[Newson]

I'm new so Hi All!

Just got into Scalextric with my young daughters. We have recently bought a 2nd hand "Digital Ignition" set which included 2 Nissan 350z cars. the track and cars look immaculate!

However when racing them we noticed they are quite slippy and dont grip the track as good as the exisitng Mini Coopers we usually race. Upon looking at the underneath of the 350z cars they both have 2 gaps where it looks liek magnets should be? See pic.

Does anyone know if these cars originally came with magnets and am i able to buy some aftermarket magnets to fit?

I understand some purists will say not to bother with magnets but when racing with my young daughters it is just easier! haha. As we get older we may decide to go magent free.

Any help appreciated!

[CMOTD]

Hi Newson and welcome aboard.

What you have there is a 'drift' car which is designed with less grip so it can rotate through 360 degrees and go round the track in the opposite direction. The guide can be locked with the fixing screws though. Give it some welly on a corner and you should find out if this has been done. It already has a magnet at the rear, just in front of the motor. The space you refer to is an alternate location or to fit a second one. Looking at the photo the rear axle may be bent or the tyre is coming off the rim so that will need attention.

[Newson]

Great thanks.

I think the screws are locked in as the slot only turns around 90 odd degress, not all the way round. However it is defo not as sticky as the mini coopers we also have.

Is it advisable to add an extra magnet in those gaps? I guess i could always remove them again?

I will check the wheel! thanks for that! haha!

[Scuderia_Turini]

Hello Newson,

The Drift cars normally have the traction magnet at the forward position so that the rear end can break away easily (drift).  It looks like the traction magnet was moved to the rear position when the guide movement was limited with the screws.

These cars have small circuit board inside which allows for the car to always run forwards no matter which way the guide is pointing.  The diodes on the board will slightly reduce the voltage going to the motor so its wise to by-pass the board if you are not using the drift facility so as to even up the performance with other cars.

If you want to try the drift operation remove the jam-screws from the guide and move the magnet to the forward position.  Its best if you have track borders to allow the cars to spin around, but the car on the inside track should work.

You could try an additional magnet but as CMOTD says, the tyres are relatively hard to encourage rear-end drift.

Leo

[KensRedZed]

Hi Newson and welcome to SlotRacer.

You answered your own question. Try the magnets if you have them. Tinkering is part of the fun of this hobby.

Food for thought. There are a lot of cars out there and some of them aren't that expensive. Don't get stuck on one or two cars. There are more cars out there waiting for you.

There's nothing wrong with having a variety of cars. Most cars are grippy like your Mini's. Some might be more fun as drifters like your Nissans. Maybe a VW micro bus is in your future? 

Some people have slot car collections of... 10-cars or more.