This particular set was special in that the cars could change lanes, thus opening up a whole world of action: passing, cutting off, slalom... Wow. I was so enthralled with the possibilities that I took an unusual step that year and asked Mom for the set for Hannukah.

When Hannukah arrived, Mom brought out a gigantic package. I knew it was the racing set. Before she gave it to me, though, she said, "You know, this was a very expensive present. I hope you're going to play with it for a long time..." Fear seeped into my heart. But, I reasoned to myself, the lane-changing...I can think of all sorts of games to play with that...

I unpacked the set and got it going. The cars seemed to move a bit slower than in the ad, and the track was a pretty simple oval. The much-touted lane-changing was not quite as responsive as I'd imagined, and any sort of accurate swerving was out of the question. The cars also quickly developed grooves in their pick-ups which further hindered changing lanes.

I played with it for a few weeks, probably longer than I would have if Mom hadn't said anything, and then it was put away, never to come out again.