Scalextric slot cars have been in existence from the latter part of the 1950s. Prior to going electric in 1957, the Scalextric slot cars were originally the Scalex clockwork-powered race car brand.
After that the slot car track has undergone four changes culminating in a digital innovation in the year 2004. The cars models themselves have not changed very much throughout the years. The only real significant adjustment occurred at the start of the life of the make. The new Scalextric range was first showed at the Harrogate Toy Fair in the UK and instantly shot to popularity. The owners at the time, Minimodels Limited, discovered they were not able to meet demand from customers and sold the company to Lines Bros Limited that also owned a subsidiary that focused on plastic. In 1958 the production material was changed from metal to plastic.
In addition to a line of 1:24 scale cars manufactured between 1968 and 1970 and 1:64 "micro" scale cars released in the the nineteen nineties, the Scalextric slot cars have been 1:32 scale. Sets made vary wildly in terms of styles from real cars to branded products such as Nascar, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as The Simpsons.
The Scalextric brand is currently owned by Hornby, the brand leader in the model railroad and slot car pastimes. Hornby is headquartered and publicly owned in Britain and has set up a subsidiary, Hornby America, to bring the slot cars to USA.
Slot car racing boomed in America during 60s. In the next decade gross sales of slot cars exceeded $500 million annually and over three thousand public courses opened up. Leagues established to operate organized races for the serious hobbyist culminating in nationwide competition. It was this very enthusiasm that would prove to be the pastime's downfall as casual racers eventually felt crowded out by the serious racers and quit patronizing the public race tracks.
Today with the advances in manufacturing technologies there's more detail than previously on over the counter obtainable slot cars. Scalextric led the way with a move into "micro" cars and much smaller scales to lessen the space required by slot car sets for the home. The brand new digital system designed by Scalextric enables several cars to a slot, providing the races a lot more realistic passing and also enhancing the excitement.
Scalextric slot cars come in a a lot wider range than previously. Better production leads to enhanced performance and functionality. The lowered room demands as a result of smaller scales and added cars for each slot has widened the attraction of the hobby for the home fan. While perhaps not getting to the point where races are televised again, the interest is once again becoming increasingly popular.
Hornby continues to promote the activity and Scalextric in Britain and the USA having a large visitors' facility. Also, James May from the well-liked BBC TV series Top Gear recently lived out a boyhood wish by constructing the biggest Scalextric track ever at the abandoned Brooklands race track.
Scalextric slot cars have also fully embraced the digital world having a social media presence. The company that initially started the the rise of the slot car is positioned to transform the hobby again and bring slot car racing right into a new age.
Scalextric today are available in just about any car model you may want. You can also get motorcycles, skateboards, horses and go-karts. Scalextric has become massively well-liked in the States. This has much to do with their high quality NASCAR and Indy lines. Any time you decide on Scalextric slot cars you've got over 50 yrs of skills to rely on.
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