Among the realms of childhood hobbies, Slot Car Racing is one that has an enduring and lasting presence. For slot car racing is not only the domain of kids, but is equally popular with adults, to the extent that there are championships devoted to slot car racing that are taken very seriously indeed.

When we thing of Slot Car and slot car racing, we automatically think of Scalextric, the famous manufacturer that has been around for many decades, turning out fantastic models and track, and a wide range of accessories, to meet any particular taste or demand.

Choose your taste

Individuals tend to model their slot car track to reflect the particular type of motor sport that interests them, and even taking things further to base their collection around the era of racing – whatever it may be – that interests them the most. Scale models of great detail can be bought, and not just from Scalextric.

While in Europe slot car racing tends to focus on Formula One models, in the USA the areas of NASCAR, Indycars and even drag racing can be catered for by those who want to model such categories, and the connoisseurs of slot car racing build and decorate their own models using chassis, motors and bodies that can all be bought separately.

This gives the modeller the opportunity to recreate individual cars from particular races in history, incorporating those that may not be featured by mass producers such as Scalextric.

This is not to put Scalextric Slot Car down as it remains the market leader, and deservedly so.

Scalextric – versatile and popular

The beauty of Scalextric track is in its versatility- there are so many different configurations of track available that it is possible to model any chosen circuit – be it Indianapolis or Road America – and to create original tracks incorporating elements that would not be found in genuine race tracks such as crossover sections and even loops.

Compact and durable they may be, but slot cars are a serious hobby and an addictive one, too, with scale speeds in the hundreds and competition invading even the least interested driver once he or she picks up a handset.

Drag racing is a growing area in recent years, with competitors building their own models and tuning them for effect, and there are official World Championships that take place all across the world every year that are hotly contested by many hundreds of competitors.

For the home modeller, the attraction of building a slot car track is great and can be an engaging and exciting hobby for father and son to indulge in together. Using plans, recreating a known track is a delightful experience, and racing on it even more so.

The custom of collecting vintage slot cars is gathering pace, too – remember, some of them can be over fifty years - and more – old by now – as older models become scarcer and begin to increase in value.

If you just wish to buy a slot car set – complete with cars and track, power plant and handsets – the choice is wide and varied, and you will be sure to be buying an item that is not a toy, but an enjoyable pastime for young and old alike and you could do worse than staring your search at NewSlotCars.com.

Gifts baskets are cool, but can you give one to a man? Of course you can, but it takes a little more thought than just some creams and lotions like you see in women’s gift bags and baskets. In fact, forget about the idea of a gift basket and just go for the overall group gift. Instead of putting one item in a box, place several related items together as a large present.
For a man, you have to think outside the box, or basket that is.

Themed baskets for men always work well; for example baseball - might include a team replica ball, some snack foods normally eaten at ball games like peanuts, popcorn and candy. Decorate the basket in team colors and include a team pendant. Most men love candy and snack foods so fill a basket with his favorite food items including hard candies, chocolates, salty snack bags, and gum. A golf basket may include golf tees and balls, a filled in score card with high marks, shoelaces and a favorite brand of sunglasses.

The basket designed for a man can be something that fits his style. If he is a handy man around the house pick up a paint bucket and glue pictures of tools on it. Fill the bucket with his favorite snacks (cookies, candy, gum, crackers) and throw in a couple of movie passes or game passes and you have a perfect gift basket (bucket). If your man is a golfer instead of a basket use a smaller insulated cooler and fill it with candy golf balls, cookies, hard candies, his favorite coffee beans, and toss in some golf tees, golf balls and a golf hat.

Not every gift for a man needs to include food either. If your guy works outside, perhaps a new pair of military boots stuffed with fresh warm socks and some gloves would be a nice replacement. If he likes lawn and landscaping, some lawn treatment items may be in order, or for winter, a bucket of driveway ice melt and snow shovel may be an appreciated gift.

I know we are getting out of the realm of gift baskets here, but you are getting the picture. There are also any number of small items to stuff around your chosen gift bucket. Here are some personalized gift items to include in any themed or hobby gift basket for men:
*personalized money clip
*photo frame
*MP3 Player
*coffee travel mug
*music downloads

The idea is to offer a bunch of small gifts, all personalized for him. With men, you really can’t go wrong.