VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates
Click above to watch the video after the jump
When Great Britain's Brooklands motor racing circuit opened in 1907, it was the first purpose-built motorsport venue in the world. At 2.75 miles, the course is an oldie but a goodie, and the perfect place to make automotive history. To that end, on August 16, legendary slot racing brand Scalextric, along with hoards of volunteers, built the world's largest slot car track around the Brooklands circuit in Surrey. The track was built using 20,000 sections, built over roads, water, wilderness and just about any other condition one could imagine. That's an impressive feat that is more remarkable when considering that power and remote control had to be built into the Guinness record braking track.
The recordbreaking slot track race will be featured by Top Gear host James May in his new BBC2 series James May's Toy Stories. May even raised the checkered flag at the conclusion of the world's longest slot car race. Hit the jump to watch the building and racing of this amazing slot track, as well as a second video that features May waving the checkered flag at the conclusion of the race.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Qui Audet Adipiscitur 3:04PM (8/19/2009)
Very apt for Captain Slow
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spyker 4:10PM (8/19/2009)
Haha! Yes, very :P
Throwback 3:08PM (8/19/2009)
How cool is that! Makes my old basement set-up from the '70's look lame.
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Eric Bandholz 4:03PM (8/19/2009)
LOL, I love how James May is absolutely thrilled with the event!
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Thomas Gilling 4:13PM (8/19/2009)
As denoted on the sign post, everything is from Argos!
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DayShifter 4:25PM (8/19/2009)
Holy crap.... what happens when you car goes off the track?!?!
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vespid82 4:39PM (8/19/2009)
As cool as this may be, this is just more evidence of how video games made slot cars obsolete. Try making a scale model on the Nordschleife and being able to FOLLOW the car past the first turn... lol
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nrb 5:16PM (8/19/2009)
I'm sure it was pretty neat, but it's hard to tell from that AWFUL video.
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Nozferat 5:36PM (8/19/2009)
This is what I miss the most about living in Europe..the hobby clubs and enthusiasm for such things...R/C, etc.....it simply does not exist in this country compared to Europe....especially the UK.
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DaveM 1:01PM (8/20/2009)
Anyone think it's odd that some of the boxes are labeled "Carrera"? LOL
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DaveM 1:01PM (8/20/2009)
Nozferat,
I can tell you that slot racing (1/32) is alive and well in the NYC, NJ, and Philly areas. I belong to a slot car club with about 12 tracks (4 lanes, computer timing). We have visitors coming in from New York City and Philadelphia all the time. The Philly area has a couple of clubs as well.
Dave :D
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Cray 4:03PM (8/20/2009)
Radio/Control cars, Slot cars, and Soap Box derby clubs are out there but they aren't as popular as they used to be when I was kid in the 80's. I've always felt these hobbies could benefit from more exposure from automotive media like Motor Trend or Car & Driver. These hobbies are an extension of our love for all things car-related.
I am glad to see the Autoblog cover this, it might seem trivial to a lot regulars but these clubs are the formulative years for many youngsters admiration for cars. We need to foster this otherwise we grew up thinking cars are transportation appliances.
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