54 replies to this topic

[Pablo]

My grandson is going to be 2 years old soon. I want him to start learning the basics.

Pulling the trigger, accelerating, crashing, having to re-slot the car, etc.

 

After he masters that, a full size commercial track will be second nature.  

The ultimate goal being, he will be ready for a 1/1 car at age 16 with the right attitude 

 

Right now all I need is to buy him a small track he can fit in a small bedroom.

It has to be a quality product. Something I'd have fun playing with him    Thanks

 

Dad is a Chef and Mom is a Doctor. I'm sure he will figure it out quickly

 

 

 

[Fitzy]

My Grand Daughter is turning two in a couple weeks the new Policar system I think is the best especially for kids the power supply is adjustable and you can just keep adding on to the system 2 lanes to 4 lanes to six lanes 1/32 or 1/24th scale prob the best all around I think.  Jeff 

 

http://www.policar.it/policar-track/

[Alchemist]

Great family photo Paul!

 

Viewing the photo, the little one looks as though his hand is already positioned to hold a controller - how cool is that!  LOL

 

I'm sure Grandpa will show him all the "tips and tricks" of the trade.

 

He'll have a great teacher unequivocally!

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

Please pardon me for posting even though I am not able to contribute towards your inquiry.

 

 

Ernie

[Pablo]

Hey you're right - it does look like he's ready for a controller! 

 

I found a buddy who has a Scalextric I may buy.

What's the difference between Carrera and Scalextric?

[Isaac S.]

When I was really young I was using an HO track. Auto World makes a great one that will work forever and the cars are very durable. They are also much smaller than 1/32 tracks. 

[Dave Crevie]

The Carrera track is leaps and bounds better than the Scalectrix. Wider and the joints are smoother.

[Larry Horner]

First off, Noah is adorable!

 

But in reference to your question, I'm going to have to side with Isaac as there are so many advantages to starting out with HO (cheaper, more durable, scale wise you can create a much longer track). And if you go that rout, I might also suggest looking into BSRT G-Jet cars which use brass weights as opposed to magnets for traction. These guys behave much more naturally in that you can drift them as opposed to traction magnets which just hang on tenaciously until suddenly, they don't.

 

That said, if you go for a larger scale, Carrera makes tracks large enough for 1/24 scale cars (albeit these are the most expensive of all the home tracks).

 

Hope that helps!

[Steve Deiters]

Pablo,

 

I see the stars aligning here for a major slot car race.

  

A new track.

 

A new young racer.

 

Track food provided by a chef instead of COSTCO BBQ out of a resalable tub.

 

A doctor on standby to assist any older racers (the majority) who keel over from too much excitement.

 

Keep us posted. We'll bring our own masks...  That is if we remember to wear them and why.  (lol)

[Alchemist]

 

What's the difference between Carrera and Scalextric?

 

 

Hi Paul,

 

Here's a link to "Electric Dreams" website where they discuss - in detail - the differences between the brands of slot car tracks.

 

They do state that if you want to run 1/24 cars - then Carrera is the "only track" to have.

 

https://www.electric...-track-systems/

 

Hope this helps!

 

Ernie

[Ramcatlarry]

Two is rather young to dealing with things that should never be swallowed.  HO used to be the 'compact' way to go.  I feel NOW that the modern 1/43 scale cars and track are better suited to the under 10 yr old crowd.

[Don Weaver]

I wish you and your grandson well but I think at two years old he won't have the motor skills (short fo full punch) to drive a car around a track.  I would suggest introducing him to miniature car racing with any two lane gravity set would likely be more fun for him and therefore successful.  It would also be something he could do himself without constant adult attention if he really took to it.  Larry's comment about drifting a car is going to be well beyond a two year old's ability.  There's plenty of time to move up to driving H.O. and 1/32 scale home track cars and then on to 1/24th commercial racing.  Just my opinion but have fun whatever you decide to do...

 

Don

[Pablo]

Appreciate the info guys  I'm well aware of the safety issue. At his age he wouldn't be using it unsupervised.

I already bought him some wooden alphabet blocks and plastic vegetables - he hasn't eaten those yet 

 

I believe in planning ahead. IMO, kids need to learn certain basics in life - swimming, the three "R"s, riding a horse, and driving a car are some. You can't get started on any of those too young. Jeff Gordon was racing cars at age 5, and he never ate a single one 

 

Besides, nobody says I have to send it to him right away. I need to learn how to use it myself before sending it off 

The minute he can see the red lane on a King, he's ready for the big time in my book 

[Tim Neja]

I'd go with the Scalextric track for now.  It's true 1/32 scale--and Carrera is 1/24 scale.  But the investment is less and you can see if he will stay with it as he gets older.  Both systems work well--the 1/32 home plastic cars are MUCH better and far more numerous in cars and quality than the 1/24 cars available.  And our retro style cars are way too fast for Carrera track.  

[Pablo]

Thanks again everybody    I ended up buying a Scalextric setup from a Slotblog friend and Cheater got his 5%.

(it had been previously listed in Swap Shop)

 

Now it comes to The Wolcott Ranch for "testing"   

My son and daughter-in-law are doing their parenting job well, and I'm doing mine the best I can. 

[Dan Searcy]

Maybe gear the cars really low to make them slower at first?  At PCH, when there were a bunch of kids renting cars, they would turn the power down.  Fewer crashes.

[SpeedyNH]

hence the adjustable supply in the policar set. 

[John Streisguth]

He's getting a variable power supply with all the track and cars.  

[Pablo]

The kid needs to crash slot cars to understand how real life works. If he keeps it in the slot and has fun that's cool 

[Rotorranch]

So when are you going to set it up and play with it? 

 

Rotor

[Pablo]

The moment it arrives 

[bluecars]

How many years do you think it will take you to test it? LOL

[Pablo]

   

[Alchemist]

Hi Paul,

 

Will you be building any cars for your grandson to use, along with the Scalextric cars? 

 

Ernie

[Pablo]

I already have a few 1/32 cars here to play with. But they are probably too fast for a 2 yr. old.

I may build him a very slow rubber duckie 

[Tim Neja]

Variable power supply will neatly handle any cars you want him to play with!!  Their relatively cheap--and a great way to help him drive.  You've also got the option in 1/32 to run some killer magnets in the chassis to keep the cars in the slot!  Enjoy having fun with your grandchild-- It's great buddy building time!!