When Tony Sivyer’s well-meaning partner bought him a Scalextric set years ago, it ignited a passion within him.
But Elaine Broomfield couldn’t have known that her gift would one day lead to a huge track taking pole position in the spare room of their Dorset bungalow.
Warehouse operator Mr Sivyer, 53, has spent six years and £10,000 building the 12ft by 8ft layout inspired by his love of motorcycle racing and the Isle of Man TT course.
Warehouse operator Tony Sivyer, 53, (pictured) has spent six years and £10,000 building the 12ft by 8ft layout inspired by his love of motorcycle racing and the Isle of Man TT course
There is 165ft of track with 37 bends on the circuit featuring a ‘Monaco Grand Prix’ tunnel, a replica of the Dunlop Bridge at Donington Park – and 200 cars.
Mr Sivyer, who watched YouTube tutorial videos to make it in Bournemouth, said: ‘I’m very thankful my girlfriend is so understanding of my passion, although she does raise an eyebrow every time another delivery [of cars] arrives!’
Miss Broomfield, 59, who has been with Mr Sivyer for 29 years, joked: ‘Tony’s in [his games room] all the time…it suits me not seeing him too much!’
There is 165ft of track with 37 bends on the circuit featuring a ‘Monaco Grand Prix’ tunnel, a replica of the Dunlop Bridge at Donington Park – and 200 cars
The incredibly detailed track has floodlights, safety barriers and advertising hoardings
Pictured: Mr Sivyer watches over his £10,000 165ft Scalextric track at his Bournemouth home
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.
A close-up of the huge and detailed track designed by Mr Sivyer (pictured)
There are safety marshals scattered around the track, the race director waving the chequered flag and spectators sat in various stands
Pictured: The model in the spare room of Mr Sivyer’s home in Bournemouth
Now complete, Mr Sivyer spends hours playing on his track while stood in a small section cut out of the middle of it.
Mr Sivyer got his first Scalextric set as a child but quickly got bored of the game as he could not control the cars.
However, when Miss Broomfield, an accounts administrator, brought him a motorcycle Scalextric set about 20 years ago, a passion was ignited.
Pictured: Mr Sivyer holds one of the cars in his collection at home in Bournemouth
Mr Sivyer looks at his Scalextric track (pictured)
Pictured: Mr Sivyer and his collection in cases behind him in Bournemouth
He said family and friends who see the track are ‘amazed’ by its size and it has also captivated the Scalextric community.
Mr Sivyer 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.
He has even had a 1:32 scale plastic model of himself made which is on the side of the course
Now complete, Mr Sivyer spends hours playing on his track while stood in a small section cut out of the middle of it
Mr Sivyer got his first Scalextric set as a child but quickly got bored of the game as he could not control the cars
‘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.’
However, when Miss Broomfield, 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