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Sidewinder (slot car)
Encyclopedia
Sidewinder is a type of slot car
or motorized model car
in which the motor shaft is parallel to the driven axle (usually the rear), and power is transmitted through spur gears or, sometimes, a belt, friction or even by direct drive. The word also refers to the transversely-mounted motor of such a car.
A similar type of slot car which has the motor shaft mounted at an angle to the driven axle is the Anglewinder
. In general, the sidewinder and anglewinder are less common arrangements than the inline
motor, in which the shaft is perpendicular to the driven axle, and drives it with bevel gears or a pinion and crown gear. Historically, they are also less common than the pancake
motor, in which the shaft is vertical and power is carried to the axle by a chain of gears to a pinion and crown arrangement. Because they require more space between the drive wheels, the sidewinder and anglewinder arrangements are more common in 1:32, and especially 1:24, than in the smaller scales.
The Sidewinder and to an extent the Anglewinder configurations are often seen as superior for slot racing cars. This is because when accelerating, the reverse torque of the motor transfers weight to the front of the vehicle and therefore the guide that keeps it on the track. This allows the slot racer to accelerate through corners. There is also a further advantage as, if dynamic braking is used, the reverse torque of the motor then transfers weight to the rear wheels which invariably are the dominant grip wheels on a slot car. Conversely the reverse torque effect on in line motor configuraions transfers weight from side to side and destabilises the car.
Schematic diagrams of common chassis layouts. The flat, vertical-shaft Pancake motor is seen end-on, with the shaft pointing toward the reader.
Use of the sidewinder drive goes back to the first commercially-available slot cars. Some of Lionel's
original slot car models of 1911-1914 used a type of sidewinder drive. Victory Industries used a sidewinder motor in their 1957 VIP line of 1:32 cars. This brand debuted at the same time as the famous Scalextric
line, and shares with Scalextric
, the honor of being the first modern manufactured slot car system.
Slot car
A slot car is a powered miniature auto or other vehicle that is guided by a groove or slot in the track on which it runs. A pin or blade extends from the bottom of the car into the slot...
or motorized model car
Model car
A model car or toy car is a miniature representation of an automobile. Other miniature motor vehicles, such as trucks, buses, or even ATVs, etc. are often included in the general category of model cars...
in which the motor shaft is parallel to the driven axle (usually the rear), and power is transmitted through spur gears or, sometimes, a belt, friction or even by direct drive. The word also refers to the transversely-mounted motor of such a car.
A similar type of slot car which has the motor shaft mounted at an angle to the driven axle is the Anglewinder
Anglewinder
Anglewinder is a type of slot car or motorized model car in which the motor shaft runs at an angle to the driven axle and drives it through a bevel or other angled gear arrangement. It is a development of the sidewinder, or transverse motor, in which the motor shaft is parallel to the driven axle...
. In general, the sidewinder and anglewinder are less common arrangements than the inline
Inline (slot car)
In the model car hobby, an inline car is a type of slot car or other motorized model car in which the motor shaft runs lengthwise down the chassis, perpendicular to the driven axle . Power is transmitted through a pinion to a crown gear on the axle, or through bevel gears...
motor, in which the shaft is perpendicular to the driven axle, and drives it with bevel gears or a pinion and crown gear. Historically, they are also less common than the pancake
Pancake (slot car)
The pancake motor, as used in slot cars, is a type of electric motor, which has a flat commutator and vertical shaft. It was a feature of the highly successful Aurora HO slot cars of the 1960s and 1970s. The motor was not a separate unit; instead, its individual elements - magnets, armature,...
motor, in which the shaft is vertical and power is carried to the axle by a chain of gears to a pinion and crown arrangement. Because they require more space between the drive wheels, the sidewinder and anglewinder arrangements are more common in 1:32, and especially 1:24, than in the smaller scales.
The Sidewinder and to an extent the Anglewinder configurations are often seen as superior for slot racing cars. This is because when accelerating, the reverse torque of the motor transfers weight to the front of the vehicle and therefore the guide that keeps it on the track. This allows the slot racer to accelerate through corners. There is also a further advantage as, if dynamic braking is used, the reverse torque of the motor then transfers weight to the rear wheels which invariably are the dominant grip wheels on a slot car. Conversely the reverse torque effect on in line motor configuraions transfers weight from side to side and destabilises the car.
Lionel Corp.
Lionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer and retailer that did business from 1900 to 1993. Founded as an electrical novelties company, Lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence, but toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame...
original slot car models of 1911-1914 used a type of sidewinder drive. Victory Industries used a sidewinder motor in their 1957 VIP line of 1:32 cars. This brand debuted at the same time as the famous Scalextric
Scalextric
Scalextric is a toy brand for a range of slot car racing sets which first appeared in the late 1950s, as a creation of British firm Minimodels. The brand is currently owned and distributed by Hornby.-History:...
line, and shares with Scalextric
Scalextric
Scalextric is a toy brand for a range of slot car racing sets which first appeared in the late 1950s, as a creation of British firm Minimodels. The brand is currently owned and distributed by Hornby.-History:...
, the honor of being the first modern manufactured slot car system.
See also
- AnglewinderAnglewinderAnglewinder is a type of slot car or motorized model car in which the motor shaft runs at an angle to the driven axle and drives it through a bevel or other angled gear arrangement. It is a development of the sidewinder, or transverse motor, in which the motor shaft is parallel to the driven axle...
- Angle-motored slot car - InlineInline (slot car)In the model car hobby, an inline car is a type of slot car or other motorized model car in which the motor shaft runs lengthwise down the chassis, perpendicular to the driven axle . Power is transmitted through a pinion to a crown gear on the axle, or through bevel gears...
- Longitudinally-motored slot car - PancakePancake (slot car)The pancake motor, as used in slot cars, is a type of electric motor, which has a flat commutator and vertical shaft. It was a feature of the highly successful Aurora HO slot cars of the 1960s and 1970s. The motor was not a separate unit; instead, its individual elements - magnets, armature,...
- Vertical-motored slot car - Slot carSlot carA slot car is a powered miniature auto or other vehicle that is guided by a groove or slot in the track on which it runs. A pin or blade extends from the bottom of the car into the slot...
- Technical information and history of the hobby - Slot car racing - The competitive hobby, organizations, etc.