Do I really need more than this?

[SuperSlab]

I was just going over Bibbster's review of the Spirit Porsche 936 and it reminded me of a thought that has frequently come to me in recent times. It would come into my mind unbidden while I am running a dead simple, relatively inexpensive, generally not-highly-regarded-on-forums type of car. I would be running this car around the track, it would be looking great and be performing out of all proportions to expectations, I would have this great big smile on my face and suddenly: "The Thought" jumps out:

Do I really need anything more than this in a slot car?

I mean: really: the car looks great, it is quiet, it is smooth, it handles like a dream, it would generally not be killer fast in a straight line.... but I would be turning consistently ridiculously quick lap times.

And which cars would prompt this, you may well ask? How about a random selection that has recently caused this, presented in no particular order:

Spirit Porsche 936 (Duh: that was what started all this!)
Scalextric Peugeot 908
Rev-Mon March 83G
Fly Porsche 908
Fly Porsche 917
Carrera Porsche 997
Fly Alfa Romeo TZ2
Scalextric Williams F1 (faster than almost all my Slot.its!!!)
Fly Ford GT40
Carrera BMW M3
Scaley Camaro (69 and 70)
Fly Alfa GTAm (Front engine yet!)
Carrera Auto Union Streamliner
Fly BMW M1
Fly Lola Mk III
Fly Ferrari 512

and the list goes on and on!

All of these on a technical wood track, no magnet and with no parts replaced: just urethane tyres added, everything cleaned and tidied, body float added and all nicely lubricated.

And in looking at the list: remarkable how often Fly crops up.

And another thing: the lap times are often VERY impressive for what these cars are. Like the Scaley Williams F1 being just a touch slower than my NSR P68 and faster than my NSR Clio. Like my Spirit 936 being faster than any of my Slot.it Porsche 956's. Etc. Etc.

These cars probably give me as much or more pleasure than my screamingly fast NSR Audi R8 or almost equally fast Avant Porsche Spyder. You just have to have an eye to see and an ear to hear I suppose...

[HRWJim]

Great topic. I was just telling Harry today how surprised I was at the Flt Alfa GT am I picked up . For a front motoed car it took very little to make it a great running car. JIm

[goosenapper]

I think this a lot. I generally run alone, so I have one car on the track. My track has two lanes. How many cars do I really need? I'd want my favorite, (Scalextric Ferrari 330) and then two more runners for when I race with someone, so I could get by with 3 and probably keep breathing. Of course, then I read a review here or see a deal somewhere that I just can't pass up... That's how I ended up with over ten cars before I ever even bought my first track set! I'm scared to count them now. :shifty:

[Florida_Slotter]

Whoa, there ya' go . . . . . however there is a huge difference between what you NEED and what you WANT!

Some of us just want to go fast, faster then anyone else can go on a particular track. I think much of that comes from the 'Y' chromosome.

So, does it come down to what you need or what you want?

Just asking.

[HomeRacingWorld]

Yes, great topic.

I agree with you. Many of the models we have the most fun with are very simple. And like you, we are on wood but most times all the cars need a tire change and little massaging like you mentioned. I am guilty of modifying some cars to get them the smoothest I can, but the truth is that it is just my personal taste. These cars most times don't "need" these things to enjoy them.

Of course it all depends on your own taste and approach to the hobby.

Good one!

[OctagonSpirit]

Yes, I do need more than that.

I operate a commercial racing series for 1/32nd scale cars. Cars without smooth and straight 3/32" axles and set screw gears are at a huge disadvantage out of the gate. Cars that require tremendous amounts of work to fit a guide flag of an appropriate size are at a huge disadvantage.

When newcomers ask what car they should get for running OSRL, I recommend a Slot-It 962C as the bare minimum.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

On the other hand, this is Home Racing World, not Commercial Racing World. For most of us, going to a commercial track is a rarity, a special event.

[goosenapper]

[TsgtRet]

My collection is about 60 cars. Due to the group I race with I have many cars that are the only one of a class (for instance I only have one modern NASCAR). The cars I have multiples of are the classes I like and would like to run on the home track (temporarily disassembled) with friends. Also I buy most of my cars "on a whim" because I like them or they are a bit different; for instance I have both the pink Venturi and the OD Green Panoz from Fly and that single NASCAR is sponsored by "Strickland Propane" (KOTH fans will get it). I'm here to have fun, not to be the fastest or the best. BTW our "commercial track" is an 88' Carrera 4 lane in the back corner of the local RC Racing emporium.

[nhdungeonracer]

[RazorJon]

what does it for me is building a chassis from bits of K&S brass and seeing it go on the track, It dont need to be fast just stay on the track

[Florida_Slotter]

[DAVE]

Enough is never enough. It's like Can-Am, where excess is barely adequate.

[chappyman66]

For me, it's all about having fun. I have built chassis from resin castings, flat sheet styrene, hand cast wheels and tires, and clear bodies. I get cars that you just can't get other places.
Are they fast? Not so much. Are they a blast to race against each other? Oh yeah. Do you care if you nerf or get nerfed when the car cost you $5 to assemble and $3 was the motor? Not even!

A bunch of well matched cars are the most fun in an evening, IMHO. And oh yeah......the Fly Classics show up very routinely in the local club list of favorite cars.

Have fun, race toy cars!

[dreinecke]

As my tuning skills improve, I find I am pleased most with a smooth running and handling car. I've driven insanely fast cars, and these frankly do more for me than those.

No matter what you like, I don't think there has ever been a better time to be in the hobby!