Slot Care!

[the_matrix_guy]

Give HO some serious consideration, since the tracks take up less space I think it is easier to experiment with different layouts and designs.

1/64 if want to be able to change it or put it away.
1/32or 1/24 if you have the space to dedicate to something permanent.

It’s difficult to choose. HO is just so much glorious nostalgia. But the 124-132 Carrera track sets look so good, and is more hobby-level IMO. The track especially has better quality. But I might have to get both man. (And within the 1:24 & 1:32 world, I found that consensus around the Carrera track sets is that it’s superior to Scalextrix). But you got these hobby level european brands like Carrera and Ninco that are putting out some really nice stuff that’s a step above the toy level HO sets from APX and Auto World.

The HO cars are way cheaper too so that was another pro I was considering in favor of HO. But I don’t like how fast the APX “G Plus” cars are — they’re way too fast and unrealistic. In fact, I think that the stock Carrera 124/132 move way more realistically. I would be interested in getting a variable amp to slow them down — not speed em up. Since this is for the kids and me — no actual competition will take place.

edit: I am also noticing that there are more
cars in 1:32. There are more companies making them. Maybe for HO if you really want variety you have to get custom.

[Shane-O]

Look at the new Carrera digital tracks. Real lane changes, pits stops and a remote pace car. You can run 5-6 cars on a two lane track.
HO is fun and there are slower cars available, Autoworld rereleased the old magna traction AFX style cares with an added traction magnet. There is also several companies making reproductions of the old T Jets. HO is much cheaper and easier to setup and take down, but the Carrera Digital stuff is so much cooler, and of course more expensive track wise.

[F1FX]

Carrera tracks are nice because you can run 1/32 and 1/24 scale cars. I personally invested in scalectric at the time due to smaller track size mainly due to my space limitations. Ultimately when I have the time I would like to build my own permanent track system from wood to create any layout I want and not be limited to the design due to “off the shelf” parts and then decorate it with the level of detail like the model train world. Digital tracks add an element of fun but most systems also limits the cars available to run out of the box. This hobby can get real expensive really fast. For someone small, my suggestion is to start with HO scale and eventually move up to 1/32 or 1/24 if it peaks their interest. HO are “high downforce” cars that stick to the track and easier to drive where as when you get into the larger scale you will have a mix level of magnetic downforce based on cars and tracks. Less magnetic downforce for me is a lot more fun and requires much more skills to keep the cars on track, it is a learning experience. Going fast and cars just nailed to the track is also fun but being able to control the drift around corners is much more enjoyable for me. The big problem with really fast magnet cars is when you break the limit of adhesion in my experience, the crash sometimes produce significant damage and when some of these cars runs into the hundreds it hurts. I’ve gotten into no magnet racing and learned to balance the car with ballast. This typically slows the racing down and a lot more skill for throttle control is needed. Strait line speed can still be up there but you need to brake or let off the gas before you enter the corner. When I took a break from PB in the early 2000’s, I transitioned my addiction to slot cars. At the time, I was traveling across the US for work and brought a long two cars with me along with my race controller and would seek out race tracks in different cities. Unfortunately around 2007/2008 many of these tracks closed up.

[the_matrix_guy]

Look at the new Carrera digital tracks. Real lane changes, pits stops and a remote pace car. You can run 5-6 cars on a two lane track.
HO is fun and there are slower cars available, Autoworld rereleased the old magna traction AFX style cares with an added traction magnet. There is also several companies making reproductions of the old T Jets. HO is much cheaper and easier to setup and take down, but the Carrera Digital stuff is so much cooler, and of course more expensive track wise.

Carrera tracks are nice because you can run 1/32 and 1/24 scale cars. I personally invested in scalectric at the time due to smaller track size mainly due to my space limitations. Ultimately when I have the time I would like to build my own permanent track system from wood to create any layout I want and not be limited to the design due to “off the shelf” parts and then decorate it with the level of detail like the model train world. Digital tracks add an element of fun but most systems also limits the cars available to run out of the box. This hobby can get real expensive really fast. For someone small, my suggestion is to start with HO scale and eventually move up to 1/32 or 1/24 if it peaks their interest. HO are “high downforce” cars that stick to the track and easier to drive where as when you get into the larger scale you will have a mix level of magnetic downforce based on cars and tracks. Less magnetic downforce for me is a lot more fun and requires much more skills to keep the cars on track, it is a learning experience. Going fast and cars just nailed to the track is also fun but being able to control the drift around corners is much more enjoyable for me. The big problem with really fast magnet cars is when you break the limit of adhesion in my experience, the crash sometimes produce significant damage and when some of these cars runs into the hundreds it hurts. I’ve gotten into no magnet racing and learned to balance the car with ballast. This typically slows the racing down and a lot more skill for throttle control is needed. Strait line speed can still be up there but you need to brake or let off the gas before you enter the corner. When I took a break from PB in the early 2000’s, I transitioned my addiction to slot cars. At the time, I was traveling across the US for work and brought a long two cars with me along with my race controller and would seek out race tracks in different cities. Unfortunately around 2007/2008 many of these tracks closed up.

I've really gone down the rabbit hole of slot car racing. Two things that I found yesterday that is somewhat affecting my purchasing decision: 1) Carrera Digital tracks require Carrera Digital cars or modified cars with the Carrera chip + decoder. And those aren't cheap. And 2) speaking of downforce, most hobby shops that run tracks or any major venues, like to run Ninco track for its rougher surface (& realism.) It's more realistic for GT and F1 where you dont have cars sliding corners like Rally. (But also that it wears tires more, although this isnt a huge concern for me.) The biggest problem with Ninco, is that they're not doing great as a company, it seems -- and I think they've mostly scaled back slot car product lines (no pun intended), and discontinued 1/24 & 1/32 in favor of 1/43. And it's difficult to find track. The other brand that is recommended is Policar at least for track, to be second to Ninco in realism and craftsmanship.

Is there no standard for the digital racing code in slot racing? In the trian model world, my friend was telling me that there's a governing body that standardizes everything so you don't have this issue. I'm guessing most venues run analog? Would you be able to run a Carrera Digital car on an analog track? I assume you can switch it off digital? .. it seems that everything that initial cross-play, requires modifications and more $$$ in terms of switches, modules, chips. Even if you want to run an analog car on a digital track. I watched a YT video discussing analog and digital, and they mention that many long-time hobbysts are going back to analog for this reason. And because venues mostly run analog.

Unfortunately around 2007/2008 many of these tracks closed up.

that really sucks, same with paintball. Many shops and fields closed in the recession, never to open again. The local PB scene was never the same.

[Shane-O]

See if you have any 1/24 commercial tracks in your area. Usually 8 lane wood routed tracks with no magnets. I have raced those and they are super fun. But if I get a decent deal on a Digital setup, Im building one in my garage that I can winch up to the ceiling when not in use.

[the_matrix_guy]

See if you have any 1/24 commercial tracks in your area. Usually 8 lane wood routed tracks with no magnets. I have raced those and they are super fun. But if I get a decent deal on a Digital setup, Im building one in my garage that I can winch up to the ceiling when not in use.

From what I'm seeing 9/10 commercial tracks are analog. If you get a digital set, that means you'd have to buy analog cars for when you go race there. and then you'd have to mod your analog cars if you want to race em at home in your digital set. I also noticed that most of the "professional" 1/24 and 1/32 brands sell mostly analog cars. Which means that you'd be spending around $40 more per car (on top of the $75-200+) if you want to mod them to run on Carrera digital.

Check out the Policar, this is what I'm leaning towards. it's actually more professional than Carrera. And most people and venues are even expanding old Ninco raceways with Policar track, Policar is an old italian slot car company:


https://www.slotcar-union.com/en/rac...773086778.html

Also, all of these italian Thuderslot car catalog pics are taken on Policar track, look how good it looks:

https://www.thunderslot.com/en/models/

This pic is from Policar (with classic F1 Policar cars) but the track is 4 lanes, and look at the surface of the track:

[the_matrix_guy]

This guy blew my mind...he made a 1/32 tool to make realistic 1/32 guardrail:

[Shane-O]

This is what I am talking about. Very different than the plastic track stuff. There are 3-4 commercial places like this in Florida.

[the_matrix_guy]

This is what I am talking about. Very different than the plastic track stuff. There are 3-4 commercial places like this in Florida.

yeah, I’ve seen those in my YT (slot car) adventures.

These past couple of days, I went down the rabbit hole into scenery DIY how-to’s

[Shane-O]

If I had any woodworking talent, I'd route a track for myself. A D shaped oval 4 lane. You can route a slot and then use copper tape for the braid portion. ID never have patience for scenery, lol. Seen a 2 lane hill climb rally deal that is super cool. Went up switch backs looped at the gop and came down. Had fake snow on the tracks also.

[the_matrix_guy]

If I had any woodworking talent, I'd route a track for myself. A D shaped oval 4 lane. You can route a slot and then use copper tape for the braid portion. ID never have patience for scenery, lol. Seen a 2 lane hill climb rally deal that is super cool. Went up switch backs looped at the gop and came down. Had fake snow on the tracks also.

I would rather put the diy effort towards the scenery. A lot of these high end trackbuilders like http://slotmods.com use Policar or Ninco track and then build around it. I like that approach. I think for me building the racetrack and the scenery will be a hobby unto itself. I am really inspired by these builds:

[the_matrix_guy]

This guy did a Monaco inspired track, and even did the famous descending “hairpin” turn

[Shane-O]

Those are bautiful!

[the_matrix_guy]

SignOfZeta A few vendors sell the whole Monaco circuit but it’s huge. I dont have the space for that, you need an area that’s 20ft^2 or 25+ if you want to move 360* around it.

……

i pulled the trigger on a Policar (T002z-US) Starter Set for $200

[Paintslinger16]

Has to be some kind of record for a slot car auction sale.

[the_matrix_guy]

woah, for an HO car too, that is pretty wild. Then again look at what other markets are doing, people will spend anything as long as its rare and unique. Look at paintball, trading cards, memorabilia, etc. Prices are hitting all time highs

That Cobra is an absolute beauty though. Both the real one and the HO slot car / model