Track Compatibility <- Moved Thread

[Andy P.]

Hello,
I need to know if a large stock of old 90's track can be merged with the more modern tracks? I am intending to build a large four lane track for my son and I wanted to know if my old track and cars will work with the new Street Racer set I have got him for Christmas?

I am completely out of touch with the current technology so any dumbing down would be appreciated.

Thank you
Alex C.

[Andy P.]

Thread moved to here...

 

[Andy P.]

The short answer is yes, but you will need the C8222 converter track piece (or 2 pairs if you go 4-lane).

There are a few threads that can be found on here that in the same vein:

https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/forum/connecting-old-analogue-track-to-digital/#post-226510

https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/forum/scalextric-classic-and-sport-tracks/

https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/forum/best-way-to-refurbish-classic-track/

https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/forum/cleaning-scuffed-track/#post-129408

I suggest you use the search function as there may be more interesting posts.

Newer cars' guide blades are deeper so they must be trimmed to work on Classic (90's) track.

[Alex C.]

Hi again Andy,

Thank you for moving my thread, I completely misread the posting location on that one.

I will invest in a couple C8222 converter sections but the track divides about 80% to the older style so it may not be required at this early stage if I cannot get a four lane lap counter.I have tried reading through some of the other threads but sometimes the new terminology escapes me. Is there a specific section for the old unknowing fans to go and attempt to catch up?

[woodcote]

Hi Alex. If you want a quick update on the evolution of Scalextric track, there's this useful wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalextric#Track

 

What the entry on wikipedia calls "Original Scalextric Track (Mk. 2)" is what most hobbyists now call 'Classic' track and is what you have. Classic and Sport share the same geometry, but connect differently, have a different surface and Sport has a deeper slot. There are some great track pieces only available in Classic - Le Mans start, Goodwood chicane, humpback bridge, skid chicane, long chicane, curved chicane, straight crossovers etc. Scalextric Sport Digital track pieces - pit lanes, powerbases, lane changers etc - only connect to Sport. Yes, there are the converter pieces that allow the mixing of the two track systems, but you need a pair of converters every time you want to include a Sport section, a digital lane changer etc. It can get expensive. It is usually best to choose one system and to stick to it.

 

If you are considering switching to digital in the future, please consider that the Scalextric digital system communicates to the cars via digital signals passed through the track power rails. To work properly, the track condition and connections have to be absolutely 100% tip-top. Unless your Classic track is as good as new, you will have problems. My advice is to invest in switching to Sport track. You will need less of it to build a big two lane digital track than a 4-lane analogue track. You will also be able to run modern Scalextric cars without having to trim the guide blades.

 

Oh, and avoid Start track. It was a bit of a dead end and thankfully there's not much of it about. Micro Scalextric is an entirely different system - half the width of standard Scalextric.

 

I hope that helps.