Possible Newbie From Brisbane

[Klacka]

EDIT: Newbie not Mewbie...

 

 

Hi guys,

 

I got a Hobbyrama voucher recently and am tossing up my options.

 

I went into the store to buy a radio controlled car, but then saw the slot car sets...

 

Have been doing some research and just found your forum which is always a bonus.

 

A few questions that spring to mind:

 

1. Is it fun to race slot cars on your own?

 

2. Is there a dedicated newbie section on this forum (couldn't find one)

 

3. I was originally looking at Carrera but it seems there is not much 2nd hand stuff available on ebay and the likes, so scalextric seems a bit more attractive from that perspective. Have I got this right?

 

4. Recommend me a starter set! not interested in digital at this stage as my voucher is only for $150 and I'd like to not stray tooo far over that. I've seen the scalextric ARC ONE for about $200, is that something recommendable? Can I upgrade these with 2nd hand vintage track later on?

 

That should be enough for now, glad to have found the forum as forums are the way to go for most hobbies.

 

Cheers,

Klacka

Edited February 9, 2015 by Klacka

[munter]

Answers

1. Yes

2. No

3.Carrera is best plastic track but Scaley sport works

4. X no knowledge there(routed wood for me)

5. You didnt ask 5 but welcome and prepare to be spoken to by the filthy horde that reside here. Some know a lot and some know more.

[SlotsNZ]

Edited title... am sure you'd rather be a newbie than a mewbie - people might start talking

 

- and welcome aboard.

 

Carrera is certainly a better quality track, It has wider lane spacings which is better, but takes up more space, which you'll want if (when) you start racing without traction magnets. So if you have the space for a layout and budget, go for it.

 

Ninco is the dominant plastic track for most clubs in Europe, and also very good, but quite different - but having raced on Carrera, it feels more like wood racing for me, which is what many of us here do (race on wood)

[ZeGas]

What are you interested in, hobby wise that is.

Also things like do you have young kids can sway advice.

Some people are more interested in the modelling of the scenery, some track design, some electrical and others its all about the cars.

Cars can also be broken down into collecting and racing.

A lot to think about, sorry.

 

When I first got hooked it was a bargain SCX set on ebay, that got me started.

Then I routed my own track, then tried 1:24 type racing.

In the end I decided what was right for me.

Don't think that buying a set will be the end of it, it is only the beginning.

 

You can race cars on your own, generally rally type circuits that have one lane but two lane is good too.

Getting some sort of timing is best if you are by yourself as this gives you something to aim for, with me it is trying to figure out what makes the car go faster and tweaking it.

David Benito has a great app that can be run on Android, I use that as my basic quick start timer. Search slot car trainer on the app store.

 

Carrera is wider than Scalextric and I am told has better grip, Scaley is easier to get second hand and will fit better if room it tight.

 

For a starter kit get the one with most track some are great value for money, you can always add cars.

 

I have been keen for 5 years now and still know absolutely nothing about anything so it is always keeping me entertained.

 

It can be a great hobby with most things covered, modelling, scenery, electronics, mechanical, physics just to name a few.

 

Good luck.

 

Oh ... and welcome

Edited February 9, 2015 by ZeGas

[Ember]

Welcome aboard.

 

If you can, try to find a few tracks that you can try out and get an idea of how they perform. Each of the tracks has good and bad points. When it comes down to it, they can all be a lot of fun. Scalextric track is certainly the smallest of the 1/32 track systems, but it is also the most readily available. That may make a big difference in the long run.

[dangermouse]

Hi Klacka - before you invest your voucher at Hobbyrama - might be worth a trip up to Redcilffe to Red Racer slot car shop - Lucas has a couple of tracks you can drive on and a fair selection of cars, parts and sets as well.

 

One of his tracks is a Carrera plastic track

 

Which set to buy comes to personal preference in the track - Carrera cars run on Scalextric and vice versa - I have found more people selling Scalextric track on the likes of Gumtree and eBay - that may mean they sold more sets a few years ago or it may mean people with Carrera track like it and keep it I suspect mainly the first as a lot of people recognise the Scalextric name....

 

Carrera seems to offer good value for money as well - the Carrera DTM Turbo Drift set looks good - the cars in it are great.

 

But it depends on what cars you like - Scalextric Bathurst Showdown doesn't have as much track it has V8 super cars.. or the Bathurst Legends has a Falcon and Torana...

 

Not sure what you get in the ARC One - had a bit of a look at it but would need to do more research before I could comment more - the cars looked to be there basic big impact cars..

 

cheers

David

Edited February 9, 2015 by dangermouse

[rosco01]

Hi Klacka - what have you done?... do you realise the incessant demand on your attention and finances which you are about to unleash upon yourself...?

 

Seriously, this is one heck of a hobby - it offers just about every facet that most other hobbies are singularly restricted to - scale, competition, tinkering, tweaking, expanding and even scratch-building.

 

Surprisingly, for a hobby which began in the late 50's which hit our shores in the early 60's commercially - there is this "collective" of active members who are re-living their youth.... many of the latter day addicts (post '60's) landed on the domain and became engrossed - see warning above.

 

I suppose you must make some ground or root level decisions before committing - and, as Ember points out - your absolute best option is to go search for some tracks to either see or even better - get a bit of a go at.....

 

You don't mention (or I didn't read) your location, age or if you have children (even 60 y.olds!) who will share your spoils..

 

This is indeed a great hobby/sport - and I would suggest you make as many enquiries as you can before committing.

 

The larger cities tend to have slot car groups.... and visitors would be warmly welcomed.

 

As for track - I'm a Scalextric fanatic... only because I retained all of my original track from the '60's.. and didn't want to start again.

This track affords larger layouts within given space compared to others - it can be extended by adding readily available new "sport" track - and "conversion" adapters from the old Classis to the new Sport track are available.

The down side is that the rails (contacts) are made of steel... which, if cleaned and kept protected will endure for many years.

 

Carrera, would probably be my now best choice if I were starting again - mainly due to the larger track profile and stainless steel contacts..but, I expect it to be slightly more expensive and probably a little more troublesome to obtain the specialist sections you may need.

 

I do know there are a number of Carrera suppliers here in Melbourne.. and expect there are also similar retailers in other major cities.

Failing this, on-line is always an option... plus shipping.

 

As for cars - well, better go grab a can of coffee, some bikkies and a very comfy chair for the rest of the week.... within this forum are reports, complaints, performance write-ups and fix-its/modification articles which will simply keep you spell-bound for hours..

 

I have a number of different manufactured models - not all, but some of the more common makes.

I suppose my current preferred is Slot-It... excellent value for money with added performance and quality components.

NSR are another in this class.. but a little more expensive.

 

For the beginner, you would go a long way towards satisfaction with some of the Carrera cars - perhaps a little over-engineered in some areas - and a little bit under-engineered in others... but all up - great looking models with excellent reliability... and production quality.

 

Scalextric (formerly of Scalex and by adding the electric - we get Scalextric) were stalwarts of the slot-car fraternity for many, many years - and are still in production, although all of my recent Scalextric models clearly show "made in China" ... as do many of the other brands these days.

 

Carrera, spruke that they are based in Austria - but "made in China" is clearly displayed on the packaging.... this tends to be current practice for most of the makers today... I guess it comes down to QC - perhaps the Austrian specification is just a little more stringent than some of the competition...

 

Now, probably having frightened you completely away from our madness, Klacka - again, welcome aboard.... please tell us a little more about yourself and we may be able to give a more pointed assistance to your questions.... and, by the way - don't be afraid to ask anything slot related here - no one knows it all.... but some will know specific bits very well, and all will know general bits well enough.... so, ask.....

 

frats,

Rosco

[Klacka]

Wow!

 

I didn't expect such a great response at all, that is amazing! Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and the wealth of information.

 

OK, so I'm in Brisbane, mid thirties, have a couple of young girls... And already have a few hobbies going, the main one being all grain brewing (which, similar to your hobby, involves everything from recipe design, equipment building, tinkering, physics, chemistry and biochemistry knowledge, professional beer judging, competitions, you name it. And it is an endless time and money pit...

 

So, I'm gonna have to make some decisions here as I also have a family to look after. Ideally I'd like to keep this as a little side hobby without going to the extreme. Yeah, good luck with that...

 

I really tend towards Carrera, but the 2nd hand availability of scalextric might just sway me over. As I said, I already 'own' several money pits.

 

I might just see if I can get out to Red Racer this morning to get my hands on some gear - great suggestion!

So I shall hopefully report back shortly on how that went.

 

Oh, one quick question that crossed my mind last night:

Can I still run 1:24 carrera cars on a scalextric 1:32 track if I race by myself (so I won't take out other cars), or does that not work for some reason?

 

Thanks again everyone for the great advice!

 

Cheers,

Klacka

[Ember]

Scalextric track will really be too small for the 1/24 Carrera cars to be comfortable on, in both guide depth and track width.

 

Always good to have another brewer around. My brewery is on hiatus. Consumption was trying to overtake production.

[ZeGas]

Good list for brewing but you seem to have missed drinking off that list or maybe my beer goggles missed it..

[shadow_rusty]

Firstly, Welcome to the forum...

 

I've run both BRM and Scaleauto 1/24 cars arround my scalextric track...

Carrera 1/24 should be ok if you change the guide for the 1/32 (red) compatable guide.

 

The main thing to consider is that you really need borders arround the whole track, and as you suggested, you can only run 1 at a time.

The only way to run 2 is to start 1/2 a lap appart and race till 1 car catches the other...

 

Personally I like Scaley track over Carrera for a few reasons, but Carrera have been getting very competative price wise lately...

1. I like the slightly flexible track that scaley has as apposed to the rigid Carrera track.

2. Scaley track takes up less space than the same layout in Carrera.

3. Scaley track / borders / etc. is more readily available here.

4. Scaley digital seems to be the better option for digital upgradability.

5. A couple of friends that I race with also have Scaley track, so we can share / combine / etc.

 

Anyway, that should give you another opinion, and a few more things to consider...

[32coupe]

Hi Klacka

I stated off with the largest Ninco track I could find, that lasted only 6 months and I built a permanent wood routed track, the track building bug bit and now I have built 30ish. It's easy once you start you can't stop.

 

Ps: I'm into home brew as well, but the drinking has overtaken the brewing,and now I get "U brew it" to do all the brewing. Giving me more time for slotcars and drinking beer.

 

Cheers

Andrew

[SlotsNZ]

Grain brewing . . . I suspect a slot car club is likely to migrate itself to your house . . . . you have been warned

yeah, there's a really goof spirit operating around the forum, and thr slot car fraternity in general. . . it's a whole way lot more congenial than some other auto related hobbies I could mention.

 

So you'll find opportunity for time with your kids, and for them to maybe get time mixing with other adults, which is a great positive for them growing up.

That has been a really good aspect in our club here in Hawkes Bay NZ

[Ember]

And of course there is always the potential to travel to exotic locations like... Dandenong and Pooraka and Dapto and Hopetoun.

[Peter Gunn]

Welcome indeed to a very comfy forum, track wise I use Carrera as it's wide ( so you can use 1/24 th cars easily ), I bought a set first of as coming back into the sport after many years away it was a good starting point and from that have built up a good circuit, and can use any manufactures cars on it, something I could not do with out mods to things like guides on my brothers Scalextric track.

Any problems plenty of nice people on here to help you spend your money, chuckle.

[Klacka]

Thanks again for all the replies.

 

As much as I'd like Carrera track, the lack of 2nd hand track really puts me off unfortunately.

I went to Red Racer yesterday and had a good look at some of the cars, I must say I really liked the 1:24 cars, they're massive. Good to know that I can still run those cars on scalextric track (with limitations) if I really want to.

 

So scalextric it is.

 

The app race control set seems to be out, as their device compatibility to run the app is really lacking. Although we have 4-6 phones and tablets in our household, none of them is actually compatible which is really disappointing. I'm glad I figured this out beforehand, though.

 

They also have a cops and robbers set (at least on the website, will check in store later today) which seems to be fun especially for the kids as well. The cars slide and can do 180 turns, and when they collide they fall apart into many pieces. Good thing is they're compatible with real lego so there are endless possibilities to build new and crazy cars, and using real lego also means they won't fall apart all the time which I'm sure will get a bit annoying once the novelty has worn off.

Downside is the track is fairly short with just under 4m, but I guess I can always extend it. Might also be fun to practice to get the speed just right to either slide through corners or do u-turns, and as I said, good to get the kids involved as well, which will also get the tick of approval from SWMBO for this hobby.

 

Anyway, will have a look again what exactly hobbyrama has in store and go from there.

[shadow_rusty]

The Cops and Robbers set, whilst very basic, is still quite fun.

 

I never used the standard powerbase / controllers / power supply, and found the cars to be a little underpowered.

Turned out that they are fitted with a 'new' green endbell motor which seems to be equivelant to a NC1 or ~12k rpm.

Swapped them out for standard 'white' endbell 18k scalextric motors, and now they are extremely fun on my lower voltage track.

 

Also, the parts falling off really isn't an issue, however, running weird and wonderful cars is always fun...

I have both this set, and the original 'quick build' lego set, and all 4 are very fun cars.

One day I'm going to convert them to digital for some very fun racing.

[ZeGas]

Quickbuild set is great, got the kids (Boy 5 & Girl 6 years now) a set two Christmases ago.

You want to see the wacky creations they come up with using lego.

With little kids you could do a lot worse than this set.

Don't think the girls won't get into it, my daughter loves it especially when you get the tablet out with Slot Car Trainer (Android only) on it.

 

 

Ps. The novelty NEVER wears off, they are very quick to put together, my kids were putting them together in a minute after a smash.

The game we play is the winner is the last one standing with a bit left on it.

They are fun, not for racing, but boy are they fun.

Edited February 11, 2015 by ZeGas

[Klacka]

Haha, just came back from the store and wish I would have read your comments beforehand, I would have grabbed the set there and then.

They also have the monster truck mayhem, but it doesn't look as exciting as the quick build one.

 

Looks like I have made up my mind and will have to go back there very soon.

[ZeGas]

And then a week after to expand.

[ZeGas]

Actually, just looked at the hobbyrama website.

You would be better to spend your voucher there only.

Look at some of the sponsors such as Armchair Racer for expansion bits & cars, they are a lot cheaper than hobbyrama.

Even if you add postage.

[Klacka]

Great advice, thanks, will do!

[ZeGas]

Oops, rude of me should have said Red Racer as well, but you already know them.

[Ember]

I started with the Top Gear Power Laps set. By the end of the first week there was more track on order. By the end of the second week there was a permanent track planned.