Slot Car - errrr - 1:32 Scale Model Racing 101 - Plastic Basics
hello all -
in light of my recent bad behavior, i've decided to add some true 'content' to the forum .. i would like this to be a guide for newcomers to this wonderful hobby .. please add to this post as you see fit
this thread discusses plastic tracks only - and their various brands, configurations and features - and only as it relates to analogue racing (though much is relevant to digital) .. it is NOT meant as an endorsement of any kind - all manufacturers make a great product, and, no matter which one is chosen, a superior product will have been purchased .. having said that, i chose scx/classic and NINCO for my two tracks, so may be biased a little in their direction .. i have owned sport and carrera as well, but never artin, so i won't even comment on them
so - the tracks - as stated, i'll only be looking at 'the big four' for the purposes of this article as i have no 'hands on' experience with artin
as you see, each has its own measurements .. this is key for many reasons .. we'll get there!
this is a photo of all of the 'standard' scalex sport track pieces .. note how the curves 'nest' - this facilitates 4-, 6-, or even 8-lane racing, if the space, and desire is available .. tho sport track, this photo is applicable to all brands
with these two photos in mind, one needs now to step back, take a deep breath, and make a few decisions .. among them are :
1. just how serious am i going to take this? is it worth looking at a wood track instead - and i'm NOT going there!
2. just how deep is my wallet?
3. how much space is available? and is this going to be 'rug racing' or on a more permanent table setup?
4. how many lanes are you looking at?
5. is digital in your future?
lets answer these first - explaining things a bit as we go .. later, i'll try to summarize more consicely, for the benefit of quicker reference .. again, all additions are welcome, but, please keep them as 'non-partisan' as possible - and no 'brand bashing' please
1. seriousness level - when one first starts out, a common sight i've seen is : go crazy at christmas (or birthdays). get bored by mid-january, sell on eBay in february - i've seen this cycle year after year! IF you're gonna jump in, truly understand that this can be a very expensive hobby - in terms of not only the money to start and build, but also the extreme amount of time reqired to 'keep everything running smoothly' (track, timing, cars, everything!) ..
2. money involved - this is where the game gets interesting (read : crazy, obsessive, visa-killing, wife-hating etc.) .. a basic setup, bare minimum starts in the $150-300 range, depending on size and maker .. then add enough track to fill your space (see the next point) .. after a while, you'll read you need new aftermarket controllers, another wallwart or a (much better!) dedicated power supply, booster cables, computer timing, a few (dozen, hundred etc.) cars to drive around your new layout etc. etc etc .. i have a nice track, with all the bells and whistles i could fit in my space - 140' of two lane analogue NINCO track, with drivers stations, a variable power supply, DS lap timing, completely bordered or fenced .. it is really nice - yes - but when added up, i might have $2500 or more invested .. worth it?? my buddies and nephews say YES but its up to you! do you need something as 'much' as this?? NO - but
do expect to spend more than the initial cost of the first set!
3. space available - this night be one of the key issues when you (and the banker) have decided to really take the plunge into slot cars .. if you have a smaller space or plan, then one of the narrower tracks - sport and classic/scx - give a smaller 'footprint', allowing more track to be laid in the same area - more track please!! if you have the room, carrera track (the widest) is capable of handling 1:24 scale cars side-by-side, as well as, being widest, gives the most 'sweeping' arcs on the various corners .. NINCO splits the middle ..
4. number of lanes - this one is also key! how many people do you expect to be racing at any given time? in my situation, i mostly drive alone, occasionally have a guest, and once in a blue moon i'll host a 'party' .. this has led me to a two lane analog layout (two tracks actually, for 'party nights'), but, based on your needs, this could easily be different .. four lanes - three kids (or the wife) and a riot! .. 6- or 8-lanes and we're really racing now!!
5. digital or not - this may or may not become a crucial question, depending on your answers to the previous questions .. that is : if you have limited space, and have a need to entertain more than two people, a digital setup might be a worthwhile consideration .. for two of the track systems - sport and NINCO - this is an easy 'update' to their tracks, available at reasonable cost to 'retro-fit' their particular brands .. scx makes a completely different track system for their digital sets, and i'm not sure what the state of carrera is, with the recent introduction of their 'second generation' digital system .. understand tho - track and track control pieces need to be purchased, along with extra power, controllers, and 'chips' for each car .. up to 8 cars can be raced simultaneously (depending on manufacturer) on two (or more) lanes .. passing is 'attempted' (hopefully achieved) at 'lane change track pieces', activated by the push of another button located at the back of the special (required) controllers .. while some complain about the overall 'feel' of digital - poor controllers and 'curves' programmed, underwhelming lap timing and scoring, and the cost of chipping cars - it is (IMHO) obviously the 'way of the future' and will become the dominant form of scale racing as features and issues are addressed and solved .. remeber the first comuter you ever saw??
once you've got this all figured out, made at least some of the decisions listed above, and truly commit to it all, then there still remains the question : what brand should i buy? here is a synopsis of the features of the four tracks i'm highlighting :
CARRERA
- at almost 8" wide this track is capable of running any car you can find - 1:24. 1:32. 1:43, even HO (though it looks kinda silly!)
- slots are :1 /4" deep, 1/8" wide (6.4mm x 3.1mm)
- track is hard plastic, not flexible in any direction .. this is good and bad - good for a permanenet layouts, bad if one needs to 'set up and tear down' often
- track has a smooth surface .. this is an either/or question .. smooth track racing makes for more sliding action, but almost certainly is helped with the addition of aftermarket tires
- track 'slides' together, and is then fastened solidly with additional 'clips' .. while this is a reasonable chore after doing a few, it can be tedious after a while, but the track is very solid upon completion tho .. a new connection system is recently introduced, apparently simplifying things significantly
- their rails are stainless steel - weather resistant and not quite so 'magnetic' - and are flush to the track surface
- the power connections are good, solid and sturdy .. the transformer included is 14.4V .. the controllers, unlike the other brands, is 'thumb-activated' - good or bad is up to you
- carrera takes banking seriously! they have designed a series of banked, nesting corners that can make a truly remarkable scene! by far the best banks!
- sets range from $120 - 300, depending on size and features .. individual track runs in the $6 - 7 range
SCX / CLASSIC
- SCX and scalextric classic track are completely interchangeable and compatible .. this can be a good thing, if one wants a cheaper alternative - used track, always available on the various auction sites for good prices
- at 6 1/8" wide, SCX is the narrowest of the choices .. this makes for the biggest layout possible in any given space
- slots are : 3/16" deep, ? wide (4.8mm x ~3mm
- the track surface is 'textured' .. this reduces sliding a bit, but allows 'factory tires' to get the necessary traction to make aftermarket tires less-needed
- SCX is flexible track, able to withstand the abuse of set-up and tear-down .. the lugs fit together well, and with a push, they snap and lock quite securely
- SCX rails are raised slightly from the roadbed - good in that magnets have better adhesion, not so good for very low-slung cars
- many 'trick tracks' can be added to the SCX layout .. these include pit lanes, chicanes, crossovers, sound- and smoke-producing tracks, borders and fencing of various colors and designs, and a group of great, add-on electronics, adding to the enjoyment .. a rally setup is also available, consisting of a starting box and two one-lane loops, that converts a standart two-lane track into a one-lane, double length layout
-two 'adaptor' tracks are available for SCX - NINCO makes one, as well as a sport-adaptor, allowing the addition of either (or both!) brands to your layout
- as a factory set, these come with 'two wire' controllers with special proprietary plugs (and, like most 'set controllers, they're pretty poor - upgrades are available
- as with the controllers, the wall wart has the same plugin style
- an upgrade power track is available, which allows two wall warts to be plugged in at the same time - though they have to be SCX brand - giving individual, dedicated power to each lane .. this track piece also has a 'track direction reversing switch' built in for each lane
- SCX has a shallower slot than other tracks .. this can be a prob;em for some cars - the guide 'bottoms out' - but a little judicious sanding of the flag solves the problem quickly and easily
- banked R2s are available (classic) and R3s too (SCX) .. they aren't bad, but, as flexible track, need a solid plywood 'backing' to prevent 'sagging'
- SCX track sets range from $100 and up, while track sells for about $5 - 7 each
SCALEXTRIC SPORT
- the 'grand daddy' of the makers, scalectric has been arounf since the start of home based slot car racing as we know it - 1957
- at 6 1/8" wide, like SCX it is a perfect choice for smaller areas or larger layouts/more lanes
- slots are : 5.2mm deep, ~3mm wide
- sport track is also flexible, but not as much as SCX
- the track surface is smooth .. the rails are flush .. the slots are deep
- the track 'slides' together easily and quickly .. tabs 'click' together to lock the pieces .. IMHO, i think the joints are 'loose' and all need to be checked and rechecked often, at the risk of creating 'power transmission' issues .. as a permanent layout, there are many 'fixes' for this, but as a put=together set, some 'rweaking' is always required
- scalextric offers a few add-ons - a cool squeeze into and out of a sharp R1 corner and R2 'crossover' corners for instance - oh yeah, and even a jump!
- factory controllers are weak, but aftermarket units are 'plug 'n play'
- the factory power base is capable of two wall warts, but not the direction changing
- the factory electronic lap timer/counter is also weak, so is no great shakes!
- easily upgraded to digital at any time, the SSD is getting favorable reviews
- IMO, pretty hokey banked corners .. at 10 degrees, whats the point? .. they sag too, without plywood
- sets are priced in the $100 - 260 range .. track pieces are between $4 and $6 each
NINCO
- second widest, at 7" .. textured .. flush rail ..
- slots are : 1/4"- deep, 1/10" wide (6mm x 2.5mm)
- great lugs and power transmission - they advertise it! the lusg work similar to SCX's, and snap and hold firmly .. their metal tabs are 'square' not 'rounded' like the others, making )as their ads read) for a better electrical connection
- factory cointrolleers are reasonable - the 'plus55' units are arguably the best of the 'set' controllers offered by the various makers .. aftermarket controllers are 'plug 'n play'
- 'trick tracks' are available, similar in style and design to sport's offerings
- the standard 'red' power base allows only one wall wart, but has a direction changing switch .. a 'blue' double wall wart track (#10401) is available
- factory lap timing is quite extensive - everything from a simple 'over the track' unit similar to carrera's model, to a complete 'plug in to your computer' unit that does lots!
- like scalextric, NINCO track is compatible with and standard to their digital system, 'n-digital' (also getting its share of adoptees and devotees)
- banked corners are similar to scalextric sport - 'weak' might be being kind!
- NINCO is quite expensive, comparatively .. sets range from $140 - 450 .. track pieces are in the $10 range
so - what did i miss? please add to this and lets build a good reference for newcomers and veterans alike
cheers .. pete
plastic track 101 - a guide
Linear Mode
