Compatibility Guide

Scalextric has been around for a long time and over the years the system has evolved. The good news is that most Scalextric cars and track are broadly compatible but there are a few important points worth understanding.


Sport track vs Classic track

  • Scalextric currently uses Sport track, which was introduced in 2000. Older sets (1960s-1990s) use what’s often called Classic track.
  • Sport track is slightly wider, more robust and has smoother joins than Classic track.

Scalextric cars (since 2000) are designed for Sport track but will generally run on Classic track and vice versa. However there are some things to bear in mind:

  • All Classic track is now showing its age and a good degree of persistence is usually required to keep it operating successfully.
  • Modern cars tend to have deeper guide blades to improve handling. Sport track is designed to accommodate this. The slot in Classic track is not quite as deep. Some trimming of the guide blade may be required for successful running.

Whilst retrieving your childhood Classic track from the loft will hopefully bring you happy memories, it's less likely to bring you happy racing. Where possible we would advise the use of Sport track.

Sport track and Classic track do not connect directly and will require a pair of adapters (Scalextric ref C8222).


Analogue vs Digital

  • Analogue is the traditional Scalextric system - one car per lane, controlled directly by the throttle.
  • Digital allows multiple cars on the same lane, lane changing and additional race features.

Important points:

  • All modern Scalextric cars, unless supplied in a digital set, are analogue by default.
  • Many modern Scalextric cars are Digital Plug Ready (DPR) meaning they can be easily converted to digital with a chip.
  • A digital car can run on an analogue track if the digital chip is removed or bypassed.
  • An analogue car cannot run on a digital track unless it is converted.
  • If you want to upgrade from analogue to digital you will need to replace your power & control systems first. The track itself is used for both analogue and digital. However you wouldn't be making full use of digital unless you also added lane changing tracks.