Slot Car Racing

Remember your childhood? Did you have a scalextrics set? For many slot car racing is one of those childhood memories that has an enduring and ever present appeal. Make no mistake however slot car racing in the 21st century is no longer childs play, for racing slot cars is not only the domain of kids, but is equally popular with adults, indeed to the degree that there are worlwide competitions set up entirely dedicated to slot car racing that are very well attended and supported. There are official World Championships that take place in places all over the world annually that are fiercely contested by many hundreds of drivers.

For competitions in Europe the focus tends to be on Formula 1 style racing and tracks, however this is not the only style, indeed if you can think it you can find it in the world of slot car racing wiith competitions in the fields of ralying, 4 x 4's and truck racing to name just a few. In the USA it is usually focussed on NASCAR, Indycars of even Drag Racing, with race teams designing and crerating there own model race cars.

Drag Racing in particular has seen huge growth in recent years with dedicated World Championships and just like the slot car championships are taken very seriously by the participants.

Of course Slot Cars really only arrived as recreational toys for young boys and this is where they stay for many, however more and more slot car racing sets are creeping into the home environment where many families can spend hours of fun and competition with nothing more than a simple slot car track set up.

Small and flexible they may be, but slot cars are a popular leisure activity and an exciting one too, with scale speeds in the hundreds and competition invading even the least interested driver once he or she picks up a handset.When people of slot cars and slot car racing, inevitably they think of Scalextric, the most famous of companies in the slot car field, the company has been around for many decades, creating amazingly lifelike models and track, and a extensive range of add ons, to meet any chosen style or need.

While most people are happy with a small set up and use it occassionally there are people out there that give over huge chunks of their life and home to pursueing this most enjoyable pastime. Some have built the most amazing tracks with fabulously detailed landscapes, people and cars and well as track surfaces that simply defy belief.

The great thing about Slot Car track is its flexibilty - there are so many different sections of track available that it is possible to create any chosen circuit - be it Indianapolis or Road America - and to make your own tracks recreating parts that would not be found in real life race tracks such as crossover sections and even loops.

People have a tendency to create their slot car tracks to highlight the preferred type of motor racing that excites them, and even stepping up to base their collection around a the specific era of track racing that excites them the most.

Building your own track and cars is made easy with the availability of parts, this gives the modeller the ability to build actual slot cars from preferred races in history, recreating those that may not be included by slot car makers such as Scalextric.

Not every one wants to build fantastic sets and many are happy with the slot car sets that you can buy easily from major manufacturers. In addition there are great bargains to be found on online market places such as NewSlotCars.com, Ebay & Amazon.

Whilst the heyday for slot car racing as a sport has passed, the interest in slot car racing is once again growing. back in the 60's they had telivised slot car races and whilewe won't see that again there are a great many new clubs opening every year and a huge resurgence of interest.

Sales of sets and accessories are also growing year on year indicating that this thoroughly enjoyable pastime is far from dead and is indeed alive and kicking.