The start
The starting mechanism is similar to that on other race sets by Mattel. Some small tabs sit in front of the cars and hold them up on the track. There is a lever in between lane two and three that you pull back. As you pull it back, it drops the tabs and the cars take off. One issue that the starting mechanism has is that sometimes the cars in lane 2 or 3 get hung up a bit. The lever can fold down when you fold up the track so it isn't stuck in the vertical position. Sometimes when you are racing if the lever isn't exactly vertical, it can hit one of the cars and slow it up at the start. Also, often little kids that aren't as careful will hit the cars in lane 2 or 3 with their hand as they try to start the cars just because of the placement of the starting lever. Another issue is that if you don't hold the lever back until all the cars have passed the tabs they can pop back up while the car is over it and hang up the car. If you are careful though, you can get really good fair starts.