Help. Extreme Newbee

[SimplySouthern]

A slot car racing track has just opened up by my house. Took my kids to watch them race and the kiddos fell in love. I have been finding "rental cars" for sell and then I'll read somewhere that rental cars are not allowed at certain tracks. What makes a car a rental car? Just the short answer will work lol. I appreciate any advice in my search for a starter set for my kids (13 and 9)

[Tex]

Just go to the track and ask the owner to point you towards a tough, durable beginner slot car and controller. A Parma "whisperjet" would be good because it uses a belt-drive system instead of being gear-driven; gears are easily damaged by beginners and you'd get tired of paying for and replacing them frequently.

Welcome to the world of slot cars!

[La Cucaracha]

These are the best cars available for beginners.
JK cars handle well and are very durable.
They are a much better design and value than anything from Parma.
Parma hasn`t come out with anything new in about 10 years.


http://www.jkproducts.com/page29.html
These are available with both 3/32 axles and 1/8.

The 1/32 scale direct drive cars are very simple and they drive great.

http://www.jkproducts.com/page10.html

A 3 or 4 ohm resistor type controller like Parma Turbo or Koford will work fine with these cars.

I encourage you to spend your money at the local raceway so he can stay in business.
Slot Cars are way more fun on the track than sitting on your workbench.

Have fun.

[SimplySouthern]

Thanks for the info and messages. Much appreciated. I hope my kids will enjoy it, I know I will have fun too lol.

[La Cucaracha]

My dad took me to a slot car track in 1966 and I`ve loved the hobby ever since.

Have fun with your kids.

[SimplySouthern]

Another question. I've been seeing cars without front wheels, is that normal? Are front wheels not required? 1/24 scale is what I'm looking at.

[Mic Byrd]

Depends on what rules you are racing by. The USRA allows sticker front for scale and also ISRA USA allows sticker front for scale racing Retro racing you have to run front tires. Wing cars have to have front tires if you can call them tires.

[gr8rcfan]

Most slot cars have a 4" wheelbase, which is shorter than a 1/24th scale car would actually be. But it creates the best handling slot car by riding on just the front guide and the rear wheels. So front wheels on your typical slot car are just for looks, and not required for the car to drive nicely.

As for equipment choices, I go with Mike Flemming's advise. The JK Cheetah 21 is a great handling, durable chassis for beginners and intermediates. It's also very fast with the included Hawk 7 motor. I'd recommend you ask your track owner about options to temporarily slow it down until you're ready to go full tilt!

[SimplySouthern]

Again you guys have been very helpful with the replies and messages. Thanks again. I understand buying from the local track to keep the business up, but all they are selling at this point is new and I can't spend that kind of money on the hobby until I know this is something they will stick with. They do sell parts there, and that is where I am planning to get any parts needed. So I bought two used 1/24 cars: one a JK C7 with a Parma 16D motor, and a JK Cheetah with a Falcon motor. My question now is what controllers do we need, not racing just practicing and having fun. I've seen controllers ranging from 1 Ohms up. I've also read too low of resistance it's all or nothing with the car, and too high you have to squeeze the trigger all the way or you get nothing. What is a good middle ground number?

[skigolfmike]

3 Ohms is a good place to start with a resistor controller.

[swiss]

Have your raceway get you a Koford M558-3 or M558-4.

[Ramcatlarry]

MANY years ago the 'traditional rental car' was the Parma whisperjet , neoprene belt drive with the extra tough .025 - .040 " thick body. Very durable cars for 6 - 10 yr olds birthday parties, but would/could do damage to other customers cars if on the same track. Since the falcon size motor has gained so much favor in recent years, its lighter weight (over the 16D class and 'C' class motors) has made it more safe to play at the same time. An even slower option is to use other similar motors such as the Slick-7 and the JK hawk-25 instead of the higher RPM groups. You can always adjust the gear ratio for the little kids to go slower as well. The cars you got are good starters and just changing gears and/or motors would not hurt. Use a 4 ohm or a used Prof Motor diode controller as other used controller options. The 15-60 ohm controllers are for HO and slower plastic cars. No adjustments needed.

[gr8rcfan]

Depends on the track. The Parma would like a 2.5-3 ohm. But even 3 ohm may be too touchy for the Hawk 7, making tight turns almost impossible. So a 4 ohm will work for both motors, though slow reacting for the Parma.

[RacerDeaf]

SimplySouthern, many years ago I purchased a Trinity SlotWorks diode controller for my nephew. It ran about $25. Trinity seemingly does not make them anymore. Worked really good on a lower power track for a newbie kid starter kit: controller and 4.5 inch nascar. Really had fun for a couple of months, but after some time, he eventually lost interest. Thought about that when I saw this post. Have not seen one in a while, but there are a few "Professor Motor" PMTR models available on eBay for $20-40. I agree with the guys, and I am firm believer that yes it is far better / critically essential to support your local track, but this might work for you, ..and most certainly with a Hawk 7 or Evil 9 powered car

[La Cucaracha]

There are always controllers for sale on eBay but used controllers can be problematic.
I would see if the raceway has rental controllers you can use until your kids learn how to drive better and you can afford a new one.
Beginners tend to drive at partial speed and get controllers hot pretty quickly.