The Tyco Computer Racing 500 is a HO scale slot car track set and computerized race computer released in US, UK, and other markets worldwide by Tyco Toys in 1989.
Features
The core feature of this set is the Tyco Race Computer, which is a track insert piece that takes 4 x C size Alkaline batteries, and acts as the start and finish lines. It offers a digital display with various LEDs and buttons that offers 14 race tracking features including lap counter, speed, time, and more for each driver.
A full feature list includes:
- 4 Digital LED Readout Displays for Laps, Speed and Time
- Digital Tachometer / Fual Gauge Displays, Power Level and Fuel Consumption
- Programs Race Time, Fuel, Laops in any combination, Lapdisplay during race
- Automatic Yellow/Green Start Sequence
- Caution system to reduce speed for 5 seconds during caution periods
- Dual Driver control panels with Call Up, Scale MPH, Lap Time, and Pit Stop Refueling
Vehicles
The box set includes 2 x HO Scale Porsche 962 Cars in Red and White
TV Commercial
Unfortunate it seems the original Action GT (Tyco distributor) commercial has been taken offline. This is the closest I can find currently, appears to be an upgraded version perhaps?
Included Track and Layout
There is 16 feet of standard Tyco HO scale racing track included, making a standard 4' x 5 1/2' track layout with the following:
- 10 x 9" Radius Curve
- 1 x 6" Straight
- 4 x 15" Straight
- 1 x 9" Straight
As well as various supports, two Controllers, billboard sticker sheets, and plug pack.
It's a decent track layout, not puny like so many sets, and with two of the most kickass cars included (in my opinion), this would have been one hot number on Christmas '89.
Collect-ability and Availability
The Computer Racing 500 comes up only occasionally on auction sites, and would have been a fairly expensive Christmas present when sold in the late 80s and early 90s - you'd have to be a pretty lucky kid to find this set under the tree! What this means is, there simply won't be very many out there still available in decent condition.
And while modern slot car racing no doubt offers a far superior feature set in terms of a track computers, there's just something special about the physical switches and pseudo-digital-analogue nature of the displays that make this one agreeable.
For me, I'd pick this one up in a heartbeat, but ultimately it depends on your own personal preference, and whether you can find one within your budget.
