I don’t want to ruin the surprise – but if you’re reading this, you probably know what we’re dealing with here. The car you bought may not be suitable for racing. You’d think that with all the technology available today, it would be simple to design a car that could take off and handle like a pro. But, as we all know, reality is sometimes…different.
The good news is there are options out there designed to solve your racing needs. The bad news is they’re not exactly affordable. One company trying to tackle this issue is Racetech. Their goal is to make everyday racing possible for everyone. To that end, they’ve created a line of open-source roller coasters for the do-it-yourselfer to download and build. Their website lists everything you need, including the schematics and the CAD files, to have one built in your garage in a matter of days.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get to the good stuff…
Key Facts About the Racetech Open-Source Coasters
Racetech’s open-source coasters are built using tried and tested methods – no cutting-edge technology here. This means that if you have some previous experience in building things, you’ll have no trouble putting one together. The good news is once you do, you’ll have the opportunity to tour around the country (and around the world, for that matter) in your very own speed machine. Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to pit it against other cars in races – exactly like the pros.
The line focuses on providing a fun and memorable experience. That means a fun and memorable ride. To ensure that, they’ve implemented several innovative features, including:
- Double downshift technology – meaning you can shift two gears simultaneously using the same pedal
- Real racing experience thanks to accurate gear ratios and an ergonomic layout
- A rocker-arm actuated by a coil-spring that mimics the motion of a true manual transmission
- Traction control for maximum grip regardless of the terrain
- Optional racing-style driver seat (with or without an armrest)
- Racetech logo painted on both the hood and roof for good luck during races
- Optional sound effects and music from your phone (MP3, WAV, or AAC)
- Built-in Wi-Fi so you can access the Internet from anywhere there’s a connection
- A detachable electronic dashboard that shows you all the necessary stats during a race
- The option to upgrade to a six-speed transmission for greater acceleration
- Racetech logo stamped on the floor for good luck during a race
- A full-colour (processed through a raindrop effect) display panel that indicates gears, gear ratio, and lap times
- Optional front and rear cockpit protection
Building the Coaster
If you’ve decided that building a coaster is the right option for you, here’s what you need to know. First, take some time to plan out the best route for you to take. Visit racetech.com and download the PDF. It’s an easy to follow step-by-step guide that will get you up and running in no time. Second, gather the materials you’ll need. You’ll need to have access to a 3D printer, along with its support materials (filament, paper, and plastic). Check your local library for e-books on CAD drafting and 3D printing. It’s also wise to invest in a 3D scanner such as the One + that plugs into your laptop’s USB port. This way, you can scan any objects you need and use them later in your construction.
Once you have all the necessary materials, it’s time to get to work. The first step is to design the base of the roller coaster. This is where you’ll want to start. It needn’t be fancy, but it should be easy for you to follow. The guidelines provided in the PDF should get you a working model in no time. Then, you can move on to the fun part – adding the special effects.
Special Effects
Adding special effects to your open-source coasters is a simple process. All you need are a few items from an electronics store and some creativity. The first thing you’ll need to do is find the position of the sun in the sky. To do this, use your house’s compass to find north, then use your phone’s GPS to locate the exact spot on a map. Once you’ve got this location, print out a copy of the sky at this position and time of day. This is the guide you’ll use to find the position of the sun at any other time of day.
The next step is to find the position of the moon. Again, you can use your phone’s GPS to pinpoint the exact location on a map. Once you’ve got this location, you can use the PDF to find the direction the moon will be in a few hours (at this time of day). Then, measure the exact length of this direction using a protractor or compass. This will give you the position of the moon relative to the sun at that time (in degrees). To find the exact phase of the moon, you can use your phone’s calculator to determine the age of the moon.
Once you’ve got the position of the sun and moon, it’s time to add the effects. For the sun, you can use a regular old bulb or small light bulb (depending on how bright you want it to be) and a small red LED light to emulate the sun’s rays. For the moon, you can use a small black LED to emulate the moon’s rays or a small yellow LED for its glow. Alternatively, you can use a small solar-powered lamp (available at any home improvement store) to emulate the sun’s rays and the glow of the moon.
To add some atmosphere, you can use blue or green LED lights or small lasers to trace letters or shapes in the sky. For a more realistic effect, use a projector screen and digitally map some clouds (from your phone’s camera) onto it. You can even map the sun and moon’s positions to create a moving effect as the sun and moon rise and set over time.
Once you’ve got all the special effects you want, it’s time to test your creation. The best way to do this is to drive up and down the nearby hills with your fingers crossed. If all goes well, you’ll have yourself a working roller coaster – which you can take anywhere and use anytime you want.
Of course, this is all theoretical, but it’s good to know what options are out there. With the right design and a little bit of DIY know-how, you can have a working speed machine in no time. You might not get the highest speeds out of this one – it will be more of a novelty than anything else – but it will be a fun ride nonetheless.