Here is the first of my regular slot cars news update. I'll be bringing the latest information and videos from around the world. So in this post there is a video on the fastest slot cars in the world, Star Wars Slot Cars announcement, detailed replica slot car tracks, and some not so good news from Hornby the makers of Scalextric.
Worlds Fastest Slot Cars And Video
Finnish Slot Racing Club have put together a video showing the fastest slot cars. They can travel up speeds of 100 mph. It takes about 2 seconds to complete a lap of just under 50 metres. The video is almost 2 years old now but it is still a pleasure to watch. The cars are just a blur. I am not sure the racers can keep up with the cars.In the video below there is some preparation for 50 seconds and then their racing. Some great slow motion video at the end of some of the crashes.
You can check out their website here:http://www.autorataharrastajat.fi/ It is in Finnish.
Star Wars Slot Car Set
Hornby the makers of Scalextric have announced they are to release 2 new slot car sets featuring characters from the Star Wars movies.
The first set is based on The Battle Of Endor and features Luke Skywalker and a Storm Trooper racing through the Forests Of Endor on their speed bikes. The set is in 1:32 scale and the track length is just over 4 feet long. Price about $156
The second set is called The Death Star Attack and features the X-Wing and TIE Fighters in battle along a glow in the dark slot car set. The set is a micro-scalextric set in 1:64 scale.The track length is 12 ft 5 inches. Both sets include "magnatraction" - i.e. magnets to help keep the cars on the corners to keep the speed up. Cost about $109
There isn't a release date yet, but when I know I'll post it on the site.
There was a Star Wars set released in the 70s by Power Passer called Duel at Death Star Racing Set but featured two cars rather than fighters. You can check it out on eBay here: star wars slot car
Replica Slot Car Tracks
Here is a story about someone who has combined their hobby with a business idea and come up a winner.
David Beattie from the Motor City an out of work auto-show exhibit builder combined his craftmanship and his hobby slot car racing to build fantastically detailed slot car racing circuits based on racing track around the world. They look fantastic. The tracks are made from wood and styrofoam. You can read more at the The Daily Mail
Here's a video with David Beattie and Jay Leno demonstrating one of these incredible sets.
Hughesville Slot Car Racing
In the So Md News is a report from Hughesville about slot car racing not being just something for the dads, it is something for all ages with teenagers and older folks joining each other and racing each other regularly at the Fas Trax in Hugheville. Just like in the 60s and 70s. Long may it continue.
Hornby Makers Of Scalextric
Unfortunately its not all good news and in an article on the BBC website Hornby has had sluggish sales of their slot car tracks in Christmas period just gone were below expectations. Hopefully the sales will turnaround with their 2012 models, like the Star Wars range mentioned above. They have said they have been well-received so far. Scalextric were one of the originators of slot car sets and it isn't good to see them struggle. Especially as my first set was a Scalextric.
There is quite a bit of good news on the hobby of slot car racing. It looks like 2012 is going to be a good year for it.
Tags: fastest slot cars, scalextric, slot car news, slot cars news
