The Scalextric Advance digital system is the latest arrival in digital slot racing, and many may not know how it works. You might not even know what a digital slot circuit is or its differences from analog tracks. In this article, we’ll explore how digital tracks work and the various options available in 1/32 scale:

• Scalextric Digital System
• Scalextric Wos
• Scalextric Digital Advance
• Ninco Digital
• Carrera Digital 1:32
• Oxigen Slot.it digital

The evolution of times and new technologies has entered this realm, introducing new Digital Slot systems alongside the traditional analog ones. Each brand has its own digital system. The main and common features include:

• Ability to race multiple cars simultaneously (more than one car in the same lane)
• Lane changes controlled from the controller (ability to stay straight or switch lanes with the press of a button)
• Electronic timing, lap counting, etc., with some systems also integrating computer management (similar options can be set up on analog tracks)
• Some systems allow connection to a tablet or mobile device, enabling race management features such as fuel management, tire types, etc. (there are also methods to implement these features on analog tracks)

The basics to set up a digital slot system include:

• A digital power base or track powered directly (varies by digital slot system)
• Controllers for controlling digital cars
• Decoders or “chips” installed in each slot car to operate on specific digital circuits
• Lane change tracks

What distinguishes digital slot circuits are features like:

• Pit lanes for pit stops

Each brand requires slot cars to be digitalized (fitted with a chip). This process varies in difficulty among brands, and not all cars can be digitalized, but once digitalized, cars can only race on digital tracks specific to their system.

Pioneer in the World of Digital Slot Racing, Tecnitoys changed the way this game is played.

With digital communication between the power base and the cars through the track rails, it allows up to six cars to race on two lanes.

Unlike the traditional (analog) system, the track always has power. Therefore, if an analog slot car is placed on a digital Scalextric circuit, the analog car will accelerate uncontrollably.

The internal chip in Scalextric digital system cars controls the motor voltage based on how much throttle is applied.

One of the challenges they faced was the quality of the tracks after many years. The old tracks (known as Scalextric black tracks) had conductivity issues, which were detrimental to the digital system.

Here’s an article discussing the different types of tracks.

They opted to introduce a new type of track, wider with better grip, a very convenient attachment system, and excellent conductivity (known as SCX grey tracks).

Initially, the tracks powered both the accessories and the cars in the same line, leading to communication problems. To address this, they evolved the system by adding the POWER LINE.

This second power line exclusively powers accessories, leaving the lanes for cars and the data that travels through them.

Scalextric Digital System cars incorporate a chip that communicates with the power base through the track rails.

When a car passes the start/finish line or enters the Pit Box, a magnet on the track activates a relay, prompting the chip to send information to the power base indicating the car’s location.

Simultaneously, another relay on the track, activated by the car’s magnet or motor’s magnetic effect, allows the power base to “listen” to the signal being sent by the car.

This way, the power base knows which car is passing the start/finish line or entering the Pit Box.

When we press the lane change button on the SDS controller, the chip activates a coil, attracting an arm with a metal piece.

This arm pushes a bushing through the guide, increasing the guide depth. When the bushing is low, it triggers a mechanical piece on the lane change track, causing the Scalextric digital car to change lanes.

There are two types of power bases for this SDS system: the basic power base and the Pit Box.

The basic power base allows us to:

• Program cars with their controllers
• Connect up to three cars
• Switch between Expert and Junior modes
• Turn car lights on and off
• Initialize connected accessories

This power base can also be expanded to six vehicles.

The Pit Box, in addition to all the functions mentioned above, includes:

• Adjusting the digitalized slot car’s fuel tank size
• Regulating braking
• Simulating fuel consumption and refueling in the Pit Lane
• Includes a small screen displaying race lap information
• Both the timer and lap counter are programmable from the power base

To play with six players, an additional screen module expansion is required.

Over time and through brand name changes and patent shifts, the SDS system was replaced, and in 2015, the WOS (Wireless Overtaking System) digital slot system was born.

Wireless Overtaking System

It’s a wireless technology based on the SDS system but with some additional features such as:

• More buttons and indicators on the controller
• Sound in cars, brake lights
• Regulation of braking force and maximum speed
• New game modes with ghost car and Pace car
• Cars can be used in analog mode thanks to a switch

The tracks from the SDS system are compatible with the WOS system, but not the accessories or car chips.

This Scalextric digital system lasted only a couple of years, and although for many it’s considered the best digital slot system to date, the lack of spare parts, especially chips to digitize analog Scalextric cars, makes the remaining second-hand materials not only outdated but also expensive to acquire.

It operates with communication between the power base and Ninco digital slot cars through the track rails, allowing up to 6 cars to race simultaneously.

The track always has power; the internal chip in the cars controls the motor voltage based on how much throttle is applied.

The lane change in a Ninco digital circuit is highly precise, with switch activation adaptable to the car’s speed, ensuring no errors even when cars are closely spaced.

Easily compatible with all Ninco tracks and cars through a digitalization kit.

Simple adaptation of analog cars to digital, especially Ninco brands. Digitizing a Scalextric car requires soldering.

Supports up to 8 players (with two transformers).

Features various game modes: race, time trial, pit stop…

Currently, the brand has discontinued production, and new units are unavailable. If you wish to use it, you’ll need to purchase second-hand Ninco Digital equipment.

Scalextric Sport Digital, known as such only in Spain, outside it is known as Scalextric Digital.

Key features, in addition to those common to all systems:

• This digital slot system (like almost all) is characterized by having a central unit that controls everything. Depending on the model, it can accommodate up to 4 or 6 cars. The central unit connects the controllers, transformers, and in some cases, score towers.
• Years ago, the tracks were fully compatible with traditional SCX tracks. Today, an adapter track is needed to connect classic SCX tracks to SSD. There is a significant difference in grip between different tracks. SSD tracks have minimal grip, causing the car to accelerate or decelerate depending on the track surface (if you’ve read the article I mentioned about track types, you’re familiar with this).
• It’s quite easy to digitize a slot car from any brand other than their own, and their cars can be adapted for digital slot racing in 30 seconds. A car digitized for SSD can also run without issues on an analog track.

Each car has an LED on the chassis. This LED allows the central unit and the different lane change tracks to identify each car through their respective sensor on the track.

Thus, the digital car is detected by the central unit, or the lane changer on that track is activated by a relay when we press the lane change button on our controller.

Modern cars from Superslot are designed for quick digitalization. Simply open the bottom cover (remove a screw), disconnect the connector, plug it into the DPR chip, and close the cover.

To digitize a car from another brand or a Superslot car without DPR, you only need a chip with cables.

There are two models: F1 type (narrower) and “saloon” type. They function exactly the same; they only differ in size.

In this digital slot system, we have several types of power bases, also known as Power Base.

Power Base 4 Cars: The most basic model without race type functions or timers.

Power Base 1.2 and 1.5: Can race 6 cars simultaneously. It includes race type functions (laps, time, rally…), lap timing, fastest lap… The 1.2 version may overload on larger tracks, with powerful motors, or many cars on the track, potentially leading to burning out. The 1.5 version improved significantly on these issues. Visually, they appear identical until powered on, which displays the version number.

Power Base Pro 1.8 SH: An evolution of the 1.5 base developed by British user Rico Rocket. Allows connection of powerful non-brand power sources. Features include refueling (cars run slower when heavier), ghost cars, acceleration curves, yellow flags, and analog mode. Can connect to a computer.

Power Base C7040: Very simple to operate. Increases voltage to 15V (previous bases were 12V), providing more power. Does not include position or timing information systems; a digital lap counter is needed for proper races. Highly recommended for children due to its simplicity. Only requires one transformer and supports 4 cars.

Power Base Advance C7042: Advanced base released by Superslot (Scalextric UK), incorporating many inventions developed by enthusiasts for the Pro base. Supports 6 cars, 2 transformers at 15V, and multiple connection ports. Typically used with its included tower-like display for weather information. Initially complex due to extensive features and English language interface. Offers numerous race types and features like ghost cars (automated cars).

ARC PRO: Allows race creation and management via a wireless handheld device (mobile or tablet). Supports races with 6 cars and enables control of the base through a smartphone or tablet app. Features include simulating refueling, yellow flags, weather conditions, faults, damage, and KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). Fully wireless operation.

Although not digital power bases, there exists a range called ARC that allows race management via mobile app or tablet for analog systems.

The difference between using a digital system and an analog system with ARC base are:

• It can only race up to 2 cars (one per lane).
• Lane changes cannot be controlled; only fixed lanes are supported.

Here are the two models of analog power bases that support mobile app management:

ARC ONE: Power base for 2 cars with one transformer. Controllers are wired and include a throttle limiter option to prevent full throttle.

ARC AIR: Power base for 2 cars with one transformer. Controllers are wireless with two buttons: upper for lane change and lower for braking.

The advantage of these power bases is compatibility with Oxygen controllers.

Developed and maintained by the Slot.it brand, based on 2.4 GHz wireless technology.

The cars communicate wirelessly with the controller and only receive power from the slot track.

Can be used on analog tracks with installed counting systems.

Capable of running up to 20 cars simultaneously on digital tracks.

Feels similar to analog.

Does not require any central unit.

In Carrera digital slot, the tracks used are Carrera Digital 1/32, derived from the analog model Carrera Evolution, with additional features including:

• Racing with up to 6 cars
• Overtaking
• Refueling
• Adding a multitude of accessories
• Various game modes
• Connecting your circuit to a computer, tablet, or phone

In addition to standard tracks, there are specific sections for Digital tracks that include lane changes or refueling. These tracks are exclusively compatible with the Digital system.

It is the latest system for a Scalextric digital circuit. Based on a system similar to Slot.it’s Oxigen digital but with some differences that make it simpler and more economical. Completely oriented towards a home digital slot circuit, it could also be used in clubs, although I see that as unlikely.

What is Scalextric Advance?

As I mentioned, it is the most modern digital slot circuit as of 2021 from the Scalextric brand. It relies on wireless communication between the Scalextric car and the Advance controller; it does not require a central unit, only power in both lanes of the track. For communication between the controller and the slot car, it is necessary to adapt them with the Advance Chip or use specific Scalextric Advance cars. Unlike Scalextric Digital System cars, these have a small switch to use them in analog mode.

Which cars are compatible with Scalextric Advance?

• All Scalextric brand slot cars with semi-axles on the front axle can be easily adapted; you only need to install the chip and change the guide.
• Older cars can be adapted by changing the front axle, including some from other brands, but this process is more complicated and requires some DIY.
• Scalextric Advance cars purchased as-is can be used on a Scalextric digital track simply by pairing them with the controller you intend to use.

Moreover, through the small switch, they can also be easily used on original Scalextric circuits and any other analog circuit.

In the following video, I demonstrate how this system works and what is needed to convert an original Scalextric circuit into an Advance Scalextric circuit.

Scalextric Advance Reviews: 

As of the current date, there are as many people who defend it as those who criticize it. It is true that since its launch, it has had some issues with connection between the controller and car, some Bluetooth track failures, and the app is quite basic. Starting from September, there are new developments that are expected to be a significant improvement and likely the beginning of a very good digital slot system. (If you have seen the video I mentioned above, you already know about the updates).

One of the great advantages is that it requires nothing more than two accessories to make full use of all functionality.