Powertrack

File:MBL.jpeg

Powertrack (UK) and Speedtrack (US) are brandnames for Matchbox's foray into toy slot cars. Introduced in the late 70's Powertrack/Speedtrack featured cars that could be seen in the dark as the cars had headlights. Matchbox's H0/00 (approx. 1/64th) cars were smaller than Scalextric 1/32 scale cars.

In the UK, Powertrack was a more affordable product than Scalextric and traded heavily on the Matchbox brand. With the smaller size the layouts could be quite complex yet still fit in the typical 8' x 4' board size. Additionally, it did not sit out of place with H0/00 railway sets and Matchbox's own 75 die cast range. Coupled with very dynamic packaging, the Powertrack Product was a big turn on for a child of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Peter Kay commented in his autobiography The Sound of Laughter that the Race 'N' Chase set he received for Christmas in the late 1970s was the best Christmas present... ever.

With the collapse of Lesney/Matchbox in the early eighties, the last official year of production appears to be 1982. Various attempts to buy the Lesney stock and continue selling the products were tried but subsequently died out. Most notably, Proops Brothers, of Tottenham Court Road, London packaged together sets in plain boxes and sold existing sets with all sorts of car combinations. Latterly, several vehicles appear from time to time rebranded as 'Counterlane' but these too were short lived.

The sets either came with a 6V or 12V Power Unit. The 12V cars are extremely quick due to the size and weight and handle very well with the aid of a magnet on the underside.

No longer in production, cars and sets can be purchased via eBAY with some rarer cars commanding keen prices, like the Saab 900 Turbo and the yellow livery Ford Escort. Sadly many of the cars for sale come with poor quality tyres, leaving the cars with no grip. The lack of grip results in the cars just wheel spinning without any forward movement. However, there are replacements available and it is still possible to buy brand new cars in sealed cartons.

Powertrack sets

Powertrack sets came in different sets featuring different cars and track type.

In the UK this consisted of:

Powertrack PT-1000 - Grand Prix (Launched 1978)

Set comprised: 1 x McLaren F1, 1 x Ferrari F1, 8 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 1 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight. 6V 'Grandstand' Battery Box and 2 x Hand Controllers. 8 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: This is Powertrack's only UK Battery powered set. The cars do not have headlights. RRP in 1979: £14.99.

Powertrack PT-2000 - Monza (Launched 1978)

Set comprised: 1 x Porsche 911, 1 x Chevrolet Corvette, 8 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 1 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 8 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: One of the most popular sets Powertrack produced with 2 of the most ubiquitous cars. RRP in 1979: £19.99.

Powertrack PT-3000 - Super Sport (Launched 1978)

Set comprised: 1 x Jaguar XJ Series, 1 x BMW 320i, 9 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 2 x 45 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 5 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 12 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheets & Bridge supports.

Factoid: Quite an expensive set when released that put it in direct competition with Scalextric. RRP in 1979: £29-99.

Powertrack PT-4000 - Le Mans Set (Launched 1978)

Set comprised: 1 x Porsche 936, 1 x Renault Alpine, 11 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 2 x 45 degree 9" Curve, 11 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 12 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: A premium product but at the time the track layouts supplied eclipsed most rivals. RRP in 1979: £39-99.

Powertrack PT-5000 - Indianapolis (28 ft) (Launched 1981)

Set comprised: 1 x Triumph TR7, 1 x BMW 320i, 8 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 2 x 45 degree 9" Curve, 3 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight, 1 x Banked Curve (with supports). 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 12 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: This is one of only 3 sets launched in the UK after the original Powertrack launch of 1978. (The others were Race & Chase & PT-8000). RRP was £34.99.

Powertrack PT-6000 - Race and Chase (American Cop Car) (Launched 1979)

Set comprised: 1 x Police Car, 1 x Corvette Stingray, 6 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V R&C Track Terminal, 1 x Tip Bridge 9", 2 x 9" Straight, 4 x 15" Straight, 6 x Aprons, 4 x LH End Pieces, 2 x RH End Pieces. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 4 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: Far and away the biggest selling Set in the UK. Stole a march on any other slot racing system and even Scalextric were slow to catch up. UK RRP in 1979: £29-99.

Powertrack PT-6100 - Race and Chase (German Porsche Police Car) (Launched 1979)

Set comprised: 1 x Porsche Police Car, 1 x BMW 320i, 6 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V R&C Track Terminal, 2 x Straight 9", 1 x Tip Bridge 9", 2 x Crossovers 15" , 2 x 15" Straight, 6 x Aprons, 4 x LH End Pieces, 2 x RH End Pieces. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 4 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: This is the only Powertrack/Speedtrack/Powertrack Plus set released that included 15" Crossover Tracks. This set was not launched in the UK. The Box artwork is in German but this product may have also been distributed widely across Western Europe.

Powertrack PT-8000 - This set featured 4 lane racing (Launched 1981)

Set comprised: 1 x Porsche 911, 1 x Triumph TR7, 1 x Fiat Abarth, 1 x VW Scirocco, 16 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 16 x 45 degree Curve 12", 4 x 45 degree 9" Curve, 2 x 9" 6V 4 Lane Track Terminals, 6 x 9" Straight, 4 x 15" Straight, 4 x 6" Straight, . 6V Mains Transformer and 4 x Hand Controllers. 16 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: The ultimate Powertrack set still fetches good money on E-bay. Although prohibitively expensive for a slot racing set, it undercut Scalextric's 4 lane set by nearly £40. This is the only Powertrack set worldwide that employed 12" outer curves to enable 4 lane corners.

The cars listed are those that appear on the box artwork and are generally proven to be sold with the set. However, Matchbox often replaced at least one car depending on immediate stock levels. The blue Porsche 911, dark blue Fiat Abarth, yellow Escort, red Escort and red & White Scirocco are all known to be substitute cars. The car most often replaced appears to be the Gold Scirocco.

UK RRP in 1981: £79.99.

This set was also branded as Silverstone 8000

File:PPLogo.jpeg

Powertrack Plus Sets

In 1982, Matchbox unveiled Powertrack Plus in the UK. The cars were operated from 12V and were much faster. A magnet on the underside of the 'gearbox' increased grip to the track and the higher voltage was more tolerant of larger track layouts.

Powertrack Plus sets had upgraded transformers, hand controllers and track terminals which featured different connectors that were not compatible with the 6V systems. Curiously, the 12V terminal had no facility for powering the lap counter though. All other track remained the same stock parts but were repacked with Powertrack Plus branding.

A number of new parts were created for Powertrack Plus. A Chicane 'loop the loop' and 'self supporting' banked curve featured in the PP-9000 set, while crossover tracks and a crossover 'flying jump' were included in the PP-3000.

Aside from magnets the cars also had wider pickups on the underside. They also had torquier motors and a different pinion gear and crown wheel. Essentially, every Powertrack Plus car was a revamped Powertrack car body shell with the new Chassis.

It is worth noting however that the 'Super Boss' and 'Bandag Bandit' were only ever launched in the UK in 12V form.

Powertrack PP-2000

Set comprised: 1 x Jaguar XJ Series, 1 x BMW 320i, 6 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 12V Track Terminal, 1 x 9" Straight, 2 x 15" Straight. 12V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 6 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: Introduction to 12V racing. RRP in 1982: £24.99.

Powertrack PP-3000

Set comprised: 1 x Renault Elf, 1 x Porsche 936, 10 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 12V Track Terminal, 1 x 6" Straight, 1 x 24" Flying Jump, 1 x 9" Crossover. 12V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 8 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: The only UK set to include the 9" Crossover track. The black & white markings on the Flying Jump and Crossover track were spray painted on and not stickers. RRP in 1982: £34.99.

Powertrack PP-4000

No official details uncovered so far. However, it is referenced in the Powertrack Plus Instruction Manual of 1982. This is likely to have been a Race & Chase set with the Police car and most likely the Silver Chevrolet Corvette (in lieu of the Corvette Stingray). The basis for this comes from the Catalogue number assigned to these cars relative to the other Powertrack Plus cars. Tantalisingly, the track layout may well have been based on the US Copter Chase set, introducing both the Cross Road and Turn Off tracks to the UK. Those items were first referenced in the UK at the same time.

Factoid: There are 2 versions of the 12V Hand controller. One has a Race & Chase style button to reverse the current direction, the other has no such button. Evidence indeed that Matchbox were well under way with launching this set.

It is possible this set was due for release just when Matchbox 'hit the wall' - any further information welcome.

Powertrack PP-6000

This is better known as Race and Chase 2.

Powertrack PP-9000

Set comprised: 1 x Triumph TR7, 1 x Porsche 911, 8 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 12V Track Terminal, 4 x Straight 9", 1 x Straight 6", 1 x 15" Loop the Loop, 4 x 45 Degree Bank Curve 9", 4 x Straight 15", 12V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 8 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.

Factoid: The only UK set to include the Loop. The Loop was painted red on the exterior. The loop was also a chicane and was a very cool addition to the range. The Banked Curve supplied with this set was a 'Self Supporting' type made of 4 x 45 degree sections. It did not need the sculptured entry & exit tracks or additional support of PT-208. RRP in 1982: £59.99.

(This contributor had this set in 1982 and it rocked!)

Speedtrack Sets

Released in the USA at virtually the same time as Powertrack in UK. All these items were 6 Volt and curiously did not feature the stunning box art work of the European products. They also did not include the vac-formed plastic liner to house all the parts. Instead, parts were bagged and packaged loose in similar size cartons. However, in terms of content they were excellent value for money - possibly because of the competition from rival H0/00 sets from AFX & Tyco.

In the US, the following Speedtrack sets were available from 1978:

Grand Prix 150

Trenton 150 This set was advertised in the Matchbox 1978 catalogue. The set featured two cars, a battery box and White hand controllers.

Monza 200 (Set No 14-3621)

Le Mans 300

International 1000 This set was advertised in the Matchbox 1978 catalogue. The set featured two Pinto cars, a battery box and White hand controllers.

Hulks Race

Spider-Man Race & Chase

Copter Chase

Race & Chase

By 1981, the name 'Speedtrack' has been dropped in favour of 'Powertrack'. The following sets had been added for the US that were similar to UK 'Powertrack Plus' sets but lacked the 12V system. Curiously, though cars were provided with slim (6v) pick ups they incorporated the magnets and gearboxes of UK 12V Cars. This 'hybrid' was denoted as a 'Positraction' car and advertised as compatible with other H0/00 slot racing systems, most notably 'AFX' & 'Tyco'.

There are inconsistencies with this information, not least because to date no US magnet car has appeared on E-bay and the ubiquitous Porsche 911 & VW Scirocco supplied in 3 of the sets have not surfaced either. It is possible that Matchbox cut back its operations in the US and just supplied the Slipstream, Tyrone Daredevil and Race 'N' Chase sets, the cars supplied all being non Positraction cars.

The cars supplied with these sets were catalogued at the same time as 'Positraction' cars but have all surfaced on E-bay. The firm conclusion is Matchbox never got round to introducing 'Positraction' to the US.

Slipstream Racing 14-36-80

This set consisted of Three Cars racing the cars in the set were Martini Porsche Pacer car, Yellow Jaguar and the Red BMW 3.0CSL Orange Jagermeister Livery.

Tyrone Malone's Daredevil Race N Chase (13.5 Ft of Track)

Jump Cross Championship

Pro 8 Challenge

World Class Racing

No Pre productions photos have been unearthed on eBay. Interestingly, the PP-9000 was launched 1 year later in the UK and featured an extended version of this layout. Is this evidence that Matchbox had begun reducing their US involvement during 1981/82?

Race 'N' Chase Sets

Race and Chase - This set featured a Bandit car and an American police car. The unique feature of this set was that the cars could u-turn, and jump using a tilting bridge.

Race and Chase 2 - This set featured a Bandit car (Silver Corvette) and an American police car. The unique feature of this set was that the cars could u-turn, and jump using a tilting bridge. This set differed from the previous race and chase set as this was a PowerTrack Plus PP6600 was 4.2m or 14 ft in length, the track also featured some sort of dead end section.

Race and Chase - This set featured American Racing trucks and featured Tyrone Malone on the box. The unique feature of this set was that the cars could u-turn, and jump using a tilting bridge. This did not appear until 1981

Copter Chase - This set incorporated both the 'Flat Intersection' and the LH & RH Switch track sections. The only set to do so worldwide. It featured the regular US cop car chasing a Black Chevy van and a Helicopter, which ran along on a conventional chassis disguised as a black plinth. The contents of this set are so unique and quite rare that it may command a premium over every other Powertrack/Powertrack Plus & Speedtrack set.

Spider-Man Race and Chase - This set featured 12.5 feet (3.8 m) of track a Spider-Man car and a Black Villain van. Released in 1979 it was one of only 2 sets to ever feature the Cross road section.

Hulk's Race - This was a basic set featuring a cardboard city scape and a 6V battery box. It featured the Incredible Hulk's van and Escort vehicles.

Powertrack Cars

Car	Paintjob	Part No	Voltage	lights	Magnet	Number on Car	Featured in Sets	Image
F1 Ferrari	Red Goodyear Modelled on a car driven by Clay Regazzoni in 1976	PT-101	6V	No	No	2	PT-1000 (UK)	File:F1 Ferrari Speedtrack.JPG
F1 McLaren	Red Marlboro Modelled on a car driven by James Hunt in 1977)	PT-102	6V	No	No	1	PT-1000 (UK)	File:F1 McLaren Speedtrack.JPG
Porsche 911	Green with Valiant and Kremer livery: Gold and orange flashes.	PT-103	6V	Yes	No	5	PT-2000 Monza (UK) PT-8000 (UK)	File:Green Porsche Speedtrack.JPG
Chevrolet Corvette	White with red and blue stripes flashes	PT-114	6V	Yes	No	4	PT-2000 Monza (UK)	File:White Corvette Speedtrack.JPG
BMW 3.0CSL	Orange Jagermeister Livery	PT-105	6V	Yes	No	54	PT-3000 (UK) & PT5000 (UK)	File:BMW 54 Speedtrack.JPG
BMW 3.0CSL	Orange Top bonnet and Spoiler with yellow side panels and doors.	PT-105		Yes	No	4
Jaguar XJ Series II	White with blue and red stripes (Part of British Leyland cars)	PT-106	6V	Yes	No	1	PT-3000 (UK)	File:White Jaguar Speedtrack.JPG
Porsche 936	White with Martini written on wings and spoiler plus a red helmeted driver	PT-108	6V	Yes	No	20	PT-4000 Le Mans (UK)	File:Powertrack 956 20.JPG
Renault Alpine Number 5	Yellow with black stripe, number 5 WITHOUT AIRBOX	PT-107	6V	Yes	No	5	PT-4000 Le Mans (UK)
Renault Alpine Number 11	Yellow with black stripe, number 11	N/A	6V	Yes	No	11	PT-4000 (UK & Europe)
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray	White with Yellow stripes	PT-114	6V	Yes	No	No	Race & Chase PT-6000 (UK)	File:Yellow White Corvette Speedtrack.JPG
Police Car Chevrolet	Blue & White - Police on sides and boot/trunk	PT-113	6V	Roof Light	No	N/A	Race & Chase PT-6000 (UK)	File:Police USA Speedtrack.JPG
Fiat Abarth 131	Light Blue with yellow roof and yellow wheel arches	PT-112	6V	Yes	No	23	PT-8000 (UK)	File:Lt Blue Fiat Speedtrack.JPG
Fiat Abarth 131	Dark Blue	PT-112	6V	Yes	No	23	Some PT-8000	File:Dk Blue Fiat Speedtrack.JPG
Triumph TR7	Silver with red quarter light and bumpers Triumph logo on bonnet	PT-111	6V	Yes	No	50	PT-8000 (UK)	File:Grey TR7 Speedtrack.JPG
Triumph TR7	Silver with Black quarter light and bumpers	PT-111	6V	Yes	No	50	PT-5000 (UK)	File:TR7.jpeg
VW Scirocco	Gold	PT-110	6V	Yes	No	43	PT-8000 (UK)	File:Gold VW Speedtrack.JPG
VW Scirocco	Red & White	PT-110	6V	Yes	No	22	Some PT-8000 (UK)	File:White VW Speedtrack.JPG
Ford Escort MK II	Red and black striping around side	PT-109	6V	Yes	No	8	Some PT-5000, PT-6000 & PT-8000	File:Red Escort Speedtrack.JPG
Ford Escort	Yellow	PT-109	6V	Yes	No	12	Some PT-8000	File:Yellow Ford Escort Speedtrack.JPG
Porsche 911	Gulf blue with red stripe down middle of car	PT-103	6V	Yes	No	5	Some PT-8000 (UK)	File:Blue Porsche Speedtrack.JPG
Saab 900	Green with Blue and Red Lighting marks on bonnet and wings	PT-116	6V	Yes	No	3	No Set Recorded	File:Green Saab Speedtrack.JPG

File:PPLogo.jpeg

Powertrack Plus Cars

Car	Paintjob	Part No	Voltage	lights	Magnet	Number on Car	Featured in Sets	Image
Porsche 911	Red with adverts for ESSO on roof and bonnet (hood) and Michelin on wheel arches, Kremer on Spoiler	PP-131	12V	Yes	Yes	45	PP-9000 (UK)
Triumph TR7	Green with black stripes through middle of car	PP-132	12V	Yes	Yes	7	PP-9000 (UK)
Police Car Chevrolet	Dark Blue and White - Police stickers on sides and front hood	PP-133	12V	Roof Light	Yes	N/A	Probably PP-4000 but no evidence as yet.PP6000 (Race and Chase 2)
Corvette	Silver with red and blue stripes along sides and through middle of car	PP-134	12V	Yes	Yes	6	Probably PP-4000 but no evidence as yet. PP6000 (Race and Chase 2)
BMW 320i	Cream with red and black stripes	PP-135	12V	Yes	Yes	8	PP-2000 (UK)	File:BMW 8 Speedtrack.JPG
Jaguar XJ Series II	Blue with Yellow, orange and black stripes, on wings and boot.	PP-136	12V	Yes	Yes	95	PP-2000 (UK)	File:Blue Jaguar Speedtrack.JPG
Renault Alpine	Yellow with ELF livery, red stripe	PP-137	12V	Yes	Yes	4	PP-3000 (UK)
Porsche 936	White with BP livery red helmeted driver	PP-138	12V	Yes	Yes	71	PP-3000 (UK)
Saab 900	Red with Black and White Stripes - zig zags on front hood, roof, and trunk; Blue and Black Checker on sides; Number 138 on sides and front hood	PP-139	12V	Yes	Yes	138	No Set Recorded
VW Scirocco	Yellow with pink and brown stripes, number 3	PP-140	12V	Yes	Yes	3	No Set Recorded
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray	Red with Yellow Stripes	PP-141	12V	Yes	Yes	2	No Set catalogued
Fiat Abarth 131	White with Red & Blue Top & Side Striping	PP-142	12V	Yes	No	05	No Set Recorded
Ford Escort MK II	Gold	PP-143	12V	Yes	Yes	12	No Set Recorded
SuperBoss Truck	White with red and blue stripes along side	PP-158 (UK)	12V	No	Yes	None	No Set Recorded
Bandag Bandit Truck	Black with yellow and blue stripes along side	PP-159	12V	No	Yes	None	No Set Recorded

Speedtrack Cars

Car	Paintjob	Part No	Voltage	lights	Magnet	Number on Car	Featured in Sets	Image
BMW 320i	Orange Jagermeister Livery (With dorsal fin on roof)	14-37-41	6V	Yes	No	54	Slipstream Racing 14-36-80	File:BMW 54 Speedtrack.JPG
Funny Car AKA 'Catch Me'	White and Yellow with 'Catch-me' on side & rear of car	14-34-42 (US Dealer Catalogue)	6V	Yes	No	Not Numbered	Race & Chase 6000 (US)
Chevrolet Corvette (Supervette)	White with red and blue stripes flashes; 4 is in US style Spangles	14-37-27	6V	Yes	No	4	Le Mans 300 (US) International 1000 (US)
F1 Ferrari	Red Goodyear Modelled on a car driven by Clay Regazzoni in 1976)	14-37-43	6V	No	No	2	Grand Prix 150 (US) International 1000 (US)	File:F1 Ferrari Speedtrack.JPG
F1 Ferrari	Green wings and white body with STP sponsor logos on it			No	No	5	Possibly originated in German sets
F1 Ferrari	Yellow with black flashes bears the sponsors name elf and Bosch			No	No	5	Possibly originated in German sets
F1 Ferrari	Blue and white with red stripe with Shell sponsor logos on it			No	No	4	Possibly originated in German sets
F1 Ferrari	Red body and white wings with Mobil sponsor logos on it			No	No	8	Possibly originated in German sets
F1 Texaco Number 9	Red and White, Texaco on rear wing, Number 9	14-37-30	6V	No	No	9 and 8 (Australia)	No Set Recorded
F1 Texaco Number 8	Red and White, McLaren on rear wing, Number 8			No	No	8 (Australian sets)	No Set Recorded
F1 Goodyear (McLaren)	Light Blue and Yellow; Goodyear on rear wing, Number 33	14-37-44	6V	No	No	33	Grand Prix 150 (US) International 1000 (US)
Elf Number 2	Dark blue and white, Elf on rear wing, Number 2	14-37-29	6V	No	No	2	No Set Recorded
Williams Number 2	Cyan and white, Williams on wings and Spoiler, Number 2			No	No	2	Believed to be available in Australia only
Ford Escort MK II	Red	14-37-49	6V	Yes	No	4	Hulk's Race (US)
Ford Escort MK II	Yellow	16-66-01	6V	Yes	No	12	No Set Recorded	File:Yellow Ford Escort Speedtrack.JPG
Porsche 936	White with Martini livery red helmeted driver PACER sticker on side	PP-138	12V	Yes	Yes	29	PP-3000 (UK)
Police Helicopter	White & Red With 'Police' written on side	N/A - See text	6V	No	No	N/A	Copter Chase
Hulk Van	Lime Green with the Hulk writing and figure on side	14-37-50 (US Dealer Catalogue)	6V	No	No	No	Hulks Race (US)
Jaguar XJ Series II	Yellow with black and white stripes (With dorsal fin on roof)	16-62-01	6V	Yes	No	1	Slipstream
Pinto "Sportsman"	Dark Blue with STP/Ford logos on bonnet	14-37-25 (US Dealer Catalogue)	6V	No	No	2	Appears on Box artwork of Grand Prix 150 (US)	File:Blue Pinto Speedtrack.JPG
Gremlin "Sportsman"	Yellow (Similar build to Pinto above)	14-37-26 (US Dealer Catalogue)	6V	No	No	4	Appears on Box artwork of Grand Prix 150 (US)
Police Car Chevrolet	Blue & White - Police on sides and boot/trunk	14-37-48	6V	Roof Light	No	N/A	Race & Chase 6000 (US) Copter Chase (US)	File:Police USA Speedtrack.JPG
Porsche 911	Gulf blue with red stripe down middle of car	14-37-28	6V	Yes	No	5	Le Mans 300 (US) International 1000 (US) Monza 200 (US)	File:Blue Porsche Speedtrack.JPG
Renault Alpine Number 5	Yellow with black stripe, number 5 WITH AIRBOX	14-37-45	6V	Yes	No	5	T.B.A
Spider-Man car	Red with a little seated Spider-Man figure	14-37-51	6V	No	No	No	Race & Chase Spider-Man set (US)
Spider-Man car	Blue with a little seated Spider-Man figure	14-37-51	6V	No	No	No	Race & Chase Spider-Man set (US)
SuperBoss Truck	White with red and blue stripes along side	14-37-01 US	6V	No	No	None	SpeedTrack Tyrone Malone Dare Devil Diesel Race & Chase set (US)
Bandag Bandit Truck	Black with yellow and blue stripes along side	16-64-01	6V	No	No	None	SpeedTrack Tyrone Malone Dare Devil Diesel Race & Chase set (US)
Triumph TR7	Silver with silver quarter light and bumpers No.20 on bonnet	14-37-53	6V	Yes	No	20	No Set Recorded
Villain Van	Black with Villain in white capital letters on side.	N/A	6V	No	No	N/A	Spider-Man Race & Chase (US) Copter Chase (US)
VW Scirocco	Red & White	PT-110	6V	Yes	No	22	No Set Recorded	File:White VW Speedtrack.JPG

Positraction Cars

Car	Paintjob	Part No	Voltage	lights	Magnet	Number on Car	Featured in Sets
BMW 3.0CSL	Silver with blue & red striping and 'Powertrack' on rear wing	16-37-01	6V	Yes	Yes	21	No Set Recorded
Jaguar XJ Series II	White & Dark Green; Mid Green British Leyland & Logo	16-38-01	6V	Yes	Yes	3	No Set Recorded
Porsche 911	Metallic Silver with Metallic red stripe down middle of car	16-39-01	6V	Yes	Yes	5	Jump Cross Championship (US) World Class Racing (US)
Saab 900	Red with White Arrow On Bonnet and White Rear; Number 8 on sides and roof.	16-36-01	6V	Yes	No	8	No Set Recorded
VW Scirocco	White with Red & Blue Diagonal Striping	16-40-01	6V	Yes	Yes	66	World Class Racing (US), Pro-8 Challenge (US), Jump Cross Championship (US)

Track (Powertrack)

Part number	Description	Sets used on	Length	Country of origin
PT-203 or 14-52-22	Straight Terminal point (for 2 cars)	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	9" or 22.9 cm
PT-255	Straight Terminal point R & C (for 2 cars)	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	9" or 22.9 cm
14-3722	Straight Terminal point (for 2 cars)	Power Track , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	6"	USA
14-3720	Straight Terminal point (for 2 cars)	Power Track , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	9" or 22.9 cm	USA
PT-206 & 14-52-45	Straight	Power Track , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	15"
PT 202-02	Curve 90 Degree	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	9" or 22.9 cm	Hong Kong
PT-208	Curve Banked	Power Track , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	9"
PT-205	Corner 45 Degree	Power Track , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	9"	Hong Kong
PT 204	Straight 6"	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	6"	Hong Kong
PT 256	Bridge Supports	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	N/A	Hong Kong
PT 211	Apron & End pieces	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	9"	Hong Kong
PT 302-309	Mains Transformer 6V	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen		Hong Kong
PT 251/2	Throttle (R&C: Red/Blue)	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	6"	Hong Kong
PT 210 14-52-63	Tip Bridge 9" (Shell Advertising on side)	Powertrack , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	9"	Hong Kong
14-37-78	Crossroad	Power Track , Circuit Electrique , TurboRennen	15"

Track (Powertrack Plus)

Part number	Description	Sets used on	Length	Country of origin
PP-201	Straight x 2	All	9"	Hong Kong
PP-204	Straight x 2	All	6"	Hong Kong
PP-206	Straight x 2	All	15"	Hong Kong
PP-205	45 Degree Curve	No Powertrack Plus Set Recorded	6"	Hong Kong
PP-208	Curve Banked	PP-9000	9"	Hong Kong
PP-202	Corner 90 Degree with Barrier x 2	All	9"	Hong Kong
PP-212	Crossroad	No Powertrack Plus Set Recorded	15"	Hong Kong
PP-214	45 Degree Curve x 2	No Powertrack Plus Set Recorded	9"	Hong Kong
PP-213	Cross Over Track x 2	PP-3000	15"	Hong Kong
PP-216	RH & LH Turn-offs	No Powertrack Plus Set Recorded	15"	Hong Kong
PP-217	Cross Over 'Flying Jump'	PP-3000	24"	Hong Kong
PP-210	Tip Bridge	PP-4000(?)	9"	Hong Kong
PP-218	Loop the Loop	PP-9000	15"	Hong Kong
PP-211	Apron & Ends	PP-4000(?)	For PP-202	Hong Kong
PP-207	Bridge Supports	All	N/A	Hong Kong
PP-228	Sticker Set	N/A	N/A	Hong Kong
PP-229	Service Pack	N/A	N/A	Hong Kong

Powertrack Crash Barrier Advertising

Along the side of the track crash barriers were fitted which featured the following company's logos.

PowerTrack Accessories

Accessory	Part Number	Image
Lapcounter	PT-221
Service Kit
Grandstand Battery Box

Powersupply Specification Powertrack

Part Number 22894 D.C Output 6V 0.7amps 4.2VA (United Kingdom) - Black
Unidentified - Red/Orange (for use on four laned Tracks)

Track supports Powertrack

Track supports where included with the sets to allow elvated sections of track thus also enabling cars to pass underneath. These connectors could be place together to make the track as high or low as you so desired, typically these pieces where utilised to make a figure of eight circuit.

Colours Available - Grey - Yellow

Lane Changer

Lanechanger Sets

Lane Changer LC 1000 - This set featured cars which could switch lanes at a press of a button on the Controller. (13 ft)

Lane Changer LC 2000 - 25 ft (7.6 m) of track and 3 Chicanes

Lane Changer LC 4000 - RPS or Speedtrack RPS Turbo 4000 - Us version of Lanechanger featuring black hand controllers with Turbo written on them. The RPS in Lanechanger RPS stands for Rack and Pinion Steering.

Lanechanger Cars

Car	Paintjob	Part No	Number on Car	Country Sold	Lights
BMW M1	Red bonnet White doors and roof Blue tail	LC-106	90	France
Ford Capri	Red With white stripes on roor and Goodyear logo on spoiler	LC-105	66	France, UK	Yes
Martini Porsche	White with red and blue stripes along middle of car	LC-104	2
Porsche 935	Blue Bonnet yellow rear with porsche on spoiler	LC-104	15
Kremer Porsche 935	Green with Orange roof	LC-101	3 or 2	UK	Yes
Monza	Blue with yellow wings (yellow stripe down center of bonnet)	LC-102	11		No
Monza GT	White with red roof, red stripes down wings	LC-103	1	UK	Yes
Super Monza	Yellow with black chevrons down wings	LC-102	12
Porsche	Red with black chequered flag on spoiler		Not numbered		Molding to accommodate lights

Lane Changer Track and Track accessories

Part number	Description	Sets used on
LC-202	90 Degree curve	Lanechanger
LC-206	Straight	Lanechanger
LC-209	Chicane	Lanechanger

Lanechanger Trackside Advertising

Like Powertrack before the Lane changer sets also featured Crash Barrier Advertising and also unlike PowerTrack Advertising on the chicanes, the advertising reflected the time.

Dunlop Tyres
Shell
Phillips
Porsche
Jagermister
Federo
Castrol GTX
Goodyear

Powertrack Worldwide

Powertrack is branded under different names depending on country

Italy - Turbo Sprint
Hong Kong - Laneshifter
USA - Speedtrack
France - Circuit Electrique
Germany - TurboRennen

Trivia

The instructions supplied with the sets featured cartoon like cars examples.

To represent a car overheating - A cartoon car sweating with its tongue hanging out.

The Porsche Turbo

Matchbox produced a Porsche 911 Turbo for their Powertrack and Speedtrack range at launch. The 911 was (and still is) considered de rigueur for slot racing as it is ubiquitous on racing circuits all over the world.

The first Turbo (Mark 1, below) was loosely modelled on the Group 4 930 type. It had wide front wheel arches and 'whale tail' rear wing. In the UK, this was the Green Kremer Powertrack car which was identical to the US light blue/orange car.

However, despite its popularity it was an inferior moulding and short on 'wow' factor. Curiously, it is the only Powertrack/Speedtrack car to have a front axle with spacer bushes on it. This suggests it was a very early Matchbox prototype that could just about pass for production.

File:Green Porsche Speedtrack.JPG

When Lanechanger was launched in 1979 Matchbox produced the 935 'Flat nosed' Porsche and this bodyshell was superior in every way to the Powertrack/Speedtrack offering. Matchbox increased its desirability by incorporating the Martini striping of the Works cars from the mid-Seventies.

Intriguingly, when Powertrack Plus was launched in the UK in 1982, the instruction manual included a range of cars 'facelifted' for the new 12V system. Among these was a 'Mark 1' Porsche bodyshell repainted in red to include the new Kremer/Esso Decals.

However, what Matchbox actually produced was a brand new Porsche bodyshell (Mark 2). This was a different mould to the Mark 1 and altogether a superior product.

Collectors will no doubt be seeking the Mark 1 with Esso/Kremer Decals as photographed in the 1981/2 manual. A rare car indeed...

Pre-Production Cars

Matchbox spent 1976 and 1977 developing cars for the sets. Matchbox needed a fair amount of money to invest in tooling for these cars but its fair to say the early cars are lacking in some detail. Unearthed in the 1978 Speedtrack Catalogue is this fascinating page detailing the state of production in late '77.

Powertrack Pre-Production cars

The Renault Alpine and Porsche 936 (shown in opposite places to the text) are fairly advanced and if anything represent a more detailed facsimile of the 'production' cars.

The Porsche Turbo and the Corvette (dubbed 'Supervette') look like pre-production cars but apart from wheels and liveries remained unchanged through out their life (See Porsche Turbo, above). Of interest to this Author is the arrival of the funky VW Scirocco at this stage, given that it did not surface in the UK until 1979/80.

The stand out exhibit here is the Police car. This is clearly a prototype more typical of the 'Street' cars of Tyco/Aurora. It looks far from being resolved and in scale and detail it is clearly a long way from being signed off.

Matchbox must have concentrated a lot of effort on development to get the Police Car to its production intent (Below). The production version was entirely different and had a certain appeal that must have been instrumental to the success of Race & Chase.

Given the launch of Race 'n' Chase in 1978 and the great numbers it sold in both the UK & US this would have been quite a feat.

By 1979 Matchbox were developing additional cars and this brochure packed with the UK Race 'N' Chase included the intriguing examples of familiar cars.

The Red Escort is numbered 1, not 8. The moulding is clearly new and lacking windows. The TR7 is in 'army' green metallic which was not a production colour. Again, it lacked windows. The Fiat too, numbered 22 and a metallic blue with black detailing. The Police car is in evidence and very much redeveloped from its early prototype. The Stingray is actually a Corvette with Stingray colours, not the new Stingray moulding. Only the little VW is unchanged.

Lanechanger Preproduction artwork

In 1978, Matchbox launched the RPS Lanechanger system. The Cars initially available were either the Chevrolet Monza or the Porsche Turbo. The Chevys had Chassis type 'A' and the Porsches had Chassis type B. The difference was in the pick up shoes on the underside of the cars. A cars had 2 parallel pick ups, B cars had an 'Offset' pick up shoe. This was to anable the cars to be powered independently while using the same lane. It was not possible to use 2 Type A cars or 2 type B cars at the same time.

Matchbox eventually decided to include both pick up shoe types with each car. This was probably to extend its limited range of bodies for Lanechanger.

The artwork above shows renderings for the 1978 Speedtrack catalogue. The actual cars were not ready for photography so these renderings sufficed.

In the track photography (see Lanechanger section above), the Porsche was a white Powertrack body with a red LC Porsche wing. Look closely and the body is not even fitted with a chassis! The Monza was replaced with a silver Powertrack Corvette but curiously does have a Lanechanger Chassis fitted to it...

Crossroads - Intersection

The 'Crossroad' section of Powertrack is an exciting addition to any layout. However, it only featured in the Copter chase set for the US market. The track did appear in sufficient quantity in the UK around 1980/1 and appears to be a regular on Ebay. The track piece was quite large, consisting effectively of 2 15" track pieces adjacent to each other. Any layout requiring this piece needed a fair amount of room to provide sufficient turn in/run out.

The Powertrack Plus manual of 1981/2 details a Cross road track PP-212 (Above). This piece is clearly a standard 9" section of straight with two female joints half way along the straight. This piece would have enabled the expansion of small sets with limited space and expanded track layout options. However, it did not arrive on the market. Yet again, as with the Porsche Turbo story above, Matchbox seemed keen to redesign existing items rather than design new ones.

In addition to the crossroad, the crossover tracks provide further controversy. The PP-3000 set of 1981 features a 9" section of cross over track, while all other sets and accessories in the UK & US feature 15" cross overs. Perhaps if Powertrack Plus has really taken off then the 9" crossover would have become a widely available accessory - but as it stands the PP-3000 is a must for anyone requiring a 9" Crossover.

Counterlane

Matchbox sold some of its excess stock to a company called Counterlane who reboxed cars and sold them on. Below is pictured such a rebranded car, in this instance an unknown Lanechanger car. Sets were also reboxed and sold by counterlane which today are extremely rare.

Hybrid Cars

It is possible to place the Matchbox Powertrack Chassis into other shells and in some instances making the cars physically bigger. The table below pictures such examples, however the origin of such cars is yet to be established.

Body	Body Origin	Colour	Compatible with	Head Lights	Image
Ferrari F40	Possible Scalextric	Light Blue	PowerTrack	Yes	File:Hybrid1.jpg