Racetrack Shorts
Description: The Aurora Plastics Corporation introduced the A/FX (Aurora Factory Experimentals, later simply "AFX") line of slot cars, track sets, and related accessories in 1971. Aurora designed the AFX cars with an interchangeable car body, allowing users to use a single chassis for multiple models. The original '71 A/FX chassis utilized an updated version of Aurora's "Thunderjet 500" line, popular in the '60s. AFX introduced the innovative "G-Plus" in-line motor chassis in 1976. This design allowed the use of narrow, open-wheel Formula 1 style bodies, something not previously possible with traditional slot car chassis designs. AFX continued production, releasing multiple innovative products until the company was forced into receivership in 1983.
Description: Over 10,000 individual race victories, 10 world records, and 133 international titles are part of the racing heritage behind the Abarth marque. In fact, success in competition has always been one of the cornerstones of Abarth, and it is no less important now than when Karl 'Carlo' Abarth founded Abarth & Co. in 1949. They called him The Wizard, though his secret was neither magic nor miracle, rather an eye for refinement and an ear for careful tuning. This one is based on the 1954 badge which featured a more detailed scorpion graphic along with the company's formal name.
Description: The Offy is a racing engine design that dominated American open wheel racing for more than 50 years and is still popular among vintage sprint and midget car racers today. The keys to the engine's success and popularity was the rare combination of incredible power and reliability, two things racers usually had to choose between.
Description: Chestein Wynn was a 70-year-old retired attorney who had an interest in chemistry and it was in his dilapidated garage in San Gabriel, California where he came up with a formula to reduce engine wear by reducing friction. In 1939 Wynn started giving bottles of his 'friction proofing' oil to friends and, eventually, began to distribute his product at local service stations. Rationing and conservation efforts during World War II prevented Wynn from producing and marketing his unique oil, but he used this time to continue to research and improve the formula. In 1946 production resumed in Wynn's garage and now with his son Carl on board, they were able to increase production, hire salesmen, and talked their product to a national audience.
Description: The Fiat 124 Sport Spider is a convertible sports car marketed by Fiat for model years 1966-1985. Designed by and manufactured at the Italian carrozzeria Pininfarina factory, the monocoque, front-engine, rear drive Sport Spider debuted at the November 1966 Turin Auto Show with styling by Tom Tjaarda. Fiat later marketed the car as the Spider 2000 (1979-1982). After being retired by FIAT, Pininfarina continued the production of the model under his own brand as Pininfarina Spider Azzura for the North American market and Pininfarina Spidereuropa for the European market for three more years, from August 1982 until 1985.
Description: North Wilkesboro Speedway is a short oval racetrack located on Route 421, 80 miles north of Charlotte. The speedway opened its doors on May 18, 1947, as a dirt track with the first official event promoted as a modified race, including heat races and a feature event. While an attendance of about 3,000 people was expected, a crowd in excess of 10,000 showed up to see one of the famous Flock brothers compete (and ultimately win the race). The track is just 5/8 of a mile around and features a unique uphill backstretch and downhill frontstretch that played into it's reputation as one of the fastest short-tracks of the '40s and '50s. The original dirt oval was paved in 1957 and continued to operate until the track's closure in 1996.
Description: Long before Suzuka Circuit and Fuji Speedway were built, Tamagawa Speedway opened in 9 May, 1936, as Japan’s first purpose-built racing circuit. It was a 1.2 kilometre (or three-quarter mile) asymmetrical oval, with a tightly packed dirt surface. With the backing of the Tokyo Yokohama Electric Railway company (a predecessor of today’s Tokyu Railways), and the Hochi Shimbun newspaper, Fujimoto’s dream was realized when the speedway opened its doors and held its first major competition: The 1st National Automobile Racing Tournament on 7 June, 1936. Fujimoto even raced himself, driving a Bugatti to second place in the 30 kilometre Bosch Cup Race.
