Slot Racing

Slot car racing (often called slot racing) is the competitive hobby of racing with powered miniature cars (or other vehicles) which are guided by grooves or slots in the track on which they run.     Slot cars are used in this endeavor and are typically models of automobiles, though some have bodies that are designed for this type of miniature car racing. Most enthusiasts use commercially-available slot cars which are often modified to enhance a better overall performance.

Slot racing ranges from casual get-togethers, typical at home tracks, with participants using whatever cars the host may have available.   Another option may include serious competitions consisting of contestants who painstakingly build or modify their own cars for maximum performance to compete in a series of races often leading up to a national championship.

Slot racing was a popular trend during the 1960s, with sales reaching $500 million annually. During that era there were 3,000 public courses in the United States alone which attracted thousands of amateur participants annually.  The fad / trend sputtered out by the start of the 1970s as many “amateur” participants felt squeezed out by “professional players” at major slot racing events which resulted in many enthusiasts choosing to just stay home.

Slot Car competition sizes vary; scaled sizes are as follows: 1:24 is the largest (7 to 8 inches long); 1:32 scaled (5 to 6 inches long) cars are generally used for home style tracks but it is not uncommon for these cars to be utilized for commercial tract events; the 3^rd scaled size is simply called “HO” and may vary in size from 1:87 (older cars) to 1:64 (newer cars) and are usually 2.5 – 3.5 inches long. Although the HO cars may vary a bit in size, they all most always use the same width of track (the larger cars obviously require larger track) … Here I've display an image reflecting scale size variations … largest (1:24; 1”32 & 1:64) to smallest:

While many hobbyists consider slot racing antiquated, out of date, or just plane old fashioned, this type of thinking is far from being true.   As a matter of fact, slot racing is one of many affordable “man toy” sports you can find anywhere today and you can find HO Scale cars and tracks that you need at almost all hobby shops.    You can often find the best priced 1:32 and 1:24 Scale slot car versions at Toys R Us, of all places, which are manufactured by the “Carrera” or “Fast Lane” product line. Another great option and perhaps a superior value may be found in a British based on-line hobby store called “On Tracks”.   Be aware that all prices in this store are listed in Pounds in-stead of Dollars; however there is a Monetary Converter on the web site, free for you to use (usually located last on the right side of the page).  This is a little more effort for you but the savings are well worth it.

Sources …                                                                    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slot_car ...           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slotcar_scale_comparison.png