[The Governor]

I just picked up a cracking bargian at Argos, the Carrera Le Mans set for £18, so I bought two and have put them together to make one track.

However, looking at it, I reckon I need to buy a few bits.. I'd like a chicane, and a couple of crossovers plus a lap counter/timer and a couple of cars..

But, I'm a complete slot novice so have a few questions, would anyone mind giving me some pointers?

As far as cars go, do I need to buy only Carrera ones, or can I buy other makes? Plus does anyone have an recommendations as far as cars go?

If I buy a lapcounter and put crossovers in, how does the counter know which car it is counting? Would not just count whatver goes past, thereby stopping you knowing who is actually in front?

Finally, are there any good but inexpensive UK stores for this stuff, I want to dip my toe in before shelling out loads of cash, I need to convinice the missus

Thanks very much to anyone who can be nothered to help out a useless noob

 

[The Muffin Man]

Hi Gov and welcome aboard

Well done on the carrera sets...an absolute bargain if ever there was one.

In answer to your questions:

Any 1/32 cars (and actually 1/24) will run on your carrera track so you can look at cars from all the big manufacturers (scalextric, ninco, fly, scx, carrera etc.) as well as some of the more specialist/smaller manufacturers. There's plenty of choice available.

Recommendations will always be on the "how long is a piece of string" variety as everyone has their favs. Personnally I would recommend sticking to the brands mentioned above to start with, then see what you prefer....perhaps try one car from each manufacturer to get a feel for the difference.

I would recommend scalextric, ninco or carrera as they usually run well out of the box. Fly and scx can need a bit more tinkering to get running well. Specific car recommnedations come down to taste (i.e. some like f1 cars, some like road cars, some like gt cars and some like em all!)

Re: crossovers, you would run them in even number multiples (2, 4 etc) so each time the car goes past the lapcounter it is in the same lane it started in. The advantage of crossovers is to even out lane length so the inside track doesnt have a distinct advantage.

With regard to shops, all I can recommend are some of the online stores. Most of them have special offers most of the time, so you'll be able to increase your fleet without paying top dollar. Some to look at are:

http://www.getslotted.co.uk/

http://www.slotcity.co.uk/

Also check e-bay (just search for scalextric) but be wary of so called "rare" items and check the stores for the normal retail price!.

Hope this gives you some pointers to start with and check all the forum posts and resources too as there is lots of really useful info and reviews.

 

[ProfFate]

Hi

Actually, I always recommend against crossovers and chicanes. Experienced drivers have trouble not hitting other cars in these, novices just find they break cars!

The "equalized" lane length is a deceptive concept. No matter what, one lane will be slightly quicker than the other, and it will not be related to length. Simply, if you are racing and using the lap counter to be sure who wins, Then the fair thing is to run the race twice, say 5 minutes on EACH lane.

Besides, more racing is a Good Thing!

Fate

 

[LMP]

I'd check out the 'special offers' section at www.getslotted.co.uk as there is a cracking sale on until easter monday, with cars at ultra cut prices.

 

[BEEJAY7]

Hi Gov Welcome.

Good advice from all. I must admit I would forget crossovers and chicanes until you get used to driving and Racing.

Don't forget Pendles and MRE who also offer excellent serice. Remember if you buy from a Dealer, (as opposed to Ebay or similar) you will get a good back up service if anything goes wrong. If you ring a Dealer up they will also give advice.

Also keep reading the Forum, loads of good suggestions on here!.

The web links to the above stores are as follows :-

Pendle :- http://www.pendleslotracing.co.uk/

MRE :- http://www.mre.co.uk/

Good luck in starting out in a great hobby.

Regards

Alan

 

[astro]

must agree with the above - I would avoid cross overs and chicanes.

A lap counter or computer RMS type system (computer controlled lap counter with bells on) is pretty vital. Also you may want borders, if your cars are sliding at the curves and hitting the barriers.

I f you have a bridge - make sure you have enough supports to make the track feel rock solid, the cars drive better that way.

Have fun!

 

[The Governor]

Thanks very much to everyone for the replies

Interesting points about crossovers and chicanes, I just wanted them to make the track more interesting

I'm pleased I can buy pretty much any car, trouble is I have no idea where to start! If I wanted a good handling one do you guys have any thoughts?

If it helps I quite like touring cars, and would quite fancy a Seat Leon (because I have a Cupra myself)..

In terms of a lap counter, do you have an recommendations as to which i should go for?

 

[LMP]

A good handling car for a begginer would be one with a fairly strong magnet, this will stop the car sliding around. Scalextric and Fly cars have a strong magnet as standard.

Seat Cordoba: http://www.getslotted.co.uk/ProductDescrip...ctCode=SCX60720

There are more on offer I'm sure, particularly by SCX.

 

[astro]

no hints on touring cars from me, i'm afraid, not my thing.

Nor have I used any carrera compatible lap counters...

But one cool accessory for fun and practice wen ur m8s aren't around, is the scalextric challenger. It is a 'smart' pace car, ie it drives itself, and it learns ur layout, so it can slow for curves and speed up for straights. And it works with carrera track

(if u r interested, there are a lot of threads and resources about it on the forum)

 

[Tropi]

Lap counters brings up an interesting point.
Carrera makes a very good electronic lap counter and it is adjustable for width so that it can be used with ANY make or scale of track. But the interesting point is this - if one wishes to expand a cheap Carrera track set, where does one go for these items? Does anyone in the UK routinely stock the larger radius curves, bridge sections, banks etc? I feel sure there must be someone, but not at all sure who it would be.

 

[LMP]

Back to the subject of touring cars;

Fly make a range of ETCC style BMW M3s and a fairly new range of Alfa 147 cup thingys.

Ninco offer DTM Mercedes and also the M3, maybe a few other types.

SCX do a range of DTM cars, Mercs, Opels and Audi TTs, aswell as other tourng type cars, such as rally cars without huge light clusters orweather effects.

Scalextric do a range of DTM cars and have done BTTC cars in the past, old audi's, vectras, renaults, mondeos etc, these older cars will most likely be found on ebay.

 

[The Governor]

Excellent cheers.

Just for my clarity, to be fair to a;; players I presume I should buy two of each manufactruer? presumably if I race a Ninco against A Scalextric (for example) one will be at a disadvantage?

I think I'm going to order via getslotted.com, they have a £5 off first order and an ongoing loyalty scheme.

If I want a car like the Scalextric GT40 (that has lights and I really fancy a car with working lights

) what should I pair it with, another Scalextric?

I'll also use some loyalty point to by the Carrera lap counter as well I think...

 

[gecko]

SCX (the Spanish brand of Scalextric) do a Seat Leon and the new Toledo Coupe (similar to one driven by Jason Plato in this year's BTCC) - fantastic looking cars, and the plus is I think both have working headlights.

Check out www.pendleslotracing.co.uk, the Leon can be found on the 2002 SCX cars page, give them a ring about the new Toledo.

Cheers

Mark

 

[astro]

for truly fair racing, it would be a good idea to get 2 of the same car from the same manufacturer (but obviously in different liveries!). Different models from the same manufacturer handle and perform very differently (and with some manufacturers, different examples of the same model can perform very differently!)

 

[LMP]

Buying two of each manufacturer would not be a bad idea, especially if you're learning how the cars work.

In the case of the GT40, it is one of scalextrics 'faster' cars. For some reason, its just a wee bit better. I would suggest a similar 'classic' scalextric (corvette, mustang etc) or perhaps a Fly, as some have lights and perform fairly simlarly to the GT40.

One of GetSlotteds useful features is its partner selector, when you view a car, a similar product is suggested as a 'racing partner'. This does tend to be the same car with a different livery, so may not be as useful if your after a bit of variety.

 

[The Governor]

Nice one gents, I think I'm settling on the SCX Seat Leon and the SCX Ford Focus with special dirt effect

Just before I order, am I being rash and ordering completely the wrong kit for my track or am I good to go?

 

[Difflock]

Welcome Guv!

No m8, you're not being rash. You can't really buy the wrong cars for your Carrera track. The rails give good magnetic downforce, but on the other hand the trsck surface is good for non-magnet cars too. Also, it's nice and wide to accomodate any slides

Mark.

 

[LMP]

Yeah just waht I was thinking, the wide track will allow some nice rally drifting!

 

[The Governor]

Superb, I'm off to do some ordering before the missus confiscates me wallet

Thanks a lot for all the tips guys, they're very much appreciated.

And congrats on having such an active forum on Easter Sunday!

 

[The Governor]

Sorry guys one last question

what are the scx cars like underneath? Do they have a blade or just a pin going into the slot?

I suspect the Carrera cars are good because they use a blade?