Scalextric - Getting started
Tracks and Accessories
A Welcome to Scalextric and a few helpful words.
Please read through these FAQs. There's a lot of helpful information for the beginner and the enthusiast. Here's a few guide lines for the newcomer to the hobby.
1; There is no age barrier. Our Scalextric Enthusiasts Club shows we have members from 7 years old (sometimes younger) to +70 years old, of both sexes! This is also refelcted in Scalextric clubs around the world.
2; There are no hard and fast rules about what cars race together, what shape circuits should be and what race rules should be used. In fact, most enthusiasts make up their own rules, design their own circuits and choose which cars to use. We encourage fans to be as creative as possible. Organised racing takes place in Scalextric clubs around the world. Our own Scalextric roadshow and exhibitions also provide organised racing. We also arrange national and international racing championships. How involved you want to get is entirely up to you! Scalextric is hobby and a sport.
3; New to Scalextric? The best way to get up and running is to buy a set. This gives you all the equipment you need to race right out of the box. You can increase your car stable by buyin individual cars anf you layout can grow by purchasing separate track pieces. Often, buying an additional set is good value for money. This way you can increase the amount of track you have very quickly and will give you the luxury of designing your own alternative circuit layouts. Scalextric layouts do NOT have to be laid out as per the suggested circuit on the box lid. Be creative, design your own circuits too!
4; Most Scalextric cars are can be used on any track layout without any problems. You decide which cars for the circuit.
Tracks and Accessories
Q. Differences between Sport and Classic track?
A. Here are the main benefits that Scalextric Sport track has over our older Classic track system. Sport Track: 1/ Quick fit connecting system allows less time constructing and more time racing. 2/ Smooth flat track surface allows more tyre rubber to grip the track. 3/ Flat road surface makes car more stable at speed. 4/ Improved electrical connection between track pieces improves electrical continuity. 5/ New track design has improved rigidity which keeps track flat. Classic track: 1/ Longer set-up time. 2/ Rough track surface gives less tyre surface area to track. 3/ Bumpier track surface allows cars to fall off or de-slot more easily. 4/ Electrical connectivity not as efficient. 5/ Track more likely to bend due to inherent design.
Tracks and Accessories
Q. I have two boxed Scalextric sets and a lot of extra track. Is there a four lane power piece for Scalextric as I am interested in starting my own club?
A. Yes, for Classic Track: substitute the two powerbases with one C8066 Power Plus System and one C8124 Multi-lane Power Plus System - this will give you the ability for 4 lane racing. You will need four C912 transformers in total so you will need to buy another two to provide independent power to the four lanes. For Sport track: Use a C8217 Power & Control and a C8241 Power & Control Multi-lane. Also a C912 wall mount power supply. Preferably, use a power supply for each lane (4).
Tracks and Accessories
Q. Identifying track pieces.
A. Everyday users of Scalextric should refer to the current catalogue for track piece information and use the regular 'C' numbers.
However, enthusiasts and collectors will find this table informative.
Every piece of scalextric track has a letter embossed on to the underside of the track in addition to the standard 'C' number. 'C' reference numbers change over the years and in the last 40 years there have been at least four different referenceing conventions. Here's the list: A-K
Engraving C Ref Category Description
A C8217 Straight Power Base
AX L10874 Straight Powerbase extended with border
AZ L10101 Straight Digital Sport World
AZ L10162 Straight Digital Std powerbase
B C8205 Straight Standard Straight
BA C8223 Border Border ½ Straight (L8681)
BB C8224 Border Border (Outer Curve) R3 (L8680)
BC C8225 Border Border (Inner Curve) R2 (L8679)
BD C8228 Border Border (Std Out Curve) R2 45 ( L7989)
BE C8233 Border Border Lead in L/H (L7991)
BF C8233 Border Border Lead in R/H (L7992)
BG C8238 Border Border (R4 outer 22.5 deg)
BH C8239 Border Border (R2 outer 22.5 deg)
BJ C8240 Border Border (R1 outer 45 degree)
BK ML10872 Border 45/90 degree straight border LH
BL C8279 Border Border 180 degree Inner
BM C8280 Border Border R2 Inner
BN C8281 Border Border R3 Inner
BP C8282 Border Border R4 Inner
BR ML10873 Border 45/90 degree straight border RH
C C8206 Curve Std Curve 45 R2
CB C8296 Curve R2 45 degree Bank Curve
D C8207 Straight Half Straight
E C8203 Curve Racing Curve R2
EA C8215 Straight Electronic Lap Counter
EB C8216 Straight Pacer
ED C8143 Straight RMS (PC Interactive) Track
F C8200 Straight Quarter Straight
G C8246 Straight Side Swipe L to R
H C8246 Straight Side Swipe R to L
J C8201 Curve Hairpin Curve
K C8202 Curve Inner Curve 45 R1
L C8211 Straight Leap Take off
M C8211 Straight Leap Landing
N C8204 Curve Outer Curve R3
NNB C8297 Curve R3 45 Degree Bank Curve
P C8210 Straight 90 Crossover
R C8222 Straight Converter ½ Straight
S C8235 Curve 22.5 Curve R4
T C8236 Straight Short Straight
U C8234 Curve 22.5 degree Curve
V C8278 Curve 22.5degree R1 Curve
W C8295 Straight Elevated Crossover Track
X L9928 Curve Digital Lane Change R to L
Y L9929 Curve Digital Lane Change L to R
Z1 L9926 Straight Half Straight Sensor Track
Z2 L9927 Straight Half Straight Power Break Track
Tracks and Accessories
Q. NEW SPORT AND CLASSIC TRACK PIECES ARE COMPATIBLE.
A. ONE OF OUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS is in regard to the compatability of old (Classic) and new (Sport) track. Answers: Classic track connecting to Sport track. Classic and Sport compatible with the use of a converter straight, reference C8222. With a pair of these converters it is convenient to connect all your new style track to your old style track. This means that you can utilise the special track sections from both ranges in to whatever circuit design you are building. RMS gives you the ability to design your own circuits too! All Scalextric stockists should be aware of the converter piece C8222 and its usage. The stockists will also have been strongly encouraged to stock this converter section. The track piece is a low cost accessory. Rubber track connecting to Classic track: Rubber Scalextric track manufactured up to 1963 is compatible with Classic track with the use of a converter section available at the time. This means that ALL Scalextric track from 1959 to the present day can be used within the same layout. I hope this helps but please contact the Helpline (01843-233525) or email me adrian.norman@hornby.com Happy Racing, Adrian Norman Consumer Promotions Manager - Scalextric
Tracks and Accessories
Q. Power dips or breaks. How to repair:
A. When a car stops on circuit this always indicates TWO breaks in electrical continuity since electricity travels in both directions around the track. If there was only one break then you would not notice it as electricity would have flowed from either direction! The way to correct this problem is to disconnect the track behind the power base. Then drive a car forward at a slow speed. When the car crosses from one piece of track to the next there should not be a drop in power/speed. If there is a drop or loss in power, then fix the track connection. Disconnect both track pieces (the track piece immediately before and after the fault). Turn them over and ensure that the metal rail tabs at the ends of the rails (there are 8 of them on every track piece) are fully pressed and clamped down to the plastic. Use a stout screwdriver or similar to push them tight. Reconnect the track pieces and retest by placing the car back at the power base and again drive the car slowly forward until you meet the next reduced or lost power section. Continue the above repair process until you get to the last track piece and then reconnect the last track piece to the power base.
Tracks and Accessories
Q. What is the best way of fixing track to a baseboard?
A. Scalextric Sport Track: In an ideal world, it is best not to nail or glue the track to a base board at all. The reason for this is that plastic and metal (the two ingredients of Scalextric track) expand and contract at different rates. So, on hot days the plastic will expand larger than the rail. Of course, the rail won't let the plastic expand evenly due to the rail gripping the plastic, this is when the track surface 'warps'. When the track is laid loose the circuit can 'grow' and absorb and expansion due to heat. If he track is not allowed to move freely (ie nailed down) then any expansion will only lead to uneven surfaces. If the layout is to lay flat, leave the track loose. Keep the layout in a dry and constant temperature room. This normally means that the loft, shed and garage are not good places. A: Scalextric Classic Track: If you wish to secure the track to a board then ou may wish to consider this method: With a 1/16" drill, drill a hole, from the underside, through the centre of the boss over which fits the star shaped connector from the adjacent track section. The track can then be fixed down by a 3/4" ordinary round head wire nail through the hole. One nail per track section would be sufficient. The heads can be touched in with black paint to make them unobtrusive. We suggest the use of either ply wood or MDF (medium density fibreboard). Micro Scalextric The best method of fixing Scalextric Micro track to a baseboard is to drill, from the underside, a 1/32" hole in the centre of the circular boss. The track can then be pinned down through this hole using a suitable panel pin.