In this guide we will cover:
1. What Is Slot Car Racing
2. Slot Car Scales
3. Slot Car Manufacturers
4. Digital vs Slot Cars
5. Where To buy
What Is Slot Car Racing?
The hobby of slot car racing has been an enjoyable pastime since the 1960s, when slot car sets were first produced in large numbers when sons and dads equally enjoyed the hobby together.
The idea of it is to race model cars around a track as fast you can while keeping them on the track.
The tracks (normally rubber, plastic or wood) have steel lined grooves in them (called slots). The cars have a guide or pin underneath them that is placed in the slot to guide them around the track. Power is supplied to cars through the track. The amount of power supplied is controlled by a hand controller and this determines the speed of the car.
The cars are kept in the slot by light magnets or gravity therefore it is important to slow down round the corners and speed up along the straights and to get through some of the obstacles like the loop the loop. The skill to learn is to go as fast as you can without coming out of the slot and losing power. It takes a bit of practice when you are new to the hobby but most people get the hang of it fairly quick.
The tracks can vary from a basic oval, to a figure 8 track to a more complex set up with corkscrew turns, loop the loops and vertical climbs.
Slot Car Scales
There are 4 common scales of slot cars (this describes the size of the car and track).
HO Scale or 1:64 Scale. The cars are approximately 2.8 inches long. In this smallest scale you need the least space to set up a track. These tracks are commonly either 2 or 4 lanes wide. A track the length of 18 feet with two slots can fit in an area less than 3ft by 6 ft. Slot cars sets with 2 cars and track start from a price of $67.00 for 18 feet of track.
The 1:43 scale with slightly larger cars of about 3.5 inches long. This is a relatively new scale introduced by Carrera and Scalextric for beginners. This scale has the most cartoon characters based cars that appeal to kids. A starter set will cost, for two cars and track the length of 11 feet about $50.
The 1:32 scale is twice the size of the 1:64 scale and will therefore need twice the room for the same length of track. The cars are more detailed and faster than the HO scale. They are about 5.6 inches long. This scale is very popular and there are number of commercial race tracks and clubs racing them around the country. A slot car set with 2 cars and race track length is 18 feet with start from $133
The 1:24 scale is slight larger and needs more room and they have incredible detail and are easily customizable. Carrera have sets where they have 1:32 scale cars racing on a 1:24 scale track. These sets start from $190 for 17.7 feet of track and 2 cars.
Slot Car Manufacturers
There are many different slot car manufacturers around. Four of the most popular and well-regarded manufacturers that have stood the test of time are AFX, Life Like (Walther), Scalextric and Carrera. AFX and Life Like manufacture the HO scale of cars. Other notable brands are SCX, Ninco and Artin.
Life Like also manufactures model trains. Scalextric and Carrera have a broad range of scales from 1:43, 1:32 and 1;24 scales plus they both also make digital slot cars as well as traditional (analog). Carrera have the licenses to market sets with popular characters from Tv and movies as well as Ferrari.
These manufacturers produce a large range of accessories, cars and expansion packs that can be added to any slot car set that is bought as interest grows in the hobby.
Each year new models and sets brought out to cater for the latest motor racing cars and stars as well as kids favorite TV and film heroes.
As a general rule traditional slot cars of the same scale will work on different manufacturer’s tracks. The tracks can only be joined together with special adaptor pieces.
However, digital slot cars may work on analog tracks of the same scale but analog slot cars will not work on digital tracks without being upgraded with a micro chip plug. Also digital slot cars from one manufacturer will not work on another manufacturers track.
Digital Slot Cars
Digital slot cars are the latest advancement in slot car racing. With these sets you can race more than one car in a slot at the same time, as the tracks come with special lane changing pieces and digital technology so that cars can overtake their competitor. Up to 6 cars can race independently of each other on a two lane track because of this technology. The cars are each controlled by separate hand controller that sends a signal through the slot to enable lane changing to pass or block an opponent’s car. It is possible to add features as ghost cars, pit stops for fuel etc for more realistic racing action.
The cars are normally 1:43 or 1:32 scale. The cost of a track is more than an analog track but you are getting a much more advanced racing experience. A starter set in this range will cost from $150 for 2 cars and 17.7 ft of track. It will need an area of approximately 8ft by 4ft when assembled.
Where To Buy
Slot car sets can be bought at large department stores, hobby stores and online. The choice online is between the specialist sites and the large online retail sites like Amazon and ebay. Sometime sets can be bought direct from the manufacturer but this is not always the cheapest option.
As a general rule the larger sites provide prices lower than the specialist and offline stores. Reviews of sets and additional information can also be found at review sites along with price comparisons to help with the buying research to get the necessary information and best price on sets and cars.
Summary
The considerations for buying slot cars are the affordability, the space you have available and the fun factor.
HO scale slot cars and 1:43 scale cars are cheaper and need less room but are not as detailed. The analog 1:24 and 1:32 scale cars need more room and cost more but the detailing is better and are quicker. Digital slot car sets are again more expensive sets but provide an enhanced racing experience.
Most manufacturers recommend slot cars for children from the ages of 6 upwards. However, from the reviews around the web many parents comment that children below this age can enjoy the hobby with proper supervision
The 4 manufacturers named above normally make good quality tracks and cars with features for beginners to more experienced racers to enjoy the thrills and spills of slot car racing. Plus, it is a hobby all the family can enjoy.
