Introduction to Slot Car Racing - Mail Order North America

Sport Craft -
Slot Car Track Introduction

Introduction to Slot Car Racing, Home Slot Racing Tracks, differences between brands of Slot Cars & Slot Car Track Systems

Sport Craft, where you can find the right slot car set for you.

This report now includes SCX products and how to learn more
about the growing Digital Slot Racing hobby.

Large scale slot racing has returned to North America in a big way.  Now you can race high quality, large scale slot cars in the comfort of your own home.  These top quality slot race products promise to make slot car racing a lasting hobby the whole family can enjoy.  Take the time to read our summary below, we promise you will be more informed about the slot car hobby and which direction is the best for you.  There are four major brands of slot car race sets that dominate the slot race track market today.  They each have their advantages and disadvantages, we tell you specifically what they are.  By reading our recommendations below you will be better prepared to make the best decision for your home track and your scale racing needs.

Please read this entire page before you buy.

For the most part the information on this page refers to the traditional side by side slot car racing hobby as we have known it for many years.  The Digital revolution has brought in a completely new form of slot racing.  Simply stated, Digital slot racing permits two to six cars racing together on a two lane track and can include crossovers, pit lanes, and all kinds of alternative track layouts.   Digital adds a lot of racing excitement as well as a completely new strategic approach to racing.   As you continue to read this page you will have the opportunity to click on links to the various brands that offer digital slot racing.  Also, near the bottom of this page is a link to read more about the Digital racing systems.

The Premier Slot Racing Web Page in North America including: Scalextric, Ninco, SCX, and Carrera race sets, slot cars by Fly, Ninco, Scalextric, Carrera, SCX, MRRC, AUTOart, Slot-it, and many more; Accessories and high performance parts from the best manufacturers in the world.  Sport Craft even offers some unique packages to give you even more choices.
Formula 1........... American Nascar.......... Sports Car.................. SLOT CAR RACING AT HOME IS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Welcome! to Sport Craft, the best home slot car racing mail order company in North America, and the most informative slot racing web site!  Bookmark this page now - we are sure you will want to come back again and again.

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE BEFORE 'RACING' ON

   We want to introduce you to this fun and inexpensive hobby of scale racing.  Yeah, we know, it is not new ... BUT..., it is much better now than it was way back then.  The slot car race sets today are better, the slot car models are better, and modern technology has enabled the development of some very entertaining new electronic, digital, and computer devices which make the "sport" or "hobby" of racing slot cars much more fun.  Below we've summarized how these slot car race products work together and can help you make intelligent decisions for planning your purchase and slot racing track plan.  Large scale home slot racing is much more than a toy for children, it's a growing hobby with a multitude of options to choose from; and it won't break the bank!   In a world of "virtual" everything and video games today, a Slot Car Racing Track is a "real life" 3-D activity the whole family can enjoy; and if you are a "car-nut" to boot ... well, it's a no-brainer.  Get a Slot Car Race Track and see for yourself.

What is driving this 1/32 SCALE SLOT CAR revival?

Several factors have come together to create a genuine revival in large scale home slot car racing.

Reasons for the renewed interest in slot cars are:

(1). The quality and variety of the 1/32 slot cars made by several very talented companies is superb.   Not only are these slot cars well made for racing as well as being durable, they are incredibly accurate scale models; some people just collect the cars because they think they are too good to race on a track.  All major brands of modern slot cars will work on any of the major brands of slot car race sets we sell (digital cars are an exception).  You are not limited to the cars manufactured by the company's slot race set you choose.

(2). The driving realism is a huge improvement over older and smaller (H.O.) slot car products.  With the exception of Carrera, all slot race sets we sell contain slot race track pieces made of a tough flexible vinyl, virtually indestructible, which can be put together and taken down often without breaking pieces.  This vinyl slot track gives incredible grip, and combined with the magnets imbedded into the bottom of most slot cars, you will be able to race at very high speeds without the cars constantly flying off the track..  We have customers who report that 5 year old youngsters and sometimes even younger catch on to slot racing skills quickly.  You will get the best results with youngsters if you take some time to help them develop driving skills.  Doing so will make it fun for them and want to come back time and again.  That being said, the majority of our enthusiastic slot car customers seem to be adults who are reliving their childhood memories of slot car racing.

(3). Four major brands have emerged which probably account for 99% of sales of modern slot racing, Scalextric (the largest and oldest company producing 1/32 home slot car racing products), SCX (the second oldest manufacturer), Ninco (new in the last 10 years or so), and Carrera (which has been widely used in Europe for many years).  Carrera is unique in that it is the only manufacturer than can truly accommodate both 1/32 and 1/24 scale slot racing cars.  Each of these companies offer plug and play slot race sets with a variety of slot car types and slot car track layouts at prices from $100 to about $530.  Below we describe the basic differences of these home slot car racing brands and their particular advantages.

(4). Economically priced add-on devices increase the fun quotient.  Scalextric's RMS system provides a direct computer connection to their track, and electronic lap counters/timers that help manage slot track races.  The future looks bright too as more innovative devices are developed, such as digital control slot car sets, which are now available.  These home slot track products are adaptable to existing slot track systems, so the slot car race set you buy today can be improved or adapted at any time without becoming obsolete tomorrow.

These factors are creating new excitement for us "old timers" like me as well as young families looking for an alternative to video games and train sets for their children.

WHAT ABOUT 1/32 SCALE

Nearly all of the slot car products we offer are 1/32 scale (cars are about five to six inches long).   These slot cars are big! This size factor makes the cars more realistic to race & more enjoyable to watch on the track.  Youngsters (of all ages) can more easily handle and watch 1/32 scale slot cars than those tiny HO slot cars.  All of the brands of 1/32 scale slot cars we sell will work perfectly on all the new 1/32 scale home race sets, including Scalextric, Ninco, SCX, and Carrera.  The only exception are the digital cars which are unique to the respective brands.  These slot cars also work on some of the older Strombecker, Revell, Monogram, and Eldon home slot race sets in case you have one of those stuck away in the attic.  Carrera also offers some 1/24 scale race cars to be used with their race sets.  Keep reading, we describe the advantages of each of these major brands below.

WHY IS 1/32 BETTER THAN H.O.?

The quality of current slot car products is much higher than the toy-like H.O. race sets and cars available today.  The track pieces of our 1/32 and 1/24 race sets are made of a tough modern plastics (Carrera) and tough flexible vinyl (Scalextric, SCX, and Ninco) that is very strong, and snap-locks together until you want to take them apart.  BUT, more importantly, the larger slot cars are so much more fun to drive than the H.O cars.  The control of the larger slot cars is a lot more realistic; you can power slide the cars around the curves, the acceleration is amazing.  You can also customize most of the cars with aftermarket super high rpm motors, silicone tires, and stronger magnets ... how fast do you want to go?  The 1/32 and 1/24 slot race sets we sell will last for years to come.  Today's H.O. slot race sets are cheapened and available mostly at major toy chains.  Beware, these stores do not stock extra track pieces or car parts in case something goes wrong.  H.O. sets today are virtually throwaway toys.  While we appear to be criticizing HO racing we should point out that there is still a very strong network on the web for enthusiasts of HO racing.  Generally speaking most of these people are using and perpetuating the older Aurora and Tomy slot cars from 20-30 years ago.  These brands were quality back then, a far cry from today's poor quality HO products.

WHO ARE WE?

Sport Craft, Inc. is a mail order company with 10 years experience in 1/32 and 1/24 slot racing products.   We stock virtually every important 1/32 and 1/24 scale home slot racing product offered by the BIG FOUR and we stock these all year round, not just during the holidays.  Based on our experience in this hobby, we can make objective comparisons and offer you valuable recommendations before you spend your money.  We have helped hundreds of people get started in setting up their very own home slot track.  Our sales staff have slot race sets in their homes and we have tried nearly all of the products we offer for sale.  It is our goal to help you maximize your enjoyment in this fun new (old) hobby.  We ship products daily from our storefront-warehouse/showroom in central Michigan.  Orders for in-stock merchandise placed by 2:00pm EST will be shipped the same day.  We are currently well stocked for 2007.  Please get your holiday orders in early.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET STARTED?

When you buy a two car non-digital slot car race set from Sport Craft you get everything you need to enjoy this fun activity and hobby.  Boxed two car non-digital race sets come with a pre-planned track layout, two race cars, two controllers, a power transformer, and various guard rails, borders, etc., to go RACING.  Two Car non-digital race sets start as low as $100 complete and go as high as $350.   You can add additional track pieces to any race set at any time by simply purchasing additional track pieces, cars or accessories.  It is amazing how different the racing experience can be by just adding just a few pieces of additional track.  Another great feature is that all the brands we sell also can be adapted to four, six, or even eight lane circuits.  We even created some turn-key four lane race sets using existing race set packages.  This Sport Craft Exclusive saves you money.  We offer four lane packages for both Carrera and Scalextric.  Both Ninco and SCX can be similarly adapted.

HOW INVOLVED CAN YOU GET?

Expansion of home slot racing tracks is limited only by the space you have.  Most starter sets will fit on a standard ping pong table.  As for modifications, there are many ways to improve a basic slot set such as upgraded controllers, multiple power supplies, hot motors, stronger magnets, etc.  We can recommend power supply upgrades for four lane race tracks or extended length race tracks.  We can supply several different radius curves so you can create your own circuit or speedway.  We will help you choose the electronic gadgetry to suit your interests.  Trackside accessories allow you the realism of pit buildings, control towers, spectators, race mechanics, trees, and even a GoodYear pedestrian bridge.  Extend your enjoyment by selecting various types of slot cars.  The slot cars we sell vary from vintage 50's sports cars to modern F-1 cars, to NASCAR replicas, and everything in between.  You will discover that every car has a different feel or handling characteristic; Ninco's vintage slot cars have skinny tires with no magnet but their GT and rally cars are competitive with most others.  Fly cars have fat tires and strong magnets and offer an incredible array of vintage sports cars.  SCX cars are known for super grip and high torque motors.  Scalextric cars are some of the best engineered and best driving slot cars in the World.  It is best to select pairs of similar cars to provide "fair" racing for all participants.  Our sales staff can advise with these selections as well.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SLOT RACE SET

Based on your needs we will recommend Scalextric, Carrera, SCX or Ninco race sets and accessories.  Today the quality and variety of modern slot race sets and accessories is unequalled.  Each of the four major brands have their own advantages so we recommend you read the brand summaries below, then visit each of our race set pages to learn more about the products, so you can choose the brand that suits your space and racing needs.  All three brands make a wide variety of track pieces so you can build two lane, four lane, six lane, and even eight lane tracks if you choose.  Our sales staff have used all four major brands.  We can offer further advice and answer your questions.  Feel free to call us at 517-651-6305 during regular hours.

BRAND SUMMARY

Scalextric revised their slot track system in 2002 to the improved Scalextric "Sport" Track System.  Every Scalextric race set now incorporates this new "Sport" track.  The improvements over the former Scalextric Classic track are numerous, including a deeper slot and flatter track eliminating the crown effect of the old track.  The track is a flexible vinyl which makes it virtually indestructible.  While Scalextric is slightly narrower than the others, you can still race virtually any 1/32 cars side by side and fit a nice circuit in a smaller space.  Scalextric metal contacts on the track have a high magnetic pull for fast cornering.  Additionally, Scalextric offers an electronic lap counter timer which is easy to use.  Scalextric makes some very attractive add-on borders to widen the track on the curve sections as well as race buildings, a GoodYear bridge, painted figures, and other accessories.  Scalextric also makes available tires, wheels, axles, etc, to replace and/or customize your slot cars.  Scalextric has been around for many years and has a well established warranty network.  At Sport Craft we are pleased to be an Authorized Scalextric Warranty & Parts Dealer.  We strongly recommend the new "SPORT" track system.  We must also say something about Scalextric slot cars; the quality of engineering that goes into modern Scalextric cars is second to none.  The cars are rugged and dependable and they offer perhaps the best value for your dollar today.   Our Scalextric "SPORT" sets page

Carrera offers the widest (true 1/24 scale) slot track in the industry.  Carrera offers banked slot car track in various radii as well.  Carrera's track is a hard plastic that is not flexible.  Carrera track is a little more involved to set up and take down but seems to appeal to serious slot car racing enthusiasts who like to build permanent circuits.  Carrera makes some very unique slot track sets in both 1/32 scale and 1/24 scale (they share the same slot track pieces so regardless of whether you select a Carrera 1/32 set or a Carrera 1/24 set you get the same track pieces).   If you decide on Carrera, be prepared to provide sufficient space for the layout, it can get large in a hurry.  An advantage of Carrera is their excellent banked track pieces.  The Carrera banked track pieces are so good this is the ideal product if you are considering a full NASCAR speedway (either oval or tri-oval) or just prefer a nice banked turn somewhere on your circuit.  We have created some special packages to satisfy NASCAR enthusiasts.  For instance, we offer a full two lane banked NASCAR track in oval form or Tri-Oval form and we offer a full four lane banked oval or Tri-Oval that we custom make up as a turn-key package.  The awesome four lane Tri-Oval we have created is banked all the way around the entire circuit, not just in the turns.  Carrera track is a smoother surface of a harder plastic, but very solid and the banked supports are excellent.  Carrera's metal track contacts have a higher Nickel content which does not attract magnets to the extent that the Scalextric and Ninco tracks do.  Carrera cars come equipped with magnets but their cars do not grip the track as tightly as Scalextric and Ninco track.  Carrera does make a very nice free standing bridge type battery powered electronic lap counter/timer that can be placed anywhere around your track.  Carrera also has an extensive line of trackside accessories.  Our Carrera sets page.

Ninco slot track is high quality flexible vinyl with a high grip factor and is a little wider than Scalextric.  Ninco is a Spanish company with a strong supply network in the USA.   Ninco offers some unique track pieces that appeal to fans of professional rallying (WRC) as well as Off Road Truck racing.  To accommodate these kinds of racing Ninco has created different color track pieces, slippery white track sections simulating Winter rally racing and tan track pieces to simulate Off Road truck racing.   Ninco's metal contacts on the track have a high magnetic pull for fast cornering.  Ninco offers a loop track accessory that turns your track into a one-lane rally track.   Ninco also has a terrific selection of high quality slot cars to choose from.  We stock all Ninco slot track pieces, many Ninco parts and lots of their cars.  If Ninco has a limitation it is their lap counters and timer equipment are more expensive and somewhat difficult to use.  Many people choose Carrera's free standing lap counter on Ninco tracks.  Some Scalextric accessories also work with Ninco using the special track adapters.  Our Ninco sets page

SCX has been in business for nearly 45 years and offers a complete range of slot car sets, cars, and accessories.  They are a Spanish company with good distribution in North America.  Their track is high quality flexible vinyl with a high grip factor.  We think this track is ideal for children because it is nearly indestructible and resistant to bumps and kicks from youngsters when they are playing.  The track is narrower than Carrera and Ninco which allows you to set up more overall track length in a limited amount of space.  The metal track rails have very strong magnetic adhesion, and very importantly, their track is compatible with SCX and Scalextric track going back over 40 years – in case you have old track that you would like to continue using.  SCX has a NASCAR set with a real tri-oval design, with molded banked outer/super-outer curves, and two cross-over tracks so the cars can "trade paint" as they race.  SCX is also known for a high level of authenticity from Audi, Ferrari, BMW, Aston Martin, Chevrolet, and Mercedes.  They even offer some cool vintage cars.  Their accessories include lap counters, electronic timers, a trainer that allows you to race against the computer, Chronometers, and various sliding curves that require controlled skidding, as well as trackside accessories such as authentic looking grandstands, figures, track elevation systems, safety barriers, and much more.  In terms of track alternatives, SCX also offers Desert/Dirt effect track for off-road racing, as well as snow effect track for winter driving conditions.   SCX original track is NOT compatible with their Digital System; but for good reason.  Some say the SCX Digital System is the most advanced on the market – having been around since 2003.  We think SCX cars and track sets are good value for money – especially for the young ones.  We do not stock every set and track component that is offered by SCX but we would be glad to get it for you.
Our SCX sets page

In Summary, all four brands are high quality with no deficiencies.  Yet, one brand may be more appealing to you for one reason or another.  If you still have questions feel free to contact us.

The Digital Revolution

Learn more about the new Digital Racing systems that are quickly emerging.  Now you can add a new dimension to slot car racing by going digital.  Digital racing allows up to six cars on a two lane track at the same time.  Digital Slot Car Racing is more exciting and it adds a whole new level to racing, because the passing strategy adds to the fun.  Imagine three or more cars dicing for the lead, changing lanes at will to pass or catch the opponent.  Want to know more about this newest form of slot car racing?  Please click here: Introduction to Digital Racing

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHOOSING SLOT RACE CARS (Non Digital cars)

The terrific thing about slot car racing is that all the slot cars we sell will work on any of the above mentioned (non digital) slot race sets.  So, if you choose a Scalextric race set, you can be confident that a FLY Dodge Viper, SCX Ferrari Maranello, or Ninco vintage Jaguar will work very well.  You have a choice of virtually hundreds of slot cars to choose from, regardless of the slot race track you race on.   This does not mean that all slot cars are created equal.  Magnet technology and a much wider use of high performance motors usually separates the cars once they are on the track.  While Scalextric and Ninco install medium strength magnets that are "just right" (give good cornering yet allow some power sliding), Fly and SCX cars have strong magnets which offer extreme cornering and the fastest lap times for "out-of-the-box" slot cars.  Of course, most cars can be enhanced by swapping weaker or stronger magnets, higher revving motors, and even gear ratio changes.  Modern slot car bodies are all made of a tough, resilient plastic that minimizes breakage.  This is a big improvement over the brittle plastic bodies I remember in the 60's, and today's slot cars will take an amazing amount of crashing without damaging the body.

When you are ready to purchase different race cars, we usually recommend you buy slot cars in similar pairs (a pair of similar Scalextric, SCX, Carrera or NINCO make for fair racing).  Racing is always more fun when you have cars which are nearly equally matched in speed.  We usually have inexpensive slot cars available too which are perfect when you don't want somebody thrashing your expensive new Fly Porsche or your now rare Scalextric Ford GT-40.  If you have youngsters who are still honing their driving skills, we have had economy slot cars for as little as $20 each.

The following are our picks for the best slot car values for Winter 2007

Scalextric IRL and Indy type cars, $19.95 to $29.95 each.
Scalextric Porsche Boxsters and Audi TTs only $24.95 each (great beater cars with little to break)
Selected Fly Lolas and Porsche in the "C" numbered range under $50
Slot.It Porsche 956 cars under $50
Scalextric MG Lola (some people are reporting these are the fastest out-of-the box slot cars made
Scalextric vintage Trans Am Camaros and Mustangs
Scalextric Porsche 911 GT3
SCX Ferrari Maranello

WANT TO LEARN EVEN MORE?

We recommend you choose from the menu of slot car web pages on our huge web site which take you even further into this terrific new hobby. Each link takes you to another page devoted to that topic.  You can browse through all the pages using your BACK button to this menu or progress through the pages using the links on each page.

See our table of contents (by product line) menu of slot car pages below

SLOT CAR BOOKS

Racing and Collecting Slot Cars
by
Robert Schleicher

This is unquestionably the best book written on the subject of the modern scale racing hobby.  Robert Schleicher knows his way around slot racing, he was involved in writing back in the hey days in the 1960s.  Robert has taken this experience and his considerable skills to write this up to date book on the revived scale slot racing hobby.  If you could buy just one book on the subject this is it.

This is an outstanding book loaded with full color photos, great track ideas, car tips, maintenance, hot rodding, decoration, and more and more.  This book is a valuable tool for the hobbyist enjoying the revived hobby of modern scale racing.  The book covers all the latest products by Carrera, Ninco, Scalextric, Fly, and many others.

BOOK-SLOT - $24.95

Slot Car Racing
Tips, Tricks & Track Plans
by
Robert Schleicher

We are selling Robert Schleicher's "Slot Car Racing - Tips, Tricks & Track Plans".   This is an outstanding book loaded with full color photos, over 50 track plans, tips on how to make your racetrack more realistic, advice for building your own car and more.  This book is a valuable tool for the hobbyist enjoying the revived hobby of modern scale racing.  The book covers all the latest products by Carrera, Ninco, Scalextric, Fly, and many others.

BOOK-SLOT2 - $29.95

Home slot car racing is a fun and healthy hobby, more fun than video game racing, and with the entertaining accessories that are out there, it's even a blast to race alone!

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If you have any questions about any product, our staff would be happy to assist you.

Email us!

visits since September 14, 1998.