What Is Model Slot Car Racing And How Do I Get Started?

Do you feel the need for speed, but do not want allcompetitions are held annually in the United States
of the dangers and risks that are involved whenand abroad. The United States has 2 HO scale car
driving a real car at high speeds incurs? Not toorganizations called the United Federation of HO
mention the cost to repair a real racing car when youracers Association (UFHORA) and the HO Professional
wad it up in a crash. If this is you, then try your handRacing Association (HOPRA). Each year both
at slot car racing. You see, model slot car racing hasorganizations hold national and international events
been around since 1929 and has gained immensearound the country. These events are not only for
popularity, nationally and internationally.racing the slot cars, but also to raise general
Today, model slot car racing is in a group of modelawareness slot car racing in general..
car racing which include radio controlled, better knownI WANT TO RACE SLOT CARS. HOW DO I GET
as RC racing and othersSTARTED?
THE VERY, VERY BASICS OF SLOT CAR RACINGSo you want to race,huh? If you are a true beginner
Model slot cars are powered electronically by eitherto slot car racing,first I recomend you join an slot car
batteries or from some source of electricity, which isorganization, either a local one in your neighborhood
furnished to the car by a metal strip on each side ofand or one that is recognized nationally. You can
the slot.access a wealth of information from these places.
The tracks on which slot cars run are made up ofFor the HO ethusiast, check out the national
groves or slots(hence the words ‘slot’organization HOPRA.Their website is at
car) into which the cars are guided with the help of aFor those who race 1/24 scale slot cars, the United
pin or a blade like apparatus on the under carriage ofSlot Car Association is for you. You can visit their
the cars. Only one slot car is to occupy one slot. Sowebsite at [
for example, if you have an eight lane track, you canAnd if you want to race 1/32 scale slot cars, the
have up to eight cars circulating the track.True Scale Racing Federation organization is meant
Each slot is connected to a power source, such as anfor you, You can check out their site at
electric power pack or batteries which maintains thatThen go down to the hobby store and purchase a
the power supply remains stable throughout themodel slot car racing set of the scale you want to
whole time the slot cars are on the track. Torace. It does not have to be a big set. Go home,set
prevent the slot cars from jumping out of the slot,it up and have FUN!! See how the track and the cars
some of the slot cars under carriage have some sortare made. Notice how the car is able to propel itself
of magnets which keep these electric model cars indown the track,stay in the slot and stop.Don't be
constant contact with metal strips even at highafraid to delve inside the cars to check out the
speeds. Some model car blades are even magnetizedgears,chassis and how the body is mounted.
to achieve the same effect as the undercarriageIn no time you will be upgrading to a larger set either
magnets. The speed of the cars are controlled byby adding on to you current set or jogging down to
the squeezing of the trigger way on a pistol-gripyour local track for more experience and or better
joystick placed in the hand of the person who iscompetition.You will most likely upgrade your car(s)
controlling the slot car. Squeezing the triggeralso by lightning your chassis, installing a tighter
increases the speed of the slot car and releasing thewound motor with custom brushes,installing stickier
trigger slows the electric model car down or stops ittires for better traction and more. and believe me
completely.when I say more, as there are many ways to make
Slot car racing is truly international. Internationala slot car faster....much faster.