History and Compatibility of Micro Scalextric

At the beginning of 2019, Scalextric unveiled a completely new system for their Micro and My First Scalextric ranges. The track, cars, and controllers have been entirely redesigned to offer a more reliable and enjoyable introduction to slot car racing for young families. I was fortunate enough to see the pre-production models and was greatly impressed. The Scalextric team has effectively met their objectives.

However, enthusiasts of the previous Micro Scalextric range were left feeling disappointed and, in some cases, quite frustrated. The old and new systems were not compatible with each other. The new system marks the third 1:64 scale track and chassis design produced by Scalextric. The first version dates back to 1994 and was simply a rebranding of the American Marchon MR-1 product. This initial version utilized a typical ‘HO scale’ track and chassis, featuring vertical track rails and cars equipped with solid metal pick-ups, marketed as ‘Scalextric Micro MR-1.’

In 1995, the new ‘Micro Scalextric’ range was introduced, featuring redesigned vertical-rail track that connected to the MR-1 track via an adapter, along with a slightly altered chassis incorporating the distinctive Scalextric braided pick-ups. For several years, both ranges were sold alongside each other, with the MR-1 gradually being phased out. From 1994 to 2019, nearly 300 cars and numerous sets were sold in the Micro Scalextric and My First Scalextric ranges, with most of those cars included in the sets.

The main issue with the older systems lies with the track. As an entry-level product, it was tricky to assemble and often glitchy. Even when functioning perfectly, the cars would require a few laps to start running properly. If “a few laps” turned into 20 or 30 laps, it was hard to tell if that was normal or if something was wrong. Micro and My First Scalextric sets spoiled Christmas Day festivities for too many families, marking a disastrous introduction to slot cars for everyone involved.

The new track has moved away from the traditional HO scale layout and now features flat rails, similar to those found on full-size Scalextric tracks. The connectors are among the best I’ve encountered in any slot car track system, allowing for easy assembly of layouts while securely keeping the pieces together during play. They can also be safely and easily disassembled with minimal risk of damage. Although the selection of track pieces is currently limited, I anticipate that more options will be available soon. While there are some cool ‘old’ track pieces and accessories, they are entirely incompatible with the new system; there is no adapter track, and creating one would be nearly impossible.

All new sets, whether battery or mains-powered, operate at 9 volts instead of the original 18 volts. This means that the new cars, controllers, and accessories are designed for 9 volts and are not compatible with previous systems. While the new cars can run on the old track—albeit a bit too quickly—the old cars will be quite slow on the new track. Cars from the older My First Scalextric 9-volt battery-powered sets function correctly. This is the extent of direct compatibility between the new 2019 systems and the older versions.

For those looking for a first set, I would definitely recommend a new 2019 or 2020 set—there are excellent options available, along with an expanding selection of individual cars, track expansion packs, and spare parts. Fortunately, I don’t foresee the new sets ruining anyone’s Christmas; however, it’s always a wise idea for Santa to test them out beforehand.

For those of us with the old system, we can choose to stick with what we have, switch to the new system, or use both. Personally, I’ve made the switch to the new track and love it. Besides enjoying the sets, I’ve built a drag strip with the new track to host mail-in competitions. The track is incredibly smooth and reliable, making it ideal for a drag strip. My project also demonstrates that an enthusiast with basic skills can modify the new system for cross-compatibility. I’ve upgraded the power to 12 volts, allowing us to run both the old and new Micro Scalextric, as well as 1:64 scale cars from other brands.