Breathtaking GTA Raceway scale Mini-Z and drifting course in Montreal to open for testing next week

0 Oct. 13, 2017, 6:03 p.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

Lorne Cherry teamed up with RC track building company Reality Raceway to put together GTARaceway in Toronto, one of the coolest scale RC courses anywhere in the world. Next week, GTARaceway will open to Mini-Z owners and 1/10-scale drift drivers for the first public testing days before the track is open to the public in the last week of October. Here’s more info posted by Cherry on Wednesday, October 11 in the official GTARaceway Facebook group (which you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/883163831838313/):

Three announcements with respect to helping test the track and our opening of the track to you folks and the general public:

Remember, this is YOUR track, and I will do the best to respond to what works best and what you want.

1) Initially, the track will operate on a break-even basis with respect to operating costs; $20 tax-in for any evening or weekend day. If you need to rent or try a Mini-Z or Mini-Q, I've got you covered too and that will be about $10 an hour as long as you guys don't break too many parts...again on a break-even basis. ID is required for any rentals. For regulars, I will work out an economical yearly or monthly track membership designed to save you money as a reward your patronage. The track will be free to try from when we open on the 21st, until the end of the month. And if you're a struggling high school or college student, I hear you; we'll have student discounts for those under a certain age.

2) Track testing. There is not more than 1 or 2 days needed to test Mini-Zs...the track was originally designed for that scale and so far I have run a couple a hundred laps and not ended up in the fountain or even on the floor. But then again, I drive like a putz, so I'd still like to test with experienced racers with well-tuned cars. ANY tire is legal on this track...I will never ask racers to spend extra for our special surface. Once you find something that works for you, use it. Ultra-high speed motors and open class Mini-Z scale will be slowed a touch; realistic scale racing is way more fun and this track is very technical as opposed to wide-open anyway.

3) For drifting, (1/10th or Mini-Z), we will test the following days: Thursday, October, 19th and Friday the 20th from 7:00 till 9:30. If you want to help test the track for drifting; you must sign up in the thread below this one...you need to reasonably experienced and open-minded...I honestly do not know how well this surface will drift or how the banking on the riser to the bridge will affect the ability to drift. Do not expect "the ultimate" drift surface, such as waxed or polished concrete. The purpose of the testing on those two nights will be to determine if the track is now ready to drift (and just challenging) or if I need to create a drift overlay on the surface (difficult but not impossible) because the 1/10th scale cars might tear up this surface, which is rather soft.

If you have a Mini-Z AWD to drift, then, of course, I want you to come out and test that, though I do realize that most drifters are 1/10th. We have two AWD Mini-Z and some oneway fronts/locking rears to instal with drift tires that I will also try to have ready for the 1/10th scale guys to try. Also, Mini-Q AWDs that supposedly drift well. So if you are available that Thursday or Friday, please indicate below. I need 2 or three people each day optimally.

We will test and drive Mini-Z's on the Saturday 22nd from 2-5pm. If all goes well, I may have the drifters and/or the Mini-Zs back on Sunday, same time. I will announce that by Saturday, Oct 22nd on this page and thus Sunday, 23 Oct. will hopefully be our first day open to all.

The last week of October and going forward: here are the tentative track opening times: Wednesday and Friday nights, from 7-10pm. Alternate Saturdays 1:30-5pm and Sundays, same time. As we will be doing a few private events (Birthday parties, corporate events, etc.), some weekends will not be entirely open, but I will try to open at least one weekend day for open running/racing. I am also immersing myself in judging drifting, so hopefully, we'll see who can get 90 degrees to the rail all the way around.

Hours may change with demand.

Bottom line, we want everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves. Once we are up and running, you are welcome to bring children/family/friends; we will offer instruction and full rental/fun days, where you can arrive and drive, even without your own car or radio - Lorne