The slot is packaged in Slot.its standard packaging of which I'm a big fan. Although the car is firmly secured to the box base, Slot.it ship their cars with a clear plastic spacer which protects the car from damage should it come away from the base. This is such a simple addition to the packaging, (and cheap I would guess) that I don't know why other manufactures, (particularly Ninco, Fly, Spirit, etc.) don't also provide one.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Crown Gear: SIGI27
- Pinion Gear: SIPI09
- Tires: SIPT02 (comes with an additional rear set of S1 rubber)
- Motor: Inline 21500 V12/3
- Magnatraction: Dual position, (magnet supplied in rear position)
- Side-winder motor pod compatible
For additional model detail, head over to Slot.it's website;
http://www.slot.it/index.html
QUALITY & DETAIL
I have very few complaints in this department, Slot.it continue to produce slot cars built to very high quality standards and their attention to detail is perhaps second to only one. The paint finish of this model is up to Slot.its usual standard, which is to say it's damn good. The decals on this model must have been a real challenge to get exactly right but Slot.it have done a fantastic job and I couldn't find any issues with the complicated AEG livery design.
I mentioned earlier that this model is shipped with a spare chassis in case there is a fault with the assembled slot's chassis. This reminds me of when Slot.it shipped a complete spare set of tires with the Newman Porsche 956 due to incorrect tire manufacture decals. From what I've read, one of the potential issues can be that the pick-up won't freely move in the chassis. On inspection my pick-up was very stiff and I had difficulty removing it from the chassis. I fixed this problem easily with a low RPM cordless drill and a 9/64 drill bit. Remove the pick-up and slowly drill the pick-up hole, you won't need to drill very much, just a few seconds at very low RPM to remove a little excess plastic. Reinsert your pick-up and test, you should find that the small problem is fixed and you now have a spare Sauber chassis.
The model comes with rubber aerials which is something I really appreciate. However, Slot.it still produces hard plastic rear-vision mirrors and intake detail. As most Slot.it models see a lot of track time, I looking forward to when Slot.it decides to supply their models with rubber mirrors etc. Scalextric have been experimenting with these for some time and I think they are excellent.
The tail sits out from the body and is glued in place. It has very little flexibility about it and I'm concerned of what might happen during a heavy impact. The original Saubers, (SICA06C) came with a spare tail assembly so Slot.it must feel the tail is vulnerable to damage.
The body is attached to the chassis via 2 screws and like all Slot.it cars is very easy to remove and reassemble. As you can see this chassis is side-winder motor pod compatible and comes with the standard magnet in the rear position. You can also see that this chassis can be upgraded to SSD Sport Digital system.
PERFORMANCE
Magnetic down-force is not too high allowing the slot to slide through corners on my Carrera track. I generally find most Slot.its to have too much down-force making them VERY fast racers, (Porsche 956 & 962, Nissan R390, Audi R8c, McLaren F1 GTR). But the Mercedes Sauber C9 and Jaguar XJR9 (and the Lancia LC2 to a lesser extent) have less magnetic down-force making them more of a driver's slot in my opinion.
Like all Slot.it cars I found the Sauber C9 to be an absolute pleasure to drive. There is something about Slot.its that make them so smooth to drive. If I was blind-folded and asked to drive 5 different manufacture's slot, (one being a Slot.it) I guarantee I could pick the Slot.it every time. Acceleration isn't as crisp as a Porsche 956/962, McLaren F1 GTR or a Nissan R390 but unless you have a huge track, (I have a 5 metre straight) you just can't enjoy too much power. I think the Sauber is geared and powered just perfectly for my track.
One of the first things I do to any Slot.it I drive is to loosen the motor pod screws half to one full turn thus allowing a degree of chassis/body role. You'll find that you can hold more speed through corners if you do this although be careful not to loosen the screws too much, as the rear rubber can rub on body work.
It seems Slot.it have discovered what I term the 'magic slot formula'. They continue to produce slots cars that have a high level of engineering, are as fun to drive as they stunning to look at and are without doubt very collectible.
Manic Score Breakdown
- Sex Appeal: 7th Gear
- Collectibility: 6th Gear
- Build Quality: 6th Gear
- Attention to Detail: 6th Gear
- 'RTR' Performance: 6th Gear
One interesting bit of history on the AEG Sauber is that it never raced at Le Mans in 1988. Both the number 61 and 62 car were withdrawen due to issues with their Michelin tires.
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Posts
2 comments :
Manic,
Great review. That was a great read. I to had the same opinion with the guide by just slightly drilling out the guide post. My guide was tight as well but not super tight. I tried to get the guide out for like 30minutes to no avail. I didnt want to damage it so I left it. Any tips on getting the guide out as its so tight?
thanks, keep up the good work.
MOPARDEVIL,
I had heaps of trouble trying to push the guide post out of the chassis. I took a very small flat head screwdriver and levered it out gently from underneath the chassis - came straight out with very little effort.
Cheers Manic
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