That addition should allow you to build a pretty long track. Maybe make a platform you can winch up to the ceiling between competitions? Maybe could help keeping the dust out too?
'technically' it's your kids'? I guess technically my funnycar is both mine AND Teresa's. LOL. Any way you look at it these tracks are a blast if you've got someone else to share them with.
It doesn't really get dusty down in our basement so I'm not concerned with covering it. A bigger concern is allowing enough space around the perimeter to fetch the cars when they fly off the track.