[gboulton]

Greetings, all!

While I am relatively new to the serious side of the slot car hobby (previous experience was with the old Tyco HO scale sets back in the 70's) I'm not new to forming/being involved in hobby related clubs.

I'm interested in perhaps forming a local slot club, and would like some input...particular from those who are active members and/or leaders of existing regional clubs.

1) It strikes me, from lurking on this and other sites, that the slot car hobby seems to be considerably larger and more organized outside of the US, where I'm located. Is this perception correct, or am I simply lurking on the wrong sites?

If it is correct, why do you think this is? Is it simply a function of the fact that most producers of equipment are located outside of the US, or is there some "deeper" factor, such as higher popularity of motorsports, or...

2) Along the lines of #1 above...while I see there are organizations such as NSCC that do have representation in the states, I haven't yet located a similar US based organization. For example, model railroaders have the NMRA - National Model Railroad Association, which helps set standards for the hobby, encourage its growth, and provide resources to hobbyists. From what I've read, this is the same sort of function that NSCC strives to provide. Is there a US equivalent? If there is, do any of you have experience with it? Can you give me some insight as to why a local club might want to join it?

3) As hobbyists active in local or regional clubs, can you share with me some of your views on a club's purpose/organization? For example, do you think having a dedicated meeting location/raceway is important to a club's success, or can a club thrive with members visiting each others' home raceways? Do you prefer strict rules/classifications/by-laws for a club, with a focus on racing, or a more open "run what you brought, we're just enjoying each others' company" style?

4) Is/are there any track accessories/equipment that you would consider essential for any club? For example, do you feel that some sort of RMS is critical?

5) If you were starting a club in your area, what means would you use to "get the word out"? Flyers at hobby stores, posts on websites like this one, etc? What methods can you think of? (Presume that the area has no local slot raceway)

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I'm interested in any input or ideas anyone wishes to share. Please don't limit yourself to the questions I've asked above.

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds!

/gb

 

[gboulton]

Just wanted to give this a bump since it's a day old with no replies.

/gb

 

[Scott B]

1) It strikes me, from lurking on this and other sites, that the slot car hobby seems to be considerably larger and more organized outside of the US, where I'm located. Is this perception correct, or am I simply lurking on the wrong sites?

If it is correct, why do you think this is? Is it simply a function of the fact that most producers of equipment are located outside of the US, or is there some "deeper" factor, such as higher popularity of motorsports, or...

If it is your perception it is not wrong, just what you see. The biggest thing about clubs is finding them. I got to three regularly and know of another two within the same distance, but i knew of none of them until 18 months ago. Awareness is the issue, not proliferation. As long as there is a club near you there will appear to be lots of slot racers.

2) Along the lines of #1 above...while I see there are organizations such as NSCC that do have representation in the states, I haven't yet located a similar US based organization. For example, model railroaders have the NMRA - National Model Railroad Association, which helps set standards for the hobby, encourage its growth, and provide resources to hobbyists. From what I've read, this is the same sort of function that NSCC strives to provide. Is there a US equivalent? If there is, do any of you have experience with it? Can you give me some insight as to why a local club might want to join it?

I'm not aware of a US NSCC, by why isn't the NSCC enough? The NSCC event are just events run by a few people who happen to do it under the banner of the NSCC, probably to reach a strong core audience. If the NSCC vanished tomorrow i suspect there would still be the usual swapmeets, etc. Equally, I am sure if you were to join the NSCC and supply copy for the newsletter and web site about what's happening in the US it would be very welcome and encourage fellow US based slotters to get in touch.

3) As hobbyists active in local or regional clubs, can you share with me some of your views on a club's purpose/organization? For example, do you think having a dedicated meeting location/raceway is important to a club's success, or can a club thrive with members visiting each others' home raceways? Do you prefer strict rules/classifications/by-laws for a club, with a focus on racing, or a more open "run what you brought, we're just enjoying each others' company" style?

All the above. Do what suits you.

4) Is/are there any track accessories/equipment that you would consider essential for any club? For example, do you feel that some sort of RMS is critical?

No. Someone to say 3-2-1-go! and count down the laps is all you need.

5) If you were starting a club in your area, what means would you use to "get the word out"? Flyers at hobby stores, posts on web sites like this one, etc? What methods can you think of? (Presume that the area has no local slot raceway)

All the above plus local paper classifieds, maybe even eBay, but best bet is web sites and local shops - after all you are looking for people with slot cars.

Good luck!

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I'm interested in any input or ideas anyone wishes to share. Please don't limit yourself to the questions I've asked above.

 

[gboulton]

If it is your perception it is not wrong, just what you see. The biggest thing about clubs is finding them. I got to three regularly and know of another two within the same distance, but i knew of none of them until 18 months ago. Awareness is the issue, not proliferation. As long as there is a club near you there will appear to be lots of slot racers.

*heh* That pretty much confirms then what I'm thinking....that there's not a club nearby

With the exception of one local 'raceway' and a couple of hobby shops, it's as though the words 'slot car' have never been used together before.

I mention a local raceway....dropped by there the other day, to check them out. Suffice to say, I now know what happens when ******** get into slot racing. They produce pieced together 'machines' that, in some cases vaguely resemble car shaped things, and then apply every trick they can (including one guy who had taped a large cardboard sheet to the front of the car for downforce) to travel around an unrealistic steeply banked 'course' without letting off the throttle. Not, exactly, what I had in mind.

I'm not aware of a US NSCC, by why isn't the NSCC enough?

I guess that's really my question. Would it be?? I admit I know very little about the NSCC, other than what I've read here...and that seems to be mostly discussions about either upcoming meets, or whether non-members should be allowed to attend them.

From the point of view of club leadership, I honestly don't KNOW what the NSCC could bring to the table, what its benefits would be, or whether it would be useful for a small local US club to be a member. I know several members of the NSCC's leadership are active here, perhaps one of you could enlighten me?

The NSCC event are just events run by a few people who happen to do it under the banner of the NSCC, probably to reach a strong core audience...Equally, I am sure if you were to join the NSCC and supply copy for the newsletter and web site about what's happening in the US it would be very welcome and encourage fellow US based slotters to get in touch.

Perhaps so. Certainly the point of any club of hobbyists, at least imo, is to share their enjoyment of the hobby with others and attempt to promote the hobby. This seems to be, or is at least stated as, the mission of the NSCC.

However, is the NSCC, since it is based outside of the US, concerned with promoting the hobby and serving the wishes of US slotters? I'm not saying it's bad if they're not, simply that I don't know what their level of interest/commitment is along those lines.

3) As hobbyists active in local or regional clubs, can you share with me some of your views on a club's purpose/organization? For example, do you think having a dedicated meeting location/raceway is important to a club's success, or can a club thrive with members visiting each others' home raceways? Do you prefer strict rules/classifications/by-laws for a club, with a focus on racing, or a more open "run what you brought, we're just enjoying each others' company" style?

All the above. Do what suits you.

*heh* Kinda figured that was the answer I'd get.

A fair answer, though, certainly.

4) Is/are there any track accessories/equipment that you would consider essential for any club? For example, do you feel that some sort of RMS is critical?

No. Someone to say 3-2-1-go! and count down the laps is all you need.

This was, to be honest, my opinion...but, again, having no experience with a slot club, I thought I'd give the opportunity for someone to say "If you don't have ______. your members will quickly grow frustrated with race events"

5) If you were starting a club in your area, what means would you use to "get the word out"? Flyers at hobby stores, posts on web sites like this one, etc? What methods can you think of? (Presume that the area has no local slot raceway)

All the above plus local paper classifieds, maybe even eBay, but best bet is web sites and local shops - after all you are looking for people with slot cars.

Excellent additions, and I thank you for them.

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Scott,

Thanks for taking the time to deliver an informative response. I know my original post was a bear to slog through, and I appreciate your investment of time and effort.

Anyone else out there willing to comment or offer insight? I'm eager to hear anyone's thoughts on these issues, or others, and particularly interested in hearing from some of you NSCC folks!

/gb

 

[montoya1]

I think slot cars are huge in the USA, much bigger than over here. Certainly there are more websites.

But that's because they race HO scale mostly. Everything from $4 re-pops of old Aurora chassis to mildly hotted Tycos to $400 missiles. You should consider going for this scale.

I know most of the poeple you would need to siddle up to so contact me on my email (click on 'card' below left)

Regds - Deane

PS - What part of the USA are you from?

 

[astro]

getting the word out - schools and youth club notice boards too

 

[gboulton]

Deane,

I should have made myself more clear and stated that my interest is a 1/32 club. Sorry about that.

To answer your question, I'm in Nashville, TN.

astro,

Both excellent suggestions, neither of which would have come to my mind.

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As it turns out, I was at the local hobby shop yesterday. Owner is a slotter from way back, has recently purchased the local franchise hobby store, and is significantly upgrading its selection of both HO and 1:32 slot equipment. Had a rather lengthy conversation with him, and learned a few things...

1) No, there is not, that he's been able to find after dilligent search, a 1:32 club anywhere in the area.

2) Yes, he'd be quite interested in supporting the formation of one, even offering space at the shop for meets every few months.

3) He'll happily become the club's first member. *heh*

So, it certainly looks like there's room for such a club around here.

Again, i appreciate all the input, folks. keep it coming!

/gb

 

[JEXY1]

Hi gboulton

As Scott mentioned the NSCC may be an answer (however i am biased!).

We already have a number of NSCC members in the States and in South America and Canada (the Dec journal had a very interesting article written by a member from South America).

The Dutch have an local NSCC type club which has close ties with the NSCC, but runs it's own club and journal in Dutch.

It will all depend on what you want out of the club?

In my experience getting clubs and organizations to firm up racing rules and classes etc never works, people will always do what they want at their own clubs in their own regions depending on tracks and racing styles etc.

In the UK we have the BSCRA which runs a race championship to strict rules (mainly brass chassis and Vac formed). The NSCC is running a Championship this year (to celebrate our 25th Anniversary) but this is a one off special.

Starting a club or organization is tricky, you need a core of members to start and then see how it goes. Scale will be your biggest problem! the USA is a bit bigger than the UK, like i said the NSCC is International. Maybe a USA NSCC is an idea, but the drive would need to come form the USA.

Once you have formed a club you can organise some local swapmeets or race events.

Good luck in what ever you try, keep in touch and maybe we can assist in some way.

Full details on the NSCC can be found on our web site WWW.NSCC.CO.UK

Gareth