MODEL RACING IN U.S.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30715, 2 April 1965, Page 11

MODEL RACING IN U.S.

(From the "Financial Times." Reprinted by arrangement.)

TN communities all over the A State of California nowadays a novel sign is becoming familiar: it bears the words Model Car Racing Center. So far the phenomenon has been confined chiefly to the U.S. West Coast, and California in particular. But it now shows signs of spreading to other parts of the country. The pastime was first imported from Britain. Model car racing first reached the U.S. about 1948, and for about 10 years failed to attract much attention. Only when it arrived in California, and after the opening of the first commercial race track in Los Angeles in 1961, did the public begin to respond. In the last three years, the response has been overwhelming, and now 250 car racing centres are in operation throughout California, most of which are less than a year old. The size of a home track is necessarily limited by the available space in an attic or basement. The great appeal of the new commerciallyoperated tracks is that they provide a distance and complexity which, in miniature,

simulates the skills and thrills of a real circuit. The original purpose of the commercial tracks was to drum up more business in model cars, but it was not long before the interest justified taking over or setting up special premises just to house the race tracks which got longer and longer. About the same time many investors not connected with the hobby business started to try to capitalise on the popularity of the new pastime.

The public tracks now fall into four basic categories, grand prix, figure eight, oval and drag strip. Courses may run as long as 200 feet, though 100 feet is a more normal length. Undoubtedly, enthusiasm for the sport arises mainly through the competitive factor of racing one’s own car against all comers in contests where curves, banks, lane switching, and other manoeuvres provide a test of judgment and control. Many adults

are as keen on the sport as young people. For the pleasure of being able to race their miniature cars in public competition Americans are prepared to pay 25 cents for 15 minutes, or one dollar an hour, which is about the average charge at the model car racing centres so far established in California. Proprietors of large centres, with as many as three 100-foot, eight-lane grand prixcourses, will take in up to 100 dollars a course daily. Most model racing car tracks are operated by -the owners, the majority of whom also sell model cars and car kits, components and spares. The total outlay on California tracks generally falls between 10,000 and 15,000 dollars including a stock of about 3500 dollars in cars, kits and accessories.

Many proprietors are seeking to increase the individuality of their tracks by adding landscapping trees, miniature grand-stands, pit areas, and so on. Some attempt to reproduce leading U.S. race tracks, such as Sebring, Riverside, and Indianapolis.