Slot car set-ups?

[Ritz413]

There is still a race track about an hour drive from me. I would check it out and maybe get involved if it were closer. Got another guy who feels the same way. He used to run those 30 years ago or so when there was more local stuff.

 

[Xraycer]

The owner of our local rc car shop was thinking of getting into selling slot car stuff. How much interest is there generally in these? I'm old enough to remember them back in the 1960's and I guess they never completely died out. I know some of the new made ones now are really detailed and super nice looking.
Is the digital system more popular than the simpler "old time" system? I would like try my hand at them again but I wonder how many others would be interested.
I suppose the only way he could have a multi-lane large track would be to build one.

It's definitely a small niche hobby, so location is everything in regards to getting participants. I used be really into 1/32 in the early 2000, but life got in the way. Still have a large track in my basement, but it needs a lot of elbow grease to get it in prime condition again.....of which I just don't have the time (nor the motivation). I keep telling myself: one of these days.
I prefer the old school, analog platform, and really have no interest in the digital platform. I still have a lot of cars still bnib. They are so detailed that I just find them a joy just to look at.
Unfortunately, I just don't think the slot hobby will catch on with the younger generations, and us old timer are dwindling as the years go by.

 

[Road America]

For me, the digital stuff can get too complicated and spoils the fun. I tried it with model trains and lost interest right away. I think maybe if younger people saw a track and tried it, they would like it. It would be something else to do in our long Wisconsin non - rc car winters.
If we built a track, we would need to learn a lot more about layouts, lane spacing, surface material, etc. I would have no idea what to use for contact strips.
Part of the trouble is a track takes up a lot space!

 

[Xraycer]

For me, the digital stuff can get too complicated and spoils the fun. I tried it with model trains and lost interest right away. I think maybe if younger people saw a track and tried it, they would like it. It would be something else to do in our long Wisconsin non - rc car winters.
If we built a track, we would need to learn a lot more about layouts, lane spacing, surface material, etc. I would have no idea what to use for contact strips.
Part of the trouble is a track takes up a lot space!

Just like anything else, if you could get people to try something new/different, it may just spark a deep interest they didn't even know they have. The more scaled and detailed the cars and tracks are, the more impact it would have on the participants.

These are likely the most economical way to go for contact strips:
3M, 1/4 in Wd, 6 yd Lg, Conductive Electrical Tape - 15C817|1181 - Grainger https://share.google/n5YrwPdycx7Ifcw9K

 

[Road America]

Thanks, that copper tape stuff looks like it would be the right thing. If it got damaged, it would be easy to replace a section.

 

[Serea71]

Slot cars are really cool! Just wish I had the space to build a nice layout

 

[Ritz413]

I used to have the small stuff way back. Like 1/64 scale for at home use. Long gone. Some of the stuff that's available now I have almost bought even though I don't have a track. Like this thing...