Patent ID: 8579673

Claim:
A method of operating a race track on which toy race cars are raced, wherein the method comprises: providing a first racing lane; providing a second racing lane; connecting a first activation mechanism to a first race car stop mechanism with a first start base; connecting a second activation mechanism to a second race car stop mechanism with a second start base; pivotally mounting the first race car stop mechanism to the first racing lane using the first start base so that the first race car stop mechanism is movable movement between a first stop position and a first start position, wherein when the first race car stop mechanism is in the first stop position, at least a portion of the first race car stop mechanism extends above the first upper surface; pivotally mounting the second race car stop mechanism to the second racing lane using the second start base so that the second race car stop mechanism is movable movement between a second stop position and a second start position, wherein when the second race car stop mechanism is in the second stop position, at least a portion of the second race car stop mechanism extends above the second upper surface; independently moving the first race car stop mechanism and the second race car stop mechanism from the first stop portion and the second stop position, respectively; attaching a linking mechanism to the first start base and the second start base; and moving the first race car stop mechanism and the second race car stop mechanism in unison to the first stop position and the second stop position, respectively, when the linking mechanism is attached to the first start base and the second start base.