Scalextric slot cars have been in existence since the late 1950s. Prior to going electric in 1957, the Scalextric slot cars were originally the Scalex wind-up race car brand.

After that the race track has undergone 4 changes culminating in the digital innovation in 2004. The actual cars models themselves did not change very much through the years. The only real significant change occurred early in the life of the brand. The new Scalextric range was debuted at the Harrogate Toy Fair in Great Britain and instantly shot to popularity. Minimodels who were the early owners, discovered they were not able to meet marketplace demand and sold off the business to Lines Bros Limited who also operated a subsidiary company that specialized in plastic manufacture. In 1958 the production material was changed from metal to plastic.

In addition to a line of 1:24 scale cars manufactured in between 1968 and 1970 and 1:64 “micro” scale cars introduced in the 1990s, the Scalextric slot cars have always been 1:32 scale. Sets made run the gamut of styles from actual cars to brand name products such as Nascar, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as The Simpsons.

The Scalextric brand is at present owned by Hornby, the brand leader in the model railroad and slot car interests. Hornby is headquartered and publicly traded in Britain and has set up a subsidiary company, Hornby America, to import the brand to the U . S ..

Slot car racing exploded in the United States during 1960s. In the next 10 years revenues of slot cars exceeded $500 million annually and more than three thousand public courses appeared. Leagues established to run planned races for the serious hobbyist finishing in nationwide competition. It was this very enthusiasm that turned out to be the pastime’s problem as casual racers eventually felt crowded out by the professional competitors and stopped patronizing the public slot car tracks.

Nowadays with the developments in manufacturing systems there is more detail than ever before on commercially obtainable slot cars. Scalextric led the way forward with a move into “micro” cars and smaller scales to reduce the space requirements by slot car sets for the home. The new digital system designed by Scalextric allows for multiple cars to a slot, giving the races more realistic passing and also raising the excitement.

Scalextric slot cars are available in a very much wider range than ever before. Better manufacturing results in improved overall performance and functionality. The decreased space needs brought about by smaller scales and added cars for each slot has widened the attraction of the activity for the home fan. While perhaps not getting situation where races are televised again, the past time is yet again becoming increasingly popular.

Hornby carries on promoting the hobby and Scalextric in the United Kingdom and the USA having a large visitors’ center. Additionally, James May from the popular BBC show Top Gear not too long ago lived out his boyhood dream by constructing the largest Scalextric track ever at the abandoned Brooklands motor racing track.
Scalextric slot cars have also totally accepted the digital world having a social media presence. The company responsible for the popularity of the slot car is poised to revolutionize the activity once again and take slot car racing into a new age.
Scalextric now come in almost any car design you may wish. You may also get motorcycles, skateboards, horses and go-karts. Scalextric has become massively popular in the United States. This has much to do with their well-crafted Indy and NASCAR lines. When you select Scalextric slot cars you’ve got 50 plus years of abilities to rely on.

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