NEWS: Policar Classic F1s

Policar to release classic F1s!
Lotus 72, March 701 and March 711

By now you will all have heard the good news that Policar is making a return to slot cars in 2013.  As way of a little history, Policar produced 1/32 and 1/24 scale slot cars from the 1950's through till the mid 1970's.

You may also know that Policar has a very close association with Slot.it (note the 'Slot.it inside' labelling on the below posters) and the Italian manufacture plans to release the Ferrari F40 and Ferrari 312 models.  Both of these models will use Slot.it moulds so we can expect well detailed slots of the highest engineering standards and quality.

What you may not know is that Policar will be releasing classic F1 slot cars as well; Lotus 72, March 701 and March 711 to get the ball rolling.  Slot.it has developed a special gearing (see bottom poster) to allow for high levels of rear detail and scale accuracy on the cars.  I've seen this style of gearing before and I wasn't that impressed but this is Slot.it engineering - so it's bound to work.

When can we expect to see a Policar release?  Still later this year is the word on the street.

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NEWS: FlySlot Merc Racing Truck 'Zolder'

FlySlot Mercedes Benz Racing Truck
F202101, 'Zolder 2012', Heinz Werner Lenz

Fly struck gold when they decided to produce 1:32 racing trucks over a decade ago and FlySlot's recent decision to have the big rigs return to their line-up was met with a standing ovation from slotters world wide.  The first time I saw a Fly truck on the track I smiled from ear to ear, these slots are very impressive to race.

Detail levels are off the charts (even by Fly standards) and they come fitted with a sprung glide and a heavy duty magnet for rear down force.  Just look at the engine/exhaust detail visible from the rear photos.  You can source after-market rubber (and wheels) to help control the rear a little more if so desired.  The Heinz Werner Lenz racing truck is a striking livery with its orange body and the black wheels.
  

Some interesting background from Wikipedia; 'The sport started in the United States at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 17, 1979 and was the opening scene in the movie Smokey and the Bandit II. As a sanctioned sport it began as ATRA (American Truck Racing Association) in 1979 then was sold to N. Linn Henndershott in 1982 and it became the Great American Truck Racing circuit.

The races were run on dirt and paved ovals mostly in the Eastern United States. The trucks used in the beginning were actually working trucks with tandem rear axles and used street tires yet still attained speeds of 150 mph (241 km/h) on the front straight at Pocono Raceway and set the closed course record of 132 mph (212 km/h) in qualifying at Texas World Speedway by Charlie Baker on March 21, 1982. Most of its popularity early on came from the movie Smokey and the Bandit' Ok I know I post quite a few videos but this one is one you don't want to miss, great imagery, incredible machines and not a bad sound track to boot. 

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NEWS: Pioneer Camaro Sunoco

Pioneer Chevy Camaro Z-28
PO18, 'Lightweight' Sebring 12hr 1968, Mark Donohue

Pioneer have just released the eagerly awaited Sunoco Chevy Camaro Z-28 and she looks like an absolute gem!  It's nice to see that Pioneer have paid close attention to small details like the bonnet vents and lower front grill driving lights.  The Sunoco blue looks impressive on the Pioneer Camaro that's for sure, I wonder how many of these stunning slots are destined for the race track and how many will end up collecting dust?

The car was raced by Mark Donohue and Craig Fisher who won the Trans Am class in the 12 Hours of Sebring no less.  This release is limited to only 648 slots so if you want one, well you better make a move!

From Pioneer: 'Sunoco Camaro Z-28 No.15 'Lightweight' Sebring 12hr 1968 Mark Donohue.

Limited Edition of 648 pcs, presented in Custom collector packaging. 

18k Typhoon motor, sidewinder configuration Detailed interior, QuickChange braids, Scalextric Digital DPR ready'

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NEWS: Scaleauto Spyker C8 Pre Production Phase

Scaleauto Spyker C8 GT2R Spyder
1:32 Pre-production Injected Prototypes Phase

Scaleauto have shared some updated photos of the upcoming Spyker C8 GT2R Spyder release which is scheduled for 2013.  Progress is coming along very nicely and you can really get a feel for how the finished product is going to look.

We know that Scaleauto produce a highly detailed slot car so I'm looking forward to seeing how the Spyker develops over the coming months.  I had a quick look at potential racing liveries, one of the obvious candidates is the silver/orange liveries raced in the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2006.  The Spyker C8 also competed in the FIA GT Championship.

This from Scaleauto: 'There is still a lot to be done until the real product reaches the streets but we could not wait anymore to show our pre-production injected prototypes of the amazing SPYKER C8 GT2R series.

It was not long ago that we announced the end of our CAD development process and here we have the first test prototypes so we wanted to offer our followers a sneak peak about what is to come soon!

AS WE PROMISED YESTERDAY here is the full set of pictures!'

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News: Carrera Gold Porsche 911

Carrera's 50th Anniversary
Limited Edition Gold Porsche 911

Carrera have released several special slotting products to celebrate there 50th anniversary but this gold limited edition of 800, Porsche 911 has to take the cake!  Not officially on sale in store, the 911 will only be available to Carrera's top fans, I'm not too sure how Carrera is going to determine this?  Anyway, if you're after one they are bound to start showing up on ebay over the next few weeks so keep your eyes open if you're after one.
  

This from Carrera; 'In 2013 we have again shown what ‘Motorsport at home’ is all about by putting together an amazing car pool full of top class track-bound automobiles. The Carrera portfolio is being complemented by several great new 1:24 scale cars to boost the adrenaline levels of Carrera fans everywhere.'

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NEWS: Slot.it McLaren F1 GTR 'Yellow Corn'

Slot.it McLaren F1 GTR
CA10g, Motegi 2002, Naoki Hattori and Eiichi Tajima

Slot.it have just released photos of the Yellow Corn Motegi McLaren F1 GTR which will be on sale from 2 October.  This livery seems to polarise slot cars fans, you either love it or you hate it.  For me it's simple, I LOVE it.  I was always a huge fan of Fly's BMW M3 in the Yellow Corn livery although I never managed to acquire one for myself.  

It's important to note that this isn't just a new livery however, the new Slot.it McLaren has some nice performance improvements such as a lighter cockpit and an improved pick-up position for improved handling.  With the exception of the FINA liveried McLaren I think this is the most impressive release to date.


From Wikipedia: 'With the BPR Global GT Series reformed into the FIA GT Championship in 1997, rules regarding the cars used in the premier GT1 class were altered. Homologation specials like the Porsche 911 GT1 had already proven their worth in the final races of 1996, while newcomer Mercedes-Benz was showing the potential of their new CLK-GTR in testing. McLaren was therefore forced to give the F1 extensive modification in order to be able to compete against cars which had been meant as race cars first, and not road cars like the F1.

First and foremost, the F1 required extensive modification to its bodywork in order to gain as much aerodynamic downforce as possible. Although it retained the same carbon fibre monocoque as the road car, the entire exterior of the car was purpose built. A much longer nose and tail, as well as a wider rear wing, were designed in order to maximize the amount of aerodynamic downforce, while the wheel arches were widened in order to allow for the maximum amount of grip from the tires allowed by the rules. Ground clearance was also changed to 70 millimetres (2.76 in) front and rear, rather than the 60 millimetres (2.36 in) front and 80 millimetres (3.15 in) rear clearance of the 1996-spec car.

The engine also saw extensive modification, with a stroke reduction bringing the BMW S70 V12 down to 5,990 cubic centimetres (366 cu in) in an attempt to prolong the life of the engines, while still maintaining the air restrictor-controlled 600 brake horsepower (447 kW). The stock gearbox was replaced with a new X-trac 6-speed sequential transmission. A total of ten more GTRs were built, with none of the previous cars being upgraded to the 1997-spec. In order to be allowed to construct cars that were so radically different from the F1 road car, McLaren was forced to build production cars using the GTR '97's bodywork.

These cars became known as the F1 GT, of which only three were built. The 1997-spec cars are commonly referred to as the "Long Tail" version due to their stretched bodywork, most noticeably in the rear. At Le Mans 1997, the car reached 317 kilometres per hour (196.97 mph) on the Mulsanne straight. This was still slightly slower than some of the field (Porsche 911 GT1 Evo - 326 kilometres per hour (202.57 mph), Nissan R390 GT1 - 319 kilometres per hour (198.22 mph), TWR Porsche Joest LMP - 320 kilometres per hour (198.84 mph).'

 
From the Slot.it team: 'The McLaren F1 GTR production, directed by former Formula 1 engineer Gordon Murray, began in 1992 and ended in 1998. At that time, it was the fastest car ever built. In 1995, the F1 GTR gave its first performance at Le Mans and won, bringing to the finish line five cars that ended 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 13th.

The car featured a monocoque carbon – fibre chassis and a BMW 5990 cc V12 engine. Team Hitotsuyama Racing entered an F1 GTR in the All Japan GT Championship 'GT500' class. The McLaren was one of the few competitive European cars in this category, usually dominated by the Japanese makes. In 2002, drivers Naoki Hattori and Eiichi Tajima finished third at Motegi on the McLaren number 76.'

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NEWS: Ninco Corvette SR-2

Ninco Corvette SR-2
50636, 1956 'Sebring Racer', Classic Sport

Ninco have just released the number 8 livery of Corvette's SR-2 ('Sebring Racer').  The old Ninco Corvettes are not typically my taste in slot cars but you have to love that rear wing tail! Detail levels look impressive with all kinds of chrome pieces and a beautiful deep blue paint finish.  Although Ninco have done a great job in producing the original wheels, I can't help put picture the SR-2 with some more contemporary tough looking wheels.
  

This from Corvettes.nl; 'The SR-2 acronym stood for “Sebring Racer” or alternatively “Sports Racing”.  Starting with a Sebring Corvette chassis, the SR-2 sprouted a rear fin, two small racing windscreens, air scoops on the side coves and an extended front end with driving lights that gave the machine a purposeful appearance.' Corvette SR-2 Sets Speed Record at Daytona Speed Week in 1957 at Daytona Beach, Florida. You have to watch the below footage, amazing stuff if you're into this era of cars - amazing even if you're not actually!

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NEWS: FlySlot Porsche 997 'Flying Lizards'

FlySlot Porsche 997 RSR
704103, 'Flying Lizards Motorsport', Laguna Seca 2010

FlySlot's 'Flying Lizards Motorsports' Porsche 997 RSR has been in the stores now for a few weeks but FlySlot has just release some striking photos of the slot so thought I should share.  I think you'll all agree that the Flying Lizard liveries are some of the most striking liveries in Motorsport and if you don't have a least one in your line-up you owe it to yourself!

Be aware that this is a FlySlot Alpha Series slot so the level of detail expected from a Fly slot car is slightly reduced, the front bumper canards (also dive planes) for example are decals.  Some would say that there is less to break from the slot when you unavoidably crash it.  Despite this, the overall detail level of the 997 is pretty damn impressive for a more cost effective slot. 
  

This from Wikipedia; 'For 2010, Flying Lizard Motorsports continued running two cars. The two-time GT2 championship winning #45 car, driven by Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long with Marc Lieb as the reserve third driver, competed alongside its sister car, the #44, driven by Seth Neiman and Darren Law with Richard Lietz as the reserve third driver.

The Lizards faced fierce competition from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Risi Competizione. After finishing 4th at the 12 hours of Sebring, the #45 car went on to take first place in its class at Long Beach, Laguna Seca, Lime Rock Park and Mosport. The Lizards placed second in the Team Championship and first in the Drivers Championship thanks to Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long. This gave Flying Lizard Motorsports and Bergmeister three consecutive Driver Championship titles.' The below video is some great onboard footage from the number 45 car at Laguna Seca in 2010, enjoy. 

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