Ahh, the allure of Total Control HO Scale Racing! Drive, Accelerate, Pass & Slide Back In Front, JUST in Front, of your Opponent! But Watch out for the JAM Vehicle! Criss-Crosses, Up-And-Over Bridges, Obstacle Barrels and a myriad of other specialty items came with most sets. Although we remember it very fondly, maybe a bit better than it actually worked, the TCR race system always seemed to pose one minor problem or two. Mainly it's downfall was the - - stall - - zooming down a straight, banging in a corner or sliding through an s-curve, a mid-lane, mid-move, mid-pass, - - stall - - really slowed racing down. A clean, warm, tight track helped, but few kids could afford (or figure out, or source, or were brave enough for!) the solution. Very simply put, TCR is an AC powered system, rather than the typical DC power of slotted race sets. AC power is what allows you to switch lanes. It demands an output of Amperage in AC current of at least 2 AMPs. A Variable-Volt, Variable-Amp Power Source is just the ticket to allow a racer to 'dial-in' a set of cars. One power for two cars, boost of power if you add a JAM car & even more power as you enlarge the system. Often well over $100, it is the cost of a truly successful TCR race system. The addition of dependable, variable power is nearly as important as power distribution over a tightly connected track. Large or small system, a second power pack arrangement or under-the-track-wire-jumpering system is needed for dependable, even power around the track circuit. CONSULT A SKILLED ELECTRICIAN FOR ADVICE.

History:

   The TCR (TotalControlRacing) Logo has been used on 6 or 7 different systems by TYCO, IDEAL & MAJORETTE throughout the past 3 decades. Majorette of France is the current owner of the Trademark: TCR. TYCO Industries of N.J. & Ideal Toys of America, alternately licensed the 'TCR' moniker for their North American release, of the Total (Lack of) Control Racing Systems. Although each HO Slotless, Passing System could be Made-to-Work, there was always a precious balance between Really Fun Racing, and… - - Stalled - - Cars. A Sufficient increase in the Power Pack Amperage Really seemed to help. A Super Clean, well-connected Track is a Must! Ideal started it all back in the early 1970's. This racing system, which ended after only a few years, is still played with today. the old cars were iffy, but new rear rubber tires help. later issue Majorette TCRs should also run on this system. TYCO released Command-Control in the 1970's to compete with the, equally bad Aurora Ultra5 system. both systems were much less useable than the Ideal system. Later, Both Aurora (with their Speed-Steer System) & TYCO (with the Newly Branded TYCO TCR) released updated systems. Both are equally good systems & are overall the best TCR Racing systems released. Although the Tracks themselves do not interchange, most other components do.

Vehicles:

   Some TCR Vehicles will interchange between one manufacturer, & another's racetrack systems. Other than Aurora SpeedSteer & Aurora ULTRA5 Track Systems Interchanging; Seldom do different-track-systems interchange. The 1980's Aurora SpeedSteer & 1990's TYCO TCR Vehicles are nearly identical. An updated feature of the new systems was the ability to make most cars Left or Right Lane, simply by moving the pick-up shoes. You can interchange TYCO TCR & Aurora SpeedSteer Pickup Shoes, springs, rear wheels, tires gears & axles. Both vehicles work (or don't) on either system. Cool. A dedicated JAM Vehicle is still utilized right into the 1990's. No Adapters are known to convert from one Track System, to another. However, that said, I have heard from numerous people who have cannibalized, Modified & Energized their ways into some really great, AND dependable, SLOTLESS Racing!

Today:

   Ideally (forget the pun,) you should buy the matching brand vehicle for your Slot-Free racing system. Once you get it running well, then introduce another manufacturers vehicles to see how they may operate. Tweak the vehicle pickups, where you can. Most of the 'passing or JAM' vehicles work on the same principles. The size & distance between Pick Up Shoes, and chassis bumper dimensions, seem to be the biggest variations. Also, the system used to keep-the-vehicle-off-the-wall varied widely. Aurora Ultra 5 was released in the 1970's, and the Later Improved SpeedSteer System, followed into the 1980's. TYCO TCR also released Command Control System early on, which was a total catastrophe… The later TYCO iteration took on the TCR logo & actually was a good attempt at a modern-day TCR Racing System by advancing the Aurora SpeedSteer technology. The Ideal Toys, 1970's release system, had a MK 1 & MK II Chassis-Style released in the U.S. Majorette subsequently released a MK III & MK IV Style chassis in Europe. Modern Majorette TCR works well on 1970's Ideal TCR Systems, each was a successive improvement upon the other. North American MK 1 & MK II 'Metal Rear Hubbed Style' can use an Aurora #8741 Medium Rear Tire with good results for the often-dried rear ends. Reproduction pickup shoes & other tune up parts, are also becoming much more available. The best track layouts from a functional perspective, is an oval or a figure eight (or even a double figure 8!) Road Courses, unfortunately, leave too many areas that are prone to stalling.

Available:

   No Modern HO TCR System is currently sold in the U.S. I sell as New-Old-Stock, Aurora SpeedSteer brand TCR from 1980. I have Complete Race Tracks for $75. These are factory sealed Ovals with Two Vehicles. I have Two Vehicle-Versions available. They were originally intended for European Release, but an electrical converter may allow it to work in the US. Everything else mates up with the USA or Canada, Aurora releases throughout the 1970 & 1980. it is a typical Oval layout & i have many additional track options available as new-old-stock.

   I sell New Old Stock Vehicles for nearly every Total Control System from Aurora, TYCO, Ideal and Majorette. I sell complete replacement chassis or bodies alone, as well. Most all Aurora AFX style bodies will accept the SpeedSteer chassis. As well, TYCO TCR chassis will fit under nearly any appropriate (narrow vs. wide chassis) body. The earlier Ideal TCR will also accept the later issued Majorette TCR bodies. Please feel free to fill in my history where you can. I will continue to update any inaccuracy.

Happy Motorin' & Thanks S'lot from bob@SlotCarCentral.com in Syracuse, NY. 615 N. Salina Street p315.214.4792