Research has shown that a patent describing slot cars racing on a track was issued on March 22, 1938 US patent # 2112072 to an Albert E. Cullen. The patent issued to Albert E. Cullen and associated drawings clearly show a track with a slot. In the slot is a conductor that besides being isolated from the rest of the track makes contact with a roller attached to the car. The circuit is completed by a second contact emanating near the rear wheels that makes contact with the metal track. The slot guides the movement of the car though the conductor at the front of the car does now swivel as it would in a modern slot car but rather it along with the front wheels are mounted on a pivoting truck.

In England due to its dodgy weather indoor rail racing grew from necessity. Adding to this environment is the strong tradition in model engineering in the UK brought about by a limited market for manufactured hobby supplies and the generally lower living standard at that time. This meant that modelers were left to their own abilities to manufacture their toys if they sought a certain level of sophistication. In 1940s British modelers Ken Wallis and later Charles Woodland created what are currently considered the first slot cars but it is another modeler by the name of Henri Baigent along with Alban Adams and Fred Francis who did the most to help push the hobby forward.

Baigent developed a new centrally positioned monorail system using 5/16ths to 1/4 inch tubing supported on thin pillars. Cars would straddle the rail through the use of three or four wheeled spool-shaped appendages known as 'zonkers'. Patents were applied for in 1950. Baigent's system proved popular and several tracks were made using this configuration. Baigent applied for a patent and formed a company called Henri Baigent Ltd. A public demonstration of his invention occurred on August 22nd 1951 at the Model Engineer Exhibition, Westminster. This would prove to be a seminal event in the history of slot cars as the diesel racecars speeding along the large figure-eight was the hit of the show.

Early Developments in England
Rail Racing up to this point while exciting to watch was a noisy, smelly affair, unsuitable for home use. To solve this dilemma Baigent developed a smaller scale electric system using a slotted or walled track and a large wiper fitted under each car to provide electrical contact. Model Maker, a highly influential hobby magazine did a write-up for their December 1955 issue. The track included an ingenious lap counter, which unfortunately could only count to four. Each 1/24 scale resin-bodied car was fitted with Ackerman steering to better negotiate the corners. Power for each lane was supplied by individual user-driven generators requiring the operator to wind a handle providing for a rather stimulating racing experience.

As a model engineer / inventor Henri Baigent had few equals but as a businessman he fell victim to sharper minds, chief among those was a certain Alban Adams. Adams was a partner in the original firm whose main line of business was said to be as a building contractor. When the firm required additional funds to meet growing interest and future expansion he grabbed the opportunity to take over the business and rename it Model Road Racing Cars Ltd, (MRRC). While the name of Henri Baigent has since receded back into history it would not be an exaggeration to consider Baigent the father of English Rail Racing if not slot cars in general.