High Speed Thrills with Slot Car Racing

Slot cars are those model electric cars that run on slotted track that keeps them from flying off. The best known manufacturer of slot cars and slot car racing sets is probably Scalextric.

Slot car racing is a great hobby enjoyed by many people young and old. I’m sure that many people can remember the fun and thrills they had as children with their Scalextric sets. Scalextric first became available in the 1950s and the basic system hasn’t really changed since that time. Old Scalextric cars from that early era are eagerly sought by slot car enthusiasts and good quality models can change hands for significant sums of money.It’s even possible to run Scalextric cars from those early days on modern track without any modification.

But todays Scalextric systems have entered the computer age with the introduction of the Sport digital systems. The original Scalextric systems would allow two cars to run alongside one another along dedicated tracks but the new digital system allows more than one car to share the same track and enables cars to change lanes. These new and innovative features provide a whole new level of fun and enjoyment which has helped the hobby to develop considerably in recent years.

Although it was originally a British invention Scalextric now has a huge and enthusiastic following in the United States. Many of the popular US races are represented in Scalextric including the the Indycar and NASCAR races. One key factor that has helped to develop the popularity of Scalextric is that they actually encourage other manufacturers to produce slot cars and accessories for their systems. A number of manufacturers now produce a variety of excellent slot cars that run on Scalextric track.

Another key aspect of Scalextric systems that make them appealing is that it is easy to start small and then expand. A good starter system from Scalextric will set you back only about £40 ($70). But this simple starter set comes with everything needed for hours of thrilling fun, hurtling around the track at break neck speed.

There are many clubs for slot car racing enthusiasts where you can meet and learn from others who are keen on this engrossing hobby. There are many slot car racing meets throughout the year at various locations both in the UK and the US. Enthusiasts often get into building, modifying and optimizing their cars for best performance and lots of tips are exchanged between club members.

Getting into slot car racing is eash with a low priced entry level system like the Scalextric Start Race Set. You will meet some very friendly and helpful fellow enthusiasts who will provide you with lots of advice and guidance and they’re likely to challenge you to a race or two.