Scalextric

Most popular slot car racing system

Scalextric is the oldest manufacturer and the most popular slot car racing system. The current range of Scalextric is high quality grid of the best cars in motor sport. The track system has not been changed in thirty years. In 2002 the "Classic" system will be replaced by the "Sport" system.

The Beginning

Minimodels Limited, based at Mill Hill in England, was founded in 1947. The factory produced scale models. The Scalex models appeared in October 1952. The Scalex model cars were moved by a keyless clockwork mechanism. The system was a great success. The factory in Mill Hill became too small and Minimodels moved to Havant in Hampshire.

Fred Frances

Mr. Fred Frances, the inventor of Minimodels, saw at the London Toy Fair in 1955, a racing track of a small British company called VIP. The VIP racing system consisted of a metal track with two slots and model cars. Minimodels used the VIP system for their system; a rubber based track with two parallel grooves. The system was called Scalextric. The name Scalextric is a combination of the name "Scalex" and the word "electricity".

Scalextric on Harrogate Toy Fair in 1957

Scalextric was unveiled at the Harrogate Toy Fair in 1957. The system became very successful at the end of the fifties. Minimodels realized that they were unable to meet the demand. Minimodels decided to sell the company to the Lines Brothers Group of Tri-ang Toys.

The sixties

In the beginning of 1960 the metal cars were replaced by plastic models. In 1963 the track type was changed from rubber to plastic. The plastic track with a new attachment system is still in use today.
Scalextric offered a wide range of models, such as Maserati 250F GP, Ferrari GP, Bentley 4.5 and Aston Martin GT. Not only cars were available in 1963, but also motor bikes with sidecars and Go-karts.
Slot car racing became very popular during the sixties. Tri-ang Toys opened factories in France, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Scalextric was not the only company that offered 1/32 scale models. About six other slot car companies were active at that time.

The seventies

The Scalextric 1/24 scale cars and track were introduced in 1967. 1/24 scale racing was very popular in the United States and some clubs in Europe. Scalextric was not very successful with this system. Scalextric 1/24 scale system came too late on the market. The cars were fragile. The track system, with three slot lanes, offered only two radius curves. Due to the high costs the production was ceased in 1970.

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