Slot car racing can make for a rather rewarding hobby for anyone who loves speed and competition. And Carrera slot car layouts and make the hobby even more exciting.
Slot car racing is an excellent alternative to video games as it targets the same mental regions and taps into the same skill sets without making the brain lethargic.
However, diving into this hobby for the first time can be a daunting experience. So, here are a few slot-car tips for beginners for Carrera slot car layouts.
Questions to Ask for Slot Car Layouts
A Carerra race set is quite a considerable investment to make. If you are looking for Carrera slot car layouts, there will be a few questions you need to ask yourself.
How Old Will the Racers Be?
Ideally, slot car racing is not recommended for children below the age of six. Some more advanced cars and tracks will require a racer to have enough skill and finesse to make it out of a race without damaging their cars.
However, if you are adamant about introducing children to the wonders of slot car racing, starting off with a purely analog course would be best.
These courses have simpler tracks and fewer lane counts and should help children learn the basics such as speed control and turning.
Where are You Going to Put Your Track?
Slot car racing demands a lot of real estates. In addition, the smallest courses can take up an entire table, and large ones can span several feet.
As such, you cannot place this in your living room where there is a chance that people will step on small parts. Instead, you will need a large enough space to place the course with some leeway for racers to move around.
How Often Will You Race?
Although you can easily assemble and disassemble slot car courses, it can get tedious in the long term. That time you will spend clipping tracks to one another could have been spent tuning your car and racing it.
Also, repeated assembly and disassembly will eventually take a toll on the connectors, wearing the entire race course.
The best option here is to ensure you have enough time for the hobby. Be prepared to race regularly for days or months. You should take the race course apart only for repairs, maintenance, and expansions.
The Carrera Slot Car Set For Unique Layouts
Carrera is often the ideal Line for beginners for three reasons. First, the cars are 4:3 in scale, which means they can perfectly fit in one’s hands.
Second, you can quickly assemble the courses and customize them to create unique track layouts. Third, the pricing is modest in comparison to other slot car brands.
Carrera’s slot car line can be divided into two distinct categories.
Carrera GO!!!
Marketed as the “starter” line, Carerra’s GO!!! The catalog features courses with kid-friendly themes like Mario Kart and Pixar’s Cars series. In addition, you can do stunts with features like loops, ramps, and wall-running portions.
If the racers in your house are between the ages of 6 to 8, this course type should provide several hours of entertainment. Also, it is the cheaper product line in Carrera’s catalog.
The product line is great for introducing children to slot car racing. Therefore, the GO!!! series features mainly analog racing systems. However, a basic GO!!! Set can be converted for digital systems if one has the right parts.
Digital 143
The pricier variant, Digital 143’s product line, consists of purely digital race courses and slot cars.
Also, the Digital 143 line allows for bigger races as multiple cars can be inserted into one lane. In addition, lane changes are provided to help vehicles maneuver through the traffic in each course.
If the racers are older children and teenagers, the Digital 143 line is ideal as this allows them to hone their hand-to-eye coordination and other motor skills.
Also, digital Carrera tracks might be less expensive for you in the long term as the conversion is no longer necessary.
The best part with the Digital 143 line is that it is entirely compatible with its sister brand. So you can merge a GO!!! Track with a Digital 143 course to create a bigger yet purely digital racecourse.
In addition, Carrera produces dedicated red crossover tracks, which means you can mix and match track pieces from both lines.
Can Carerra Go be Digital?
Bot Carerra and Scalextric use a similar type of electrical connector, which is the European norm called the “Pit-Pro” clip.
This means that you can physically convert your GO!!! Track into a digital one, provided that you have the right pieces. The same goes for Scalextric, whose tracks use a different plug system.
Therefore, if you want to get into digital slot car racing but do not want to spend much money, you can start with an analog set and then convert it later.
How Long Can You Make a Carerra Go Track?
15 meters is the maximum length that you can make for a GO!!! Track. If you want to make it longer, you must use extension tracks.
Fortunately, these are easy to find and relatively inexpensive as well. In addition, they allow for a variety of different course layouts.
If you are having trouble connecting the extension tracks, ensure the locking tabs are in the correct position.
Carrera 1:24 Scale Track Extension Set – Accessory Pack includes 12 Pieces
Can You Use a Power Supply for Carerra Go?
The recommended power supply for GO!!! Tracks are 6 V. However, you can use a 9 V power supply if you want more speed.
Just be aware that a higher voltage power supply will also increase your car’s and tracks’ wear and tear.
What Cars Can You Use on a Carerra Go Track?
The GO!!! The Line is not as varied as the Digital 143 line regarding cars. In addition, the selection is limited to just a handful of Formula 1 and sports cars.
Still, the available cars look great and are designed to be durable. If you want more variety, you can always use the cars from the Digital 143 line on your GO!!! Track.
Do You Need a Controller for Carerra Go?
Yes, you will need a controller in order to race on a GO!!! Track. The good news is that the controllers are relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
In addition, they are designed to be comfortable even for smaller hands. If you want more than one person to race simultaneously, you can always buy an additional controller.
Can You Use Carerra Go on Carpet?
Yes, you can use GO!!! Tracks on the carpet provided that the carpet is not too thick. If the carpet is too thick, it might interfere with the electrical connection between the track and the cars.
In addition, you might need to use higher-grip tires if you are racing on the carpet.
How Do You Clean a Carerra Go Track?
You can clean your GO!!! Track using a damp cloth. Just be sure not to use any cleaning products as they might damage the track.
In addition, you should avoid getting the cars or controllers wet as this can cause problems.
How Do You Store a Carerra Go Track?
You can store your GO!!! Track by rolling it up or by disassembling it. If you choose to roll it up, just be sure not to put sharp objects on top of the track.
If you disassemble the track, you can store the pieces in a box or a bag. Just be sure to keep them away from small children and pets.
How Do You Fix a Slot Car?
If your slot car is not working correctly, you can try a few things. First, check the batteries and make sure they are fresh.
Next, check the electrical connection between the track and the car. If that is not the problem, you might need to replace the motor or the gears.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, if you want to create your own slot car track, the Carerra GO!!! Track is a great option. It is easy to set up, use, and store. In addition, it is relatively inexpensive compared to other options.
If you want more variety, you can always buy additional extension tracks or use the cars from the Digital 143 line. Whichever route you choose, you are sure to have hours of fun.
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