EP0862934A2 - Method and circuit for simulating a car race with toy cars driven by electromotors - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicles are driven by electric motors and their speeds on a track (AS) are individually controlled by the players. All of the vehicles are stopped when a predetermined period has elapsed after a driving mistake causes one of the vehicles to leave the track. The vehicles are stopped by switching off the power to the motors. The user can change the system between the racing mode and a training one in which stopping does not take place. In the racing mode, the vehicles can be allowed to start only when all players actuate their speed-controllers (F).

Description

The invention relates primarily to a method for simulating a car race with electric motor-driven toy vehicles, their driving speeds on a racetrack can be controlled individually by each game partner (generic term of Claim 1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a circuit arrangement for Implementation of the method according to claim 1.

Rennspielzeuganordnung

(elektrischer Rundenzähler) mit einem Photokoppler zur Messung der Rundenzeit und dgl. bekannt. Im einzelnen sind ein Lichtempfänger (zum Empfangen des reflektierten Lichts von einem Lichtemitter, wenn das Spielfahrzeug mit der daran angebrachten Rennspielzeuganordnung eine in einer "Renn"-Bahn geformte reflektierende Fläche passiert) und eine Zähl(er)vorrichtung vorgesehen (welche zumindest die Zeit durch Empfangen des Ausgangssignals vom Photokoppler mißt).Attempts have been made several times to modernize well-known car racing games and to make them more interesting. The considerations also go in the direction of previously mechanical components of games replaced by electrical components. For example, a so-called DE-C1 43 19 757 for a toy vehicle running on a racetrack is from DE-C1 43 19 757 proving the preamble of claim 1

Racing toy arrangement

(electrical lap counter) with a photocoupler for measuring the lap time and the like. Specifically, there is a light receiver (for receiving the reflected light from a light emitter when the toy vehicle is attached to it Racing toy arrangement passes through a reflective surface formed in a "race" track) and a counter (s) is provided (which measures at least the time by receiving the output signal from the photocoupler).

In a variant of the electrical round counter, the data of the time measurement in a storage device of a remote control or display unit by means of a Transmitter / receiver unit saved and the data viewed as required or be read out. Because here the toy vehicle is not considered as such a large arrangement can be used as the display device, so that the data is easy to read.

Furthermore, desired data, such as the time of the fastest lap, can be medium Lap time, etc., by calculation using a computing device based on the in the Storage device stored data can be determined. This data can captured on paper by connecting a printer, i.e. can be printed out.

In the case of rail-guided toy vehicles, that of the person playing To make the game play more influenceable, it is from DE-A1 41 38 810 known, different noises, depending on one manually adjustable motor operating voltage. To do this, first of all, Memory content with a first digitally stored noise pattern when actuated a game start button. This first noise pattern then remains as long maintained until a second memory content when a Motor operating voltage hand controller is called, a first Voltage threshold is exceeded. Finally, a third memory content selected and called up as soon as a further voltage threshold is undershot becomes. After the third memory content has expired, i.e. after that in the third store stored noise pattern is fully sampled, will either open automatically the noise pattern of the first memory is switched back or - if the first Voltage threshold is exceeded - the second memory is selected and queried.

The type of the queried noise pattern ultimately depends on the type of Toy vehicles. For example, it is possible to store the typical ones in the first memory To save the starting and idling noises of a racing car, the second memory typical noise of a racing car engine when accelerating and driving at maximum speed and to store braking noises in the third memory. The corresponding noise levels are dependent on the actuation of the Hand controller (motor operating voltage) generated.

Since the operation of the hand control is usually intermittent during races and is carried out discontinuously, is an electronic control circuit provided by which the retrieval of the memory contents (especially the second memory) is maintained over a minimum query period. This will make it Sound image compared to the discontinuous actuation of the hand controller soothes and designed to be even more realistic.

In particular, the device for carrying out the method has one Noise generator on the multiple memory with different stored in it Contains noise patterns. There are also a selection device (for targeted selection the memory depending on predefinable operating states of the vehicle) and a Start actuation device (for selecting the first memory) provided. The Selection device is now with a hand controller (with the in known Way regulated the vehicle operating voltage or the vehicle speed can be directly or indirectly connected that the different memories controlled and queried depending on the hand controller output signals. Finally, the noise generator has one amplifier and one Loudspeaker combination to make the queried noise patterns heard can.

In a further variant of the method for action simulation, during the Expiry of the first memory content started a timer that has a Switching device controls two lamps. This is the acoustic start phase of the game process optically supported and the race can be switched on with the lamp (from red to green, for example). The expiry time of the timer can be made adjustable, but it is particularly interesting if a Random number generator is present, because then high in the last phase before the start Attention and responsiveness of the game partners is required. Wrong Reactions that lead to an early start are punished by the Engine operating voltage of that vehicle temporarily interrupted or is reduced for a limited time compared to the setpoint whose Operator has reacted incorrectly; this is a delay circuit provided that when operating an engine operating voltage device before the end of Expiry time of the timer becomes effective.

The aforementioned method and the correspondingly designed device are therefore in designed in a special way to prevent an early start. It is not a suggestion removable, to influence the actual course of the race in any way, this although the costs for the start phase and for the background noise are very high is.

The invention is compared to the method described in DE-C1 43 19 757 and device the task of such a method and a Design circuit arrangement so that in the game one in reality occurring process can be mimicked, making the game more interesting can be designed, including the simulation of the game partner.

This task is based on a process with the features in Preamble of claim 1, solved in that all vehicles after expiration a predefinable follow-up time can be blocked if one to leave the Racetrack leading driving error has occurred in one of the vehicles.

The inventive method according to claim 1 has the advantage that for the first time ever a fair holding of a race and a proper game operation is enabled. Another advantage is that the Method according to the invention the method known from DE-A1 41 38 810 not opposed, but this in a surprisingly simple way improved. It is also advantageous that the inventive method both track-guided vehicles and radio-controlled vehicles can be, with the actual racing operation more realistic modeled, each game partner can fully concentrate on his vehicle and - seen overall - the game is made more interesting. Since after the expiration of the Time bonus automatically the vehicle stops, the respective game partner can now observe whether the vehicle is used again at the location of the racetrack who left the racetrack.

According to the invention, the above object is achieved in a circuit arrangement according to Claim 6, further solved in that a control device is provided, which controls at least the simulated race and which controls a driving error detector having. The circuit arrangement according to the invention has the advantage that known from DE-A1 41 38 810 can be shared, so that the additional cost is low. Furthermore, a program-based Simulation - including the game partner - possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim 2, Blocking the vehicles interrupted the power supply to the electric motors. This configuration has the advantage that the one not affected by the driving error Playing partners with the same concentration can continue for a certain time and that he does not - as before - only through his partner on his driving error must be made aware.

In a development of the invention according to claim 3, the user can choose between the racing mode and a training mode in which no blockage is effective, can be switched. This enables the game partners, first in the As part of a training trip to explore the racetrack, driving errors of the other Do not disturb your partner or your own driving mistakes just to leave the Run racetrack.

According to claim 4, in a further development of the invention in racing mode Only start vehicles when all game partners have their speed sensor for the Operate driving speed. This procedure turns out to be surprising simple way to reliably avoid a false start. Furthermore, as with Subject of DE-A1 41 38 810, the game partner causing an early start an additional penalty is imposed.

Finally, it is provided according to the method of claim 5 that after Running through a predeterminable number of laps all vehicles are blocked.

This reliably ensures that the Winner can be clearly identified.

In a further embodiment of the invention stands at those run on the racetrack Vehicles according to claim 7, which are arranged in a housing Control arrangement with both a connecting track section of the racetrack and with the Travel encoders in connection. If a separate connector is provided, that can Track system of the racetrack itself remain unchanged and advantageously the connection of the additional device with the conventional racetrack can also done by children. The plugs and sockets of the connector will be protected against polarity reversal by appropriate shaping.

According to claim 8 it is provided that the control device Has delay element for specifying the lag time. Compared to Object according to DE-A1 41 38 810, the delay element for both Functions, namely specification of the penalty time and specification of the follow-up time, are used will. Due to the spatial assignment, the wiring between Control device and delay element are already made in the factory.

In a further embodiment of the invention according to claim 9, is with the Control device both an electrical counter for counting the number of laps also a display device for the optical and / or acoustic display of a Driving error, the number of laps or the stopping time. By a correspondingly large display device, e.g. LCD display can show the course of the race be signaled optically, in combination with this an acoustic background be made.

According to the embodiment according to claim 10, the control device has a Threshold switch function on which the actuation of the commercially available Travel encoder considered. This takes into account the fact that the Speed on the speed sensor is not continuous, but mostly through a fast one and intermittent actuation and that is usually a minor Actuation of the throttle (potentiometer) an output voltage of 1/3 of the maximum output voltage.

It is expediently provided according to claim 11 that the Control arrangement only with the simultaneous actuation of all thrusters Produces power supply for the electric motors. This configuration has the The advantage is that a false start is reliably prevented.

In a development of the invention, according to claim 12, the Connection track piece at least two guide grooves with parallel to it arranged current conductors on and in the area of the current conductors is a sensor for Detecting a passing vehicle is arranged, being a driving error detector a current sensor connected to the current conductors is provided. Such Arrangement is inexpensive to build, using commercially available components can be used.

According to claim 13, a reed contact is preferably provided as a sensor, the reed contact with a debouncing element for generating only one pulse when Passing a vehicle is connected. This will make an exact Lap counting realized in an economical way.

A reliable release of the blocking is thereby according to claim 14 achievable that a relay is connected to each of the conductors of each lane is at the control connection of the control device is connected.

For inexpensive construction with discrete, commercially available components is according to Claim 15 provided that with the control terminal of the relay Switching connection of a switching transistor is connected and that at the base of the Transistor is connected to an RC element, which is the size of the lag time certainly.

As an alternative to this, according to claim 16, a microprocessor is used Control device used, the microprocessor the other functions Display control, specification of the run-on time, driving error detector, counter and Stopwatch takes over. As a result, an adjustment can also be made subsequently Circuit concept take place or an additional control function implemented will. In a further embodiment of the invention are in a memory area Microprocessor data words for hearing tones or displays, which are stored at a driving error or when a certain meter reading is reached will. In this way, every action simulation can be accompanied acoustically and / or optically will. Finally, according to the embodiment according to claim 16, the microprocessor as a computing device for evaluating the fastest lap and Use total race time as well as to calculate the pure driving time. In particular the calculation of the pure travel time, i.e. without the dead times for that Inserting the vehicles and up to the simultaneous start enables an objective Comparison and determination of a ranking of the fastest drivers ever.

In practice, it has proven to be particularly advantageous that according to Claim 17 the follow-up time can be set between 0 and 10 seconds. This run-on time is essentially dependent on the length of the racetrack or the Depend on the skill of the game partners.

To prevent incorrect operation when connecting the individual parts to one another avoid, has the circuit arrangement according to claim 18 Reverse polarity protection.

The development of the invention according to claim 19 is characterized by the use of the microprocessor as a program-based simulation module, in the associated simulation memory area from the Route profile of the racetrack derived data, at least the data for the respective one Position on the racetrack associated maximum permissible driving speed of the electric motor-driven toy vehicle, as performance data of a simulable Opponents are saved.

This development of the invention enables the simulation of a car race electric motor-driven toy vehicles, their driving speeds on a racetrack of a game partner and his simulated competition opponent is controlled individually.

It is preferably provided according to claim 20 that - when switching to the Training mode - the activated simulation module for one by the user performed training run, the performance data from that determined by the current sensor Derives actual current for the electric motors. The user drives the racetrack from the start and those associated with a flawless journey Driving speeds and target currents are automatically saved or overwritten. Alternatively, this data can be obtained from the user the keyboard entered route profile with associated travel and / or Movement data can be determined. These can be read into the simulation module Data can, for example, be a number code or a bar code (order number) each packaging or the back of the respective web piece. Another option is to differentiate this competition opponent Assemble / select categories of simulable competition opponents (e.g. factory programming from beginner to professional), accordingly different memory areas of the simulation memory area, or this data from a stored constant basic driving speed (i.e. none at Leaving the racetrack leading driving speed) and section by section Lowering or increasing by pressing the throttle and / or the keyboard calculate.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

das Blockschaltbild einer ersten Ausgestaltung und

Fig. 3

das Blockschaltbild einer zweiten Ausgestaltung der Schaltungsanordnung,

Fig. 4

Einzelheiten im Bereich von Anschlußteil und Anschlußschiene und

Fig. 5

das Ablaufdiagramm zur Durchführung des Verfahrens gemäß der Erfindung.

Further advantages and details can be found in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

2 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

the block diagram of a first embodiment and

Fig. 3

the block diagram of a second embodiment of the circuit arrangement,

Fig. 4

Details in the area of connecting part and connecting rail and

Fig. 5

the flowchart for performing the method according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view - for the application case rail-guided vehicles - an embodiment of the invention Device with a transformer integrated in a housing G and one Control device ST and with a connector AT. With the AT connector commercially available travel sensors F can be connected, and the connector is also AT with the control device ST (see FIG. 3) and a connecting track piece AS Racetrack connected. With this configuration, the track system of the racetrack themselves remain unchanged. Children who are able to do the individual parts of the Race tracks - such as straight lines or curved tracks - can also join together make the connection of the additional device with the conventional racetrack, because the plugs and sockets of the connection part AT by appropriate shaping are protected against polarity reversal.

In particular, there is also a display device A for optical purposes in the housing G. and / or acoustic display of a driving error, the number of laps or the Follow-up time and a switch S to switch between training mode and Race mode arranged. The connecting track piece AS points in a manner known per se Guide grooves for the vehicles and current conductors arranged parallel to them P, M on.

A first embodiment of the circuit arrangement according to the invention is described and explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. This circuit arrangement is each multiple according to the number of partners, whereby in following two game partners.

To ensure that in racing mode the vehicles can only start if the both game partners simultaneously operate their travel encoder F (connection F in FIG. 2), the ground is preferably switched (connections M and SM in Fig. 2). For this are two cross-connected relays R1 are provided, each with a switch S1 or press S2 and with the connection P (e.g. + 13V) the DC supply voltage are connected. With the control connection of relay R1 is a switching terminal of a switching transistor T is connected. Furthermore, at the base of the Transistor T is connected to an RC element, which is the size of the lag time certainly. The discharge time of the capacitor C can be set using the potentiometer R, wherein by means of the diode D1 the direction of current flow for the discharge of the capacitor C is ensured. The between the anode of the diode D1 and the ground terminal of the Capacitor C arranged diode D2, in spite of variable DC voltage potential depending on the actuation of the travel sensor F, the capacitor C. constant voltage potential. For example, the zener voltage of the diode D2 is at 5.1V, the forward voltage of diode D1 at 0.7V, so that when actuated of the travel encoder F results in a DC voltage of 5.8 V on the capacitor C. Farther a threshold switch function is provided - in the drawing by the Range 0 - 5 V symbolizes - which ensures that only from one Minimum actuation of the encoder F, the switching transistor T switched through and the Capacitor C is charged. The size of the current is determined by the between Speed sensor F and anode of diode D1 or cathode of diode D2 are located Resistance R1 determined. The RC element is connected via the resistor R2 to the base of transistor T. The resistors and capacitor can be like are dimensioned as follows: R = 10 kΩ, R1 = 100 Ω / 0.5 W, R2 = 10 kΩ and C = 100µF.

The functioning of this circuit arrangement is as follows: is to accelerate the Speed sensor F actuates and the voltage exceeds the threshold of, for example, + 5 V, the capacitor C is charged, the transistor T is turned on and that Relay R1 picks up; this switches the mass for the game partner. If the latter also actuates his travel sensor F to accelerate and the voltage Exceeds the threshold of + 5 V, capacitor C is also charged Transistor T turned on and relay R1 picks up; this is for both Game partners switched through the crowd and both vehicles can in terms of Driving speed on the racetrack can be controlled individually. in case of an Driving error (and no more actuation of the encoder F), the voltage drops below the threshold of + 5 V ab, the capacitor C is discharged, the switching transistor T locked again and relay R1 opens the switching ground.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention Circuit arrangement, a microprocessor being used as the control device, which the other functions display control, specification of the follow-up time, Driving error detector, counter and stopwatch takes over and arranged in the housing G. is. In detail, the switching ground path is at the connection 1 of the microprocessor 1, at terminal 2 the switching ground track 2, at terminal 3 plus voltage from Speed controller lane 1, at connection 4 plus voltage from speed controller lane 2, at connection 5 positive supply voltage, at connection 6 of sensor track 2 and at Connection 9 of sensor web 1 connected. There are also one for each track Display device A and corresponding buttons T1 to T4 for setting the counter, To switch the display e.g. Time display such as total time, fastest lap and Lap display, for switching between training mode and racing mode or for Setting the follow-up time between 0 and 10 seconds is provided. Finally, the circuit arrangement has reverse polarity protection V. Like in the Shown drawing, the counts are fed to the terminal Z and on the DC supply voltage (0 or 13V) is available for one pair of terminals Available. When using an appropriate microprocessor, everyone can Functions, with the exception of relay R1, are implemented by the microprocessor itself.

Fig. 4 shows details in the area of connecting part AT and connecting track piece AS. In the area of the current conductor P or M of each lane of the connecting lane section AS a sensor SE is arranged to detect a passing vehicle. As a sensor SE is preferably a reed contact, with each of the vehicles one Permanent magnet contains. As an alternative, an optocoupler can also be used.

In order to ensure that several counting pulses are not passed on to the counter or counter connection Z when the vehicle drives past, a debouncing element E is connected to a connection of the sensor SE. An RC element is preferably provided as the debouncing element E, the resistance value of which is 10 MOhm for the resistor RA and the capacitance is 22 nF for the capacitor CA. A diode DA is arranged in series with the RC element, which is operated in the reverse direction and impresses the current direction accordingly. The terminal 9 of the microprocessor is connected to the anode of the diode DA; the other connections 1 to 6 and 9 shown in FIG. 4 have already been explained with reference to FIG. 4 shows the corresponding connection between the two travel sensors F and the connecting track piece AS. In the embodiment of the travel sensor F shown in FIG. 4, it has a resistance, which at Short circuit the train (speed sensor F not activated) or then Short circuit of the drive motor of the vehicles (for immediate stop) limits the short-circuit current.

5 shows the flow chart for carrying out the method according to the invention in a simplified form by means of a microprocessor control. At border point B of the program schedule, ie at the start of the race, the number of laps and the bonus time (follow-up time) are entered, for example. In the branch D1 following in the program sequence, a check is made as to whether the travel sensor F has been actuated for the vehicle 1; if yes , the following branch D2 also checks whether the travel sensor F for the vehicle 2 has been actuated. If the travel sensor F has not been actuated for either vehicle 1 or vehicle 2, ie no for D1 or D2, the program flow is returned to the entry point of branch D1 (flow line via the junction J1 and the subsequent junction J2). In the event that both travel sensors F have been actuated, ie YES on D1 and D2, the travel clearance is given for both vehicles (see flow line for operation P1).

The microprocessor ST then continuously checks whether the vehicle 2 has left the racetrack or not (see branch D3). In the case of No , this test is then carried out for vehicle 1 (see branch D4).

If vehicle 1 has not left the racetrack, vehicles 1 and 2 are now checked to see whether the vehicles have passed the measuring point or not (see branches D5 and D6). In the event that none of vehicles 1 or 2 has passed the measuring point, the drive clearance for both vehicles is still maintained (see flow line about the junction J3 and the subsequent junction J4 on P1). During racing, the vehicles will continuously pass the measuring point and the two counters will change by 1 decremented in the counter reading (see P51 and P 61). In the following it is checked whether the meter reading 0 was reached (see branches D51 and D61). If this is the case, ie yes at branching D51 or D61, both vehicles are stopped (see flow line from D51 or D61 via J5 to P3). Then, for example by the microprocessor, the fastest lap, the total race time and the pure driving time are calculated to evaluate the course of the race (see border point E in the program flowchart).

If, on the other hand, vehicle 2 has left the racetrack ( yes at the exit of D3), the drive release for vehicle 2 is blocked (see P31), the bonus time timer (follow-up time) for vehicle 1 is started (see P32) and a check is carried out to determine whether vehicle 1 passes the measuring point or not (see D31). The program sequence for vehicle 1 is designed in the same way; ie in the event that vehicle 2 has left the racetrack (see yes at exit D4 and drain line via P41, P42 and entrance D41).

If the vehicle 1 now passes the measuring point during the bonus time (follow-up time), the counter reading for the vehicle 1 is changed 1 decremented (see P33) and then checked whether the counter reading 0 was reached (see D32), if No is then checked whether the bonus time has expired (see D33). If this is the case, i.e. yes at junction D33, the drive release is now also blocked for vehicle 1 (see P2) and both vehicles can only start again when both speed sensors F are actuated at the same time (see flow line about merging J8, operation and Merging J1). The program sequence for vehicle 1 is designed in the same way; ie in the event that vehicle 2 has left the racetrack (see yes at the exit of junction D41 and run line via operation P43, junction D42, junction D43 after junction J8).

If vehicle 1 does not pass the measuring point during the bonus time (follow-up time), i.e. No at branch D31, it is then checked whether the bonus time has expired or not (see flow line from branch D31 via junction J62 after entry branch D33). The program sequence for vehicle 1 is designed in the same way; ie in the event that vehicle 2 has left the racetrack (see No at exit D41 and run line via junction J62 after entering junction D43).

In the event that the bonus time has not expired, ie No at the exit of branch D33, it is subsequently checked whether vehicle 1 has left the racetrack or not (see branch D7). If this is the case, ie yes at the exit of branch D7, the bonus timer is stopped and opened 0 reset and the travel authorization blocked (see flow line from operation P71 via merge J8 to operation P2). The program sequence for vehicle 1 is designed in the same way; that is, in the event that vehicle 2 has left the racetrack (see yes at the exit of junction D8 and flow line from operation P81 via junction J8 to operation P2). If vehicle 1 has not left the racetrack, that is to say No at the exit of junction D7, it is further checked whether vehicle 1 passes the measuring point or not (see flow line from junction D7 via junction J71 after entry of junction D31). The program sequence for vehicle 1 is designed in the same way; ie in the event that vehicle 2 has left the racetrack (see flow line from junction D8 via junction J72 after entry of junction D41).

The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments shown; the The inventive method can, for example, with more than two vehicles Maintaining the program schedule structure and also with radio-controlled Vehicles are used. The control device, e.g. in form of Microprocessor, as well as the components and display devices are in the Remote control device arranged. Regardless of the application, this shows The inventive method has the advantage that for the first time ever fair races and proper game play, including simulation of the game partner, enables the actual Racing operation modeled realistically, every game partner is fully on can concentrate his vehicle and - overall - the game more interesting is designed. Graduated depending on the price range, the control device or the microprocessor all or only a part of the functions described in detail will be realized. Furthermore, it is also using a microprocessor as Computing device possible, the course of the race based on particularly interesting data, such as the fastest lap, total race time, pure driving time, etc., so that the game partners are not disturbed in their concentration during the race will. All shown and described execution options, as well as their Combination with each other are essential to the invention. For example, that Method according to the invention in addition to the known from DE-A1 41 38 810 Methods are used, the electric lap counter e.g. in the form of an LCD display or the switch to switch between training mode or Racing mode can be arranged in the connector, the stopwatch function is in the Travel encoder realized etc.

Claims (20)

Method for simulating a car race with electric motor-driven toy vehicles, the driving speeds of which are controlled individually by each game partner on a racetrack, characterized in that all vehicles are blocked after a predefinable follow-up time if a driving error leading to leaving the racetrack has occurred in one of the vehicles . A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply to the electric motors is interrupted to block the vehicles. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the user can switch between the racing mode and a training mode in which no blockage is effective. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that in the racing mode, the vehicles can only start when all game partners actuate their travel sensor (F) for the driving speed. Method according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that after passing through a predetermined number of laps, all vehicles are blocked. Circuit arrangement for carrying out the method according to claim 1 , characterized in that a control device (ST) is provided which controls at least the simulated race and which has a driving error detector (D). Circuit arrangement according to Claim 6, characterized in that in the case of vehicles guided on the racetrack, the control arrangement (ST) arranged in a housing (G) is connected both to a connecting track section (AS) of the racetrack and to the travel sensors (F). Circuit arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the control device (ST) has a delay element (V) for specifying the lag time. Circuit arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that with the control device (ST) both an electrical counter (Z) for counting the number of laps and a display device (A) for visual and / or acoustic display of a driving error, the number of laps or the run-on time connected is. Circuit arrangement according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the control device (ST) has a threshold switch function which is dependent on the actuation of the travel sensor (F). Circuit arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the control arrangement (ST) produces the power supply for the electric motors only when all travel sensors (F) are actuated simultaneously. Circuit arrangement according to one or more of Claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the connecting track piece (AS) has at least two guide grooves with current conductors (P, M) arranged parallel thereto, that is to say a sensor (SE) in the region of the current conductors (P, M) ) is arranged for the detection of a passing vehicle and a current sensor (D) connected to the current conductors (P, M) is provided as a driving error detector (D). Circuit arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that a reed contact is provided as the sensor (SE) and that the reed contact (SE) is connected to a debouncing element (E) for generating only a pulse when a vehicle drives past. Circuit arrangement according to Claim 12, characterized in that in each case a relay (R1) is connected to one of the current conductors (M) of each carriageway, to the control connection of which the control device (ST) is connected. Circuit arrangement according to Claim 14, characterized in that a switching connection of a switching transistor (T) is connected to the control connection of the relay (R1) and that an RC element (RC) is connected to the base of the transistor (T), which is the size of the Follow-up time determined. Circuit arrangement according to one or more of claims 6 to 15, characterized by the use of a microprocessor as a control device (ST), the microprocessor taking over the further functions of display control, specification of the run-on time, driving error detector, counter and stopwatch and / or as a computing device for evaluation the fastest lap and race time in total as well as for calculating the pure driving time and that in a memory area of the microprocessor (ST) or in a related memory, data words for audible tones or displays are stored, which in the event of a driving error or when a certain counter reading is reached be read out. Circuit arrangement according to claim 8 or 16, characterized in that the follow-up time can be set in the period between 0 and 10 sec. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 6 to 17, characterized in that the circuit arrangement has reverse polarity protection (V). Circuit arrangement according to Claim 16, characterized by the use of the microprocessor (ST) as a program-based simulation module, in the associated simulation memory area of which data derived from the route profile of the racetrack, at least the maximum permissible driving speed of the electromotive driven associated with the respective position on the racetrack Toy vehicle, are stored as performance data of a simulable competition opponent. Circuit arrangement according to one or more of claims 6 to 19, characterized in that - when switching to the training mode - the activated simulation module (ST) during a training run carried out by the user, the performance data from the actual current determined by the current sensor (D) for the Derives electric motors or determines these from the route profile entered by the user via the keyboard (T1 to T4) with associated travel and / or movement data, or combines these from different categories of simulable competition opponents, corresponding memory areas of the simulation memory area, or these from a stored constant basic Driving speed and section-by-section lowering or increase by pressing the travel sensor (F) and / or the keyboard (T1 to T4).

Images