Matchbox Lane Changer

[DrYazz]

I remember receiving a birthday present in 1980 as a 5 year old. It was a Matchbox Lane Changer set.

Don't remember much about it, but would like to learn more and possible 'acquire' another set, if at all possible.

Being 34 now, I have not followed the 'slot car' scene for at least 30 years! So, I do not know how they have evolved over the decades and what the sets have to offer in terms of racing experience, reliability and useability.

Did anybody have one of these, or more importantly, have one now?

I understand that these (theoretically) offered more realistic racing than genuine 'slot cars' - lane changing was possible. So they did have a stronger selling point over the Scalelectrix offerings.

Doing a bit of research into this, and it appears that sets were not commercially successful. Whereas 'Scalelextrix' are still on the market today. Anybody know why?

Do sets on sale today offer this lane changing functionality? If not, why not? Is there some technical reasons for this?

Thanks.

[Pipster1969]

Bit of information here that might jog some memories.

[davido140]

I had the race and chase set, t'was brilliant!

[Matt172]

davido140 said:

I had the race and chase set, t'was brilliant!

I had one of those, still in my moms loft somewhere

[bigdods]

wasnt it called TCR - Total Control Racing ? ALways wanted one but had to put up with scalextric

[DrYazz]

Matt172 said:

davido140 said:

I had the race and chase set, t'was brilliant!

I had one of those, still in my moms loft somewhere

Are you looking to sell, perchance?

[Chris_w666]

bigdods said:

wasnt it called TCR - Total Control Racing ? ALways wanted one but had to put up with scalextric

Matchbox did one of their own before the TCR system.

The current Digital Scalextric set ups can give you proper lane change racing with 4 cars on varying 2/3/4 lane sections.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/vintage-matchbox-powertrack-...

[Flintstone]

Speaking of lane changes a bridge has been designed to connect Hong Kong with mainland China. To solve the problem of Hong Kong driving on the left and China on the right it splits then goes 'over and under' so that upon arrival they've changed sides.

I love the name

Pearl River Necklace

[Simpo Two]

Corgi Rockets for me. And something called 'Hot Wheels' IIRC?

[roorky]

I had the Lane Changer set and loved it. I think it is a different set up to the other offerings though, pretty sure that race and chase is a slotted affair.