TrackLang: Making a Simple Loop (Hello World)

What We'll Build

A simple oval track with:

• Start/finish line
• Two straightaways (100 feet each)
• Two 180° turns connecting the straights
• Total length: ~500 feet

Step 1: Open Track Developer

1. Create a new track or open an existing one
2. Click "Edit Track" → "Track Developer"
3. You'll see a code editor on the left and empty 3D view on the right

Step 2: Declare the Track

Every TrackLang file starts with a track declaration. Type this into the editor:

track simple_loop {
  name = My First Loop
  width = 12
  circuit = true
}

✅ Click "Run" to test. You should see no errors in the console.

Step 3: Add the Finish Line

Every track needs a finish line. This marks the start/finish location. Add this inside the track braces:

feature simple_loop@0 finish finish_line {}

✅ Click "Run". You should see the checkered finish line appear in the 3D view at the track start!

Step 4: Add First Turn

Let's add a 180° right turn 100 feet from the start:

# First 180-degree turn at 100 meters
feature simple_loop@100 right_turn turn1 {
  radius = 20
  angle = 180
  
  entry {
    width = 12
    height = 0
  }
  apex {
    width = 10     # Narrow at apex
  }
  exit {
    width = 12
  }
}

# First 180-degree turn at 100 feet
feature simple_loop@100 right_turn turn1 {
  radius = 20
  angle = 180
}

✅ Click "Run". You should see a curved section appear in 3D!

Step 5: Add Second Turn (Complete the Loop)

Now add a second 180° turn 100 feet after the first turn ends. This completes the oval:

# Second 180-degree turn, 100ft after turn1 ends
feature simple_loop@turn1+100 right_turn turn2 {
  radius = 20
  angle = 180
}

✅ Click "Run". You should now see a complete oval loop in 3D!

Complete Code

Here's the full TrackLang code for your first loop:

track simple_loop {
  name = My First Loop
  width = 12
  circuit = true
}

# Finish line at the very start
feature simple_loop@0 finish finish_line {}

# First 180-degree turn at 100 feet
feature simple_loop@100 right_turn turn1 {
  radius = 20
  angle = 180
}

# Second 180-degree turn, 100ft after turn1
feature simple_loop@turn1+100 right_turn turn2 {
  radius = 20
  angle = 180
}

Step 6: Test Your Track

You've built a working track! Now test it:

1. Click "Run" one more time to ensure no errors
2. Rotate the 3D view - Click and drag to see your track from different angles
3. Check the console - Should show "Distance Covered: ~440ft" (two 100ft straights + two turns)
4. Save a version - Click "Save New Version" to preserve your work
5. Run an ad-hoc race - Test with automated timing to verify the track works in real life!

Understanding What You Built

Experiment: Make It Your Own

Now that you have a working track, try modifying it:

Tip: After each change, click "Run" to see the update in 3D. If you make a mistake, just undo (Ctrl+Z) and try again!

Common Mistakes

Next Steps

Congratulations! You've built your first TrackLang track. Here's what to learn next:

1. Add complexity: Try adding jumps, slopes, and more turns to your loop
2. Study the reference: Read the TrackLang Reference to learn all features and properties
3. Use templates: Explore pre-built templates for common track styles
4. Test with automated timing: Run an ad-hoc race to validate your track works with real timing data
5. Version control: Save multiple versions as you experiment with different layouts
6. Go public: Make your track public for others to use and fork!

Quick Reference

# Track declaration (required)
track <name> { ... }

# Finish line (required)
feature <track>@0 finish start { ... }

# Turn
feature <track>@<location> right_turn <key> {
  radius = <number>
  angle = <number>
}

# Jump
feature <track>@<location> jump <key> {
  entry { length = 12 }
  apex { height = 13, length = 8 } #length is optional, used for tabletops
  exit { height = 2, length = 10 } 
}

# Slope
feature <track>@<location> slope <key> {
  entry { height = 0 }
  apex { height = 10 }
  exit { height = 10 }
}

Related Topics

• TrackLang: Getting Started - Introduction and Track Developer basics
• TrackLang: Language Reference - Complete syntax documentation
• Running Ad-Hoc Races - Testing your track with automated timing