Slot cars
have been around longer than most people realize. The first commercially
made cars were introduced by Lionel, the toy electric
train manufacturer, in 1912.
The cars have electric motors which are powered
by contact with an AC electrified rail built into
a slot running down the center of the track. It's
sort of like electric street cars and trains except instead of overhead
power lines, the current runs in the track. Some newer manufacturers
forego the slot tracks to enable cars to pass each other and magnets
are used to keep the cars on track.
Since the cars run along the slot, the only control the racer has
is the motor speed of the cars. The racer uses
a hand held controller wired to the track that adjusts the amount
of electric current resistance, the less resistance
the faster the cars go.
Slot cars are noted for their speed, they can
go blazingly fast and the trick is to stay on the track without
flipping off the track through the curves and turns. Various types
of built in magnets are used to help keep the cars
on track. Coupled with the simplicity in concept and design slot
cars remain popular after over 90 years.
Slot car popularity reached zenith in the 1960s
when there were establishments set up with very large tracks and
people paid to race their cars. Popularity has waned these days
with kids and younger people gravitating towards the newer radio
controlled cars. However there are people today who pursue slot
car racing as a serious hobby.
When looking for a set, due to the speed of the cars, it is best
to get the longest track set affordable. The cars
and tracks also come is different sizes or scales which
are not compatible. Also one manufacturer's models may not be compatible
with another though being of the same scale.
More information on slot cars here. |
