The Matchbox Combat Zone was a play case only. You had to buy all the vehicles separately. I guess it’s a riff on the Marx war sets, but not a very good one.
I don’t think I had the Thundershift 500, but I remember playing with one. “Control vehicle speed with the shifter—a strong stroke sends your car through the tunnel and on to victory.”
If that doesn’t sound familiar, take a look at this video.
It’s a lot more fun when you’re racing someone.
(Catalog images via WishbookWeb)
(Video via cozythunder1/YouTube)
2 Warps to Neptune 
Aw geez, yet another catalog page where I feel I need to circle the things I had, and the things I wish I had.
All 3 of those warships, including another one not pictured? Had ’em. Those awesome die-cast tanks and planes? Had ’em, except my planes were Dyna-Flites.
I’m diggin’ on that Thundershift, but what caught my attention more was the Sizzlers II set. Sizzlers are killer (I bought my son a set when he was barely a year old back in 2007 when Target re-popped ’em), but I had no idea they came out with Sizzlers II! That Sizzers Day/Night Challenge Set is craaaazy! Holy crap!