Introduction to Digital Racing - Mail Order North America

Sport Craft -
Digital Slot Car Race Sets

Updated for 2007/2008

1/32 scale digital racing

Introduction to/Summary of Digital Slot Racing Systems

As we enter 2008, the third season of digital slot racing systems from the four major manufacturers, we have seen some significant changes and improvements over earlier systems from just two years ago.  On this page we try to summarize in simple terms how these digital systems work in order to guide you toward the selection that best suits your needs.  Scalextric and Carrera have made significant changes to their digital systems from their earlier digital systems, yet the earlier systems are not obsolete.  Read the following summaries below, by brand, and let us know if you have additional questions.  Our Sport Craft sales people know these systems and can help you every step of the way.

The idea of the digital slot track system is to simulate real racing by allowing between two or more slot cars (as many as four to eight depending on the brand) to race simultaneously on a two lane slot track incorporating realistic passing maneuvers by way of lane changing.  With the push of a button (located on the hand controller) the driver can switch lanes in selected sections of the track layout.  That's right, you can now have lane changing slot cars which offers more racing strategy and passing maneuvers than ever before.  In all cases special "digital" cars are necessary.  The four companies offering digital racing systems are Scalextric, Carrera, Ninco and SCX.  All brands except SCX offer conversion kits to convert your older non-digital track into a digital track.  Your old track is not obsolete because these three brands still use their original track pieces in their digital systems.  Here's what we have learned about these systems.

First of all, because all four digital systems are designed differently, they are NOT compatible with each other.  Also, older and current non-digital slot cars will not run on digital systems without some modifications.  The only exception to this are new digital Carrera 132 cars, they will run on all brands of non-digital tracks by simply flipping a switch on the underside of the car.

In summary, all four systems work as promised.  All four brands offer warranties that cover defects in manufacture.  All four brands have distribution networks right here in the USA.  Sport Craft has strong business relations with all of these importers and is equipped better than any other retailer to provide quality products, knowledgeable service, and warranty assistance for your enjoyment.

Scalextric digital slot car track system
The Scalextric digital system uses their standard Sport Track and offers both complete ready-to-run digital race sets as well as conversion sets.  Other brands of slot cars can be converted to work in the Scalextric digital system with some modifications.  Scalextric's digital cars will work on non-digital track layouts (from any company).  The Scalextric digital system is based on their Sport track.  The digital and standard Sport track pieces are fully compatible so people who own a digital track system can add normal Scalextric Sport track pieces at any time.  We offer several different digital race sets ready to go right out of the box.  We offer choices of either two, three, or four car digital sets.

See what we have available at Scalextric Sport Digital - Mail Order North America or read Scalextric's description at their home web site. www.scalextricsportdigital.com.

Summary of Scalextric digital:

• Digital Power transformer;
  One transformer is supplied with the SCALEXTRIC SPORT DIGITAL power base.  This will supply sufficient power to drive four cars on a two lane track.
• The Digital Controllers.
  The controller has two buttons and a trigger.  The trigger increases power to the car while the large oval button is a brake and the small round button is the lane change activator.  These controllers should only be used with the Sport Digital system, they will not work on standard non-digital tracks.  The hand controller can be set up so that braking can be activated by use of the brake button, the trigger or both.  Braking can also be turned off (the default setting).
• Track pieces can always be added to any digital layout.  In fact, you may add as many lane changing crossover pieces as you want to add excitement.  Scalextric offers lane changing track pieces in both straight and curve track.
• We offer several different digital race sets ready to go right out of the box.  We offer choices of either two, three, or four car digital sets.

IMPORTANT WARNING:
DO NOT place any standard power bases, Pacer or Challenger systems in a circuit that contains the Sport Digital power base.  Even if the non-Sport Digital power bases have no power, they may still damage your Sport Digital system.

SCX digital slot car track system
Although SCX may not be one of the big boys yet, they have been very aggressively improving their system and have one of the best customer support systems and warrantees in the business.  They are perhaps the little guy who tries harder.  SCX has devised an entirely new track design for their digital system.   It's not compatible with their old track pieces.  Their digital slot cars run only on their digital system, but conversion of standard cars is now possible.  The SCX system has very cool lap counting and race management capabilities.  Also, the system allows drivers to personalize their driving style by setting braking power and fuel load.    The SCX system allows up to six cars to be raced simultaneously.  SCX offers a tremendous variety of lane changing track pieces, pit cut-off lanes, single pit run lanes, etc. for a seemingly infinite variety of track switching.  Elaborate systems can be created to stage races with real pit stops, refueling, and passing on the track.  We offer several different digital race sets ready to go right out of the box.  Wisely, SCX chose to provide three cars in all their digital sets.  Check out our stock right now, click here- SCX Digital system.

For more information on the factory web site check out www.scxdigitalsystem.com

Ninco digital slot car track system
The Ninco N-Digital system works with the original Ninco track, so enthusiasts can convert their older non-digital track to digital with a simple conversion kit.  Also, those who have digital tracks already can readily purchase additional standard Ninco track pieces to add to their layout.  Any analogue (non-digitized) car of any brand can be fitted with a NINCO N-Digital chip without drilling holes, changing the chassis, or causing irreversible damage to the car.  Any digital car will still be able to run on analogue systems as well.  Lane changes are accomplished on lane change tracks.   You can even add lap counters, chronometers, and track to accommodate as many as eight cars.  Only Ninco offers specialized track pieces such as slippery snow curves and bumpy off-road track.

The Multifunction Digital Control Unit is the heart of the system, allowing race control for up to eight lanes of racing.  The consoles data display screen manages seven different types of races for both individual and multi-player races.  It provides racing information and sound signals for all drivers: time, lap and fastest lap, fuel consumption simulation, management for cars with and without lights, and fastest reaction speed from driver to car.  Several sets are currently available.  Learn more or order from us online, click here - Ninco N-Digital Digital system.

Or try the Ninco factory web site at www.ninco-ndigital.com

---Overview---

The obvious advantage to the digital slot racing systems is the opportunity for up to four, six or even eight people, in some cases to race at one time in one-third the space that a six lane track layout would require.  These are proving to be very popular systems, the prospects of lane changing slot cars is pretty exciting.

If you have further questions don't hesitate to call our knowledgeable sales people at 517-651-6305 during regular business hours.

Visit our other slot racing pages for more information.

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