26 replies to this topic

[slotbaker]

I've seen a few comments in various threads where paople say things like "it's the longest running track in the country, probably even the world".

Well let's see if we can pin it down around the planet.

Hornsby Slot Cars began in 1965, and has been in the same location, and continuously operating as a commercial center. The tracks have been replaced once, but not sure when.

Where are the other long running centers.

[Ron Hershman]

The oldest one I know of is Tom Thumb Hobbies in Columbus, Ohio.... same location since March of 1963.

John Ford of SARN claims there is one in Texas that has been longer. He would have more details.

[slotcarone]

Good old Elmsford raceway in New York---different location but same town, same tracks and same owner since sometime in the mid sixties. Maybe someone can chime in with the year?

[Joe Mig]

May not be the oldest but one of them Buz-A-Rama in brooklyn NY .
http://slotblog.net/...p;hl=Buz-A-rama
Since 1964 or 65 at the same location I'v been going there since around 1972 and still go when I want to feel like a kid.

[slotcarone]

Buzzys---for sure!!!

[Jerk]

The Race Place has been in business since 1966. It's located in Farmingdale N.J.

[Phil Irvin]

John Ford of SARN claims there is one in Texas that has been longer. He would have more details.

That would be Grand Prix Raceway in Odessa Tx. I think 61-62...could be earlier..I did a state race there in 67 and they had been open quite a while then.

PHIL I.
God I can't be THAT old......

[Mark Wampler]

Hey is there a consolation for being second or third and so on oldest? Foster's has been in business since 1988, but a direct transfer from Pismo Raceways opened in '64.

[Steve Deiters]

The oldest one I know of is Tom Thumb Hobbies in Columbus, Ohio.... same location since March of 1963.

John Ford of SARN claims there is one in Texas that has been longer. He would have more details.

Did Tom Thumb always have a Blue King?

[Ron Hershman]

Did Tom Thumb always have a Blue King?

No they started with a American Yellow and Orange. In 1966 or so they got the King track from another raceway that opened and closed in Columbus, but had a very short lifespan.

[stoo23]

I've seen a few comments in various threads where paople say things like "it's the longest running track in the country, probably even the world".

Well let's see if we can pin it down around the planet.

Hornsby Slot Cars began in 1965, and has been in the same location, and continuously operating as a commercial center. The tracks have been replaced once, but not sure when.

Where are the other long running centers.

Actually,..aftere checking with WayneB,..Waitara (Hornsby Slot Cars), Opened in 1963 !!

[TSR]

No they started with a American Yellow and Orange.

I do not believe that these tracks existed in 1963 as AMRC was not even in business then, so they must have had another "starter" track to begin with... AMRC began making "American" tracks in 1964.

[Ron Hershman]

I do not believe that these tracks existed in 1963 as AMRC was not even in business then, so they must have had another "starter" track to begin with... AMRC began making "American" tracks in 1964.

While I sit here and read my dated official AMRC Jan 1963 "customer order form"..... the five models offered are the Liberty 60, Windsor 80, Regal 90, Monarch 100 and Imperial 150 showing that AMRC also offered an 18 month payment plan on tracks with a 50% down payment.

Some claim that AMRC was started in late 1962 by former AMF employees.

[TSR]

Then it is of course possible. The info I have from Hank Rose who was VP of AMRC says that the business started only in January 1964. Hank never came from AMF but help sell the AMRC business to AMF in 1966.

[Ron Hershman]

Then it is of course possible. The info I have from Hank Rose who was VP of AMRC says that the business started only in January 1964. Hank never came from AMF but help sell the AMRC business to AMF in 1966.

Of all the American documents I have.... I have never seen Hank's name let alone who was actually in charge or president of AMRC. Jim Gardner was the sales guy and who's name is on much of the AMRC documents.

[edworth]

The 'Race Place' in Farmingdale New Jersey dates to 1965 I believe.

C.A.R.S. Guys... chime in?

[TSR]

Of all the American documents I have.... I have never seen Hank's name let alone who was actually in charge or president of AMRC. Jim Gardner was the sales guy and who's name is on much of the AMRC documents.

Hank was Vice President and later resigned, then became VP of Russkit.

[slotbaker]

Hey is there a consolation for being second or third and so on oldest?

Sure, lets see if we can list all centers that are still going from the 60's.
They deserve some recognition.

Actually,..aftere checking with WayneB,..Waitara (Hornsby Slot Cars), Opened in 1963 !!

Thanks Stoo,
I figured that the date in their logo on Auslot would have been correct; "established 1965"

I asked Wayne last night about when the tracks were replaced, and he said 14 years ago, so that makes it 1994 (duh)

[Jerk]

Good job to all of them for staying in business so long..

[johnford]

The oldest one I know of is Tom Thumb Hobbies in Columbus, Ohio.... same location since March of 1963.

John Ford of SARN claims there is one in Texas that has been longer. He would have more details.

I think Tom Thumb and Buzzy's should come close to getting the title of oldest slot racing center being run by the same family. However, Mr. Harris' Corpus Christi Slot Car Raceway has been around since 1962. Originally started out as Big 8 Raceway and got name change and rebuild after hurricane Celia tore it down. The same track was rebuilt and used in the new raceway and much later, he built a monster hillclimb upstairs. Mr. Harris is in his mid 90's today and is still going. He has a most coveted collection of old cars from the 60's as well. You can see more on the website. http://www.slotcars.org/ccslotraceway/
Duane Harris told me he used to go to a hobby shop which had a straight line track that you could run a car on but he got tired of having to pick up the car when it went to the floor so he built his own road course and it is still in the building downstairs. ...... jf

[slotbaker]

Many thanks for all of your contributions here.

A summary so far;

61-62, Grand Prix Raceway, Odessa Tx. (could be earlier, Phil Irvin)
62, Corpus Christi Slot Car Raceway. (John Ford)
63 March, Tom Thumb Hobbies in Columbus, Ohio. Same location. (Ron Hershman)
63?, Hornsby Slot Cars, Australia. (Steve King, Stewart Amos)
65?66?, Race Place, Farmingdale N.J. (Ed Burke, Ed Worthington)
66 - Elmsford raceway in New York. (Mike Katz, Don Seigel)

Early 60's?? - Stahl's Hobby Haven, between reading PA and Philly. (Mark Greene)
64 or 65?? - Buz-A-Rama in brooklyn NY. (Joseph Migliaccio)

Looks like Grand Prix Raceway or Stahl's Hobby Haven (if it's still going?) may be it.
Can anyone confirm the dates when each began?


edit: Thanks Don.

[Phil Irvin]

Look them up in the track directory to see if they have an e-mail. Also check SCALE AUTO mag on line.

LET US KNOW,
PHIL

[don.siegel]

Steve,

I'm pretty sure Elmsford opened in 1966 - not the oldest, but one of the longest-lasting under single ownership, and most of the time in the same building (until they got hit by a flood a few years ago... they just moved a couple blocks away, and opened a branch raceway as well!).

Don

[TSR]

A simple read of the history of the hobby in the USA by Jose Rodriguez Jr. in the 1967 Car Model yearly book tells the story and closes all arguments.