Create - A - Race uses the principle behind a spring and the creativity of a child to provide hours of entertainment. The track comes with a toy car specially designed to be used with the launching system. The launching system is made up of a plunger that is attached to a spring, so when the child pulls on the launcher, when released the plunger hits the car and sends the car flying. The joy of such a simple design is the allowance for creativity, the child can connect pieces of track to create jumps, loops and anything else they might come up with. The child learns how the amount that they pull back the launcher affects the movement of the car, and the necessary velocities needed to send the cars through loops etc. The track pieces are made of a durable plastic that has relatively rounded edges, keeping a child from getting hurt from the track, and to lessen the pain of the parent who may end up stepping on the track. Presuming the car is not small enough to fit in a "choke tube" the toy is suitable for children ages 5 and up. As the child grows, so will the toy, for the combinations of tracks are endless, and there is always the possibility of additional track pieces that may be purchased.

Construction costs for this toy are low, the primary building material is plastic.The most expensive items would be the car, and possibly the launcher system. Most of the parts are large enough to not cause injury to a child, and are strong enough to last through children's' adventures. A starter kit including launcher car and a normal quantity of modular pieces in a sturdy case to avoid mess, could run for about $35.

June C. Liersaph

39-245B