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With the successful opening of Raceworld in Scarborough, Jack Devins, Scott Wylie, Al Penrose and Lois Lawrence, all of Oakville and Grant Osborne of Toronto felt the comeback would be a hit here. They were right. There are up to 30 racers regu- larly taking part-and that number is quickly growing, Osborne said. "The place is packed on Wednesday nights," said the 53- year-old Osborne. who used to race as a teenager. "There are younger kids, older kids and adults in here. Some of the people that were kids then are doing it again." There used to be two other race tracks in Oakville but, like others, disappeared with the advent of radio control cars. The starter calls out 'tl , 1...!" and the cars lurch out of the gate. Within seconds, they are at top speeds. Amidst the whining sounds as they whip around the track. the drivers are a study of concentration. Their heads move from side to side. eyes carefully following the progress of their machines. Their hands grip the controls tightly. giv- ing gas for straightaways and easing off on ovals and turns. After three minutes the starter shouts "Stop," and orders a Lane change. The operators rush to their machines to make any quick repairs before the starter orders them to line up again. It is the pride of owning the fastest car-albeit slot car-that is making Family Hobbies and Raceway in Oakville the hot place to be on Monday and Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons. People young and old are getting back into the hobby after it had been given up for dead in the early 1970s. speeds. I as they l drivers Il Their side. eye But when the radio control cars became too costly for today's reces- sionary times, many fans switched back to slot cars. Family Hobbies and Raceway is one of the many that have popped up recently (There are now others in Kitchener, Brantford and London). Many more passersby pause to watch the proceedings through the window at the raceway, in Oakville Mews plaza on Speers Rd. Many venture in and give it a try. Many get hooked. Sports trivia. Box No. 5239 Sports pltls-80t No. 5240 Sheridan College....To come Oakvitle Blades......To coma Oakvitlo Little League...To come While We hsye hlkiia, jliteraef1se()a P1113110Y011. YOUR EXCLUSIVE LEXUS DEALER FOR MISSISSAUGA fl n hNnioy, The New Lexus GS 300. _-Cr," Erin Park tg,', LEXUS TOYOTA l at dl H ntl IN dn If lnl " pursuit ol petit UH Q \ _ _ \§\\\ _§\\\.\: A M q: rr Kh' _ NT .\ “a" _ «WW: = i'Cs,',Cty-" N _ L I ' w- k\\\\\‘- www‘” _ rrr' V " /" cars. "Before they were quite crude Now you can build a guided missile if you have the time." “The quality is so much better," Osborne said. "We try to get all the up-to-date stuff here. Jack (Dcvins) goes down to the US. once a month and finds out the latest." 5‘ ll For instance. tracks are coated with a special glue to give the foam-rubber tires the traction they need to achieve faster speeds. Operators go over their cars with a fine-tooth comb to ensure maxi- mum performance - considering Once every kid 's toy, slot cars are making a comeback for all ages f at the car, Td an“ inn \OUN A DAY AT THE RACES the m m pealut, ‘ut In m d 30.000 range .nd a mml anlh sod - SPOR TS it ERIN MILLS AUTO PARK, 2411 MOTORWAY BLVD. MISSISSAUGA (416) 828-7711 1b Cars today are smaller. sleeker and move at twice the clip-which translates into a greater emphasis on driving skill. things like riding height, rear tire width. putting on the right amount of glue to keep the cars on' the track yet not create too much drag on straightaways. "lt takes a lot of concentration. Ross said. "There are l.00l tricks There are guys doing this for a liv Irtit Having only been "open for seven months. Family Hobbies and Speedway isn't offering the full complement of divisions. There an 10 classes at the moment, with the bulk of the regulars at the basic Group l2. or NASCAR. division. The highest level offered is Group 27. or wine. where the cars are the MQTQRWAV 0.EW DUNDAS 7710me (”Median hat ensures "li tf tles HE OAKVILLE BEAVER I " al quickest and most expensive. The cars have wings running along both sides and on the rear for the ulti- mate in aerodynamics. Relying on glue to keep the cars in their slots and the downward air currents. the cars do a standard l58-foot lap in 18 seconds. according to Osborne. High-tech or not, guys like Grainger and Ross are just glad to see slot car racing back. For both. it's a hobby that can involve the whole family: Dad gets to re-live some of his childhood while kids love the speed and feel of racing. "The tracks in Oakville closed down and there was nowhere to race." recalled Ross. "Then this place opened up. I brought the little guys (sons Adam. l0. and Aaron. 9) down and got them interested. It teaches them responsibility in Kane Scott Everingham (above) is a spotter at a new public slot car track in 01mm He rights can in the event of spin-out, when drivers such as Ken Kerr (right) take corner; a little too fast. RIZIERU ' ERTOLLI “I'VE? Whilewall Sue Sale Price Pl 55/80R13 $43.65 PIM, 80fl 13 $49.25 PI 75/8052 13 $54.85 PlSS/80RI3 $57.65 was/mm $58.55 GREAT VALUE ON ALL _ SEA SON IO“ MICHiBATA Size ALL _ SEASON RADIAL CONCORDE Photos by Story by OAKVILLE ”HUNG “OM $32.95 $41 .95 $45.95 $46.95 $47 .95 fl! Illl MILE bk 1252/2 , PREMIUM HIGH , PERFORMANCE ALL-SEASON RADIALS EAGLE GT+4 WEDNESDAY, APRIL M, 1993 PAGE 18 297 Spears Road (at Dorval) 845-4227 El AUTO SERVICE I iiiioprgyy1i PREMIUM ALL-SEASON PERFORMANCE RADIAL ‘y Giiiitt" ° OFF [DJ "sro1c,,) AGUATRED "l-r"'"""']"":"; GOODYEAR'S BEST sAyk INVICELEE EAGLE GA Iquairt: mun“ 303 Upper Middle Road E. 338-001 ing how to maintain cars, They learn how to be a good sport when they win and how to be a good one when they lose." For Grainger, racing has always been in his blood. He competes in the International Micro Car Association (IMCA) and even has a three-man, 24-hour endurance race to his credit. He's on the l()-man Canadian squad for the upcoming World Championships in Belgium starting July 18. If you’re just starting out, slot car racing is quite inexpensive. But cautions Ken Kerr of Oakville, A starter's kit, which includes a basic NASCAR or Group l2 car, a controller and some spare parts, sells for about $100. "The faster you go, the more money you spend." At the high end, a Group 27 (wing) car can run you about $350. Controllers also vary in price. In the open classes, where speeds reach up to 90 miles per hour, they go for about $160. Low-end controllers go anywhere from $20 to $30. Then you have to purchase track time. In the case of Family Hobbies and Raceway, rates are $1.50 for 15 minutes. If you just want to try it out, you can rent a car, controller and 15 minutes of track time for $2.75. T 'i'l%, 'siit; l too, [‘1A l Sunday 7 Steps to a Healthier Car Includes: . Lube, oil t oil filter leplntemem . To iog up of dl fluids . Bellpli lhening . Four and tire (Manon . Tue inspetlion g air pressure (huh . Banery inspedion . (lean ' tr1spttl front t rear blokes ""1”, W M w, ' 37/1 10a.m if, BOCK BEER IS BACK IN STOCK FOR A LIMITED TIME on! l rear brake, vs 8 light truth a! 84 l OFF 4 p.or