3 minute read
Family Fun
Total Control SlotCar Racing Offers Fast Family Fun
By Lynette Carrington grandfather had a track up in the attic.” His grandfather SLOT CAR RACING IS A TIME-HONORED HOBBY DATING and would invite fellow volunteers to race slot cars at the BACK TO THE EARLY 1900S. Miniature powered race cars house.” fly around a racetrack guided by grooves or slots in the track. Competitors pick their own car and race individu- A slot car track can be set up with one racer with competally or as a team. Local business Total Control SlotCar ing “ghost” racers, or multiple players can compete against Racing has brought the fun back into slot cars by provid- each other. “We set up in half-leagues and competitions ing an exciting and safe space for kids and kids-at-heart to periodically,” adds Baum. race. Owner Keith Baum opened his business in August 2019, birthday parties and team building events. “I’ve done this and it is only one of two businesses like it in Arizona. for big companies before,” explains Baum. “They had their “It’s tabletop racing and we have two tracks in the store,” employees come in and set up two-person teams and race at 11 o’clock at night and stay until 4 a.m. so they could explains U.S. Army veteran Baum. “Slot cars are a hand- against other teams. It was a lot of fun for the company.” enjoy racing with their friends.” controlled hobby.” The controllers allow racers to switch lanes at certain points on the track and up to six players Safety is a priority, too. The business is continually Baum has also seen how slot car racing has helped can compete at once. Baum can adjust the racing speed to sprayed down with anti-bacterial. Controls are thorough- veterans with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. “Racing be slower or faster depending on how individuals choose ly wiped down after each use, masks are required, and helps people that have stress issues,” Baum notes. The to race. The racetracks are also fully staged with engaging gloves are available for customers. “We’re addressing all back portion of the business also includes a nutrition scenes like one might see at a real-life racetrack. the concerns and we’re trying to build the business back shakes, tea and coffee counter that is run by Baum’s wife, to where it was at the end of last year,” explains Baum. Anna Maria Baum. Baum’s interest in slot cars started in childhood. “I’m from was a member of the local volunteer fire department This type of racing also lends an extra level of fun for New York originally and in the wintertime as a kid, there Racers make an appointment to play any day of the week. Total Control SlotCar Racing and Dragon Nutrition is wasn’t much to do,” he says. “My father and my grand- “We set appointments, and I’ll even open at 1 a.m.,” says located at 4920 W. Thunderbird Road. Call 623-455-2169 father were big into larger scale slot car racing and my Baum. “I’ve done that before. I’ve had customers come in or visit tcslotracing.com for more information.
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