Motueka’s miniature racing renaissance

The slot car scene used to be big in Motueka.

There still exists a tiny car with ‘The Guardian’ emblazoned on its side, as well as others proudly bearing the monikers of Murray Thorn Motorcycles, Hotel Motueka and The Rolling Pin Bakery.

These were found in a box of treasures that Pete Darrell was gifted from the former club, which disbanded some years ago.

But Pete, who shifted to Motueka last year from Christchurch, has a quiet but fierce passion for slot car racing, and over the past few months, he has reintroduced the sport to the town.

The Motueka Slot Car Club Facebook page describes the hobby as racing with powered miniature autos (or other vehicles) which are guided by grooves or slots in the track on which they run.

“Slot cars are usually models of actual automobiles, though some have bodies purpose-designed for miniature racing. Most enthusiasts use commercially available slot cars (often modified for better performance), others motorize static models, and some “scratch-build,” creating their own mechanisms and bodies from basic parts and materials.”

The sport recently celebrated its 60th anniversary in New Zealand.

Motueka’s members have been meeting weekly at their dedicated space in Marchwood Park, where they compete on the tracks that Pete brought with him and re-engineered to fit into the small room.

Last month, the fledgling club had a race-off for a radio-controlled boat, which had been given to Pete by an old neighbour in Christchurch. Other prizes were on offer too, and Pete says he is grateful to Bliss Hair Design and Geoff Sutton for their donations.

He reckons that the racing teaches hand-eye coordination, composure, tolerance and patience. As well as its larger track with its mix of straights and tight corners to navigate, Pete says that Motueka is the only club he knows of in the country with a dedicated track for younger members. This track is a simple symmetrical flat-sided loop, providing beginners with a great place to start their slot car journey.

He says that slot car racing is an inclusive sport which offers “an alternative to physical sports that not all kids are into”.

All equipment is provided, and Pete or the other members will happily train any newbies on how to work the hand controller and best race the tracks.

Any new members – children or adults – are welcome to give the slot cars a spin on Sunday afternoons. The club meets at a building near the office at Marchwood Park (on the College St entrance) between 12pm and 3pm. Club night for established racers is Thursdays from 6pm.