August 3rd 1973

“Roger came for me at 10 – said Ward wanted me to work all day – did so. Swapped my Scalextric for Bernard’s organ”
I will now pause whilst the more juvenile amongst you make up your own jokes…………
Done?
Good…..
Right, so having been denied an earlier opportunity to become a Scalextrix racing Car driver of some [...]

February 27th 1973

“Bak2 school” / “Nig came up in evng and we tried to construct up the Scalextric – didn’t work – Dad’s gonna try and make it work on Sat” / “Paid Martin S” / “Cup Sund 3 City 1″
I’ve written about my Scalextric kit before – in fact, over a year ago now.
I guess it [...]

March 18th 1972

“scalextric provisional date – CONFIRMED …………… didn’t go”
It would appear that my planned career as a professional Scalextric Car Racer was doomed from the very start.
Not only did the Tory government conspire against me (causing the miner’s strike and the subsequent power cuts that cancelled the initial ‘race off’) but it would seem that my [...]

February 19th 1972

“Edwin Jones 9:20-10:45 – CANCELLED”
The uppercase was me SHOUTING as far back as 1972.
Yes, it was my big Scalextric “race off” against the big boys at Edwin Jones department store in Southampton, and… and… and…. it was bloomin’ cancelled! 
However, when you think about it logically, there was no point in sending little plastic cars – controlled [...]

February 12th 1972

“Received Scalextric Badge and letter”
Like most ‘kids’ (is 14 still considered ‘kid’?) who receive something in the mail I am guessing that this badge and letter was met with something akin to rapturous teenage glee.
I suspect it confirmed me as a contestant in the upcoming Scalextric challenge, and may have additionally described me as the best [...]

January 24th 1972

“Had letter about Scalextric cup”
At last, a random diary entry from 36 years ago that I have some level of conscious recall about!
For those not in the know, Scalextric is/was a slot-car racing ‘toy’, hugely popular with kids (and, I suspect, many Dads) in the 60’s and 70’s.
A couple of Christmases previous to 1972, my dear [...]