Category Indoor Hobbies

Beginners Guide To Tarot Cards & Reading

Tarot Cards & Reading

 

What is Tarot?

Tarot which has previously been known as Trionfi, Tarrochi, Tarock among other names, is a pack of cards that have been used for centuries.

As per a usual deck of cards, Tarot has four different suits which vary depending on the region they originate from.

Tarot can be used to play card games or for spiritual readings and cartomancy.

History of Tarot cards

History of Tarot Reading

Tarot Cards have been used throughout history, starting from the middle of the 15th century. It wasn’t until the 18th century, however, that they were used for divination and cartomancy.

There is a belief that the Tarot cards can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt, but no hard evidence can support this.

Originally Tarot cards were created for the purpose of a game.

Check out the full history of Tarot Cards here.

Tarot for Beginners

What do I need to start Tarot Reading?

 

To begin reading Tarot you won’t need a lot and the investment is tiny, especially for what you get in return from the hobby.

I’ve made a little list of what you need to start with, it’s only the Tarot Cards that are mandatory and anything else is optional.

  1. Tarot Cards (Mandatory)
    You will need a pack of Tarot cards, the next section after this list will explain how to choose tarot cards that are right for you. (Check Tarot Cards Price on Amazon)
  2. Tarot Dictionary (Optional)
    As a beginner, a good Tarot dictionary will help you learn all of the meanings of the cards and can be used as a great reference when looking up meanings. You, of course, do not need to purchase one if you are working with a budget as the information is available online. That being said it’s nice to have a book at hand.
  3. Candles (Optional) 
    Using a colored candle, appropriate to the reading can help create energy for your reading and create a more relaxed aura, making the reading more accurate. Check out this candle colors and correspondences guide. If you are stuck for the color to use, using white is quite general.
  4. Crystals (Optional) 
    Crystals can be used to “recharge” the cards and to help with cleansing. You should store your cards in a container or bag with the crystals. This is, of course, optional and not mandatory.
  5. Container for your Tarot Cards (Optional)
    Your cards should be respected, kept in the original box, you can also opt for a special container or bag to keep your cards in to protect them.

How do I choose a Tarot Deck?

Choosing your first tarot deck can be an overwhelming process with so many types available. Each has their own artwork, stories, energy and such like.

With the way in which we do our shopping changing, the process has also changed. Some people prefer buying online but with some, they like to keep it authentic and want to physically see and feel the deck.

My personal opinion on this is as long as you are drawn to the cards it doesn’t really matter. It’s just about feeling a connection.

Some good tips when choosing your first beginner’s tarot deck to follow:

Connection

The main aspect when choosing your first tarot deck is to try to feel a connection. One that intuitively grabs you.

Try to feel the energy from the cards if you are doing this while shopping online browse the deck images to see if you feel any kind of connection if you’re in an actual shop then pick up some decks in your hand. Does any of them feel right? Always trust your instinct.

Experience

If you have arrived here and are a complete beginner with little to no experience of Tarot or decks then a great starting Tarot deck is the Rider-Waite deck.

The Rider-Waite deck is probably the most basic and simplest to understand with the most information available.

Usage

With there being a large range of different Tarot decks this means you can find one that is more suitable for what you will be using Tarot for.

Here are some examples of different decks and their purpose. If you are unsure on a Tarot deck you have found Google has a wealth of information available in an instant.

Types of Tarot Decks

Osho Zen deck – Helping find an inner peace and tranquillity in life.

Druid Craft – Earth-based rituals and practices.

Goddess Tarot – Connecting you with your inner Goddess.

If you intend to become a professional Tarot reader then you should have numerous decks for alternative purposes so you choose the most relevant for your situation and client.

Choosing a Tarot Deck Summary

There are more factors that you can consider, the size of the cards with Giant, Mini and standard available. Traditional or modern? Imagery and more.

Do not let the choices become overwhelming above all you should follow your intuition.

If you don’t like the cards you are choosing simply replace them.

Don’t spend too much time thinking about it, it should be a spontaneous purchase that is guided by emotion and feeling.

Best Beginner Tarot Spreads

When just starting out in Tarot it is the best practice to keep things as simple as possible, don’t run before you can walk.

You should not try to begin with elaborate and complex spreads, this will not help you learn and may even put you off the Tarot hobby.

Beginner Tarot readers should choose the most basic of spreads to begin. This will help you learn and help your progress.

The following spreads are very simple and are perfect for beginners.

Past, Present, Future

Three Card Tarot Spread

Past, Present & Future tarot spread is a 3 card spread and is a very popular beginners tarot spread.

Drawing your cards place them from left to right directly in front of you. The card to your left is the past, in the middle is the present and to the right the future.

It is important that although we know what has happened in the past that this card is present, the past card allows us to have a deeper understanding of the bigger picture. It tells us who we are and what’s occurring in the present.

The present card tells us where we are now in our lives and can give us clues and an indication of where we will be going in the future. Both the past and present card give us a deeper insight of the future card.

Finally the future card, this card tells us where we are going with our life right now. The future card is not set in stone and can be changed by the choices we make in the present. That being said, the future card shows us where the energy is flowing and the time of the card reading.

This is a great beginners tarot spread as it is simple and effective. It allows us to get a great deal of information concerning life right now and where we are heading in regards to the question we have asked. From this reading, we can make choices about what we need to do to move forward.

Card a day

A very basic and simple tarot spread, as the name suggests it is as simple as drawing a single card per day.

Before drawing the card for the day you will need to focus your energy and asking a question like “What’s in store for me today?” later on before you go to sleep try to relate your experiences that day to the card you pulled.

The Card a day tarot spread is perfect for a beginner because it gives you chance to build intuition and learn more about the cards.

Situation/action/outcome

Another great 3 cards spread for the beginner is the situation-action-outcome tarot spread. It’s a perfect spread for guiding people through situations which may be confusing.

As per the past present and future spread you will draw three cards from the deck starting from the left through to the right.

Draw your first card from the deck this will be placed to your left, then draw a card in the middle this is your action card and finally place a card to the right for the outcome card.

Keep your mind open when drawing the cards, the situation card may not be what you expect it to be in regards to the situation you are going through but often or not what is happening in our lives is not what we think is happening.

The action card is the action the cards are telling you to take in order to get to the card on the right, the outcome card.

Check out this video for some basic Tarot spreads.

Reading Tarot Cards

So now you have an idea of the basic spreads for beginner tarot readers we now need to know the fundamentals of how to read those spreads.

Firstly, we need to understand what the Tarot deck of cards is made up of.

In a standard deck of Tarot cards, they are made up from 78 cards, each one of these cards has a different picture, story and meaning.

There are 22 major Arcana cards, 56 minor Arcana cards and 16 Tarot court cards.

Located in the Minor Arcana cards there are 16 court cards, each showing us different characteristics.

There are also 40 cards which are numbered and organised into 4 suits, swords, pentacles, cups and wands. The 10 cards per suit show us daily encounters or situations.

Major Arcana Cards

The Major Arcana cards are lessons of karma and spirituality. Representing the path to self-awareness and showing us the different points in life that we encounter as we try to grasp a deeper understanding.

Major Arcana cards teach us deep and spiritual lessons.

Minor Arcana Cards

A reflection of the choices and trials that we face each day.

The Minor Arcana cards give us a deeper understanding of current problems or choices in day to day life, they may also be connected to present issues that perhaps have a small influence on life.

Individual Tarot card meanings and insights

For a deeper insight and meaning into what each card represents I have found a fantastic tarot website.

It is simple to use simply hover over the card and it will present you with a meaning.

You can view all the individual meanings of the cards on the Biddy Tarot website here or alternatively use the Tarot Dictionary book as a reference.

Tarot Card Reading Tips

It’s easy to overcomplicate Tarot and to feel like you aren’t capable of becoming a Tarot reader. These handy little tips should help you through.

  • Study the cards not a book – While learning to read Tarot you should not rely heavily on books and articles to find out what the cards are telling you or what they mean. The cards give a unique reading to the questions asked and for an individual person. What does the picture on the card tell you? What connection does the card have?
  • Learn one way from the start – At the very beginning of your tarot reading journey, you should make a decision between learning the reversal meanings from upside down cards or not learning them. If you are a complete novice learning the reversal meanings can be overwhelming and will take you a lot longer to grasp. I would advise not learning the reversal if you want to be able to read Tarot sooner, focus on the images and energy connection of the cards.
  • Practice on family & friends – A huge part of learning tarot is the practical and not the literature. Don’t be afraid of doing free readings for your family & friends. Use your intuition, focus on the energy of both the card and the question asked. Remind them that you aren’t an expert yet and you appreciate any feedback.
  • Respect your Tarot Cards – Treat your cards as you would your best friend, after all, you are going to be relying on and trusting the advice that they give. Keep them clean and in the original box. Store them in a special place, some even use crystals for healing, cleansing and recharging the cards with energy. Amethyst is the number one choice.
  • Bless and cleanse your cards – When you first receive your cards you should perform a blessing ritual on them and after each use, you should clean them. You can find more information on blessing and cleansing cards here.
  • Take notes – Taking notes in a Tarot journal is a popular practice if you perform a daily one card draw you should write your observations and what you interpret from the card. This is a huge part of learning Tarot.
  • Memorise the cards with keywords – Don’t try and learn all the cards and their meanings straight away this will give you a huge headache, over complicate and perhaps even damage your confidence in being a Tarot reader. A very good method for learning Tarot is to learn 2 keywords for each card. Then elaborate on the keywords.
  • Connect with the cards – Making tarot personal and doing a daily reading for yourself is a great way to connect with the cards. Connect your day to day life and experiences with the cards. Go through the cards and look at the images, forget the actual meanings, for now, connect images with your personal life.
  • Stay confident – Have faith in yourself and your connection with the cards, if you get stuck with what a card means, or the connection talk or think more about the imagery or official meaning of the card you may be surprised and stumble across the connection. Remember it is ok to not understand at the beginning it is all part of the learning process. Keep your confidence.

Mistakes to avoid while Tarot reading

  • Do not read while overly emotional – Reading when overly emotional is a bad idea, you’re likely to draw the cards you are most scared of drawing, which will make you more emotional. Give yourself time to calm down, clear your mind and wait before asking the cards questions.
  • Do not look up all of the card meanings – Of course, as a beginner, you will need to use references for meaning but do not rely too heavily on them. You will need to find your own interpretations using the imagery and your gut as well and incorporate this into the card meaning.
  • Do not overcomplicate the spread – To begin with, a maximum of a three card spread will suffice. Don’t jump straight in and complicate things or else you will find yourself overwhelmed.
  • Do not interpret the cards to see what you want to see – A common mistake is to take what you want to hear or see from the Tarot cards not what they are actually telling you. If you are reading for yourself or a friend then you may be emotionally invested, it is a good idea to use tarot forums or other tarot readers for their interpretation.

Beginners Tarot Reading Overview

Tarot reading is not something that somebody can teach you, it’s something that you have to learn yourself.

I hope this guide gave you enough of the basic information to help you with your Tarot reading journey.

Remember to be patient, to rely on your gut and not books or literature. Connect with the cards and create your own interpretation, have faith in your spiritual energy.

If you have any more questions about beginner tarot then please feel free to leave a comment below and I will try to help you as much as I can.

Tarot FAQ

How many cards are in Tarot?

In a standard deck of Tarot cards, there are 78 cards in total made up of 22 major Arcana cards and 56 minor Arcana cards these are divided into four suits.

Can anyone read Tarot?

It is possible for anyone to read Tarot cards, that being said psychic abilities and using intuition is not the same. Reading Tarot cards is a skill and with practice, learning and dedication anyone can develop it.

Does Tarot predict the future?

I do not believe the Tarot predict the future, what I believe is they give you advice. Your future is yours and the Tarot give you enough advice and insight for you to change it through the choices you make.

Do Tarot cards always have the answer to a question?

No, they do not, sometimes the answer will not be available or it will give a very vague or complicated answer.

 

Beginners Guide To Slot Car Racing

Slot car racing

 

What is slot car racing?

Ever played Scaletrix? If so then you pretty much know what Slot car racing is. If not then allow me to explain: Slot car racing is a competitive hobby of racing model cars around a track, the cars are guided around this track by a groove in which the cars slot into.

Slot car racing has become increasingly popular and has advanced over the years, and serious competitions now exist. Some even build their own model cars from scratch using their own mechanisms, parts and materials.

History of Slot Car Racing

Slot Car History

The first ever manufactured slot car was created by Lionel in the USA and was available from 1912.

The cars got their power from a toy train that was sunk in a rough and connected to a battery. Not much different from the modern slot cars we see today.

There were approximately 12,000 sets manufactured by 1915 when for unbeknown reasons Lionel discontinued the set.

Over the next 40 or so years there were even more slot car racing sets that came and went from companies like the Bachman Brothers and Marx. These were often clockwork powered.

Marx, in 1938, was manufacturing and selling the “Motorcycle Cop & Car Speedway” it was a single track and included 2 clockwork vehicles made from tin. There were 2 keys included and you powered the cars by winding them with keys.

Not only did Marx at this point in time manufacture this clockwork set they also had launched an electric speedway, this was much more expensive.

They returned 20 years later in the 1960’s and started to produce cheaper slot car toys for Sears department stores targeting the general public.

The 1960’s was the decade that slot car popularity soared and the USA was the very heart of the slot car universe.

Now fast forward 50 years on, Europe, especially Italy and Spain has largely taken over the slot car world.

To read a full history of Slot Car Racing check out this article.

 

An introduction to Slot Car Racing

In this guide, you will learn the basic fundamentals of Slot Car Racing as a hobby, you will learn how to get started in slot car racing.

We are by no means experts in the fields and if you want to take slot car racing to a more serious level then we suggest the following reading materials.

How does a slot car work?

Slot Car Component Diagram
Image Credit : https://www.pendleslotracing.co.uk

The slot cars are powered by a miniature electric motor. They are placed onto a track that has a thin groove, each lane has a groove. The cars each have a small blade that fits into the groove on the track. With this blade fitted into the groove, a small amount of electricity is collected, this is what powers the vehicles to be moved around the track.

There are 2 types of controllers that are used these are analogue and electric. The electric controllers are most recommended for beginners, due to the added control and ability to use with a vast array of cars. Analogue controllers work slightly differently and deliver the needed amount of voltage to the slot car.

Slot cars are made up of numerous components:

Motor

This is what powers your slot car in can be placed in many different positions including the front, middle and back and then sideways, angled or inline. Just like a full-sized car, it uses small gears which allow the motor to power the axle.

Axle

Again like a real car, the axle is the steel bar that the wheels are attached too.

Body

The body of Slot cars are moulded to a scale of the real car it is based on. Contrary to popular belief the shape of the body of the car has no impact on how the slot car performs, unlike that of a real car. The factors that affect the performance of the slot car the most are the weight distribution and the mass.

Chassis

As with a real car, a slot car has a chassis this is the bottom part of the slot car. The chassis connects and attaches all of the other car components. It usually is a single piece, however, it can be made with a separate motor pod component.

Guide Flag

A small piece of plastic that pivots, this part sits in the slot of the track and holds the braids.

Braids

The braids are made up of copper metal and are what provides power to the car, this happens when the braids and the track contact. To increase the performance of the car you should learn how to adjust the braids correctly.

Magnet

If you’ve played with slot cars before you will know that they can fly off the tracks, magnets are used at the front and back to help keep the car on the track. Stronger magnets are often used in beginners cars.

Interior

The interior of the car is often a replica of the real-life version, some cars will even have a little moulded plastic driver sat in the driving seat.

Types of Slot Car

 

Analog Slot Cars

 

Analog Slot Car types were the first ever type created over fifty years ago now, this is the traditional slot car setup.

Traditional analog slot car setups should be made up of 2 or more separate lates with the same amount of cars, controllers and players.

Each lane and car is controlled separately by the controller and player.

Generally speaking cars from most manufacturers made in analogue can be used on any tracks. So, for example, a car made by Carrera can still be used on a Scaletrix track.

Digital Slot Cars

 

The main difference between the digital slot car type and analogue is that the digital will allow multiple cars in the same lane, with some even having the ability and parts to be able to switch lanes.

Most digital systems won’t allow you to cross cars and tracks made by different manufacturers without modifications.

 

What do I need to get started Slot Car Racing?

 

Before you head off to slot car competitions and slot car meetings you’re going to want to build up your skills.

The only way you can do this is with good old fashioned practice.

The beauty is you can purchase your own slot car set online have it delivered to your door, set it up and away you go!

All you’re going to need to begin with is some patience and a good slot car racing set! Ever heard of Scaletrix? Then if you have you know exactly what the best manufacturer of slot car is.

As a beginner, you should look for a 1:32 slot car set.

In the set, you should get a car(s), the track, controllers and power supply.

You can even buy extra track eventually and build up the size and shape of your set.

Top slot car Manufacturers

 

Scaletrix

Scaletrix is one of the first slot car manufacturers and has been around for years, they are also perhaps the most well known of all brands.

They produce cars mainly in 1:32 scale in both analogue and now digital systems.

Scaletrix target mainly the “toy” market which leaves their cars with less performance than others.

In spite of this Scaletrix are still the preferred choice for beginners.

Their tracks and cars are very popular and although lacking in optimised performance they still dominate a large section of the slot car market.

Scaletrix Website

Carrera

Carrera is also one of the biggest manufacturers and brands in the hobby of slot car racing.

They produce cars, tracks an accessories in 3 different scales these are 1:24, 1:32 and 1:43 and are the only major manufacturer that have produced a track for 1:24 slot car systems.

A brand that is popular in the slot car world, they have created an impeccable name for themselves and have a great balance of performance and quality products.

Carrera Website

Ninco

A Spanish company that has been around for the last 25 years, Ninco create 1:32 slot cars in digital and analogue.

They have created a great reputation in the slot car racing world, producing high-quality cars and tracks for more serious slot car racers.

Ninco has their very own track system which is slightly wider than those of Scaletrix for the intention of accommodating wider cars.

It is possible to combine the use of Ninco track with Scaletrix using adapters.

Lately, Ninco has produced a fantastic digital system which caters for up to 8 cars on the track.

A quality brand name who create fantastic slot car systems, a brand you can trust and rely on.

Ninco Website

SCX

Another Spanish company, SCX is confusingly known as Scaletrix in Spain whereas Scaletrix is known as Superslots.

Predominantly SCX creates tracks and systems in the 1:32 scale in both Analogue and digital.

All of the SCX tracks are fully compatible with Scaletrix tracks.

They are currently up and coming in the Slot Car hobby world and have so far produced a wide variety of quality products.

SCX Website

What are the best beginners slot cars?

As previously mentioned the best slot cars for beginners are the 1:32 type, these are the most popular sized in the hobby.

You’re going to want a car with pretty strong magnets to begin, the magnets help you stay on the track.

Remember though as you start to get better and your slot car skills increase you can remove your magnets or even start upgrading your slot car and track.

Try not to use the magnets for too long, this could have a negative impact on the progress of your racing skills.

As you start to feel more comfortable with your system remove your magnets to allow you to develop your slot car racing skills.

Types of Slot Car

Types Of Slot Car
A Carrera 1:32 Slot Car

 

There are many scales of slot car that are available.

1:24th

1:24 slot cars are larger so aren’t usually found in the home, typically these are used at club tracks or in commercial promotions in a bigger building. This is due to the size of the slot cars.

1:24 slot cars are built on the scale of  1 unit of length on the slot car equates to 24 units on the actual life-size car.

1:32nd

The most popular for home slot car enthusiasts and perhaps the most popular worldwide.

1:32 slot cars are scaled as 1 unit of length is equal to 32 units of the full-size car it is based on.

1:43rd 

1:43rd scale slot cars are becoming increasingly popular in the Slot car racing world, they are often sold as children’s toys but due to the moderate space requirements and cost they have become more popular with adults.

1:43rd cars are scaled as 1 unit is equal to 43 of the model of car the slot is based on.

What are the best beginners slot car race tracks?

 

To begin I think it’s better to choose a more simple track with an oval shape.

This will help when learning how to control the slot cars and keep them on the track.

There are a couple of different types of tracks available in the slot car hobby these are explained in the next section.

Types of Track

Slot Car Track Types

 

Plastic Slot Racing tracks

This type of track is created with moulded plastic. Often the plastic tracks are made in sections allowing the design and shape of the course to be extended and changed.

These sections are less expensive and fit easily together, that being said, where the track pieces join each other, it leaves a bump and can have a negative effect on performance. Due to the increased number of electrical connections the voltage can drop considerably.

Some people use the plastic tracks for permanent setups by filling in the cracks where sections are joined and then smoothing them over. The power rails can also be soldered.

Most home slot car setups and sets you buy from the shop are plastic racing tracks.

Routed Slot Racing tracks

For competitive slot car racing or for someone more serious about the hobby routed slot car racing tracks are usually a more popular choice. Using one or two pieces of chipboard/MDF the entire racecourse has the guide slots and grooves cut in it. They typically use a router machine or CNC, giving the track a smooth surface.

 

Beginners Slot Car Tips

 

Practice, Practice and more Practice

As with anything in this world if you want to get better at something you have to keep practising.

Ideally, you should spend a little time each day practising with your slot car setup, even the pros dedicate time to advancing their skills.

Be patient slot car racing can be at times very frustrating especially when you are flying off the track constantly.

Slow down take your time and keep persevering!

Slow Down

Slow down! It’s not all about maxing out the speed of the slot car, the objective is to get around the track and just like in real life you’ll need to slow down around the corners.

As you get used to taking corners you can gradually increase your speed a little each time until you find the maximum speed you can take it at without leaving the track.

Get to know your car better!

Add Grip To Tyres

Sometimes when you first purchase a slot car system the wheels of the car can be rather shiny this, of course, has a negative effect on handling.

Some would suggest you take some fine grit sandpaper and add a little grip by rubbing the surface of the wheels.

Recommended Beginners Slot Car Tracks

 

After taking in all the information so far about how the cars work, the scales, the tracks it’s probably going to seem quite daunting.

So I’ve done a little research and found the following to be the most popular sets to get you started in your hobby.

The sets will allow you to practice and get used to how to drive them effectively.

Very simple tracks in a 1:32 scale.

The following are recommended by experts from around the web for beginners.

Scalextric 1:32 Scale Mini Challenge Race Set

  • Scalextric Mini Challenge2 x 1:32 Mini Slot Cars
  • Two-speed settings and Lap Counter
  • Digital Plug Magnatraction System Ready
  • Create 4 different track layouts
  • Track total length 484cm this would require 191cm x 132cm space

A great beginners set, the Scalextric Mini Challenge is the perfect beginner’s slot car system receiving many positive reviews from around the globe.

Check Price On Amazon

Carrera Evolution Ferrari/Mercedes 

  • Carrerra Ferrari Evolution Race Champs Slot Cars1 x 1:32 Mercedes F1W05 Race Car & 1 x 1:32 Ferrari SF 15-T Slot Cars
  • 5.3 Meter Racing Track With 2 Loops
  • Space Required 200 x 80cm
  • 2 x Controllers
  • Based on Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso

This rivalry Carrera set is great for beginners who want to take the hobby a little bit more seriously and jump in a little deeper. Great reviews and a good quality set with tough and robust pieces (ready for you crashing off the track a lot)

Check Price On Amazon

Scalextric Ultimate Rivals Race Set 

  • Scalextric Ultimate Rivals1 x 1:32 BMW Z4 GT3 & 1 X 1:32 Mercedes AMG GT3
  • Track Length 4.9 meters
  • Space Required – 210 x 140cm
  • ARC ONE System (App Race Control)
  • 9 Possible Track Layouts

The ultimate rivals slot car set from Scaletrix is the revolutionary new ARC one system. In a nutshell, this allows you to download the app and customise your slot car racing. Choose the number of laps, Penalties for jump-starting, fuel consumption and much more! A great start for beginners entering the world of slot car.

Check Price On Amazon

 

Slot Car Set For Kids

 

A lot of the small children’s slot car sets are toys opposed to serious hobby tracks, so the reviews seem to be a little mixed from around the internet.

In my opinion though as long as your child has something that functions as a slot car racing track and is very basic then it’s a good start.

You should be looking for a slot car setup with a very basic layout in the scale of 1:32

I believe if you want to buy your small child a slot car set then it should be about fun first.

A great example of a kids slot car set:

Carrera CARS 3 Slot Car Set

Cars 3 Carrera Slot Car

Based on the highly successful Disney movie Cars, this slot set is sure to peak your child’s interest.

Manufactured by Carrera so you can be assured of quality.

Most importantly it won’t break the bank!

  • 2.4 Meter Total Track Length
  • Dimensions:93 x 45 cm

Check out the price on Amazon today.

Slot Car Racing Summary

 

There’s only so much I can teach you as a beginner, to be honest with you slot car racing is something you can teach yourself completely! This guide is just to try and answer any questions you may have before you get started.

Most of the knowledge you will gain in your time slot car racing will be about modifications, upgrades and the equipment available, which is far beyond my expertise.

Expert slot car racers and people who have been enjoying the hobby for some time, built their very own tracks, supe up their very own cars, some even travel the world to compete professionally!

If after reading this guide you are still quite serious about starting the hobby then in the next section you will find further reading and lots of useful information.

You can comment below and add anything you think I may have missed and if you have more questions then ask away I will do my best to help you find answers 🙂

 

Slot Car References & Useful Websites

Slot Car Racing Clubs in the UK

Slot Car Racing Clubs in the US

Slot Car Magazine & Forum

Slot Cars FAQ

What is slot car drag racing?

Slot car drag racing is a type of slot car racing based upon a drag race. The slot race takes place on a long straight length of track often scaled to a quarter-mile.

How fast can slot cars go?

The speed of slot cars are again based usually on a scale and this is known as “Scale MPH” so a 1:32 scale car would be measured over a distance of 1:32 of a mile. The fastest recorded slot car was a Honda F1 model by Scalextric and it reached a whopping speed of 983 “Scale MPH”

However, without scaling the speed this would be approximately 30 MPH which is still pretty impressive!

This was, of course, a tweaked and modded slot car so don’t expect yours to go as fast just yet. Still anywhere between 10 – 14 mph.

What are digital slot cars?

Digital slot cars a relatively new type of slot car. Each car is fitted with a chip relevant to the system. The rails found on the track are permanently live and all lanes have the same feed.

Each individual slot car is set to the controller of the driver who owns the car. Once the driver pulls the control trigger data is sent to the car in “data packets” down the slot track rails. The data chip which is fitted in the car then decodes the data in a way such as this – Car number 1, 75% power. The data then gives 75% power to the motor system in the car.

Other forms of digital slot car racing are infra-red systems. The track has sensors and they can read the data from the player’s car as it travels over them. This is used for cool things such as lap timing. Slot car racing is becoming more popular and more complex so it’s only natural that with tech advancing slot car racing does too.