Method and apparatus for starting a model vehicle on a race track

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What in claimed is: 1.
In a track section for interconnection with adjacent track sections for guiding a model vehicle including an elongaged track section body having a running surface and at least one longitudinally extending guide means for directing said model vehicle relative to said running surface, the improvement comprising model vehicle starter means mounted in operative relation to said track section for use in controlling the commencement of movement of a model vehicle over said track section running surface, said starter means including model vehicle stop means for selectively preventing movement of said model vehicle along said track section running surface, means mounting said model vehicle stop means for transverse movement relative to said track section between a normal position and an extended position, said model vehicle stop means and said mounting means being constructed and arranged to permit virtually unrestricted movement of said model vehicle relative to said track section upon said model vehicle stop means being in said normal position, and means for use in selectively moving said model vehicle stop means from said normal position to said extended position transversely relative to said track section to prevent forward movement of a model vehicle relative to said track section, said guide means being recessed within said track section and being constructed and arranged to direct a pin of a model vehicle inserted therein, said model vehicle stop means including at least one blocking member being constructed and arranged to block movement of said pin through said guide means upon said model vehicle means being moved transversely from said normal to said extended position, said model vehicle starter means further including means for permitting relatively unrestricted rotation of powered drive wheels of a model vehicle proximate said running surface with a pin of said model vehicle abutting said blocking member upon said model vehicle stop means being in said extended position, and means for urging said model vehicle stop means to said normal position