one question ?

[flyracing]

WHY ??????
http://www.scalextric.com/us-en/new-...-arc-2014.html

[JimHT]

Because there are umpteen more smartphones available that could be used to control slot cars than there ever were slot car controllers.
The idea is obviously to use current technology that the kids are familiar with to get them to play.
What is the downside? They are playing with slot cars, eh?

[Ramcatlarry]

Bored engineers trying to reinvent the wheel.....and create a new proprietory system that will obsolete itself so that another can be 'invented'.....

[Michael.cannonj]

I actually think this is just a first step toward integrating personal electronic devices into home slot car tracks.
I'm sure the first digital/computer lap counter seemed like an unnecessary innovation at the time.
I think it's time to put these phones to some good use.


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[Ramcatlarry]

NO. The first computors allowed races to be run on timed runs enabling the races to equalize the experience. Before that, only decade counting worked so that the first car to make (X) 10 laps stopped the power....NOT equal racing.

All it does is allow the phone company to make money off of the racer by using more minutes and gigabites - and cheating the raceway owner out of potential controller rentals.

"living can't be simple no more, there is too many gadgets...." plaque found from 1940's Mammoth Cave gift shop.

[Michael.cannonj]

Well....because I happen to like the old school racing it's hard for me to argue. I suppose I might be able to assuage your fears on phone company billing however.
The app will almost certainly use wifi or even Bluetooth to connect so your phone company won't be involved.
Otherwise, even gas racers have evolved in race technology and design. I'm sure the same arguments have been made.
In slot cars we accept changes in chassis, body materials, tires and most everything else.
So the timing system is changing? Well time itself isn't changing, just how we measure it in a race.
Some folks have moved from a pocket watch to a wrist watch. Of course a sundial worked well too. I've even got a digital watch in my top drawer.

I'm not trying to be a smart*** but just show how electronic innovations and change is everywhere.
Perhaps, with Slot Car racing just hanging in there, bringing an app online will intrigue the new generation enough to come and play.
Is it necessary? No it's not necessary. Is it a bad thing? I rather doubt it's a bad thing.

So anyway, i will let someone else have the last word.
Bad thing about typing is it always sounds cranky and cynical. I promise it's all with a tongue in cheek and in good humor. Please receive it as such.
Respectfully, MC


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[Ramcatlarry]

We used thumb clickers to count laps in the 1950s for all hobbies- U-control, pylon racing, rail racing. The use of the Darkroom timer to control relay lane timing was used before the computor, but total laps were logged by hand and paper.

Too much change just obsoletes the user from participating.

My dial telephone was in use untill 2007 when I dropped Ma Bell.

[Michael.cannonj]

We had a party line for years. Different rings for each house.
No one seemed to mind then however. I doubt we would opt back in. Lol


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[KVAN]

When I started slot racing, we used to chisel slashes on the cave wall, and we shared the results with others using smoke signals!

[RomanK]

I have often thought and sometimes said that in order for slots to do more than simply survive it will have to adopt to the demographic we are trying to attract as I assure you expecting the reverse is a recipe for extinction.

[Bill from NH]

My dial telephone was in use untill 2007 when I dropped Ma Bell.

I still use the dial wall phone in the kitchen I first got in 1978. No Ma Bell, but the thing is nearly bulletproof.

[Michael.cannonj]

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[oldweirdherald]

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Ironic much????

PK @ OWH

[Ingram]

..............Too much change just obsoletes the user from participating......

I agree to a point...

Not enough change leaves you out of touch and obsolete. If the only clients you want are racers from the '60s and '70s, you will run out of customers pretty soon.

"Millenniums" as they are referred to, have much shorter attention spans but deeper wallets than we had as kids.

A balanced program appealing to several demographics is needed in todays market.

Of course this is just my humble opinion and I could be completely wrong.

[Michael.cannonj]

Some of the change needs to be a return to some of the building skills as in Retro and driving skills. Some of the advancements can be in track construction, timing and control systems and the materials used to make bodies and parts. 3D printers are showing up more and more for example.


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