Saturday 31 August 2013

NEWS: Scaleauto Porsche 911 RSR 1/24


Scaleauto Porsche 911 RSR 1/24
'Team Flying Lizard' 24hLM 2011 #80 & #81 bodies


Scaleauto have released some stunning photos of 2 new bodies now available for their 1/24 Porsche 911 RSR.  As you can see the liveries are based on Team Flying Lizard's 2011 Le Mans entries.  It was only back in July that I featured these 1:1 cars and I'm glad a manufacture has picked them up as they would be very impressive on the track.  Now who's going to release them in 1/32?



From Scaleauto: 'Scaleauto introduces two new amazing bodies for the 1/24 market. The Team Flying Lizard 24hLM 2011 #80 & #81.

SC-7038b colorfully reproduces the Flying Lizard Porsche 911 GT3 RSR #80 (red style) lined up by Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Long (USA) and Lucas Luhr (Germany) in the GTE Pro class.

SC-7039b shines for its beautiful blue design. Darren Law (USA), Seth Neiman (USA) and Spencer Pumpelly (USA) teamed for the Flying Lizard #81 Porsche in the GTE Am class.'


Want to find out more about Scaleauto slot cars?
Be our guest and CLICK HERE

────────────────────────────────

Thursday 29 August 2013

NEWS: Sideways Porsche 935/78 Martini Racing and MOMO Racing


Sideways Porsche 935/78 "Moby Dick"
Martini Racing and MOMO Racing

Scheduled for release at the end of August (perhaps early September) is Sideway's Martini Racing Porsche 935/78 livery release.  If you're lucky enough to already have a Sideways Porsche 935/78 then you'll know just how stunning these slots are in the flesh.  September is shaping up to be a pretty tempting month with some stunning slot cars being released by the major manufactures, start saving!

From Wikipedia: 'Because of its white color and long tail shape optimised for low drag, the 935/78 was often nicknamed Moby-Dick.'


The below video has 2 things great going for it, firstly it has onboard footage of the 935/78 "Moby Dick" and secondly it's filmed at Spa Francorchamps, enjoy!

Want to find out more about Sideways slot cars?
Be our guest and CLICK HERE

────────────────────────────────

Tuesday 27 August 2013

GALLERY: Pioneer 'Stealth' Camaro SS

Pioneer Chevy Camaro SS 
PO42 Special 'Stealth' Edition of 396 only

Well after hugely testing period for Jules and the Pioneer team it looks as though the hard work has all been worth it (especially for us).   For those who aren't aware, to ensure quality of product Pioneer has moved their entire production operation half way around the world, from China to the UK. The release of Pioneer's Chevy SS Camaro will be the first slot car produced in the UK in almost 40 years - hard to believe!  


From Pioneer: 'Yep its true. Pioneer will unleash their first UK offering in the shape of a Matt Black Stealth SS Camaro 21k Motor in two weeks time. Cars entered final assembly Thursday May 16th GMT, and we cant wait. It has been a massive feat but with the help of British manufacturing and production it will be the first slot car made in the UK for approx 40 years. We believe the best yet!!!' 

This from INASLOT; 'SPECIAL EDITION of 396 pcs. Fitted with the rapid TYPHOON 21k motor. Continuing the very popular STEALTH series of street cars and following on from the Mustang and Charger, this 396 SS Camaro model is presented in the familiar satin black décor finish. 21K TYPHOON motor, sidewinder configuration.  Detailed Street interior QuickChange braids.   Digital DPR ready Model complete with custom artwork display case. Spare parts bag included under base!'


I recently read some negative comments about the finish quality of the new Pioneer Camaro on Facebook.  I have over half a dozen Pioneer slots (including the Camaro shown here) and I can tell you as a serious slotter that there is no substance to these claims.

What you'll get when you buy a Pioneer is a good looking, well finished slot car you can put on the track and immediately race against any Scalextric, SCX, Ninco, Carrera or FlySlot offering.  Further more, the chances are a Pioneer slot car will out perform them on the track.

Historic American muscle isn't for everyone but for me the all new Pioneer Camaro SS is a striking slot car and I was very happy I had purchased it the instant I removed it from the box.

My advice, if you're after a Monet to look through a glass case at then buy a Racer.  If you're after a well made, ready to run, competitive and wicked looking slot car then buy a Pioneer!

I'm moving to a more 'track' orientated type of photography for the gallery as apposed to the white 'high-key' background you might be used to viewing here at ManicSlots.  Let me know what you think? 

Want to find out more about Pioneer slot cars?
Be our guest and CLICK HERE

────────────────────────────────

MOVIE: Mission 2014. Our Return. Porsche.


Porsche's return to Le Mans
Forget reminiscing. Mission 2014. Our Return.

If you follow any Motorsport at all then you'll know that Porsche is returning to Le Mans in 2014 with an all new LMP1 sport prototype.  Porsche has released a new video (below) looking back over the decades and celebrating past victories.  But this is not about reminiscing...the team is ready, the cars are ready, the drivers are ready...are you?

From Porsche: 'After more than a decade, Porsche is returning to the LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2014. And to the toughest race of all, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Our strategy? The same one that we employ when developing every Porsche – start from scratch, scrutinise every last detail and leave the past behind.

Together we are embarking on a new mission. With a return to top-class long-distance racing – the FIA World Endurance Championship. And perhaps the toughest long-distance race in the world – Le Mans.

Even after 16 overall victories we still have to start from scratch. With ambitious goals and firmly rooted values.

But above all, with the desire to take you with us on this journey – to a place where we have always given our all.

To a place that has become like a second home to us. And to a race that demands one thing above all else – team spirit.

Join us on our mission and experience Fascination Sports Car at first hand. As a member of the Porsche motor sports family.'


Want to find out more about Porsche and slot cars?
Be our guest and CLICK HERE

────────────────────────────────

Sunday 25 August 2013

GALLERY: Le Mans Miniatures Peugeot 905

Le Mans Miniatures Peugeot 905 
132041/1M, 2nd place, Le Mans 1993

For the last few weeks we have seen some great prices on a few of Le Mans Miniatures' slots so I thought I'd share some photos of one of my Le Mans Miniatures.  I was lucky enough to purchase this LMM in Paris during a holiday in 2011, I really wanted a French slot car of a French made Le Mans racing car, the Peugeot 905 fit the bill perfectly.


Originally the 1993 running of Le Mans was won by Jaguar before a protest was lodged and the Jag was disqualified by Automobile Club de l'Ouest.  As a result the Peugeot Talbot Sport didn't just end up winning Le Mans but managed to come first, second and third!  The number 1 car shown here came second, one lap behind the number 3 winning Peugeot 905.  

This extract from Wikipedia; 'The race was originally won by a TWR Jaguar XJ220C driven by John Nielsen, David Brabham and David Coulthard, but the victory was revoked when the XJ220C was disqualified a month later after a steward complained that Jaguar were not running catalytic converters. Although this was within the rules - no other car ran catalytic converters either - and Jaguar won its appeal (supported by the FIA), they were nonetheless disqualified as they had not - according to the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (the organizer of the race) - lodged their appeal in time.'



The above movie (there are 3 other parts if you're a fan) shows the 3 Peugeot 905s running around the track towards the end of the race, the 905 is a STUNNING looking motorcar and LMM have done a great job accurately capturing it in 1:32 scale. 

As you would expect from Le Mans Miniatures, details levels are off the planet, this is an insanely turned-out slot car.  What you might not expect is that the Peugeot 905 is very impressive on the track.  At first I was concerned about driving the slot especially given the precarious rear wing but this slot has been made to be driven and to keep it on the shelf would be criminal.

I'm moving to a more 'track' orientated type of photography for the gallery as apposed to the white 'high-key' background you might be used to viewing here at ManicSlots.  Let me know what you think? 

Want to find out more about Le Mans Miniature slot cars?
Be our guest and CLICK HERE

────────────────────────────────

Friday 23 August 2013

NEWS: 'Vision Gran Turismo'


Vision Gran Turismo
"From people that love cars...for people who love cars"

 The nice folks at Sony have released another movie to keep us entertained while we eagerly await the release of Gran Turismo on 6 December 2013.  The movie is focussed around the concept cars that have been specifically designed for GT6 and some of them are spectacular!  Based on the blurb from Sony, these vehicles will be made available as download content once you have the game, hopefully we don't have to pay for them.

From Sony: 'Vision Gran Turismo is a project in which the world's automotive manufacturers, carrozzerias , and other global brands develop and announce concept cars for Gran Turismo. This is a present for Gran Turismo and its fans commemorating the 15th anniversary of the series.

To introduce just a part of the concepts that will be making an appearance, there are cars such as the "Alfa Romeo 6C Biposto Vision Gran Turismo", "Volkswagen Golf GTI Vision Gran Turismo", and "BMW Vision Gran Turismo"; cars that point to the future of automobiles. Fans who have supported the 15 Years of Gran Turismo have an opportunity to experience this excitement and pleasure with us.


This project will be released in order between 2013 and 2014, through online updates to Gran Turismo 6. This concept movie is a visualization of the philosophy behind Vision Gran Turismo.'


In an enticement, Sony is offering the above 4 cars to the fans of the series that pre-order GT6 - I have to say the 15th anniversary two-tone blue liveries do look very nice!


Want to find out more about Gran Turismo and slot cars?
Be our guest and CLICK HERE

────────────────────────────────

Thursday 22 August 2013

NEWS: Slot.it Porsche 911 GT1 Le Mans Winners LE


Slot.it Porsche 911 GT1 EVO 98
CW13, LE 'Le Mans Winners' 1998, LMP1

Slot.it have just released the photos that many of us have been long awaiting, the Limited Edition Le Mans Winners car for 2013, the Porsche 911 GT1 EVO 98.  I already have the 2 previous livery releases of the Slot.it 911 GT1 and I can tell you that it's a cracker on the track.  It was always going to be a cold day in hell before I stopped collecting Fly's version of the 911 EVO but thanks to Slot.it, it's snowing down there!  What an amazing looking slot car and I love the extra length Slot.it have gone to re the LE box presentation (have we seen the end of the classic orange box?)


From Wikipedia: 'For the 1998 season Porsche developed an all-new car, the 911 GT1-98. Designed to match the also new Toyota GT-One and Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, the 911 GT1-98 featured bodywork which bore more of a resemblance to traditional sports-prototypes than the previous 2 models while a new sequential gearbox was installed. As per the regulations a street-legal version of the 911 GT1-98 was spawned, but it is believed that only one variant was produced which was still sufficient to satisfy the regulations.

During the 1998 FIA International GT season the 911 GT1-98 struggled to match the pace of the Mercedes, which also were improved, with the main reason being down to the air-restrictor rules being which were regarded as unfavourable to the turbo engine (the Merecedes being naturally aspirated). The Michelin tyres of the factory team and especially the Pirelli of the private Zakspeed team were also considered inferior to the Bridgestone of Mercedes. 

 The front end of a 911 GT1 '98, showing the headlights inspired by the 996-generation 911. At the 1998 Le Mans however, it was a different story. The BMW V12 LM retired with wheel bearing trouble, and the Mercedes CLK-LM vehicles had oil pump troubles in the new V8 engines that replaced the former V12. The Toyota GT-One, which was considered to be the fastest car, also suffered gearbox reliability problems. 

The 911 GT1-98, despite being slower than the Toyota or the Mercedes, fulfilled Porsche's slim hopes, taking both first and second place overall thanks to reliability, giving Porsche its record-breaking 16th overall win at Le Mans, more than any other manufacturer in history.'
 
From the Slot.it sales team: 'We would like to inform you that in these days, we will start the shipment of the new CW13 - Porsche 911 GT1 EVO 98 - n.26 1st Le Mans 1998 Le Mans Winner Collection, Limited Edition.


The following new spare parts will be available too:
  • CS03b1 - 962C body kit CS10br - F1 GTR ''RAW'' body kit
  • CS10t-60b - F1 GTR chassis AW compatible EVO6 (rev. 3)
  • CS22t-60b - LMP chassis AW compatible EVO6 (rev. 3)
  • CS23b - 911 GT1 EVO98 body kit
  • CH86 - F1 GTR replacement cockpit and rear/front spoilers.
We also would like to inform you that there will be soon a NEW LMP screw pickup: Compatible with all standard braids. Cable is inserted on top of braid through the external left and right holes, while an M2 grub screw presses it flat on the braid.

Special redesigned shape to greatly increase shock resistance. Screw mount. Available in approximately two months with code CH88.'

Want to find out more about Slot.it slot cars?
Be our guest and CLICK HERE

────────────────────────────────