The hobby of slot car racing is enjoyed by both adults and children. While it is technically a hobby, RC car racing is considered by some to be a sport. The cars used in a slot car race are typically just miniature versions of the real-life stock cars.
Similar to a "Hot Wheels" car, these cars have an electric motor in them and they run on a slot car race track. While many people enjoy this hobby just as a fun past-time, others take it very seriously and will go to great lengths to fabricate their own cars or modify a commercially built one so so it will perform optimally.
The slot car racing world is made up of a variety of different racing enthusiasts. Some, like little boys, choose to just race commercially built slot cars in the basement or a garage somewhere. Others will go to any extreme to participate in highly publicized races that require specifically built or modified cars that perform at high levels not normally seen in hobby RC car racing.
Most of these slot car race competitions pay good money to the winner. Those who are not interested in competitively racing slot cars may choose to simply collect the cars and will work on creating a custom automobile racing slot track, similar to the ones produced by model train aficionado's.
There is a special kind of track that is used in slot car racing. The track is flat with a groove, or slot, that runs down the middle of it. Metal strips run the length of the track on either side of the slot and provide a source of power for the vehicle as it moves along. The low voltage electric motor receives its power when it comes into contact with those metal strips on the track.
The driver has a controller that he holds in his hands; however, it only controls the speed of the vehicle. This is vitally important, however, for the purpose of keeping the vehicle on the track. Leaving the track will disqualify the driver in a competitive race.
Magnet traction is used to help keep the vehicle in its track during slot car racing. It is legal, but it is not liked by many RC vehicle racing enthusiasts. This is because many feel that it takes away the advantage of the rear swing of the vehicle and the ability to use propulsion to an advantage around curves. They also feel it takes away from the original notification and challenge of RC car racing.
