Report from the Mechanical Toy Factory Racing Track or another delightful race!

By Lord Lisle

The Second Great Oldtimer Race: an impression

The recent Second Great Oldtimer Race held on the Mechanical Toy Factory racing track at Solution Island has been a great success and a lot of fun for both drivers and spectators. It must be said that more and more (very experienced) drivers discovered these races. The organisation (by the Mechanical Toy Factory's owners Jenne and Mandy) was, as we have experienced during previous races, excellent and anything went smooth and fast.

Here a photo impression of the race....enjoy and probably see you at the next race which might be held in a month or so!

The Mechanical Toy Factory Trophy, waiting to be issued to the fastest racer....

Some of the drivers in their cars at the assembly point

To the start!!

The fist lap, the racers are still close together

Near the end of the race...

The winner of the Second Great Oldtimer Race: Vlk Soyer

2nd place: Steelcobra Calamari (right) 3rd place: Gyuszi Balatron (left). The fastest lap in the race was set by Arta Rosse LAP: 14.687500

Gathering of organisers, racers and spectators at the end of the race

I think that I can speak for everyone who was at the race when I thank the organisers Mandy and Jenne for the joyful event! Until next time.

Another Day at the Races or ‘The First Great Oldtimer Race’

By Lord Lisle

Last weekend Jenne Dibou and Mandy Marseille, proprietors and content creators of the JD Mechanical Toy Factory organised (again) a very successful and most pleasant race at their now well known ~JD~ MTF racing track at SOL Solution Island/145/115/580/.
This time the race was held with Oldtimer cars, for the race being provided (in the colour of the participant’s choice) by the organisers. In order to get the driver accustomed with the controls and handling of this car (which is quite temperamental in its 3rd gear) the participants could do practice laps at the track until 2 hours before the start, until qualification races were held.

A view through the greasy windows of the repair garage at the JD MTF racing track

The number of participants (the reknown SL champion racer Wildstar Beaumont could not attend due to RL flue) was quite enough to perform a number of races (which were held with three drivers per race, taking three laps).

The winners you ask?
First place: Arta Rosse
Second Place: Tyger Freenote
Third place: Gyuszi Balatron

And yours truly’s rank? Don’t ask, I went there for fun, and I really enjoyed the event like I did more than a year ago when Jenne and Mandy organised a Vintage Motorcycle race at the same track. If you like to be informed about future racing events at the ~JD~ MTF track, consider a free membership of the Mechanical Toy Factory group which is located at SOL Solution Island/181/23/319/

As one snapshot can tell more than 1000 words, I conclude this entry with a number of action photos taken during the event.

I drove a yellow coloured vintage car together with my mechanical engineer/co-driver

Inspection of the engine prior the race. No turbo engine I am afraid...but it has the advantage of three hand operated gears

The first race: due to space limitations the races were organised in batches of three drivers

The organisers and racing directors: Mandy and Jenne sitting comfy at the bridge

Accident at the second lap: turnover of one of the participant's vehicle

...another view of the accident. This may happen if you drive too fast whilst making a sharp turn

Impression of the 4th race, third lap. I was already kicked out of the race at that time

The winners of The First Great Oldtimer Race!

Group photograph of all participants and spectators of The First Great Oldtimer Race

Thank you VERY much for organising this event Jenne and Mandy. I guess that we all look forward to the next race!

The JD MTF 'Heron' is not a toy...

By Lord Lisle

Very recently I aquired my first Sea-Plane, often referred to as Flying Boat, supplied by the Mechanical Toy Factory (MTF), SOL Solution Island 181/23/319

(A flying boat is a specialized form of aircraft that is designed to take off from and land on water, using its fuselage as a floating hull. Such aircraft are often stabilized on water by under wing floats -Wikipedia-)

Although sea-planes can be obtained at many other places in Second Life, my choice of the JD MTF Heron was based on previous experience with creations by Jenne and Mandy such as the JD MTF "Celerus" Steamboat, the Personal Copter and of course my much treasured Jenney Mandy'dson 1915 ed. sidecar equipped motorcycle from the early 20th century.

HUD of the Heron, showing full functional instruments: Banline indicator, Altimeter, Airspeed indicator, region display, compass, pitch warning indicator and function button with parachute dispenser, camera view and sound button

Important features of the remarkable JD MTF Heron are the carrying of up to three passengers (in the usual comfy MTF seats hehe) exceptional sculpts and details in an early 20th century style.
It is no wonder that during the few initial flights I was approached via my IM by several people informing where I had acquired this plane.
The craft has only 27 prims, copy permission, 8 menu driven colour schemes plus a high quality HUD (which has a unique banline indicator giving visual and sound warnings) and much more.
Needless to say that the Heron has good flying capacities, not very fast, but what would you expect from a flying boat?
I must congratulate Jenne Dibou (primworks/textures) and Mandy Marseille (scripts/sounds) of the Mechanical Toy Factory on another fine item in their long line of remarkable and always unique creations.

The MTF Heron taking off at sunset from the waters of the West side of Blake Sea for a photographic reconnaissance flight

Gathering more speed before getting airborne

Reaching Second Life cruise level at about 200 meter

Cruising over the Coast of Blake Sea through the evening clouds

Returned and moored after the evening flight, dwarfed out by the huge tri-engine Short Calcutta 1928 Flying Boat owned by Michel Linden. No, that plane cannot fly; it’s just a 170+ prim floating display. (To be seen at Ferry Terminal and Welcome Area, Barbarossa/177/31/21/)

A Day At The Races

By Lord Lisle

You may know, dear reader of this Blog, that I am not a biker guy. I must, however, hasten to tell that years ago I owned a (in 1968) already vintage 1952 Piaggio Vespa Scooter, at that time the only motor transport I could afford. Therefore I still have an affection to vintage motorcycles and do enjoy very much the look and sound of (for example) an early twin cylinder Douglas machine. It is therefore not very strange that each time I visit the JD Mechanical Toy Factory that I am attracted to a fine replica of a 1915 motorcycle which is for sale at that place. I never got myself in buying one, however, as I am saving L$ for the purchase of a (to me rather expensive) DeHaviliant Mosquito airplane.

Anyhow, two days ago the announcement of a motorcycle race, organised by Jenne Dibou and Mandy Marseille, CEO's of the JD Mechanical Toy Factory gave me a fair excuse to buy this machine, hehe!

Lord Lisle posing as the proud owner of a 1915 twin cylinder motorcycle standing before the Babbage City Wall, another creation of the talented JD Mechanical Toy Factory owners. Riding in this place he soon found out that this motorcycle was almost exclusively designed for track racing. This beautifully crafted machine has three gears and a very realistic sound. The best thing is that you can take two passengers, eminently suitable for your friends, especially those who are hardly capable of even riding roller skates (!)

The day before the actual race, participants (everyone welcome) were allowed to do a number of practice drive laps, to make themself familiar with the track and the motorcycle. Those who were not in the possesion of a machine were given one on loan. After I few practice rounds I found that gear 3 was the most optimal and releasing the throttle before making a turn is definitely the best if you do not want to crash against the walls of the track. As I had not much time to do further practice, I hoped for the best and went to a quiet place to inspect my inventory for a suitable dress. Goggles and a leather outfit would be the least to wear. Yolanda Hirvi agreed to join me in the race, sitting in the sidecar as co-rider and actively helping not to get the motorcycle overturned whilst making left turns.

A view at the pitstop at the race track of the JD Mechanical Toy Factory

When we arrived at the JD Mechanical Toys Factory race track that day, the pits were filled with busy avi's starting their motorbikes and others turning practice laps.

Leaving the pitstop for our first practice lap. The actual race was to ride 10 laps, an in-world counter measured the number of laps and the time. Two officials (guess who..) monitored whether participants were not cheating or playing dirty tricks..

The race is on!!! Here Yo and I are overtaken by one of the other participants, he appeared later the winner.

Eventually we managed to get the third place in the race. Not bad for an inexperienced driver. Here a group snapshot taken after the end of the race at the winners platform.

From this place I must again say a few words of appreciation to the organisers of the first motorcycle race held by the JD Mechanical Toy Factory. It was really fun for all who joined in and a great pity for those who missed the opportunity to drive an original Jenney Mandy'dson 1915 motorcycle with sidecar, based on a Harley Davidson model. No doubt more races will come in due course..have a look at their place and join the JD Mechanical Toys Factory group, you will be informed in time.

That reminds me of another creation of Jenne and Mandy of JD Mechanical Toy Factory: the shooting gallery, one of which Yo has rezzed on the Metaveral Arts Island.

Here you see the well frequented shooting gallery at the Metaveral Arts Island. This attraction is really very good fun and why not held a competion with your friends? You find the place at the left side of the Metaversal Theatre Can YOU beat my high score?