For the most part, Monster Truck racing is basically truck DRAG RACING with a twist. Trucks are raced side by side in short 'sprint' style races, from point 'A' to point 'B', while trying to negotiate a few 'obstacles' along the way.

TRACK SET-UP:

     To set up a course for the conduct of a "true" slot Monster truck race, the first thing you'll need is ROOM. For proper 'side by side' racing, you will need at least a 4 lane track with 1" shoulders. Trucks will be raced using only the outer most two lanes, giving each approximately a 4" wide path on which to maneuver. Often, this can be accomplished simply by utilizing a portion of any existing 4 lane home layout.

    Course design is unimportant so long as you have an 'official' start/finish line (usually, Monster Trucks do not run laps), and enough room for trucks to pass throughout the course. A good running distance for competition would be anywhere between 3 to 10 feet of track (start to finish).

    When setting up a Monster Truck course, remember the versatility of Monster Truck competition. For example, any small home road course could hold several Monster Truck courses simply by racing at various locations on said layout (down the main straight, down a smaller straight and around a corner, etc.). And once you consider changing obstacles around, the number of different Monster Truck course layouts become endless.

OBSTACLES:

     Everyone knows the biggest thrill in Monster Truck racing is the obstacles (read: running stuff over). And the most unique thing about a slot operated Monster is the ability to do just that. Obstacles can be anything from small bumps to 'dirt' hills and, of course, CRUSH CARS.

    For small bumps, pebbles (found outside) can be glued in various positions along the course. For temporary tracks (such as your racing layout), use "white" glue. This glue dries clear and will 'chip' off your plastic track easily once the Monsters have gone.
NOTE: Keep power rails/guide pin areas clear of obstacles.

    Dirt hills or mounds can be formed from balsa wood or Styrofoam. Shape into a mound approximately 3/4" high with a 20 to 30 degree incline. Cut mound in half and paint brown or cover with hobby 'dirt'. Glue or stick (with putty) one half to each side of the lane rail area making sure the mound halves are even with each other and that they are approximately 1/4" away from the power rails (the result should look like a hill with a channel, wide enough to get your Monster Truck pick-up system threw, threw the middle).

    For crush cars, take an old chassis and install some weight in the motor cavity. Add some junk tires/wheels and glue on a car body. Slightly heat the body and, using a spare Monster Truck tire, roll over it a few times... flattening the roof, trunk, and hood of the body down to the chassis.

    Cars are then placed length-wise along the sides of the lane (not across the lane). You will need 12 to 20 crush cars. A 3 to 5 car run (3 to 5 cars, end to end, for EACH side of the lane... for BOTH lanes) is good for most tracks. Pay special attention to your 'lead' cars (the first two in line). Make sure they are evenly positioned and try to use cars with the lowest, flattest fronts. If you wish, make a set of lead cars by gluing a short ramp (made from balsa wood... like the hills) to the front of a couple cars.

    Crush cars may be glued in place. However, we like to just 'set' them in place... leaving them free to move or shift around a little (hence the weight added to the motor cavity... it keeps them in place better). This adds even more to the skill of driving and the un-predictability of a run.