Top Tips to Make Your Scalextric Cars Go Faster

Scalextric has been the ultimate slot car racing experience since 1957, thrilling generations of racers with its unique mix of speed, nostalgia, and competition. Whether you’re racing for fun at home, running a Scalextric club night, or taking part in a Scalextric hire event like Adam’s Scalextric Events, everyone wants the same thing - to make their cars go faster and stay ahead of the competition.

Here are our top tips to boost performance and get the most out of your Scalextric cars.

1. Keep Your Track Clean

Dust, dirt, and even small fibres can slow your cars down by reducing contact between the car’s braids and the rails. Regularly wipe your Scalextric track with a lint-free cloth and mild cleaner. For extra performance, polish the rails with a track rubber or fine sandpaper to improve conductivity.

2. Check and Clean Your Braids

The braids (the copper contacts underneath your car) are key to speed. Flatten them gently with your fingers and make sure they’re clean and making good contact with the track. Replace them if they become frayed - fresh braids can instantly improve speed.

3. Reduce Friction in the Gears

Scalextric cars use small plastic gears, and friction here can slow things down. A tiny drop of specialist slot car oil on the gears and axles helps reduce resistance, making your car run faster and smoother.

4. Upgrade the Tyres

Tyres are just as important as power. If yours are worn, cracked, or dusty, your car won’t grip properly. Clean them with tape to remove dirt, or replace them with softer compound tyres for maximum traction and cornering speed.

5. Add Weight Strategically

While it may sound strange, adding small amounts of weight to your Scalextric car can improve stability at high speed. Placing weight near the guide blade helps keep the car in the slot, allowing you to carry more speed through corners without flying off the track.

6. Improve Your Power Supply

A reliable power supply is vital for consistent speed. If you’re running larger or digital tracks, consider upgrading to a high-output Scalextric powerbase, such as the ARC Pro system. This ensures all cars receive smooth, consistent power for faster, more competitive racing.

7. Perfect Your Driving Technique

Going faster isn’t always about the car - it’s about the driver. Scalextric is about control as much as speed. Learn to brake before corners and accelerate smoothly out of them. Over-driving can lead to crashes, while smooth racers often win.

8. Upgrade to Digital Scalextric

If you’re ready to take things to the next level, digital Scalextric lets you race up to six cars on the same lane with features like lane changing, fuel usage, and pit stops. Not only is it more exciting, but digital cars often run smoother and faster with advanced features.

Scalextric Hire – Experience High-Speed Racing at Your Event

At Adam’s Scalextric Events, we bring the thrill of Scalextric to corporate events, weddings, exhibitions, birthdays, and trade shows across the UK and Europe. Our digital Scalextric ARC Pro tracks offer multi-car racing, lane changing, pit stops, weather effects, and more. We customise every setup with logos, themes, and branding to create a unique experience your guests will never forget.

Final Thoughts

Making your Scalextric cars go faster is about a mix of maintenance, upgrades, and driving skill. From clean braids and tyres to better power supplies and sharper driving techniques, small tweaks can make a big difference on race day.

Whether you’re racing at home or hiring a professional Scalextric setup for your next event, speed, competition, and fun are always guaranteed. You can find a video here that covers some things that we have discussed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEuOTIaYUHI