You're never too old to enjoy slot cars, a miniaturized way to experience thrills and spills of motorsport.
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Londoner John Chance-Reed, 87, is the oldest registered member of the British Slot Car Racing Association, a collection of enthusiasts in a sport that saw its heyday in the 1960s.
Motez Bishara, CNN
Bob Hallums, of the North London Society of Model Engineers, poses with his workshop kit on a recent racing day. Members often fine-tune slot cars at home in anticipation of their weekly racing nights.
Motez Bishara, CNN
The north London club features a 90-foot track with four lanes which dominates the cramped room. Some members have known each other since the club moved to Finchley in 1982.
Motez Bishara, CNN
Finchley club member John Ovens turned his son Michael onto slot cars at an early age. Michael eventually became a champion in two divisions, but dropped the sport when he got older. Most British slot car racers are over 50 years old, leading to concerns that their sport is headed towards extinction.
Motez Bishara, CNN
There are fewer than 40 registered slot car racing clubs remaining in the UK, where custom-built racing tracks with elaborate decorations are the norm. Some include vintage figures from the 1960s and 1970s, when the sport was in its prime.
Motez Bishara, CNN
Cars at the North London Society of Model Engineers are scaled at 1/32 and 1/24 in size, and can exceed speeds of 20 mph (32 kph).
Motez Bishara, CNN
Gun-shaped controllers start at $75 each, but fancier models can be considerably costlier.
Motez Bishara, CNN
A basic slot car also starts at $75; higher-end models need tires replaced and parts serviced regularly.
Motez Bishara, CNN
Slot car races are won and lost on curves, with cars easily spinning out of control if speed is not managed.
Motez Bishara, CNN
As a result, non-racing members are positioned in corners of the tracks to reposition cars when they wipe out.
