Just getting into slot cars? Well, I must say that it wasn't too long ago that I was in the same boat as you. It can get pretty confusing, what with all the choices in brands and all. But really, it is a very straight forward hobby, and you can start enjoying it as soon as you get your new track set home! Whether you are a kid or a mom or dad, it certainly is a thrill to get that big box home and open it up, especially at the holidays! After the initial ecstasy of setting up your new track wears off, or if you are still thinking about getting into slot cars as a hobby, you wiill probably have some questions. So read on and maybe you can get an answer to a lot of them right here. And by the way, we sell two must have books, The Slot Car Bible and Racing and Collecting Slot Cars, both by Robert Schleicher, a guy who has been around slot cars longer than some of us have been around period!
The videos below were provided to us by DIY (their normal focus is RC ... but they did specials on our great hobby!) Scalextric is the featured brand on their show. These videos are in Windows Media Video format, so they will not work on Macs.
Videos Courtesy of DIY
Slot Car Video Part 1 General Slot Car Info
Slot Car Video Part 2 More Info
Slot Car Video Part 3 Maintenance
Slot Car Specific Articles (click on the article names below)
1: Breaking in a new slot car
2: Troubleshooting problems with your slot cars
Slot Car Specific Questions
Q: What is a 1/32 Slot car?
Q: What is the meaning of life
Q: Will all 1/32 slot cars work on any brand slot car track?
Q: Which is best, 1/24 or 1/32 slot cars and track?
Q: What about HO?
Q: Where is the best place to buy 1/32 slot car stuff?
Q: What's the best way to get started in this hobby?
General Hobby Questions
Q: What brand of track is best?
Q: How much room do I need to have a fun 1/32 slot car layout?
Slot Car Specific Questions
Q: What is a 1/32 Slot car?
A: Huh? Have you been living in a cave or what? Actually, folks of a certain generation really don't know what slot cars are. I have explained the concept many a time as confused young shoppers have wandered in, eyes wide open in amazement, "you mean they actually work, I thought they were models!". Yes, the detail in modern slot cars is amazing, rivaling the most detailed die-cast model, but the great thing is we can see them actually moving, and moving fast, not just gathering dust on a shelf! Many of my customers do indeed just collect these beauties, never intending to put them on a track. So, for my definition of slot cars: they are very nicely detailed models of a real race or street car that you would actually recognize. To us 1/32 fans, detail and accuracy of the model is important! An unrecognizable car, that just goes fast is a no-no! Oh, there's motors and gears and stuff in there too, just like a real car! The difference is the motor is electric and you stand several feet away with a controller in your hand, instead of sitting in the car with your foot on the accelerator. The more you "squeeze" the controller, the faster the car goes, let off the
trigger and the car slows down. And the great thing is you don't have to steer the car, that's what the slot is for! Just think how much insurance
rates would go down if that were the case in real cars! In sum, You put the car on the track, with the guide in the slot, you pull the trigger and off goes these great looking slot cars! Now you're having fun!!
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Q: What is the meaning of life?
A: I have no clue!
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Q: Will all 1/32 slot cars work on any brand slot car track?
A: Yes, all modern, readily available 1/32 slot cars will work just fine on all readily available slot car track. Of course, if you want to run 1/24
scale cars you'll have to buy Carrera track. It is the only home track that is wide enough to accept the large 1/24 scale slot cars.
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Q: Which is best, 1/24 or 1/32 slot cars and track?
A: It depends. There are a lot more 1/32 slot cars available as ready to run slot cars. In fact, AUTOart and Carrera are the only companies that make ready to run 1/24 slot cars that look realistic. And let me tell you, the cars are super-nice looking and quite affordable. But, with 1/24 you need a heck of a large
track to really get the most enjoyment out of the 1/24 scale size. A 30' track in 1/24 scale is not as much fun as the same size track in 1/32. You
need to have some room to get some nice long straight aways to get the most enjoyment from either scale. If you have a lot of room, go for 1/24th scale.
If room is at a premium, 1/32 is better. Besides, even if you go the 1/24 route, you can also do 1/32 if you'd like. Either way, dollar for dollar
slot cars are the most fun and provide the most bang for your hobby buck!
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Q: What about HO?
A: As my buddies from Chicago would say, "Forgetta aboud it!". They are not realistic, in looks or performance, they just go too fast (700+ scale miles
per hour). And by comparison, they're just toys. Whether for youngsters, or us oldsters, 1/24 or 1/32 slot cars are the best way to go! Of course that is a totally
unbiased opinion coming from me, Jim Corley, owner of HotSlots 1/32 Slot Car Shop.
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Q: Where is the best place to buy 1/32 slot car stuff?
A: What are ya, a wise guy?? Actually, I encourage you to buy locally whenever possible. We have to support our local shop owners, it's just good
for him and the economy as a whole. However, many hobby shops just do not give much attention to the 1/32 slot car hobby. Trains and RC seem to
dominate local shops. Here at HotSlots132, we do nothing but slot cars! We can't be bothered with the other hobbies because whether you're male or
female, young or old, this is the best hobby you can have!
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Q: What's the best way to get started in the hobby?
A: That's easy. Pick a brand and buy a set. All sets come with everything you need, slot cars, track and controllers. Some even come with lap counters and
upgraded controllers. In fact, if you buy the biggest set available, you may never need to buy anything else, except more and more slot cars of course! If
and when you decide you need to expand to a bigger layout, it is always best to buy another set. You get the best value when you buy sets. Besides, it's
always a good idea to have the extra stuff because you never know when your kids or your monkey will decide to eat one of your controllers or power
supplies!
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General Hobby Questions
Q: What brand of track is best?
A: Well, that depends on a lot of things. Do you have kids or dogs? How about monkeys? If you have either, and they might be playing with or chewing
on your slot car track, the tracks manufactured by SCX and NINCO are made of a softer plastic that is less breakable and much more digestible than the
brittle but smoother Carrera or Scalextric Sport track. This softer track is more desirable too, if you plan on making a rally or hill-climb track.You
can also bank it and make a more undulating layout with a more flexible track. Scalextric Sport and Carrera track is made of a more rigid plastic
that breaks easily if not handled properly. It is also smoother and wider which makes it more suitable for serious racing. So in short, if you are
going to have a permanent layout that you put up and change infrequently, Scalextric Sport or Carrera would be a good choice. If little ones will be
using your track and it will be set up on the floor or taken apart often, consider the softer, more durable tracks by Ninco or SCX. If you want to see what some of our customers have done with slot car track sets
Check out Our Slot Car Track Pics!
To help you further answer this question,
learn more about track sets here.
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Q: How much room to I need to have a fun 1/32 slot car layout?
A: Surprisingly little, to be honest. Of course, the bigger the layout the better because you can actually see just how fast your favorite car can go.
But, in as small of a space as a ping pong or pool table, you can put together a fun, challenging layout that will keep you coming back for more!
In fact, In his books Racing and Collecting Slot Cars and the Slot Car Bible, Robert Schliecher has many layout designs you can build on a 5'x9'
table. So hey, you're probably not using that old ping pong table anymore any way!
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