Three years ago, the Bayonne Town Center Management Corporation asked Vincent Margiotta if he could set up a miniature car racing track in conjunction with the classic car show on Broadway.
Entitled “A Day at the Races” (from the classic Marx Brothers comedy), the event allowed those who attended the thrill of racing small scale cars at speeds – when calculated to real sized cars – ranging from 100 to 180 miles per hour.
For many, it was a blast from the past when racing the small cars – which is something called slot cars – was in fashion.
But in truth, the trend never really went out of fashion, with leagues across the country racing in hobby shops and other places for pride and sometimes prizes.
“We’ve had a track out at the Town Center event for three years.”— Vincent Margiotta
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Except for the rare appearance of Margiotta’s track during the classic car show, Bayonne didn’t have a public track that would allow residents to take part all through the year.
This changed earlier this year when Margiotta decided to open an indoor racing track that would allow area residents to compete regularly, set up leagues, or even rent the track for parties.
Various types
Miniature racing cars come in various scales. The cars raced during the classic car show were of a larger variety than the smaller scale cars that are used for the indoor track.
“We’ve had a track out at the Town Center event for three years,” Margiotta said. “But those cars were 32nd scale. We’re running HO scale – or 164th scale – here.”
In some ways, this is good because this allows for a longer track and cars to travel at greater speeds than the larger cars.
Located next door to Pastime Hobbies at 615 Broadway, the HO scale slot car track is 18 by 6 feet with six lanes.
The HO also accommodates cars from several manufacturers.
Racing takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, starting with children’s racing between 6 and 7 p.m. and adult racing from 7 to 8 p.m.
The track also offers monthly club memberships for adults and children five or older.
People can rent the track for parties or come down to race whenever the track is not in use for races or private parties.
The track is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
You don’t even need a car. You can rent a car and controller, or – if you have a car – just the controller for a lesser amount.
For more information, contact Aida Figueroa at (201) 823-4005.