Cleveland Slot Car Show: Big Crowds...Old Crowds...and a Nice Haul.

 As long as I've collected slot cars, I've never been to a slot car show...so I was keen to drive up toward Cleveland this past weekend to check out the Cleveland Slot Car Show. Organized by the Model Motoring Club, the show primarily features HO stuff - but there was plenty of eye candy for 1:32 fans like me, and I managed to pick up some nice cars at some nice prices.

I was surprised how many were in attendance, as the main parking lot at the Quality Inn was completely full. There was a large overflow lot on the south side of the hotel, and it was almost full as well. I paid my $5 admission fee (also gets you a raffle ticket) and entered the main hall, which was full of people carefully moving up and down the aisles, trying to keep out of each other's way and scrutinizing all the cool stuff that was for sale. Local retailer Bad L's Hobby had some nice 1:32 cars available, and I snatched up a 5th Scalextric Mini for my collection. I don't normally buy that type of car, but they are so much fun to drive that I have wanted to get one for every member of the family.

There was a dealer at the back of the hall that really caught my eye - with a big selection of classic Fly, Slot.It, Ninco, SCX and Scalextric cars - as well as some collector special editions and other odd-and-ends, like those over-scale Vanquish cars. Discounts on purchases of 2 were eagerly applied and a LOT of people were sorting through what was available. My last purchase was an orange Carrera Hemi Cuda, that though gently used, was about half the price you'd find for a similar car on eBay. Finally, that GTO I was given as a gift many years ago has something to race against!

As I left, I scanned the crowd and one thing was clearly evident: this hobby is aging, for sure. I'm certainly no young buck, but the vast majority of the people here were males between 55-70+ years old. In such close quarters, I reflected for a brief moment that it was probably a good place to catch a case of COVID...but not hearing an excess of coughing, hacking or other old man sounds, I happily carried on. When I got out to the parking lot, some guys had a grill set up behind their pickup and were looking over their purchases and cooking up some lunch, like they were in the Muny lot before a Browns game (without the drunkeness or fighting). All in all, it was a fun time and definitely worth the drive.

What Does a Slot Car Racing Champ Do? Start His Own Club.

A retired holiday park manager and British slot car racing champion, Ant Hawkes is committed to doing his part to expand the hobby.  The 71-year old is holding a free introductory event this month to launch the Dumfries Slot Car Club. Ant secured a space for his racing track at a local YMCA, where the new club will be based.

The Dumfries Slot Car Club Track

The Daily Record reports that Ant, who has been racing slot cars since 1968, recognizes that most established slot car racers are middle aged or older. Nevertheless, he sees a number of younger people being attracted to the hobby.

“My plan is to invite people along to the YMCA to make an event of it as a launch, he says. The purpose of the club is to provide a safe and friendly environment for model car racing enthusiasts of all ages and abilities”

It's good to see an older generation recognize the need to bring younger people into the hobby. To read the entire article, go HERE.

How Dirt Track Racers Are Spending Their Winter Months

 Just came across this story out of Moline, Illinois, from KWOC-TV 6 - highlighting the activities at the local slot car raceway, which have picked up significantly during the pandemic. The group of participants is comprised of former real-world racers or people that have been drivers, fans, speedway fire-rescue members and other people who decided they wanted something to do in the winter months.

Spread a little baked wheat flour down and suddenly you have a "Dirt Track."

Located in the huge garage of a former sprint car driver, Bent Wrench Speedway--as it is called--shares space with some vintage vehicles, lots of spare parts and loads of construction and mechanic's equipment. Patrick Moore, who owns the garage, is a third generation racer, and his family has been collecting and enjoying slot cars for decades. Slot racing has allowed the locals to still enjoy some competition during the winter season.

To make the miniature dirt-track racing more authentic, they bake wheat flour at 350 degrees for an hour and then spread it over the slot car track. That becomes the "dirt track" racing surface, allowing the cars to slip-slide around.  For the complete story and video footage, check out the KWOC-TV website.

Pandemic Positives: Worldwide Slot Car Chat

 I know there hasn't been much good about the COVID-19 pandemic, aside from some hobbyists having more time to devote to some of their track and car building projects, but one thing I came across that has been a great source of information and enjoyment is the weekly Worldwide Slot Car Chat, hosted by Greg Gaub on his YouTube channel. Each week, since last April, Greg has been setting up a Zoom meeting for slot car enthusiasts from around the world to share their projects, tips, advice and experiences in an open forum that's fun and extremely informative.

The weekly Zoom slot car chat has visitors from all over the world.

And when he calls it "worldwide" - it's exactly that. Among the "regulars" and weekly visitors are hobbyists from Britain, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, All over the EU (Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands and more) as well as throughout the U.S. (even Hawaii)! Likewise, the level of experience and the range of specific interests adds to the enjoyment here. There are old-school modellers and racers who started as kids back in the 1960's, people who came into the hobby later in life who have created awesome tracks and built large collections, and relative newcomers who have lots of enthusiasm and lots of questions.

Like all the best online resources and gathering places, the discussions are helpful, positive and often fascinating, as everyone shares their unique perspectives and thoughts on how they enjoy the slot car hobby. While a dozen or more participants will appear on-camera, there are many other who just join in to talk sans video or just listen in. You'll find that some folks are more into car building, some into track building and scenery, many are into racing of various types and some just enjoy collecting. Whatever you're into, you'll find something of interest here, like:

3D Modelling and Printing
Track Building
Car / Chassis Design & Construction
Slot Car Manufacturers
Hobby History & Development
Racing Tips & Club Activities
Molding, Casting & Scenery Construction
Sources for Hobby Products & Accessories
Electrical Systems, Controls and Track Timing
...and much more!

I have been binge-watching all the episodes that have been posted over the past year, and I've learned a lot; it's almost like attending Slot Car School! Greg posts meeting times on all the primary slot car forums, so checkout a few episodes and join the fun. Anyone is encouraged to drop in--there's no registration or experience level required to participate, so you can log in, share something about yourself, and feel free to ask questions. You'll be glad you did.

Fun in The Heartland: Community Gets Slot Car Fever

In Stacyville, Iowa, you'll find that cars and racing go together, but for one group of guys, it's taken on new meaning. At Gerb's Bar & Grill, owner Jerry Gerbig thought slot car racing might make for a fun and interesting diversion for his patrons (and their kids, judging from the photo) instituting a 12-week racing season that has attracted about 10-15 participants on racing nights.

Races last about 50 laps, with time trials begining at 8 and racing starting at 8:30. The track utilizes a digital system that can handle up to 6 cars - with each racer paying a $4 entry fee on race night.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mitchell County Press News.

"We see guys as young as fourth grade and as old as 50 racing," says race Chris Adams. "Also, we don't have the young guys race separate from the older guys. Everyone is mixed together."

I would guess here that the atmosphere at Gerb's is more like a neighborhood restaurant or English Pub than your typical bar and grill, so those who might raise eyebrows at kids racing in such an environment can probably rest easy. In any case, bringing young and old together to race slot cars can never be a bad thing!

Read more on the story HERE.

Hobby Growth: Open Day at Bexhill

Every once in a while on the slot car forums, members will discuss various ways that we can attract more people to the hobby. You'll always come across a few interesting ideas, but sometimes it can be as simple as opening the club's doors to the public and inviting them to share the fun.

That's exactly what the Bexhill [UK] Scale Slot Car Club did when they held a special open-to-the-public event at White House Farm in Netherfield, near Battle. The club's Open Day attracted people from as far away as Devon, according to Martin Douglas, the club’s chairman.

“The open day was a success and we had people coming and going all day," he said. "There were always at least a dozen visitors inside. A lot of young people with their parents came, as well as those who had not raced slot cars for 40 years. We have had a lot of emails since the weekend asking about club membership.”

Hats off to the club for doing their part to expand the hobby!
PHOTO CREDITS: Bexhill Observer.