My friend just finished his track project...it is made of wood...1/32 scale...tire selection and weight distribution (as well as the ohm of your controller) is important because magnets just don't work...we run on a yoyo (your off, you are out) principal.
Almost makes me want to go back..i used to rule the musclecar category :)
If you are looking at detail, the Scaletric and other makers do quite well keeping it real...
Ian.