By Deanne Jeffers
THE slot car racing fraternity is composed of collectors, racers and modellers. Michael ‘Mike’ Barrow boasts what he calls a “small collection” of around 300-400 cars and describes himself as a bit of everything – a collector, creator and racer of miniature vehicles.
At his home in Kialla, Mike has constructed an impressive four-lane slot car track where a group of passionate locals meet on Monday evenings to show off their cars and racing talent.
With a price-point of $80-$90 for a basic, entry-level model, slot car racing has unparalleled appeal for car enthusiasts, the creatively minded and the nostalgic.
“Slot cars can be very emotional for a lot of people. When you mention the brand name Scalextric to someone it can bring back a lot of memories, they have stories from when they were kids of their first model or cars they grew up with,” said Mike.
“There are females in the sport that show a lot of talent but right now, slot car racing is predominantly male. It’s a chance for men to get together and be social, talk about what is going on in their lives. I’ve made friends all over the country and the world through slot racing.”
Mike has been involved in the slot car scene since he was a teenager living in New Zealand. He moved to Shepparton six years ago where he started with a track that he bought at a local swap meet and met fellow enthusiasts.
In September, Mike competed in the NSR National Championships held in Western Australia, where he placed fourth overall.
“I’m very keen to help anyone who might be interested. We make sure everyone gets a chance to win, and I’m happy to mentor others to show them how they can win.”
Shepparton has a thriving slot car scene well supported by car enthusiasts and hobby shops. If you would like to get involved, you may contact Michael Barrow via email at m.b.r103@hotmail.com or find him on Facebook.
