Where did slot companies go wrong?

[@MrStevo440]

I agree 100 % . I remember waiting for the Christmas Catalogs to come out so I could see all the new lay outs ..

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

10000% agree!

[@robertselectronichobbies9507]

When I was a boy my dad built two slot racing tracks in our garage. One had full scenery with grandstands, a lap counter, pits, a hot dog stand, trees and people. The other track was just the track with nothing around it. We always had the most fun on the track with with the scenery. As kids we came up with all types of crazy things we did with the little people. It wasn't about speed it was just fun. (no little people were harmed during the racing)

[@swedecarlson9292]

Excellent observation. What drew me away from model railroading was the speed and competition of slot cars, but I missed all the little scenes I created with the railroad and eventually started adding this to my slot car track. And since most of the time I didn't have others to race against, the scenery kept me involved. I think you are right on with your theory. Look at even hard core racers that have to replicate their favorite tracks with well known scenic features. Thanks Dave. I hope the slot car companies start to listen.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

Exactly right . I worked on scenery more than I raced when I was a kid . Sometimes, I would spend days making it look REAL.

[@keithbaum8139]

I agree 100%. I run a Slot car business in Phoenix Arizona I have two tracks and whenever the children come in their eyes are wide open and excitement I want to get them on the track and as soon as I get them on the track they can’t believe how much fun it is. The hardest thing right now it’s just getting inventory from the companies because of all this virus pandemic. I hope that I’m still in business in six months but I love the industry and I love slot cars.

[@DRWFJ40]

My kids are older now but I was always amazed at Playmobil's marketing. basically a well engineered kit that is actually fun to assemble and they put out a large color catalog that kids can take home and drool over and it's just packed full of little story lines that can be recreated using all the accessories. I don't know how well it worked for them be we have a ton of the stuff.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

spot on! Yes, a complete world for kids of play.

[@johnroberts5285]

Autoworld seems to be a good job in revitalizing HO slots. Great sets and a steady stream of new cars . Don’t know if they are profitable, but I’m lovin it.

[@rosshemmings9384]

Way back in early 60's I was given my first slot set, a Scalextric, I was only one with a slot set and interest faded quick. Racing by yourself gets old quick. The set went away. A few years later slot racing got popular and most of my friends got sets and we'd combine sets to make huge layout. About then commercial tracks were starting. Then slot racing got REALLY popular and I'd hit the commercial tracks every week and home racing when I couldn't get to commercial tracks. But as it got more and more popular the sport priced itself out of reach of kids, the people who the industry needed to keep it going. Motors that cost over $60 in the 60's. Soon all the commercial tracks were gone. Fast forward to 80's and I found a few club tracks locally and a lone commercial track but there it was business as usual, only adults could afford a competitive car. The new digital tracks have marvelous features but at $300 plus for a starter set. Not many kids are getting gifted a set. A stock analogue brand name car(Carrera in 1:43 for instance) here in Montreal QC can be had for about $25 but the 1:32 digital cars are around $100. What kid can afford that? To me it's the cost that's killing the hobby.

[@davidwarr8600]

I grew up in Montreal and all my friends were car crazy race fans. It made sense to get into slot car racing. We progressed from Strombecker, which had a factory in Montreal, to Revell Monogram cars to home built routed tracks. When I moved away from Montreal to start my teaching career that was it for slot car racing. I have recently got back into slot racing but not where I live. There aren’t any people around here that are interesting in real racing so why would anybody be interested in slot car racing. So I buy cars. It is said that young people today aren’t interested in real cars so why would they like slot cars. The price is not the problem.

[@Moondoggy1941]

I grew up in the 60's we had a commercial track and we would ride our bikes 7 miles younger than 13 to the track, face pressed to the glass, no one would let us drive a crappy old car around the track, The old get out of the way son. So if you are not growing the hobby your are killing it. Thanks for your comment, I agree 100%.

[@Moondoggy1941]

There was time in our past that a family of four could afford to do something, now it is so expensive, cheapest thing is wetting a line around a lake, no off shore fishing, no snow skiing etc.

[@verigone2677]

@@davidwarr8600 Well, kids do like cars but they also don't like pollution. Electric cars will excite them again, but it will be a much different thing than what we all know; such is the way of life. Only 100 years ago there were still a great deal of steam engines in service across a great many industries when 100 years before that steam was every where and 100 before that it was about as useful as electric oil barges. However, we have been racing since the VERY beginning, it is the essence of what we are fundamentally. It is the IS to being; competition. F1 is becoming extremely popular again, as is the Formula E and there is tons of excitement around a North American MotoE type series as there are roughly 45 Electric motorcycle startups in the US right now, not sure if I will ever get used to near silent Dirt Bikes, but they are coming too...and honestly they might actually be really cool for exploring the woods. Hang in there, watch the world unfold, we had our time to be young and look blissfully at our youth as and endless summer of invincibility and a simpler time...the truth is time is ALWAYS just a complicated, it is YOU who has seen and experienced more and more of the world the layers are peeled back, and the little rotten bits are laid bare, plain to see.

[@joebone3151]

Here is tip for buying slot car motors. Buy mini 4wd motors about the same size extremely extremely fast. With motors for different capabilities, torque, high rpms, balanced. They are awesome most use a single drive shaft some use 2. All motors are like 4 to 5 bucks.

[@greggmartin5830]

Beautiful Dave! Agree 100%. I love your passion and ideas. It be great to have a real time conversation about this topic to create momentum within the industry with a voice of the consumer or potential consumer to PUSH the manufactures as you passionately suggest! Keep speaking truth to power!

[@michaelb3049]

What an eye opener. I’m in my mid 50s and am being blessed now with grandchildren. I had a train set and a slot car set growing up. I want my grandchildren t have that same rich experience I had. I don’t want the to just push buttons and stare at a screen. I want them to have, hands on tactile, physically interactive experience. With a bit of understanding the physics of speed control. I went with Scalextric because of some space constraints and am now feeling let down because of the things you talk about. Sooo basic sets, bare bones, almost sterile. No flavor. No springboard. And the cost or BASIC add-ons such as guardrails is criminal. But thank you for voicing an opinion I see first hand.

[@danakomori]

Totally agree! My first set was a basic digital. It only had borders for some of the corners and the extra layouts need expansion set

[@markfrommontana]

Dave, I won't bore you with my story of how, when and why I fell in love, then out of love and then in love with our hobby (you can find most of that long story in my recent conversation with John Kit on his Fast Sports channel here on KZbin). However, what you said about creating a total experience really struck a chord. I've been amazed and impressed how the Wargaming industry succeeded by creating that total experience. Games Workshop didn't create this experience by itself, but as a giant in the industry, it certainly stands out. There are many smaller companies that appear to be doing well. The one and only hobby store in my town, focuses on the Wargaming/Fantasy/Miniatures market and is doing well. I go to this store regularly as it's an excellent source of painting and scratch building supplies. I love talking with the folks there who are playing games in the 'competition' section of the store. The players are really immersed in the environment with not only the figures but the scenery they bring in each week. I did a quick scan of the Wargaming/Miniatures channels to which I subscribe on KZbin and compared the number of subscribers compared to the number of subscribers on Slot Car/Model Racing channels that are on my favorites list. There really isn't a comparison--the former numbers dwarf the latter. I think the Slot Car/Model Racing companies could learn something from the Wargaming/Miniatures industry, and a lot of that might just have to do with creating and promoting the whole environment, an experience that is memorable and lasting.

[@michaelb3049]

Because Warhammer and the like attract different levels of interest. Some like the gaming, some like the building of models and painting, some like all of it. But everyone can get it all from one place, Games Workshop. They also promote affiliates very well. Slot cars now is tribal factions, no coherence

[@edteach3r]

I agree completely. I still have my Scalextric catalogues from the late 60s and 70s and, even though I am 62 years old, they still get my pulse racing as the scenic presentations are so intriguing.

[@davidscott5650]

Yes, I agree whole-heartedly. I remember a catalogue from the 1970s that had how you make a permanent layout that hinged against a wall. Some people spend big money on toys & hobbies. Maybe they'd spend a lot more on slot cars if there were more attractive options just like you are saying Dave. Why aren't there large sets with heaps of track and all the borders and fences and people & pit buildings etc.? You used to be able to by 4 lane sets. Now the biggest sets you can buy aren't much more than beginner sets.

[@diontillman3132]

Yes, you are great you put me in reality, I never thought about that,,and I fully understand scalextric has worked really hard to stay in business, they have tried over and over, to make us feel good about the hobby, and did not give up, I have watched the scalextric story, and I have watched it more than one time I enjoy the hobby so much, and I'm sad for the people who don't want to at least try it, man,,,,,they don't know what there missing

[@drewherbert4835]

My grandson (4YO) enjoys playing with the scenery & supporting vehicles more than the actual racing. It's still a bit difficult for him to manipulate the go fast trigger. You're spot on Dave with the accessories.

[@MrStevo440]

It would also be nice if company`s would sell sets with different radius curve sections along with boarders for at least one of the turns ..

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Scalextric did make the Police Chase set and I convinced them to use the layout that had borders for one turn.

[@ryanb9749]

Viper scale racing has some really cool sets

[@christophermoore8524]

The AFX ads from the 70's and 80's had a lot of what you're talking about. They were selling an experience, not a thing, and it was easy to get caught up in it as a kid. I agree that starter sets aren't imaginative, but would also argue that they're not even that good at giving a good racing experience. The Scalextric analogue sets have garbage controllers and power supplies that should be replaced immediately, which is a total bummer for any kid (or adult, like me) who has the misfortune of buying one and thinking they're getting a better product than they are (Ninco and Carrera seem to, at least, get this part right). The other issue is money. Carrera sells a great digital set with a nice layout and three cars and controllers, but it costs almost as much as a PS5. I just don't know how you can compete for kids' attention, regardless, and only adults have enough disposable income to put a set together that kids would want to play with. Maybe we need a true entry level product, again, like the AFX/Tyco/HO sets I grew up with to sell to kids. Maybe the Carrera Go stuff will finally find a bigger audience or Carrera will sell Go products that appeal enough to me to want to buy it for my kids.

[@randytaylor1258]

"Come experience the wide world of Eldon road racing!" Those ads are still on KZbin.

[@kirbs50]

Include a self-assembly cardboard pit lane, grandstand (populated with printed crowd) etc. Copy railway modellers with their affordable card buildings.

[@hayeslewis]

You're right. The marketing lacks even a whiff of inspiration.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Yup, or even the attempt. Because at this moment there's none going on aside from me for Slot It.

[@kevoman2020]

Totally agree with you. Seeing all the great completed raceways on youtube got me back into the hobby.

[@Moondoggy1941]

When I was a child back in the 60's I would go to hobby city in Buena Park to watch the slot cars, I wanted one so bad but I could only afford a cheap car that I could never to get to work, I never really owned a track, now I do not have the real estate to own a nice track, I think that could be part of the problem, no place to put it. I hate the cars that went so fast you could not see them, they did not look like anything on the road..

[@s.w.3604]

Interesting comparison between video games and scale models, like slot cars and model trains. The escape into a "fantasy world" concept is what makes slot cars and model trains appealing - very much like video games do as well.

[@Brooklands1907]

You are correct that trains have stayed a healthy hobby with magazines, big shows, and more due to the scenery. I love to visit places like Roadside America and Miniatur Wunderland which make a child eye's light up. My grandkids love to visit my layout to see the scenery, then ask to run the slot cars on the track. And I do see more young people at train shows, then I do at slot car shows. I would agree that making the play worlds like I built as a child is something that children could still enjoy

[@tjabaley]

Brilliant commentary. Lots of untapped potential in this hobby.

[@SaffronWorldCR]

As a videogame developer I agree 100% with you. Having a world, something that the players can explore and keep adding things is basic to keep the interest in any game. That's what we do in videogames and that's how modern boardgames works, with expansions and the like. I recently bought a "cheap" set, put an IR sensor, a small display screen and an Arduino so I could have lap times and play while trying to get a better lap. Having a goal (beat your record) totally changes the game. With that same arduino I can add speed/brakes config, ghost cars, pit/gas refill... Something so simple and cheap as a microcontroller changes totally the gameplay experience and as an end user it costed me 12 euros in hardware pieces. Can't imagine how cheap could it be for slot companies to actually modernize their basic sets and update the experience to modern days.

[@irakennedy714]

Excellent presentation, son, and wise advice to the manufacturers.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Thanks Dad... I'm still following my passion. :)

[@stephensmith4012]

I agree 100% and compare slot car prices to game consoles, vr head sets and games. They need to do quality marketing like you say.

[@nathanhays2067]

I think you are on point with their not being a "total package" presented to the consumer. As a child in the 80's, I remember that as a standard. When you buy a G.I. Joe or He-Man toy, it had a pamphlet showing me what i was missing. Making me ask Mom. I also had the local hobby store to help me with broken cars and upgrading parts. Unfortunately, that part of the equation is missing in some areas. For example, my local store is 45 minutes away, and is not all that into slot cars or scenery. It leaves me with forums and online ordering. I am ok with finding what I need, but there are those that find the task of looking it up daunting. I believe something as simple as a build sheet for the cars would assist in keeping the spark lit. Being armed with the knowledge of what gears, rim size, tire size, motor rpm, and so on, would allow an individual to easily navigate the aftermarket for their car, without all the measuring and looking it up.

[@salvatoreperagine1707]

I could not agree more with you. One other problem is none of the hobby manufacturers advertise - if you want sales - you have to advertise.

[@chuckvarisco9962]

I agree with you 100% as well I remember some of the six that would come out from back then yeah you can get a little accessory items they should come with pictures of race and race race to show people how their layout could look in other accessories that they are able to purchase for their layout ❗️👍👍👍

[@jazzcat0269]

Appreciate the rant. Sales people could do the same. However, a couple of places where I have made major purchases, did nothing to discuss the diorama. Missed opportunity to create excitement and inspire creativity and ultimately increase sales of scenery products. I see the sets as step 1, step 2 is create the diorama. It's an art project of sorts...

[@TheRocksRocketGuys]

I think you hit the nail straight on the head here. Many toy companies have eliminated paper catalogs that can be used to help kids imagine how much fun can be had with their toys. Paint the picture for them, per se. Just as you state, the advertising is sterile, even utilitarian. I still have the old Estes rocket catalogs from my childhood and I still make it a point to get one each year from my local hobby shop. Funny that all these years later, they still instill the excitement of the hobby.

[@Suzukii-DIY]

I just saw this two-year-old video and it still strikes home with me. It's still sad that the hobby industry has fallen on its face as hard as it has due to the lack of marketing or extra accessories info within the packaging. I feel the hobby industry as a whole has been in trouble for about a decade and a 1/2 or so partly because of the wonderful and various gaming consoles and all of their easy entertainment options, but the hobby industry hasn't helped itself either in marketing. I got heavy into hobbies in the early 90's and it was the beginning of the end on what I remember. If it wasn't for KZbin I would've never thought of 1/25 or 1/32 scale or larger slot car racing as a hobby for me or my 9yr old. I thought that stuff was history like the micronauts. As I've mentioned before, I came from the old AFX series in the eighties and thought that part of my childhood was dead once I was in my twenties in the 90's. Thanks to KZbin, for just happening to pop this up 1 day, 2 or 3 months ago on an unrelated search and I was hooked back to my childhood, only on a larger scale, (chuckling), I'm sharing with my son on anything that is not related to gaming consoles. We just got our 1st, 2 sets Carrera Digital 132/124 sets for Christmas 2022 and have spent a few more hundred dollars since on accessories that we are still waiting for to be delivered. Thanks for your videos and hope you get well soon.

[@ggaub]

LOL, 4 dislikes....from Scalextric, Carrera, SCX, and Ninco reps. ;-)

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Greg Gaub it sure could be

[@chiccorocker]

Your argument is quite valid sir. I think the other side of the equation, the consumers, also have some responsibility in this though. I think the main problem is that, compared to a few decades ago, we have 1. more expensive real estate, hence people live in smaller houses / apartments and 2. much more stuff such as TVs, computers, washing machine (in the '60s they were not that common) etc, leaving less space for hobbies. Slot cars, trains, etc need a lot of space and I see less and less space available unless somebody is highly motivating in starting the hobby or has the luck of having a very large house. Another problem is the modern life style, with so many "easy" distractions, high stress and the like. Hobbies take a lot of time that many people don't have and take a lot of effort that people might not want to put in as they come already exhausted from work. I myself have quite the challenge in finding the time and I have to assemble and disassemble my slot car layout every time i use it, as I don't have a space that I can permanently dedicate to it. But man am I happy when I find the time? You bet I am. The new digital system blew my mind.

[@68WhoamI]

👍👍👍 You are speaking right of my heart!

[@ipdtt]

Spot on, one of your best! Slot Car since 1962 son.

[@savannahhirano]

You are right. While I’m interested in the slot car hobby, I have much more experience with model trains and I think the same discussion applies. I always have the discussion with myself that if I didn’t get into model trains nearly 20 years ago... I probably wouldn’t have gotten into it in modern times. The hobby business appears to be so simplified that in an attempt to draw children due to it being basic... all you’ve done is alienate the new generation. You’ve made things so simple that there is no world of immersion on its own on a starter set. I remember the first train show my grandfather took me to, I was amazed at what could be done. Even with my future plans, the next house my wife and I purchase will essentially have a warehouse with a train layout to ignite that spark. I’ve been thinking of starting my own hobby shop and packaging all of the basics you need to bring your imagination to life(set, scenery, and the common accessories). You can’t just go... “Here’s the pieces to build just an oval, have fun.”

[@michaelspofforth2898]

Absolutely spot on !!! A set with scenery is so much more fun than none . Yes , put it in the catalogue , images and part numbers of scenery that can be bought to add on to the set. As for borders and fencing ! An absolute must , to prolong the life of your cars if nothing else !!! You’re so right that we all still have that kid in us , I’m getting back into it of late , I have about 15 cars , and don’t even have a set to run any of them on !!!! I’m saving for the sunset speedway Scalextric set , but at £385 , it’s hard to save in this day and age , but I know I will get there , I really am like a child who wants this set and get excited as what little I can save goes towards it , but in the meantime I’m still stripping down and maintaining my cars , because , yes , absolutely, it’s a great hobby to get into . Keep up your fantastic videos on here my friend , your tips and your shear passion are both fantastic.

[@verigone2677]

Your very first point was the exact time I got out of Slot cars... As soon as I stopped seeing rails in the Tyco/Hotwheels sets I knew it was basically over as an accessible hobby in areas where there are only 2 or 3 guys who secretly race in their basement. Within a few years of seeing sets with almost no accessories you started only seeing one or two of those cheapo Tyco/Hotwheels sets in department stores at XMas time, usually with some bogus trademark licensing. If you look at what are the truly most popular video games, they ALL have very intricate systems of customization and building...kids want toys and activities that challenge them and inspire them, when all of the toys they can choose from are basically garbage they will turn to TV/Games. Look at the most popular action figures...when I was kid the 3.5" G.I. Joe could pose and hold tons of weapons, the vehicles were kind of cool, but if you are honest they really looked like shit compared to now...but the figures now do almost nothing and interact with almost nothing. Sooo....now they have pretty looking toys that can shoot some foam discs piloted by a figure who might have arms that can move...WTF. I mean you can get a nice action figure, but they are like $30, look like art, and aren't actually toys. I was quite excited though, I caught the RC bug again...my youngest really wants to race RC after just a few hours of running his little car (we shall see if it lasts), and I got a little choked up when I took my oldest to the Hobbyshop 2 towns over and he wouldn't go more then 5 feet from the Scalectric and 1:43 section. I may have to dig out my 1:43 scale Richard Petty Superbird car, the only thing I have left from my slot car days, a wonderful gift from a dear friend lost long ago; thing is probably slow as dirt but oh well.

[@rjkoeller4444]

Very good point , the problem is lawyers and everything shown not coming with the set . I personally think what killed the hobby is the manufacturers requiring all their retailers to have a track up and running in their retail space , this is why you never could get a Scalextric set at K-mart , no retailer is going to sacrifice a couple hundred square feet of retail space to set up a slot car track ! Well what that meant was only commercial slot car raceways sold Scalextric cars and sets , amd they definitely took a backseat to commercial slot car sales , with them you could always rent track time and sell new bodies amd all kinds of other performance upgrades , a plastic set was a sell it and you never saw them again , and that's how it was , I was one of those commercial raceway people , I did end up bringing in all the available brands of " home set " cars and replacement parts as well as starting a group of weekly racers ( on one of our commercial tracks ) amd it was quite successful , the plastic home set cars became our biggest seller , one December we sold over $18,000 dollars worth . My point is that if any store could have sold the products they would have not limited their sales so much , most people my age remember the old Eldon and Strombeker sets when they were kids , but have no idea they still exist today , they never see them in any stores .

[@cliffwardguitar]

Here here! Absolutely correct. I am trying to get my 5 year old in to it but it’s actually pretty difficult! I’d love to see more story. They could have named drivers that you want to be. All kinds of things you could do. Lots more police chase sets etc. Lots more scenery. Even scenery sets you can buy that aren’t £40 for one building. I think they shy away from the hobby aspect but that’s what sparks the imagination. They need to make way more sets much more regularly. Look at games workshop, it’s absolutely nuts the amount of products they put out. They could sell mats to put your track on that has cool scenery on it with add on packs to Build your world up. (Just like warhammer gaming table mats.) Pit stop maintenance sets with new tyres, braids, oil and extras. Make the car repairs part of the experience. Sell cool little workshop tool boxes for all your bits. Turn your kids into little mechanics that have to spec out their cars! We would love all that. I know u can get these things but they aren’t marketed in the right way. It’s all geared for the older person in my opinion. It’s not exciting enough. You could do sticker sets for your cars. Improve the app which is a brilliant addition. The arc systems are the way forward I think. Sadly I bought an arc air and it didn’t work so bad to return but we’ve got the arc one and it’s brilliant. I think you should be able to set up an online profile of your driver and you garage that you can share just like on gran Turismo. Somewhere you can add photos and videos of your cars with lap times. Maybe even a world wide scoring system for fastest cars. You could have online competitions with people who have the same sets and run the same layouts to compete. Man I should work for scalextric! Lego have great apps with interactive videos etc. You can log all the sets you’ve got. Scalextric could do this too. All the layout options on the app from your set etc. Videos about the cars you got in the set with clips of the real cars. Man it could be so epic. I could o on all day! Hell you could even sell racing driver costumes so your kid can dress up like a Ferrari driver! Arghhh! That’s be amazing! Come on guys! Give me a job! Haha

[@JURacing]

Every company bringing out basic figure-8 sets should fire the responsible people. I agree 100% with you. I've been in that business as well (RC, not slotcars) and it is the same all over...they forget to feed enthusiasm

[@philcarpenter809]

I just had a conversation with an industry person about where slot cars and toys have gone. Video gaming is an awesome experiential play environment. Consoles offer stories, and even console expansion to personalize the experience both in customizing the characters you contol on screen, and in skins and accessories you can put on the console and controllers. Slot car sets used to have the inserts and catalogs that left the purchasers thinking about how to do the same. There are so many things to be done with sets and the experience. Hopefully from your corner and from my whisper manufacturers can do more to make the toys experience more imaginative. Yeah you were on a bit of an rant, but I have stopped myself from posting a few videos I've created thinking to deliver some of the same about slot cars and hobbies in general.

[@mikebowles3036]

It feels good to stop adulting and lie on the floor being lost in the moment with no worries or cares in the world other than the thrill of victory 🏁✌️🏁 Thank you Dave for your passion.

[@kenkrout3314]

Good video. I saw you at some of our demonstration tracks in York PA during the train show. You gave us some cars to use which I really appreciated. I wanted to perhaps explain why tracks are shown as they are today. Amazon requires a product to be shown against a plain white background. The only things allowed in the photo are things that come with the product. Some people break this rule a bit but it really does make for some plain and boring product images. It seems to me the pictures are made to fit Amazon requirements because a lot of sellers simply use the default product image when selling online.

[@Taaaarail]

When Nascar was at its zenith I was expecting one of the HO manufacturers to come out with a realistic 4 lane Nascar set. I always thought a themed set like a "1979 Daytona 500" set with a large realistic track layout and the top 4 finishing cars would be cool. But it never happened. Yes, Life Like had Nascar sets but nothing inspiring. Such a great opportunity and a period in time to promote the hobby but the manufacturers snoozed through it. Another point, as you stated, was including paperwork and brochures with the sets. One of the greatest things about my first Eldon and Aurora AFX sets was all the paperwork that promoted additional cars, track pieces and accessories. I looked at those for hours! Today that is missing from sets.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

so here's the thing, Nascar isn 't really interested in promoting old cars with licensing. The conversations they have are to promote the newest models and the whole field of cars. Those were the conversations I've had with them many, many times. They asked us in meetings when I was both with Carrera and Scalextric for us to commit to doing not only the top 3-4 drivers but most of the field. Well that makes/made zero sense since more than 60% of the sales at the time were of Dale Jr. merch...

[@willgrcmt]

30 likes 1 non. I wonder why the 1 person said no. I personally agree with you 100%. Marketing slot cars, or any hobby is limited, and quite frankly when done is weak.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

I think because I had a "go" at someone that just wanted to talk past me and not listen and have a conversation. He kept on making points about Nascar and how much he knew rather than listen to what I was trying to discuss and have a discussion with him. He just wanted to show me how much he knew about Nascar. I'm guessing it was him. He's a gamer kid that's into Nascar games. Since then he's given me downvotes on all my videos. Whatever... he wasn't listening and just wanted to show off.

[@davidvangessel1217]

Agreed no marketing at all on really any hobbies, slot cars, model planes or cars....

[@cowboyvalley]

You're spot on....minus the swearing...spot on. ...Claude

[@slotmodsraceways]

Spot on, Dave! Who would know better than you?

[@unclemark8939]

Well said ! I have been thinking the same for many years, perhaps the slot car brands should look at Lego,s marketing strategy.

[@jkabee]

I haven’t had a slot set for 35 years and have recently began looking into a digital set wit 4 cars. I was utterly blown away at the price. $600. I’m an adult with a real job and I’m still thinking “there’s no way the average person can sink $600 into a slot car set knowing good and well you’re gonna want... heck NEED... another $300-500 in additional track, borders, cars and controllers. Not to mention building a table for it and Helen I your like me and a lot o people, you’ll want to build scenery etc. I mean, today, it’s not a stretch to immediately have 1k in a track an I’m sure many of you reading this post wish you ONLY had $1k invested in your personal setups! Instead of a slot track, thinking about building a Magracing table.

[@metalmicky]

Sign of the times , I’ve spent a lot of time building a HO gauge railroad track, a locomotive and thirty odd logging cars gets you close to a thousand pounds , nothings cheap anymore .

[@adamgarber9063]

As someone who recently re-entered the hobby, I think there's a good chance companies rely too much on the internet to do the marketing for them. Many people have smart devices, computers, and online access that they figure if you know about the product, you'll look it up. I bought a Carrera set some months back and while I was blown away by how nice the box was and the quality of the set, aside from the back of the box which does mention a few track accessories or track pieces, didn't see any real mention of how extensive of a line of products Carrera makes. I had to go online and dig around to find cars I liked or track expansions, etc. If you're a parent buying a set for your kids, including yourself or not, eventually there is a point where the set appears as if what's in the box is about it. It happened to me as a kid thinking well, It's the same track, cars, etc. And if you see your kids use something less and less well then why bother spending more money on it? But if companies put in nice color illustrations in the boxes showing off a few cars or the functions of track accessories and pieces, in my case I very well may have been more interested, and I presume that would be the case with a lot of kids. I know it's not a big hobby but I can't once recall seeing an advertisement for slot cars as a whole, until I was actively researching them to get back into the hobby some 8 months ago. It's hard to sell products to people if they don't even know you have it. Companies should spend more time and money actually putting their product in view of the public to see.

[@kennethbaird968]

I think that track design a track counter with an app with car audio could well improve a car set

[@kevingates1815]

100%agree like Carrera digital I can't make any 90 degree turn just 60 ore 120 ore 180 now I have to buy extra trake thats insane experience just to make 2 ore 4 trun that can be 90 degree to to use the little space I have

[@jimcunningham534]

I agree, but I would add that car kits and and customizable cars are missing. For me as a child building a car form a kit or making changes to it was the best part.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Sorry, no. kits don't sell. Kits are available from Slot It and other companies and don't sell in any numbers at all in the US market. I could not GIVE away the last few white Nascars that Carrera had made to dealers because NO one wanted them. Further, the white unpainted cars from companies like Slot It sell in quantities of a few pieces, not a few dozen, a few pieces here in the US. So it's not worth making them if less than 24 for an entire continent might be sold.

[@kenkrout3314]

@@SlotCarNewsOfficial I have to disagree on this. I made a home made Cyclone kit that is quite honestly primitive. It comes with the customizing parts Jim suggested and I have sold way more than a few pieces of it.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Ken Krout so from the entire time I’ve been in the business and knowing the numbers for a number of different companies I can say there’s no evidence of any slot kit in the modern era selling more than 300 pieces without having to clearance sale remaining kits. It’s common knowledge that white kit slot kits are poor selling.

[@kenkrout3314]

@@SlotCarNewsOfficial In this and many things my preferences are completely outside of the mainstream. :) Thanks for the info.

[@jimcunningham534]

@@SlotCarNewsOfficial I agree in that I had little success selling the kits that were available. I am not suggesting white kits or kits to dodge the Ferrari toy license. Simply assembling a car, usually form poor instructions if not helpful. I am talking about packaging and instruction that make the building an adventure, with OPTIONS and available upgrades. I thought the Xmods RC program that was at Radio Shack just before they folded was the right path. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMODS

[@rodhenderson5635]

Very well explained, and I agree!

[@BigGoucho]

I think a lot of it has to do with the cost of what's essentially a single use item. I've recently got back into the hobby as an adult and I've noted that some things never change. The cars themselves are cheap but the only entry for most people are the sets. The prices of some of those sets are ridiculous for what you get. No one is dropping £500 on a digital slot car set when, for the same money, you can get a games console and a TV. A lot of the demand will be driven by kids and nowadays no kid is going to choose a tiny figure of 8 with cheap plasticky cars that need constant maintenance over something like X-Box.

[@DrDixonBhD]

Dioramas will always enrich your full Slotcar Experience!!!

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Agreed totally!

[@davido9345]

Well said. I also do not understand the attraction of slot cars traveling at a ridiculous rate of speed. They are so fast the cars are literally a blur going around the track. I suppose I am in the minority, but I don’t understand the appeal of that. I am interested in other opinions of this.

[@meersonne83]

I think the digital experience gives really new possibilities. You can get slot racing really interesting for the older ones. Now it would be good to get the kids back. For them it’s not the race, neither the competition, it’s just the fun and sometimes the fascination for a truck for example. Funny cars with funny colors isn’t enough for kids. They need to have something to play with. Therefore I am very curious to see the new combination of Carrera Slotcar and Lego… In general the toys industry suffered. Maybe because of computer games, but mainly because Asian plastic toys are so boring. The computer screen is just more exciting…more happening than with a stupid ugly plastic toy… Always nice to listen to U. Hello from France.

[@ronkeeney1752]

The late Frank Bertrang of Slot Car Wirld/ Artin was the King of Value Add for slot cars.

[@robertbernhard654]

As a manufacturer, your point is valid however, cost of manufacturing is the driver to get the price / value in line with consumer expectations. The Faller HO pit lane you showed for 5 DM is now $50 or more. Plastic then was $0.25 a kilo. Now it is north of $2.00. There are numerous factors that impact the hobby. This warrants a larger discussion that the big 2 will not have

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Agreed Robert, as you know I've tried to have this discussion while I worked for the big 2 and, for a variety of reasons, they're not willing to entertain the idea of adding in these fun track pieces. I will do a video soon discussing track pieces again with vintage ads to make my point.

[@ryanb9749]

Since I was a child 20-25 years ago the problem I had with trains and slots was that there were always gaps in the pieces and they didn't always fit together, and the power would drop out in places. I hated it, I really want a slot car track now. But I'll never buy a scalrix or carrera because their quality is bad. Even as a 7 year old I knew the quality was bad.

[@ryanb9749]

My 1/43 scale Yellow Dodge viper was really cool tho.

[@demonsbutterfly]

Yes. Explain tyre maintenance to kids, so they understand grip. So cars can race longer

[@Frozenman1223]

love your videos !!!! you r absolutely right

[@KenJencks]

Right on Dave! 69 year old and I love slot cars. We are responsible for the current state of affairs regarding toys.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

thanks Ken, I feel quite strongly about this topic as you see. ;)

[@thor8640]

100% correct, isn't Carrera trying a race series in Malls throughout Germany for some years? That only attracts hardcore hobbyist doesn't it? How is their Carrera world working out?

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

My concern isn't just the idea of organized racing, that's part of it. But it's also making the whole slot car experience into more than just "racing" it's making it a world of play for kids. With trees, and little buildings and models of people.. you know, what it was like in the 60's when it was a real main stream toy and more fun. If you look at the catalog (and I show photos in the video near the end) of newer catalog photos from a variety of companies, you see that there's only a photo of a track with nothing around it to make it look more appealing... just a boring figure 8. Well, who the hell thinks that's going to excite a kid to beg to buy a set?

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

their Carrera World in Nuremburg was a massive money pit for them.

[@PghMtbRides]

On another note, one of the other slot car resellers mentioned talk about future digital upgrade for the hho aurora/autoworld stuff

[@orestkucyna5546]

Dave, you are right are the Mark. Today’s kids have no idea how to create anything with their hands other than text and video game clicking on a controller. I agree 100% on the marketing approach you suggest.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

But I do make the point in the video that it's the fault of parents because if they don't play with their kids or expose them to toys like slot cars or "building" type toys then the kids won't know about them.

[@MrDarrenp40]

Starts off well. Totally agree that there has been some defeatist thinking in the slot car marketing departments. I was an avid collector of what few 'serious' Scalextric models were doing the rounds as a kid in the late seventies. If you ask me the business was always cynically run with some mean minded and beady eye to the bottom line. A number of what to me as a kid back then were obvious 'dead end' forays (we call them cul-de-sacs (from the French) here in England) lost the business money and this only then exacerbated the whimsy in seeking to put Teenage Turtles on skateboards into sets (yawn). The 80s and 90s seem to me to be the 'dark ages' in slot car history. If you ask me then never really any proper 'cuore sportivo' (Sporting heart in Italian) in the business back then. Moving on and at least the Europeans over at NSR, Slot-IT and Carrera have been in the vanguard of something of a renaissance for when it comes to capturing what I would describe as the true sporting essence of what slot car racing is properly all about. Since the turn of the century - and with Scalextric (re)introducing their Ford GT40s etc - I think it's been coming back to its original conception. Otherwise, spot on with your 'escapism' point. In the cold light of day our world is too grim and too frightening a place for any individual to contemplate 24/7. 'Escape roads' are 'cheap therapy' and help us keep strong. My only criticism is to keep on point. Around 9 mins in the piece becomes too long and you need to keep an eye against descending into a rant. Still, at least you have taken the time and care to put yourself 'out there' which is more than I. Maybe once a month rather than once a week would be better? Please keep up the good work.

[@kessu83]

Scalextric Exin in Spain, those are good cars that handle well, compared to UK ones. This is in my opnion what killed the hobby in the UK...80s and 90s UK cars are just awful to drive.

[@johnaitken7430]

I am involved with athlete supported thing Right to play. Well the idea is a village needs water, schools and hospitals..then play/sport ..it’s key

[@ruict]

so true. Why isn't Walmart and Target selling sets at Christmas time. unreal.

[@davidwarr8600]

About ten years ago our local Walmart brought in several Carrera analog sets. They had a hard time selling them and eventually almost gave them away. Very few people around here are interested in real racing so why would they want a slot car set.

[@ChrisRubeo]

You are SO right. Can slot cars, trains and other hobbies compete with video games? OF COURSE they can, because the tactile real-world experience is unique to children now. Slot Cars aren't old hat - they're brand new! THAT's the hook and the angle to bring them back. I've heard that, of all things, Ping Pong is very popular with teens, now. What's more un-video game than PING-PONG?? If ping pong can come back, so can slot cars. The future belongs to the companies willing to make the push.

[@johncahill3644]

Alternatively, none of the stuff you mention existed prior to the 1950's...that was the beginning of marketing to teenagers (plastic models were new then, model trains were not new but had been marketed to adults, same with slot cars that moved from adults to kids in that time period). And now the nature of teenagers has shifted quite a bit in the digital age (and digital slot cars totally misses that mark btw). Not only are fewer American kids "builders" (witness the decline in engineering students) but kids aren't as attached to cars as they used to be. It's not seen as an extension of personality anymore (in many cases) and in fact there's every likelihood that "ride sharing" will replace car ownership in the future. And that's without the influence of FSD in the foreseeable future. I'm tempted to add that I was born in 1953, have been heavily involved with models and slot cars ever since and watched all of this unfold.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

I know because I'm not that old and my experiences are from the 70's to the present day. From the 50's into the 70's there was plenty going on and they didn't go wrong until the 70's.

[@mike7715]

You just nailed it!

[@rhythman69uk]

One problem I have seen, is when a company starts having women high up, involved in the running of it, who have no understanding of what they are selling. This is because they have no childhood tie to it and fail to understand the product as a fan and consumer therefore. Women do not generally have model train sets, because they never had one as a girl, or wanted one if you gave it to them. Nor do they build Airfix model aeroplanes or war ships as girls. They want Barbies and horses usually. Companies have to understand the differences between the sexes, but political correctness now tells us we are all the same, male/female/black/white, everyone is the same. Wrong. Boys are being encouraged not to play with boys toys and to be feminine. Then there is the dropping of pink for girls and blue for boys. I am not being misogynistic, this is just an observation. Women don't generally go fishing with their father, they don't play dungeons and dragons while listening to Progressive Rock. They don't inhabit the micro world of the imagination or collect obscure things and display them in a glass case. That is just not how they are programmed, generally speaking. So if they become high up in a toy company, they often don't understand what they are dealing with. They can't set their mind back to how they related to that toy as a child, because they never did use it like that! In 2012, as a special series for the London Olympics, Hornby made thousands of sets of 'Scalextric' tracks essentially, but as a velodrome. Who wants to watch a bloke on a plastic bike going around and around an oval track, ad nauseam?!! They sold only a handful, with thousands left in boxes unsold in the warehouse. Dreadful loss of money for them. It was a rubbish idea that someone with no concept of what the slot car world represents, decided to put out. Clueless!

[@jj65jj65]

you want to become prime minister seeing Boris is a dead man walking,

[@arthursmith1732]

What a load of self-serving crap.

[@jj65jj65]

@@arthursmith1732 nothing wrong with anything said in this comment, its all just simple commonsense, something you are obviously lacking, if the woman in charge grew up with a passion for slot racing, fair enough, you have a point, but its plainly clear shes studied philosophy and geography at uni, couldnt get her ideal job and took whatever job she could with her phds masters or whatever crap they dish out at uni, rhythman, has a very valid point and I strongly agree

[@MrSupergenix]

100% agree. Regards from Spain.

[@PopExpo]

RCs, Trains, slot cars, rockets, etc. Are all toys!!! The hobby shop is just a high end toy store.

[@mikeries8549]

Raced tenth scale trucks in the 90s. In the beginning it was kids mowing lawns to get the money for an rc truck. Gradually due to constant upgrades the add-ons got very expensive and just like that the hobby was not kids with mowers but doctors and dentists. Ruined a good thing but I think someone profited somewhere so its fine. 😞

[@2ofus]

Spot on!

[@rosssmith9870]

I've tried introducing my 2 boys to model car kits and slot car sets. I loved my 1/24 Eldon set I had as a kid. Initially they were interested but lost interest quickly. The model car kits were too complicated and were not intended to roll or be played with like the older kits with 4 post bodies and metal axles. Thanks grouchy old men demanding authenticity and correctness. The modern slot car set just wasn't that fun. The cars would fly off the track and going in a constant circle didn't hold their interest. Video games were what they constantly played with. I've sat in the living room and watched them play games like grand theft auto, war games and racing games plus others. The immersion in another complex interactive world is incredible and model kits and slot cars just can't compete with fantasy video games.

[@randytaylor1258]

Have you seen the Tamiya modelling catalog? It's big and glossy and full of photos of finished kits and dioramas which scream out to consumers "You could build this, too -- build something that expresses how you feel^. But if all you want to market is starter sets -- without guard rails to keep cars from crashing onto the floor or into walls -- then people aren't going to make a commitment to the hobby because the companies haven't made a commitment to the hobby. How many starter sets get put back into the box at the end of the day, sooner if a car breaks and you can't race. Tamiya wants you to finish that kit so you'll buy another. How s a hobby supposed to proceed if all you're selling is starter sets? The bodies are pretty but you said it yourself: They come with the same chassis.

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Yes those suggestions for how a model fits into a diorama or a world that you can make with other models expands what people think they can do with a model. It gives them a dream to shoot for. It sets the bar. And we agree that if slot companies can't even be bothered to put the minimum in sets (guard rails) then not only is the user's experience bad but they haven't even done the minimum to make a complete set for sale. It makes no sense I agree and it's self defeating.

[@randytaylor1258]

@@SlotCarNewsOfficial Well put. It's not a toy -- it s a dream. And it's amazing how many families once had layouts and how few still do.

[@rjkoeller4444]

Now Scalextric has even gotten to the point of making totally generic cars ! At least with some of them , I suppose to bring down the price , but most retailers are charging just as much for them as the highly detailed cars .

[@ChrisRubeo]

All it would take would be to get one big youtube gaming influencer to play with slot cars on his channel. BUT that's a big get.

[@calvincooley1074]

Or one or two car You Tubers in the snowy states could boost interest It would probably be too costly to travel to real car races and set up tracks for the kids to see and sample but if they hit four or five big races and bring open wheel or sedans depending on the type of race it is.

[@tomcummings655]

great video!Blaming video games is just false-the the slot car industry was in trouble long before video games appeared.To me the big turn-off in the 70's and later was speed over appearance-the "thingies",wing cars etc. Slot cars were an extension of my years of model building,the detail of the new cars is whats brought me back into slot cars.I still get a little disappointed over the new releases, I understand the manufacturers are all in Europe,but the releases are so Euro-centic.I just cant get excited by the 20th different Porsche version coming out.The vintage NASCAR stuff is great,but why not some american vintage open wheel cars?and I dont mean moderd rear engine "formula wannabe" indy cars!This winter I'm concentrating on introducing more people to slot cars,young and old!

[@davidvangessel1217]

My first and only slot car track was a TYCO. Loved it and miss it. No one advertises like they used to do, they've all gotten lazy and left the country for China.

[@robertbernhard654]

A lot of valid comments of people 50 years +. We all see the problem here

[@MovieGuy846]

Nope.....it's not corny. I returned to slot cars about 10 years ago (but not active @ the moment due to space) and the reason was because when I saw an SCX Digital system for the first time w/ the huge number of accessories and potential for expansion, my mind was blown and I wanted to invest in it and God knows how much money I spent putting that thing together. However, now in the present you see SCX dumb down the system by literally taking everything away that made it so good. I mean... something as simple as an overpass bridge w/ all the nice borders and barriers along w/ a lighting system underneath; that's awesome. Now what do they have now... just a piece of track and some simple supports that doesn't even look all that realistic. And the borders and barriers; gone and switched back to cheesy guard rails that don't look half as good and unrealistic once again. Yeah....it would take a lot to get me to invest again.

[@arpinchock]

I totally agree on the borders and guardrails...

[@brentbeatty9417]

Super job explaining thus and so true...every add I see a “just the car” or just the track. Bravo!!!

[@Vezzo55]

Great Video ......So True

[@joeaquino9508]

Scenic tracks are awsome

[@MikeyBoy9891]

Awesome video!!

[@johnaitken7430]

Excellent give entrants an opening to more. Vs dumbing. Don’t think kids are lazy etc.

[@PghMtbRides]

I'm trying to get back into slots I love the idea of digital features that carrera and scalextrix...but the price is stupid for the kiddy track you get. For the price, the HO AFx giant every is a better deal

[@jj65jj65]

try looking at pre designed sets, yes the prices rise but you get far more value for money than the basic box sets, which are basic, there are companies out there that do it

[@joeaquino9508]

The same with the box art from the 60's

[@machoman5356]

That digital was bad for the hobby

[@pdiz]

Isn't it in a way what TV series/movies/whatever did to books? Not sure if it was that, or the instant gratification of our current society, but no one reads anymore either. Kids don't even play with toys anymore. It's all phones and video games. Don't me wrong, I had my Commodore-64, but at least we had to program it and made games and bulletin-boards we created out of BASIC. But yeah, let's get everyone interested in hobbies again and make it the norm. Most people don't even have a hobby.

[@burlpage5260]

That's not what happened, slot car joints where starting to go under in the late 60's and then all through the seventies they were boarding up their doors in record time, and computer games were just getting started then so it couldn't have been computer games I agree with you on that ! So what was happening to them ! I ask 3 owners that were within days of locking the doors, one said there's not a slot track owner that has books in the black their all in the red we all know each other we talk we compare, most have a few bucks saved up then they start dipping into it and when that's gone their business is gone, he said he had tried everything he knew to do to keep from locking those doors ! Some will try a second time even ! He said it's just not a profitable business to get into ! But now it seems to be making a comeback again ! Everyone that is into Slot Racing think about what I just said , and go to your favorite tracks and do business with them support them, they can't keep the doors open by just renting track time ! Order merchandise through them, I know you could order online and have it shipped to your home but heck man if you don't support these businesses they're going to shut their doors then what are you going to do ? If you really love this sport we all have to keep their doors open !!