How to set up your Scalextric track on Christmas morning (stress-free!)

There is nothing more exciting than unwrapping your gift at Christmas to discover a brand new Scalextric set inside. It’s always destined to be the star gift of the day, drawing in all family members to ensure a full day of slot car racing fun, with tournaments squeezed in around all the festive feasts and treats.

To ensure you get the smoothest setup possible, we’ve put together this handy guide, so that all the family rivalry comes from the antics on the racetrack – not the antics involved in putting it together.

Opening the box – what’s inside a Scalextric set

Scalextric sets come with everything you need to get your hobby started. Inside the box you’ll find:

• Enough track pieces to build a full circuit (usually with several layout options)
• Two or more slot cars     
• Two controllers
• Powerbase and transformer
• Instruction to get started

Setting up your Scalextric layout

Before you start slotting track pieces together, make sure you have a firm base to lay the track on. 

Then, lay out your track pieces in front of you and slot them together in the layout of your choice. The instructions that come in the box will offer a variety of layout options, but all will include a powerbase to allow you to power and control your slot cars.

As your hobby grows, you can add track pieces and experiment with different layouts. But for Christmas Day, and simplicity’s sake, we recommend going for the first suggested layout.

You can then place your slot cars on the track, making sure the guide blades fit inside the slots.

Your Scalextric track setup is now complete. Now it’s slot car race time! Press the trigger on your controller and watch those slot cars go!

Stress-free troubleshooting guide

While it is unusual, sometimes things go wrong – especially when the little ones are hyped up on the chocolate they’ve had for breakfast! Here are some quick troubleshooting tips to ensure your new set is primed for action.

Cars not running?

Check the braid plates

The metal braids on the base of the slot cars pick up electricity from the powered track. If yours look worn for any reason, the cars won’t run efficiently.

If they’ve never been run before, contact Customer Services to arrange replacements. However, if you have already been running your slot cars for some time, you will eventually need to replace them yourself.

The braids can also quickly become too flat. Sometimes, the only thing you need to do is pull them slightly away from the car to get them to work properly again.

Check the tyres

If your car tyres get dirty, they may stop turning. You can clean these easily with Sellotape. Simply unroll a little tape from the roll and run the tyres over it to remove any dirt or dust. You’ll notice improved grip immediately.

Look for obstructions

Give your track a quick wipe with a lightly damp cloth (when the power is disconnected) to make sure there is nothing preventing your cars from moving. While you’re there, check that every track piece is properly connected.

Get the whole family involved

Even if your set only has two cars, you can make this Christmas all about Scalextric by setting up tournaments to see who the ultimate slot-car racer is. This way, all the kids get a go, and those grown-ups who are itching to relive their childhoods also get to play!

Be prepared for a little friendly competition – this isn’t about letting the little ones win, it’s about respect on the slot car tracks!

Think ahead to next year

When all your guests have gone home and the kids have gone to bed, you can take your time to practise and hone your slot car game. Test out running at different speeds, using different cars and varying the track layouts. You’ve got a whole year to think of Christmas gifts for next year, or you can spend the time upgrading so that you can host the ultimate Scalextric tournament.

If you decide to make yours a permanent fixture in your home, give it a dedicated space away from sunlight or damp areas. If you'd rather tidy it away and get it out when you want a race, make sure to keep it in the original box and wipe down after use so it stays in best condition.