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Slot racing is racing with model cars on a plastic or wooden track. An electrical engine powers the cars. The motor is connected to a guide that is positioned under the chassis of the model. To the guide are copper braids connected and is positioned in a slot in the middle of parallel rails. The car gets speed if the driver gives power to the rails by means of a hand held controller.

The hand held controller contains a variable resistor. A spring-loaded trigger varies the amount op power supplied to the car. By variation of the power the car goes faster or slower. The voltage that is used by SCX is 14 volts dc.

The slotcar comes out of the slot if the driver gives too much power. The driver puts the car back in the slot, but his competitor is able to continue. The skill is to drive as fast as possible without falling out of the slot. The driving ability comes with practicing. Concentration and the ability to react quickly make the better driver.

The winner is the driver who completes most laps. Races are over fixed length of time or number of laps. Nowadays, an electronic counter counts the laps. In the old days laps were counted by a mechanical lapcounter.

The best way to start with slot racing is to buy a track set. The major 1/32 manufactures are Ninco, Scalextric, SCX and Carrera. Your local slot car dealer is able to assist you in making your choice.


 

SCX is another old-timer in the Slot Car world. They have a corporate association with Scalextric, and even share near identical track that is 100% interchangeable with the Scalextric Classic. SCX boasts a wide array of Slot Cars in their 1/32 Slot Car lineup, from older sports car classics to WRC and Formula 1. In fact their WRC 1/32 Slot Cars, magnets removed, are some of the most fun you'll have on a Slot Car track! Many clubs across the pond run this specific class in their meets. SCX 1/32 Slot Cars are well made, finely detailed, and nearly indestructible, great for kids or Saturday night beer-in-hand racing! SCX makes very unique collectables too! Labeled the 'Vintage Series', these cars are actual remakes of Slot Cars manufactured years ago. SCX is a great company putting out some fine stuff, check 'em out!

Scalextric in the beginning:

Minimodels Limited, based at Mill Hill in England, was founded in 1947. The factory produced scale models. The Scalex models appeared in October 1952. The Scalex model cars were moved by a keyless clockwork mechanism. The system was a great success. The factory in Mill Hill became too small and Minimodels moved to Havant in Hampshire.

Mr. Fred Frances, the inventor of Minimodels, saw at the London Toy Fair in 1955, a racing track of a small British company called VIP. The VIP racing system consisted of a metal track with two slots and model cars. Minimodels used the VIP system for their system; a rubber based track with two parallel grooves. The system was called Scalextric. The name Scalextric is a combination of the name "Scalex" and the word "electricity".

Scalextric was unveiled at the Harrogate Toy Fair in 1957. The system became very successful at the end of the fifties. Minimodels realized that they were unable to meet the demand. Minimodels decided to sell the company to the Lines Brothers Group of Tri-ang Toys.

Scalextric is the oldest manufacturer and the most popular slot car racing system. The current range of Scalextric is high quality grid of the best cars in motor sport. The track system has not been changed in thirty years. In 2002 the "Classic" system was replaced by the "Sport" system
 

SCX has been a bit overshadowed recently, and admittedly, they do not have as much interior detail as some other recent releases. However, if you are looking for a race car, and fine looking race cars at that, you can be assured that an SCX car is money well spent.

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