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Baby Boomers Resurrect HO Scale Slot Car Racing Hobby

By Roger Thompson, cofounder of MHOSA

Remember that miniature slot car set you had back in the 60s or 70s?  You may have even bought your son or daughter a toy slot car racing set for Christmas when they were about eight years old.

A local Denver group takes these ‘toys’ to the next level.   By making modifications to toy Tyco or AFX brand slot cars, the speeds increase to well over 1000 scale miles per hour,” said Scott Johnson, cofounder of Mile-high HO-scale Slot-car Association (MHOSA).  I remember the first time I raced one of these [modified cars], said Roger Thompson the other cofounder.“  I literally couldn’t keep my eyes on the car, it went so fast.”

According to Johnson, there’s just about nothing you can’t do to make an HO scale  slot car perform better. There are national slot car racing organizations which publish specifications for different classes of racing.  There are even national championship races each year.

MHOSA backs a beginner “stock car” class racing series every other Thursday night.  The stock class is designed to be an entry level class to attract new racers whether it be baby boomers who raced years ago, toy track owner, or first timers.  “One of the advantages of the stock class is cost,” said Johnson.  “Unlike the faster classes, the stock class is inexpensive and takes very little expertise to be competitive.” 

The stock class is broken into amateur and experienced categories.  “The objective is to make it fun and easy,” said Johnson.  In the amateur stock class, first timers are loaned a car and a controller, and given all the advice they need to be competitive.  “If they like it and want to race again, it’s really pretty inexpensive,” said Johnson.  Rick White, who is relatively new to organized slot car racing said, “I had so much fun with the stock class, I immediately began racing the faster class.”

The race tracks are modified too.  Most of the tracks MHOSA races on have four lanes and custom power supplies needed to power the higher electrical consumption of the faster cars.  The track is continuous instead of snap together sections like come with most toy sets.  “These tracks are necessary to withstand the thrashing of the faster classes,” said Thompson.

Some of the racers collect and restore HO scale cars.  “Cars that sold for $2.99 back in the sixties bring $300 to $500 dollars today,” said Dan Pierce, a collector in MHOSA.  The old bat mobile of Batman fame is a good example.  “I could have bought [a bat mobile] in mint condition for $125 several years ago.  Now you would be lucky to get one for less than $600-800 on Ebay.”

“Basically, we’re just a group of folks who really enjoys this hobby,” said Johnson.  “Even though HO scale slot car racing is competitive in nature, we have been able to maintain a low key, friendly culture in MHOSA.  Our more experienced racers share tips and information with the less experienced.  That makes it more enjoyable for all of us.”