Racing slot cars has become a very popular hobby and it is one that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Men and women enjoy racing slot cars all over the world. The newer models have details that have never been seen before. These include features such as brake rotors and brake calipers. They even include very finely detailed wheels which are a beautiful addition.
Slot car racing is not as popular now as it was during the 1960s but new club tracks and commercial tracks are opening up all over the world each day. Most people who enjoy racing would probably agree that this hobby will probably never regain slot its earlier level of popularity and it will certainly never be as popular as televised auto racing. That does not mean that it is not a fun and worthwhile hobby to pursue.
There are many different aspects to this hobby and this is primarily what makes it such an appealing hobby for so many people. Some people like to simply collect racing slot cars. Some people collect only vintage racing cars. Others love nothing more than meeting a group of friends at a track for an evening of friendly competitive racing.
A slot car is an electrically powered miniature racing car which is guided along a track by a pin attached to the bottom of the car. Some slot cars are used on tracks that emulate highway traffic, most slot cars are raced on tracks specifically designed for competitive racing.
The “driver” uses a hand-held device which regulates a low-voltage electric motor housed inside the car. On most tracks, each car runs in its own lane with its own slot. Newly developed digital technology now allows cars to share a lane. Race car drivers are challenged when their car approaches a curve at a high rate of speed. The objective is to travel along the curve without the car losing its grip on the track which will cause it to “deslot” and leave the track.
Some people who love the hobby of slotcar racing spend hours constructing miniature real-life racecourses that often include miniature buildings, trees and sometimes even include miniaturized people. Slot car racers who engage in the hobby competitively usually prefer an unobstructed race course.
Slot car racing is not a particularly expensive hobby in which to engage. A Carrera set can be obtained for as little as $79.00. This set would come equipped with two detailed 1:43 Formula One cars, three loops, a high-banked curve, a flyover and a lane narrowing chicane. The total length of the track would be an incredible 35′. This set would certainly be enough to provide anyone with hours of slot car racing fun.
Racing slot cars as a hobby can be a very worthwhile activity. You will be guaranteed to meet many news friends if you join a racing club in the town where you live.