Märklin Sprint

German railway manufacturer Märklin in slot racing

The model railway manufacturer Märklin has produced in the period 1967-1982 the slot racing system "Sprint". The German Company is still selling model trains, but was forced to stop the production of "Sprint" during the eighties.

Märklin introduced the Sprint system

Märklin started the production of slot cars and sets a few years too late. Slot racing was very popular in the sixties. In almost every family home you could find a model racing set. During the peak of slot racing Märklin introduced the Sprint system. Many customers already bought a set of another slot car brand, such as Scalextric.

Slot cars

Märklin has produced 32 different slot cars. Many models were available in different colors. 73 different models were produced. The front axle of the models was moveable. The first cars had an inline type of motor. The last models were driven by a sidewinder.

Slot track

The Sprint system was not compatible with systems of other manufacturers, although the Sprint system looked like the system of Scalextric. The direct current power supply was 14 volts. The electric power supply on the track was very good. The Märklin track was easy to assemble. The width of the Märklin track was 15 cm. The standard straight was 42 cm long. The 40-Ohm plunger controllers did not have a break.
Märklin offered many accessories such as (electronic) lap counters, pit-buildings and a booklet with track-layouts.

Märklin Sprint after 1982

The production of Märklin Sprint has ceased more than 20 years ago, but the system is still used by fanatic slot racers. Märklin models are nice collector's items. Spare parts are available, though very expensive. A controller of another brand (for example Tyco or Scalextric) can replace the original controller. The controller should be in the range 30-60 Ohm.
On the Internet you do not find many web-sites about Märklin. Most Märklin related web-sites are not maintained anymore. The Märklin Sprint Racing Club Sweden is a group of Märklin enthusiasts.

Märklin Sprint Racing Club Sweden

The international Märklin Sprint Racing Club Sweden has about 115 members. 46 members are from Sweden.
The racing club, led by Lars Dobo, publishes a magazine. The magazine contains tuning and service hints, buy/sell/trade, and information for collectors and test results.
The Märklin Sprint Racing Club Sweden once had a web-site (http://www.torget.se/users/d/DOBOGUL).

Book

Joachim Saam is the author of "Sprint, Die Autobahn von Märklin 1962-1982". The reference book counts 145 pages (24 color pages). The book contains an overview of all cars, tracks and accessories of Märklin.
Tittle: Sprint, Die Autorennbahn von Märklin 1967-1982
Author: Joachim Saam
Language: German
Publisher: Hauser-Verlag
ISBN: 3-00-007385-X

More information

Around the slot car tracks
Most Famous Race
Controllers
Hermann Josef Neuhierl (1927-1985)
NSCC Models