[Tamar]

Here in Japan the slot car racing scene does not appear to be as big as in other countries.  

Hello Dazee
Do not belittle yourself and the role Japan has played in (international) slot racing.
It was the companies Sakatsu and Plafit that rejuvenated 1/24 slotrcaing with hard bodies over her in Europe during the late 90's
(in combination with messrs Petry/ H+T and Basas sr/ Cric Crac)
And building (model) slot cars is still on a immensely high level in Japan.
With kind regards
Tamar