Now You Can be a Grand Prix Winner
Cars pelting into the bends at high speed, nose to tail. It’s too close to tell who will cross the finish line first. And the Porsche 997 takes the checkered flag just a millisecond ahead of the Nissan 350Z.
This could be the commentary from the latest televised motorsport event. But this is the kind of heart pounding excitement that can be enjoyed with a Scalextric set at home.
Scalextric have been in the slot car racing business for over fifty years. Elvis was a great fan of slot car racing and even devoted a whole room to his system at Graceland.
The new generation of digital systems with microprocessor enhanced cars and internet connectivity bring a whole load of new ways to enjoy this engrossing hobby.
Todays digital Scalextric cars are fitted with tiny microprocessors that allow multiple cars to share the same track for a more realistic, bumper to bumper racing experience. Tracks have sections in which cars can change lanes and overtake at full speed. New systems even have pitstop facilities.
Slot car racing has historically been considered the hobby of geeks but it is gaining in popularity as the new digital systems enable racers to connect, via computers, to the internet and challenge others anywhere in the world. Systems today are far more robust, reliable and versatile when compared to their analog counterparts from fifty years ago.
And don’t overlook the educational aspects of a Scalextric system. Not only do they teach the basics of electrical circuits and how to set them up they help youngsters to understand the intricacies of driving and racing cars at high speed. Many enthusiasts like to customise and improve their cars by changing the motors, the tires and various aspects of the cars design.
Slot car racing with Scalextric is a great hobby that can be enjoyed by boys, girls, young and old.