Which track system is the best
Many readers, who are new in this hobby, would like to know which track system is the best. It is not an easy to give advice. The five current big manufacturers are Carrera,
Scalextric,
Artin, Ninco and SCX (Spanish Scalextric). All current systems show pros and cons. SlotcarAcademy.com helps you to make your choice.
Classic slot car racing
The information is this article is based on "classic slot car racing". Digital race sets are not included.
Carrera
Carrera's track is extendable to 8 lanes. The slot depth is 7 mm. The distance between the slots is 99 mm and a track width is 198 mm. Borders are available. Made in Germany since 1967. Very smooth surface. Widest track available and therefor suitable for 1/24-scale models. Carrera is the only company that offers both 1/32 and 1/24-scale slot cars.
Carrera offers a smooth track surface
Pros: smooth track surface; widest track available; great variety in track pieces; easy to install.
Cons: A little bit expensive; needs more space than the tracks of other brands.
Carrera slot cars
Some like the cars of Carrera and other dislike the models. This is simply a matter of taste. The adjustable magnet gives you the opportunity to influence the handling of the model. Many American and German people use the track of Carrera. The products of Carrera have always shown excellent quality. Carrera is the only brand that offers banked curves.
Artin
The 1/32-scale track of
Artin is extendable to 6 lanes. The sloth depth is 6,3 mm, the distance between the slots is 76 mm and a track width is 165 mm. Borders are available. Made in China since 1965, primarily HO (1/64) and 1/48-scale battery operated type sets. In Germany sold as Racy. Smooth track surface.
Artin is not expensive
Pros: Not expensive, good value for the money; borders included in the sets; easy to set-up.
Cons: Narrow lane spacing; not everywhere available.
Artin is popular in the United States
The track of Artin is popular in the United States.
Ninco
The track of Ninco is extendable to 8 lanes. The slot depth is 6,5 mm. The distance between the slots is 90 mm and a track width is 180 mm. Borders are available. Made in
Spain since 1998. The roughest track available. Ninco offers a nice line of special rally (Raid) sections. Ninco is a popular manufacturer because of the excellent quality of their products.
Nico offers a wide variety of track sections
Pros: Wide variety of track sections and many accessories are available (borders, lap-counters, everything); controllers are pretty good; good quality.
Cons: The track surface is too rough for some racers; some complain that the track does not stay flat and becomes bumpy; the colors of the track borders are not realistic, but available for all track sections.
Fast Nico race motors
Ninco offers very fast race motors in some sets. For beginners it is advised to go for the slower models because these are better to handle. Ninco offers decent controllers (the best you can find in box sets). Good value for money!
Scalextric Sport
Scalextric Sport is extendable to 8 lanes. The slot depth is 6 mm. The distance between the slots is 78 mm and a track width is 156 mm. Borders are available. Made in China (but head-office in the United Kingdom) from 2002. The Sport track followed the classic track that was produced forty years ago. Very smooth surface and shows excellent quality.
Excellent quality of Scalextric
Pros: Easy to set-up; everywhere available; excellent quality; all accessories you need.
Cons: Some complain about the smoothness of track; narrow lane spacing (bit too narrow for Formula-One models).
Scalextric is favorite for beginners
Scalextric is the favorite manufacturer for beginners. Newcomers to this hobby say that the models are easy to control because of the big magnets. The Scalextric Sport models are very detailed.
SCX
The SCX track is extendable to 8 lanes. The slot depth is 5 mm. The distance between the slots is 78 mm and a track width is 156 mm. Borders are available. Made in Spain. The SCX track is a Scalextric "Classic" UK look-alike. Semi-rough track surface.
SCX accessories are not realistic
Pros: Many different (special) track pieces (Le Mans start); compatible with Scalextric Classic and Sport.
Cons: Narrow lane spacing; the colors of the accessories are not realistic.
SCX offers a great variety of box sets
SCX offers a great variety of box sets like all manufacturers, but the sets of SCX are more complete. The SCX models are excellent replicas. The cars, some have working headlights, are very fast, for some too fast. Magnets are easy to adjust or to remove.
Advises
- Do not make your choice only based on the knowledge that you got by reading this article. It is very important to test the different tracks. Try to find slot car shops or friends who can show you the different brands.
- Do not make the choice because of the models. All 1/32-models run on the tracks that are mentioned. Almost all models are sold separately.
- You will need spare parts in the future. Does your local shop support the manufacturer of your choice? Of course, on the Internet you will find everything, but many racers do not want to wait for the mailman.
- Buy the biggest set you can afford or buy two sets and extra straight sections.
- Buy a set for your children or yourself! You will not regret it. Slot racing is fun for the whole family!
Jan Willem van Capelleveen
More information
Beginners Class
Slot Racing in Spain
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