Bournemouth man spends six years building Scalextric track

Tony Sivyer's 12ft by 8ft layout is inspired by his love of motorcycle-racing and the Isle of Man TT course.

There is 165ft of track and racers navigate 37 bends on the tricky track which also has a 'Monaco grand prix' tunnel and a replica of the famous Dunlop Bridge at Donington Park.

Tony, 53, built the layout from scratch in the spare room of the detached bungalow in Ensbury Park he shares with partner Elaine.

He estimates he has forked out £10,000 on materials, figures and almost 200 cars and bikes to race on it.

He said he relied on YouTube tutorial videos to help him get the project off the ground.

A large chunk of his time has been devoted to painting and landscaping the course, adding trees and rockfaces.

The incredibly-detailed track has floodlights, safety barriers and advertising hoardings.

There are safety marshals scattered around the track, the race director waving the chequered flag and spectators sat in various stands.

He has even had a 1:32 scale plastic model of himself made which is on the side of the course.

Now complete, Tony spends hours playing on his track while stood in a small section cut out of the middle of it.

Tony got his first Scalextric set as a child but quickly got bored of the game as he could not control the cars.

However, when his girlfriend Elaine Broomfield, 59, an accounts administrator, brought him a motorcycle Scalextric set about 20 years ago, a passion was ignited.

He said family and friends who see the track are 'amazed' by its size and it has also captivated the Scalextric community.

Tony said: "My parents bought me a Scalextric track when I was a child but I got bored with it quickly as when you are that age you can't control the cars.

"However, about 20 years ago, my girlfriend bought me a motorcycle Scalextric game as she knows I love motor racing, and it stemmed from there.

"The project has taken me six years and I reckon it has cost £10,000 on cars, bikes and the course.

"I was inspired by the Isle of Man TT course and I wanted an up and down track with lots of tight corners, to make it a challenge - a driver's track.

"I'm not very good at engineering so it has been a challenge and I've watched YouTube videos to help me.

"During lockdown, I was furloughed so I spent every day from 9am to 5pm working on it.

"I'm thrilled with how it has turned out and when my family and friends see it they are amazed by it.

"I've posted some pictures on Scalextric groups and had some fantastic comments.

"I'm very thankful that my girlfriend is so understanding of my passion, although she does raise an eyebrow every time another delivery (of cars) arrives!"

Elaine, who has been with Tony for 29 years, said: "Tony's in there (his games room) all the time - I give him days when I go out and leave him to it.

"It suits me not seeing him too much!

"The people that come around love it, especially our great nieces and nephews.

"To be fair he's done really well."