The first plastic model was the C54 Lotus 16. The new material permitted extra detail and easier maintenance or repairs. Spark Plug was introduced in 2020 - a wireless dongle allowing players to race their cars from their smart devices. Since then several updates have become available to allow for versus mode and larger family play. saw the introduction of the Scalextric catalogue, which has been issued annually ever since, with the first editions being extremely rare.

In 1986, Hornby Hobbies Ltd became a Plc, taking the company forward in a new world of computer games and electronics. With a nation inspired to rediscover childhood hobbies, Scalextric sets found their way out of the loft and slot car fans experienced true nostalgia, passing their passion down the generations. Scalextric has been releasing new and exciting products to reignite the slot car passion and offer a gateway into the hobby for the new generation of young racing enthusiasts. Model Details: The TR7 was a successful rally car and famous for its distinctive wedge shaped design.Some of the key innovationswere the 360-degree spin-around chassis, the flip-over mechanism and of course, the patented ‘Magnatraction’ which was introduced in 1988. The inventor of Scalextric, Betram ‘Fred’ Francis died aged 78 in 1998, with the following year seeing the manufacturing outsourced from the UK to China. Four years later, the 2000s was also the beginning of ‘Digital Scalextric’– the future of slot car racing and the technology still used today. Scalextric was first introduced at the Harrogate International Toy Fair between the 12 th and 19 th January 1957.

Production of Scalextric and Tri-ang Hornby railways was transferred to Margate, creating history as the home of Scalextric and Hornby even today.In 2006, Scalextric’s parent company acquired the owners of Humbrol paints and Airfix model kits. This move aided the company's position as a leading toy and model company. Two years later, Corgi model cars were also acquired.