Men at Play
Qualifying: Year in and year out, Andreas Stadlbauer (from left) invites friends Thomas Matzelberger, Helmut Eggert, and Walter and Robert Lechner to his home on the shores of Lake Attersee in Austria. A time for bonfires, barbecue, good stories, and exciting races.
“Playing is the most enjoyable way to pass the time without having to ask what the point is,” says Andreas Stadlbauer, head of the
Gentle waves crinkle the surface of Lake Attersee. Dark clouds frame the panorama of the nearby Höllengebirge mountain range. A few minutes later, a rainbow spans the lake. It’s as pretty as a postcard. Andreas Stadlbauer strips off the protective film on the
Racing: The outside lane is the fastest—but that’s insider information in the Stadlbauers’ backyard. At the end of the day, the key is skillful application of gas and brakes. And good nerves.
Home stretch: The final centimeters decide whether it will be victory or defeat. Even at dusk the men will continue to play. The games only come to an end when the fire no longer casts enough light on the track.
The twenty-five-meter-long
In competition are a
“The 904 GTS has the best shot on this track because, without a spoiler, it weighs a bit less than the other cars. So it’s the fastest around the banked curve,” says Stadlbauer, who warmed the tires of his slot car with his hands before the start.
Fun and games
Together with his father Dieter, Andreas Stadlbauer bought the
As he says this, he hikes up his sleeves another notch with some resolve. After a quick glance at the status of the race, Stadlbauer adds more—it’s important to him: “Playing is the most enjoyable way to pass the time without having to ask what the point is.” A nice idea, finds Helmut Eggert, who in his free time likes to swim, surf, and play squash. Even so, he says, “Everyone wants to be first, even if it’s only for the sake of honor.” Then he and Matzelberger, who, among other things, puts on the Gaisberg Classic Car Race, talk about glorious feats from their kart-racing days. In the end, he comes in second place today. Yet another tale for his personal hall of fame.
Track layout: The
Dexterity
The creation of a
By Christina Rahmes
Photos by Bernhard Huber
Important facts about Carrera
Carrera is the world’s market leader in the slot-car sector and the most important brand in the Stadlbauer Group.- In Germany the name
Carrera is synonymous with the concept of slot-car racing. Carrera sells one million sets each year.- The company produces some three million cars and seven million meters of track annually.
- Sixty percent of annual sales are generated during the Christmas shopping season.
- The cars are available in the scales 1:43, 1:32, and 1:24.
Carrera fosters competition and holds an annualCarrera Challenge championship in Germany and Austria. For more information, visit www.carrera-toys.com