK YOU!!!
