What is with the comeback of slot cars?

Nostalgia. That's what's going on.

 

http://www.slotcar.com/articals/what_is_slotcar_racing.htm

And my cousin's specialty: http://www.slotcar.com/articals/wheelie_car_basics/wheelie_car_basics.htm

We even rigged up a model rocket motor to a one-off dragster. (And one use, too, as it turned out.)

I lost interest when I started rallying 1:1 scale, but for those who don't have the time, budget, etc., for racing "the real thing", slots is a low investment hobby. A little brass stock, a good size soldering gun, a few bits and pieces, and you can go wherever your imagination takes you.

And you can produce "cars" like you'd never see in full scale.

 

my first ferrari was a 1/32 250 gto back in '64.

 

Todays slot cars are blending the looks and detailing of a 1:43 scale model with a small cost to speed on the track. (More weight affects speed)

I used to collect diecasts but for a little more $$, I can get a nicely detailed slot car that goes on the track.

A lot of the slot cars have the motor almost in the same place as in the real car - therefore the dynamics are pretty similar.

 

We used to catch a buzz one way or the other and run the slot cars. It really was a lot of fun.

 

Also slots are going through a digital revolution (or is that evolution)

You can now swap lanes with slot cars and race nose to tail with complete control. I recommend you give it a look in.

I just recently bought a scalextric digital set and it is extremely cool and makes it much more competitive. Only downer is only digital slot cars work on the digital setup, that is until they bring out chips to put in analogue cars to make them digital enabled.

 

The availability of cars like this doesn't hurt.
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