The 6 Best Slot Car Tracks You Wish You Could Race
Posted by RC Superstore on 7th Sep 2023
Welcome to a world where the thrill of racing is magnified to miniature proportions. Where every curve sparks adrenaline, and where the tracks themselves become characters in a story of speed, skill, and imagination.
From the nostalgic hum of motors to the meticulously sculpted scenery that whizzes by, these custom slot car tracks are more than just a hobby—they're a tribute to the art of craftsmanship and the allure of competition.
Join us as we unveil the six best slot car tracks from around the globe. These aren't just tracks you wish you could race; they are miniature worlds where fantasy and reality intertwine, and where the pursuit of speed is matched only by the attention to detail.
1. CUSTOM COUNTY COURSE – JAREL BUILT SLOT CAR TRACKS
Mark Jarel’s handcrafted slot car tracks transcend mere playthings. Drawing inspiration from iconic motorsport locales worldwide, he melds these influences into scenes both distinctive and familiar. What begins as a handful of particle board planks and a simple sketch gradually evolves into something much greater than the sum of its parts.
Rooted in his father's cabinetry trade, Mark's upbringing instilled in him a woodworking prowess and a DIY mindset from an early age. While the foundational skills and fascination with racing were there, it was only when Mark's own son stumbled upon a box of vintage slot cars that his passion for custom construction truly ignited.
You can visit the Jarel Built Facebook page to view more of Mark’s custom slot car tracks.
2. RUSTIC HILL SLOT CAR TRACK – SCATTO DESIGN
Our next featured slot car track comes courtesy of Scatto Design. Featuring plenty of tight turns, strategically placed crossovers, and straightaway stretches to reach top speed, this custom 17 x 7 ft. design has everything a diehard slot car racer could ask for. The attention to detail is remarkable as well, with plenty of rocky cliffs, miniature spectators, and even a functioning windmill in the corner.
If you want to see what really sets this track apart, though, you’ll need to wait until the “sun” goes down. From dozens of streetlights to the slot car’s own headlights, the entire track is illuminated for some one-of-a-kind nighttime racing!
You can visit the Scatto Design Facebook page for more photos and videos of their custom slot car tracks.
3. THATCHERS RACEWAY – JADLAM RACING MODELS
Welcome to Thatcher’s Raceway. One look and you’ll be instantly transported back to the day your dad first took you to a track when you were a kid. Featuring sharp S-turns, pitch-black tunnels, and a lively pit row, this track has it all! The attention to detail is absolutely unmatched, with miniature camera crews, graffiti artists, and actual welding flashes in one of the garages.
While much of the track is built from scratch or highly modified, you may still recognize many Scalextric slot car parts used throughout. From bars and spectator stands to bathrooms and medical centers, many of the structures light up for some after-dark fun. And while there are many cars, trucks, and emergency vehicles scattered around, this track is far from grounded. Your imagination can truly take flight with a helicopter, hot air balloon, and overhead-suspended fighter jets!
You can check out more of their custom Scalextric slot car tracks by visiting the Jadlam YouTube page.
4. CUSTOM AFX GIANT RACEWAY – BLUE RIDGE RACING
This custom HO scale slot car track was created by a man named Chris. His journey began back in January of 2022 when his boredom from being stuck at home during the pandemic led him to the exciting hobby of slot car racing. Having visited a local hobby store and doing his own research online, Chris decided to purchase the AFX Giant Raceway—a massive, 62.5 ft. mega track.
Using the AFX Giant Raceway as a base, and an old billiards table as a stand, Chris went to work customizing his course. Over the next seven months, he continued to modify his raceway, adding grass, trees, structures, and other scenery. What makes this track truly unique, however, is the addition of real rocks, brought in from his backyard in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Georgia.
You can follow along with Chris as he continues to tinker with his custom slot car track by following his Blue Ridge Racing YouTube page.
5. BYRON RALLY – BESPOKE TRAX
Race your way through an old, abandoned quarry at Byron Rally. This custom, 17 ft. x 8 ft. Scalextric track is loosely based on the scenic, winding country roads of Southern France and Italy. Originally only 10 ft. in length, the designers at Bespoke Trax wisely tacked on a huge 7 ft. addition that included the iconic quarry scene and a long back straight for really laying on the gas.
This one-of-a-kind track has more dark tunnels, hairpin turns, and sheer elevation than most of the other tracks on this list. And the best part is, for the right price, this jaw-dropping custom slot car track can be yours!
For more track photos and commission information, visit the Bespoke Trax website.
6. DEARBORN BASEMENT SLOT CAR TRACK – JIMMY ATTARD
Last, but certainly not least, is this massive, 1,050 sq. ft. custom slot car track built by Dearborn, MI resident, Jimmy Attard. It was called “the preeminent track in America” by a popular toy car magazine—but that was over thirteen years ago! At the time, many of the track’s impressive details were incomplete. But according to Jimmy, it’s still, “a long way from being finished.”
Everything in Jimmy’s track is built from scratch, using simple materials ranging from the sand and gravel of his yard to everyday items like coat hangers and coffee stirrers. As hard as it may be to believe, Jimmy claims he’s spent less than $300 on materials! That’s even more impressive when you hear that the entire track can be lit up—using red, yellow, and green LEGO pieces, of course—for some incredible nighttime racing.
To stay up to date on the latest modifications to Jimmy’s full-basement track, you can visit his AC2Car website.
START BUILDING YOUR OWN CUSTOM SLOT CAR TRACK TODAY!
Hopefully, these incredible setups inspired some slot car track ideas of your own. If you’re ready to start planning your build, check out our huge selection of slot car sets, track pieces, and other parts and accessories. We carry both 1/32 scale and HO scale so you can find exactly what you need in your preferred size.
If you’re new to the hobby and not sure what you need, we encourage you to reach out and let our friendly team of slot car experts help guide you down the right path. We’re also happy to bounce around some slot car track layout ideas to get your motor revved.
To keep learning, check out our other recent slot car posts: