Hi Harleridr.
If you're looking at 1/32 scale track there are 5 basic brands.
Scalextric: Arguably the most popular brand for track in Britain. The track is divided into two distinct types: Classic track (pre 2002) and Sports track (post 2002).
Classic track is a little more textured than the current track. The plastic is a little harder, some would argue it can be brittle. The slot is slightly shallower and the rails are a little raised from the track surface.
Sport track is less textured with a slightly deeper slot. It has a different connector system to the Classic. The plastic is softer and more flexible which can be seen as a plus because it can be tempted into all sorts of bumps and twists by the devious track builder (eg. ME
)
Scalextric track has 4 difference radius corners available allowing for the (theoretical) building of 8 lane race track.
SCX: The Spanish version of Scalextric. SCX until recently were using the same track system as was formerly available as Scalextric Classic. They have recently changed their analogue track format to be compatible with their digital track.
SCX offer some interesting specialty tracks including off-road/raid, ice and snow. SCX offer 4 different radius corners.
Artin: A hard plastic track of a relatively inexpensive nature. Medium texture. Apparently no longer directly available in the US, but still available in Australia and other countries. This track system does have specific 4 lane packs available.
Ninco: A Spanish brand, Ninco track is considerably wider than the previously mentioned track systems. The track is very heavily textured which means good grip to some people or too much grip to others. Ninco offer track only packs specifically aimed at Club racing. Ninco also offers 5 different corner radii allowing up to 10 lane track builds.
Ninco track is available in a variety of specialty colours for asphalt, dirt and snow surfaces.
Carrera: The largest of all track classes available in 1:32 scale. This track, from Germany, is a hard plastic with a medium texture. Carrera track has stainless steel rails which is an advantage to those building tracks in humid areas. As the largest of all tracks it is not suitable for tight, twisty track builds. Carrera claims its track system is wide enough to allow for 1:24 scale cars to run on it (many would argue the feasibility of this claim).
Another oddity with Carrera is that their corners are based, not on 4 or 8 pieces to the circle, but 6 or 12 for a full circle. Again, this can be seen as either good or bad, depending on whether or not you are a Carrera fan.
I think that about covers the track basics. Other that any brand of 1:32 car will run on any brand of 1:32 track (nb: some adjustment may be required to Carrera cars due to the large 'guide' on their cars).
Welcome to the madness that is the forum and back to the addiction that is Slotting.
Embs