THE cars are miniature but to their owners they have just the same appeal as the full-size versions.

These are mini saloon racing cars which cost hundreds of pounds to buy and racing them is a passion.

Trax Raceways is a relatively new racing club which is run from a hall above a model shop in Bentinck Street, Farnworth.

On a good night there can be between 30 and 40 cars racing around the track.

Members range in age from a mere five, to a more experienced aged 60, but all share the same enthusiasm for racing their models.

The cars are one tenth the size of a "real" version and can cost between £300 and £800 to get ready for racing.

The car can cost about £200 upwards but it is all the extras that bump the price up, explained enthusiast 28-year-old Andy Bateson.

You might think that the initial outlay is quite enough. But when you start building the car you realise just how much it costs.

THERE'S the £30 or so for the shell that you paint, £20 for one battery and you still need controllers.

Don't get involved unless you are willing to spend the money, but once you get involved enthusiasts swear you'll be hooked.

But it's a small price to pay for real fans of the cars. They get a real buzz out of watching their vehicles complete the 16 laps of the indoor track in about three minutes.

Andy takes his three-year-old son, Zachary, to meetings and will, eventually get him actively involved in racing.

For the time being Zachary can only watch, as Andy explained the cars are far too valuable to let him loose on. He said: "They are too expensive to smash up."

For the younger children second hand cars seem the best bet. You can pick one up, according to Andy, for about £150 which would give a newcomer a good starting point.

The club has meetings on Thursday and Friday evenings and a Sunday afternoon and dedicated racers take part in the eight-week event where owners score points at each meeting leading to a final night.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the club should contact Ian on Bolton 793083 for more information.

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