If you grew up in the 70’s or early 80’s with die-cast cars in your toy box, then chances are good that you also experienced screwing a plastic clamp to the side of table in order to form the top of the orange race track that would cascade down to the floor. These days those fun lengths of track are getting harder and harder to come by. Collectors with access to a local die-cast club track might get to enjoy it once a month. There are also sites like Redline Derby that provide useful information on putting together your own track for those who are good with their hands.

Now, thanks to Fireball Tim, collectors will have easy access to a downhill track that takes racing to the the next level! Fireball debuted this two lane drag strip style downhill race track at the Super Convention and it was very well received. Each set features:

- 17 feet of track

- Christmas Tree Start-up Lights

- Digital Scoring Read-Out Finish Line 

- Digital Race Sound Effects

- Remote Foot Pedals to start the race!

The Dragtracks set is designed to fit all 1/64th scale die-cast cars and is available for order directly from Fireball Tim’s website for $79.95. A power pack accessory and extra track is also available. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Make the jump over to Fireball Tim’s Dragtracks page here!

I love it when our little hobby of die-cast car collecting gets pushed a little further out into the mainstream, and that’s exactly what happened in the latest issue of Car and Driver magazine. Freelance C&D writer, Brett Berk has written a great piece that gives readers a deep dive into what its like to be a hard-core Hot Wheels collector.

While the article mainly focuses on the collectors and experience of the 23rd-annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention, I did have the opportunity to meet Brett last summer when he attended the Wild Weekend of Hot Wheels 6 convention in Connecticut while doing research. The article shares perspectives from many different Hot Wheels collectors and gives readers a nice broad view of the hobby. And if “viewing the hobby” is what you like, then be sure to browse through the 60+ photos (captured by Ted Soqui) that captured the Hot Wheels collecting experience.

Subscribers of the print magazine got an advanced look at the article. Fortunately for the non-subscribers, the article is now available for viewing online at the Car & Driver website.

Click here to jump over to the article on the Car & Driver website.

Former Hot Wheels graphics guru MiQ Willmott and his family were recently featured in this short artist profile video put together by Dell. MiQ and Thuy3 (his wife) created some truly amazing artwork for Dell that can be selected as a option when customizing your laptop.

Its been many years since he moved on from Mattel, but his work there has certainly not been forgotten. Collectors had the opportunity to get reacquainted with MiQ at the 2009 Hotlanta Collectors Experience just a few months ago, and I look forward to speaking with him again on an upcoming Saturday Nitro. MiQ will also be attending the 2010 DiecastSpace Super Convention in February where he will inducted into the Diecast Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010.

[via youtube.com]

Two years ago I wrote a post about my fortunate experience of finding a Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt at a local Walgreens in my hometown during my traditional Christmas visit. Finding a Treasure Hunt at the same location on Christmas Eve two years in a row was quite a thrill.

In 2007 I was hoping to repeat the find for a third year in a row, but unfortunately I came up empty handed. However, to my surprise this past Christmas brought the magic back. While passing through the checkout I happened to glance down and see a single peg of Hot Wheels with a hint of green sticking out on a card in the middle! As many collectors will agree, the rush of excitement you get when finding a t-hunt just cant be beat.

Finds like this really help to keep the spirit of collecting alive, and I’m still amazed that I’ve managed to find 3 t-hunts in 4 years on the same day in the same location each year. Check back after Christmas this year to see if my luck continues!

Do you have a similar Treasure Hunt story? Please share it with the readers via the comments section below!