The call came in from MC2.  They wanted a slot car track feature as the centerpiece for their booth at the most incestuous trade show of all.  That is, of course, “Exhibitor” – the trade show for trade show people. I researched MC2 and learned that they were a major player in the industry, that their booth was the largest at the show, and that their staff ran the certification program for the “Fast Track” trade show management seminars.  MC2’s goal at the show was to sell booth designs’ and construction. Nomad was already a player in the trade show scene, but this client had the ..read more

Fira Gran Via in Barcelona is a spectacular convention center.  As event attraction professionals we arrived early, as usual, to scout our client’s location and transportation logistics from the hotel. Then to setup and test our convention attraction slot car track. The client had a large booth in a great location, but they had forgotten to order the tables for our “Flying Oval” track.  Sometimes, the client drops the ball… I checked with Exhibitor Services, no tables had been ordered and none were available. “I really need those tables, what can be done?” I pleaded. “Nothing” was th ..read more

When we aren’t traveling the world setting up slot car tracks for events…I (Jim) build and restore slot cars and tracks of course! Inspired by the 1967 Rally of Monte Carlo, the course starts in the valley Climbs the ski lodge and back to the valley in a loop. The top turn around of Monte Carlo. Rally fans are always right out in the action Renault Alpine climbing Monte Carlo. Onne of Nonmad Raceways slot car tracks. “C” Jaguar heads down at MonteCarlo. This track is a beautiful example of a custom scenic track that we can build for our customers ..read more

The original “Quadrophenia” was a masterpiece rock album and a film. The Who invented the term, “Quadrophenia” to describe a state of confusion and finding oneself through four elements/traits personified by the four band members and the movie’s schizophrenic lead character.  I named our premier slot car racing track Quadrophenia because it has a versatile personality for 4 drivers at a time, 4 exciting turns, and of course, it ROCKS!   Original Quadrophenia slot car track name inspiration. Q slot Car track for Toyota event. Nomad Raceways Quadrophenia slot car track ready to perform ..read more

In the early 1960s, my family built a miniature world in the basement.   Our model train layout, 1963. Tiny people, each with their own story, lived in tiny plastic houses or worked in charming little shops or the local mill.  Around and through it all, ran the train. Creating that world and inventing those stories was the work of giants, my mom chief among them.  Dabbing glue on her feet, Mom told me how Mrs. Yacky was a nosy gossip as she placed her, peering over the Peterson’s fence. Indeed, Mrs. Peterson did seem to be waving a big tool enthusiastically to the red headed mil ..read more

A history of slot cars race to oblivion and back. “Speed kills” is true in many contexts, even in the fun zone that is slot car racing.  to understand this, and keep things fun, let’s go to history and physics.  I said fun, right? Electrically powered model cars were used in the 1890s.  Early versions were free-running like R/C cars today, but real fun began when the cars did not carry their own power or wander about, but instead could race on tracks for as long as the fun lasted. So, by 1908 we had model cars racing on the “Brickyard” model racing track by the American Ives Man ..read more

After racing around the world, San Diego company lands in Little Rock Little Rock, AR 9/24/2019 — Nomad Raceways has been entertaining with portable slot car (remote control miniature car) race tracks at events since 2003.  Appearances at conventions, conferences, sports events, sales promotions and parties for audiences from small children to corporate CEOs have had the Nomad Crew traveling worldwide.  Now, company founder, Jim Cunningham has announced that tracks based out of Little Rock, Arkansas are available immediately for local or far flung events.  Several tracks are off ..read more

Nomad Raceways is now offering slot car track design and slot car track kits for home, club and commercial use.  With them you can create layouts that maximize slot racing potential. Through long experience, racing on every scale and type slot car track, our designs consider all the important elements.  Driver sight lines, marshaling accessibility, track flow, optimal switch and pit lane placement, all work together for optimal slot racing experience and driver satisfaction.   Our slot car track “philosophy” can be applied to your own designs: Large tables with curves ..read more

I am often asked which is my fastest slot car.  There are several possible answers. The Panoz 1447 was the fastest by lap count on our favorite track.  Here is the story: The track: Quadrophenia Slot car track floorplan Once a year on our 55 foot Carrera track “Quadrophenia” we held a 1 hour LeMans race.  1/24 scale time is one hour… Rules were simple to allow for creativity.  We required scale appearance of a car that competed at LeMans, unlimited magnets and free design. The race format itself is unique and challenging: Four 15-minute stints with 20 second change over, no ..read more

Someone in Quora asks why there would be any skill involved in driving slot cars with magnets.   Here was my reply about slot car racing skills: Many contemporary slot cars use magnets that attract the cars to the rails. Some slot car manufacturers do this because it makes the cars easier to drive.  Also, less precision is required in manufacturing to get good performance. Any properly functioning slot car should be fast enough to overcome the magnetic traction and will crash if driven at full speed.  There are many forms of slot cars, in sizes from 2 to 10 inches in length ..read more