1/43 To Replace HO Slot Cars In America?

[sirslotsalot]

1/43 To Replace HO? Wouldn't that be something. As I cruise the forums, I see a growing number of people asking the question, "What scale should I choose"? Many are HO veterans in their sixties wanting to go to a larger scale like 1/32 because of failing eyesight (like me LOL!!), and many are in there forties just getting back into the hobby. In fact, I saw a post asking which is better, HO or 1/32? No mention of 1/43!! Amazing!! Many people don't know that 1/43 scale exists and all the great options it has to offer. As 1/43 enthusiasts, I ask all of you to make noise at every opportunity you can to promote this scale. We have much to gain by doing so to help this scale grow. I've raced all scales since the sixties, hated HO and still do because of it's limitations. To me, 1/43 is the perfect scale giving a size that provides visible detail, ease of maintenance and ease of modeling. Best of all, you can have a descent size scale layout in a limited space. I forgot to mention digital capabilities which is something you won't see in HO for quite a while. Tell the manufactures and hobby shops how you feel and tell those racers "on the fence" to choose 1/43. Whenever I see a post (on any forum) asking the question, I tell them 1/43 is the way to go.

Kihm

[masmojo]

Of course all of us here are a bit biased, but still you are correct most people do not tink to consider 1/43 and honestly i can't blame them much. People are attracted to different scale for different reasons. Honestly many people in HO are in HO, because that is what they have always had since they were small and they are comfortable with it. Many 1/32 guys where either into slots in the sixties and are nostalgic for that, Had Scalextci as a kid OR were lured in by Fly when they developed the highly detailed/ historically accurate Slot cars. By and large people who are into any of the other sscales will not switch, because they feel they have too much invested in the other scales. BUT . . .

New guys or people who are coming back to slots and do not have their old stuff still are more open to a new scale and will certainly be more wiling to approach something new; especially if it satisfy's an immeadiate need. This highlights my frustration with Carrera's Go! cars, they do appeal to the first time buyer and their track system is great, but the cars do not encourage the average person to tinker with them. They are intentionally limited to entry level toy purchasers and it takes a dedicated hobbyist to extract their true potential. SCX Compact was the right formula, but their management lacked vision and the economy really hurt Compact at a critical point in it developement as a real contender in the market place.

Kyosho is on more or less the right track with their D-Slot, by going after the enthusiast market and we can only hope that others follow suit.

Yes, 1/43 has many advantages, but I have found it tends to attract Rebels, Misfits, Tinkerers and Dreamers. Not that this does not apply to Slots in general, but more so in 1/43 it seems. Many people want a good car, but they don't want to build it themselves, but that is not a hurdle to any of us here! Kyosho cannot satisfy demand or build sufficient interest in this scale without help. We need another manufacturer or two to jump in, to really get some momentum. I really think Ninco would be the best bet for 1/43 production and could do a really nice job! Plus if Ninco jumped in Scalextric would as well I am certain! Then Carrera might be forced to build better cars as well!!?? ;)

Vocal, Yes, and posting pictures of builds, Scratch built proxy races, no-mag proxy races and Routed 1/43 tracks have also gotten the attention of other hard core enthusiasts as well; most of them are now aware of the emergence of this scale, it's on their radar.

Will, 1/43 replace HO? Or 1/32? Gawd no! but could it or should it become the predominate scale? Yes, Most likely after I am worm dirt, but it's definately a forseeable outcome! If Kyosho keeps adding 8+ cars every year, eventually we will have a large enough pool of cars to attract many more enthusiasts.
:ugeek:

[OL Mike]

I Like to see more hot rods more truck old school HO IS HO I like a good ho when I was kid id played with HO I M a Rebels, Misfits, Tinkerers and Dreamers but 1/43 thats my true love if cant run it on my track i don't show it

[sirslotsalot]

Hi Mas,

Thanks for your insight. I'm very partial to SCX Compact as well. If SCX Compact were to be resurrected, what features would you like to see?

[dclovell]

I agree that the GO! track is a good track system, but the pin guide on the GO! cars can be hard to get used to if you are used to a guide flag like in 1/32.

SCX Compact cars were great. Just a couple features I'd like are: front tires that touch the track and a better selection of cars. I'm partial to muscle and street cars.

[Cjent]

IF, SCX Compact makes a comeback, they will have more cars.
As a dealer for Carrera, SCX and DSlot43, I think all 3 will improve when Kyosho and SCX give Carrera a run for their money. Right now they aren't even close to doing so.

[masmojo]

[ElSecundo]

I'm not sure that this is the right question, but it does start an interesting conversation. :)

The different scales tend to fill different niches. Without painting too broad a stroke, 1:32 is the detail scale, HO is the nostalgic scale, 1:24 is the speed/commercial track scale, and 1:43 has traditionally been the low price scale. There will always be a scale where the makers will cut corners and have the lowest possible price. The market demands this -- you won't have Slot.It quality cars dominating all scales, with prices of 50 dollars and up.

The lowest-priced offerengs have always been in the 1:43 and HO ranges. This is changing in 1:43, as the consumers are demanding something closer to 1:32 detail and quality. 1:32 already went through that transition in the late 90's/early 2000s. Prices are rising for 1:43 as a result, leaving HO as the low-price/lower detail scale by default. So 1:43 isn't replacing HO, it's starting to occupy the niche 'owned' by 1:32. So the question isn't "will 1:43 replace HO", it's more like "will 1:43 replace 1:32". 1:43 is starting to occupy a different market, so it's not really competing with HO as much, and the competition between the two will decrease with time.

1:43 has been the worldwide choice for diecast detail for many years, and it would make sense for slot cars to follow suit. As 1:32 prices keep rising and getting out of people's budgets, a day will come when 1:32 will pull back on their detail to save costs, and 1:43 will be positioned to be the dominant scale for detailed slot car racing. :banana-rock:

[/crystal ball]

[Jesla]

Well put, Kurt!…. I can add nothing to that……..

[masmojo]

Interesting conclusion Kurt, BUT if recent history is any indicator, I would say 1/43 is more often then not the choice of guys moving from HO rather then 1/32. The reason for this is even though 1/43 is twice as large as HO, the track has almost the same footprint! So guys can get bigger easier to see, more detailed cars and Still fit them in about the same space.

Your observation regarding the 1/32 is interesting, but based on my own experience 1/32 will always be THE scale for "cost is not object, give me the ultimate detail cars" 1/43 COULD be the Go to Scale for those guys who decide they can compromise a little on car detail to get the smaller size and expanded layout's and we have got some of that, but we've been hamstrung, buy manufacturers intent on keeping 1/43 "Small" Carrera treat's Go! as an entry level product steadfastly refusing to upgrade, SCX was always afraid high quality 1/43 cars would cannibalize 1/32 sales and Scalextric seems determined to avoid 1/43 even as a low cost entry level product by releasing a low cost/entry level 1/32 product! All the while Ninco bury's their heads and act's like 1/43 does not exist at all! LOL

Kyosho's success, has not had the effect of waking the sleeping giants, as I hoped it would! They are very stubborn!! It all really does not make sense to me, the writting is on the wall that 1/43 IS expanding and gaining a loyal following. Might it take away from 1/32 sales? Maybe, BUT more then likely it will open the door to a whole nuther market segment that has MUCH more capacity for sales then 1/32 does. Instead of trying to sell the same 1/32 track sets to the same customers, year after year, why not try something different and see how it goes???? They have nothing to lose and much to gain!!

[masmojo]

[racer6583]

I agree with Mas but the only turn off with Ninco is the price I believe that you who by their classic line are having to much to do in the tune up dept. for the price they want.
You shouldn't have to change out the gears and the motor unless you want a rocket on the track, but the level of detail is great IMHO.

My only complaint about 143 is there is not enough accessories for the track available like with the 132 scale and people for the track.
I think that Carrera should keep their cars like they are for entry level and change to a flag guide, then make a higher level of detail in another line in 143 of course this higher level of car would have light's and brake lights, driver figure's ETC.

With Kyosho my only complaint with their car's is that they use a 132 motor leaving no room to add an interior to their cars and their braids are to stiff.
And now for SCX I like em but when/if they start to make the compact line again I'd like to see that the windows would be like Carrera or kyosho for easy of removal. So you can add a interior and clear windows if you like. but like kurt says I think that the 143 is headed into it's own nich will it take away from 132 NO will it replace HO no but people who are coming home so to speak should be made aware that a scale that fits between HO and 132 exist.

And that is the manufacture's fault to leave it up to us to do their job and it is cause the 132 line makes them more money at this moment.
If you don't believe this statement just look at the number of manufacture's that just produce cars for 132 as of right now there is two active for 143 and one MIA.

[masmojo]

[racer6583]

Well that is what I mean I don't mind the RR stuff but the people don't fit in too well with some of the track for slot cars like if you have a raceway. The scale people are for a city scape and not for a raceway scene and since I stink at redoing people to fit a particular scene.
It is rather difficult for myself to achieve the desired look.

Ah but we can dream that someday they will get with the wants of the 143 scale hobbyist like us.

[OL Mike]

to get this to look like this it took me year to find all 1/43 goodies I'm always looking for 1/43