WEBVTT

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A new craze sweeping the country.

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In the early 1900s, it was miniature trains and what elaborate layouts were developed.

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Now it's tabletop racing with tiny electrically operated racing cars built to scale, exact

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replicas of Ferraris, Jaguars, Maseratis and many others.

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Here is a display of commercial models in a Chicago hotel.

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There are three types and sizes of tracks available on the market.

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Popular Mechanics Magazine carries a feature article on the little races in its December

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issue.

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It's becoming a big indoor sport.

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It doesn't look like racing weather with Bob Bowling his home in Highland Park, a Chicago

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suburb, but Bob, a former racing driver himself, doesn't mind a little snow as long as it stays

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outside.

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Tabletop racing is quite a do-it-yourself hobby with a number of enthusiasts.

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Bob assembles a Type 61 Maserati for a workout.

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And he checks it out.

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The cars do not run on tracks.

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There are various types of roadbed.

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Bowling uses a thin aluminum tape to conduct the current to his car.

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Ah, things are picking up.

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In comes a friend, another tabletop racing fan, and he's got his car with him, an Aston

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Martin.

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Seems to be in good order too.

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So when racing bugs get together, what else but a race?

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Just look at this layout.

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It fills Bowling's basement room.

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The layouts have unlimited variations with wide and tight curves, hills, straightaways,

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everything you'd find on the big circuit.

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Nearly all of Bowling's group are former racing drivers.

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But Indianapolis was never like this.

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At high speeds, anything can happen.

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And when it happens, you have to send for the tow truck.

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That puts an end to this race, but it can be repaired for a few pennies ready to race

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some other day.