I started on Scalextric one xmas when I was about 10. Spent the whole day trying to get my dad and uncles to let me have a go.
In early teen years moved onto build them, my mate di the bodwork and painting, I did the mechanica and electrical side. We ended up building them for other people. Used to race at a club housed in the Scout Hall off Wallington High St.
There used to be a huge pay to have a go track down at brighton. must have been 10 or twelve lanes. Put money in and car would start, t-slot so could not come off the track, killed most of our efforts to have major crashes.