Be a mini Lewis Hamilton and race the little cars! (Scalextric)

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Scalextric
Date:	04/11/08 (423 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent Fun

Disadvantages: Can be expensive

Scalextric is a mains powered game which allows model cars to be raced on specially constructed tracks, and controlled with 'throttles' which determine the cars speed.

The product is manufactured by Hornby and was first showcased in the late 1950's - although at that time it was merely at a prototype stage designed by Mr B. Francis and demonstrated at the Harrogate Toy Fair.

Scalextric sets can be purchased from Amazon in a wide variety of styles. Prices range from £27 for the 'My 1st Scalextric Set', to £230 for the 'Scalextric Digital World Championship Set'. All Scalextric sets come with enough track to make at least one complete circuit, and generally the products at the upper end of the price range allow for the creation of some pretty ambitious tracks. The scale model cars which Scalextric uses can often be bought separately from toy shops and are available in many models.

I used to have a lot (and I mean A LOT) of Scalextric when I was younger. I remember at one point having the track running up the stairs in the house - which led to a few Scalextric related injuries. Racing little cars was my favourite pastime, and the way you could design the shape of the track before playing always kept the novelty fresh.

Nowadays I doubt I would recognise the product in its current incarnation - with apparently the ability to use up to six cars on track at any one time... cool. Anyway, i'm sure it's still great fun!

Summary: Toy Racing with a long history