Meet Mark Jarel | Jarel Built Slot Car Tracks

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Jarel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My first slot car track I built was for me and my son. He had no idea what they were and how they worked as this is more of a vintage toy. One day someone came over to race with us and offered me an amount of money that made it worth me selling it to him. I then simply built another one for us to play with. Again, someone saw my track and needed to own it. This prompted me to do a slight bit of promotion for these toys and now I find myself building custom tracks for private collections

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always been interested with things that have wheels. I have built and restored almost everything with wheels starting with vintage toys, skateboards, soapbox derby cars, motorcycles, race cars, vintage travel trailers and so on. I hold a land speed record at Murroc Dry Lake, raced vintage and modern road race motorcycles, cars, and other toys LOL. The slot car tracks just fell into place with the desire to build, and to build an avenue for the toys to race. My tracks are highly landscaped to be more realistic than just a toy. I try and test my building abilities on every track with an unusual feature and this takes my craft to the next level. My slot car tracks are usually designed from an iconic location or have a recognizable theme that the auto enthusiast can appreciate.
The learning curve was a good one from the start. I had to take into consideration the transportation of my tracks across the country. Making the tracks transportable in an simple fashion made it easy for my clients to receive them and to roll them into their desired spot in their collection or play area.
I would love the world to recognize Jarel Built as a brand of fine craftsmanship and to be excited on what comes out of my studio. In between the slot car tracks I have been currently working on 30’s and 40’s vintage race motorcycles and have that industry excited to see my completed cycles. Collaborating with people is fantastic whether on a custom built slot car tracks, trophies, motorcycles, or whatever the need is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have had visitors across the country wanting to see my studio and how I create. My place is like a wonderland and every time you come by you notice another unusual item on the shelf or hanging from the ceiling. There is always something to do visiting Jarel Built studios but when its time to go outside and play, well….. Being in southern California we always have a motoring event to attend on the weekends. The fun part of that is choosing what vehicle from my stable to take. I usually let my guest chose the vehicle and then I try and plan the scenic rout to get to the event. A stop at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants is always in order. As a good host would, I let my guest chose the restaurant they would like. They can pick any type of food thy like as long as it is Mexican 🙂 Another fun thing to do is “shop tours” of my friends shops and their creative spaces. Starting off in the early mornings are “Board Meetings” we like to surf when there are waves. This really gets the creative juices flowing. We have a couple real nice auto museums near by as well as a commercial slot car shop with several tracks we can race on. One week would not be enough time to see all the fun things that are in my town.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is no one who helped get me started.

I have to thank the inner kid in every adult who still likes to play with fine toys

Instagram: @Jarelbuilt

Facebook: Jarelbuilt

Youtube: Google Mark Jarel and lots comes up.

Other: You can see our shop currently on the Motor Trend Network (Dream Garage), we have been on MAV TV, Wrench Wars, Discovery Channel, Petrolicious, magazine covers and features.