2015 will be a bumper year for slot racing
Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:55 pm
Guys,
News coming out of the Nuremberg International Toy Fair 2015 indicates that this year will see many new cars and innovations.
For the first time ever, Slot.It is introducing a line of saloon cars, specifically classic DTM cars. They will also finally release their very technical, toothed-belt driven 4WD Audi R18 Etron with front shaft differential - a slot car first. They'll also be introducing a replica of the Audi R8 open cockpit Le Mans five time winner. Also coming is a model of the 2011 Lola-Aston driven by Jacky Ickx's daughter which I saw at Le Mans (I can still vividly recall it's beautiful screaming engine sound). They also have new Group C cars and even a new Chapparal for our VS class in the works.
On the parts and tools side of things, they're introducing Torx T3 grub screws and this little item which immediately caught my eye:
Imagine Scalextric SSD crossover lane changers and pit lane entry (and hopefully exit) with anti-collision and return-to-straight features. This means you can't change lane or exit the pit lane (hopefully) when another car is next to you. It also means that the lane changer will automatically return to the straight position after someone changes lane. This will sort out a lot of those unintentional lane changes, particularly in our Rally class. I'm not yet sure what "selective lane changing" is all about, but it's probably something good too.
Looking at their 2015 catalog, there are a number of new parts as well as mention of their Shapeways 3D chassis print shop to create Slot.It cars for your existing bodies from other manufacturers. There's also their new PCR (Pro Chassis Ready) initiative with Scalextric where Scalextric will be producing cars which can be easily converted to Slot.It running gear. So, a LOT to look forward to from Slot.It this year.
But there's a lot also going on with other manufacturers as well. From Scalextric with their great new range of cars, SRC bringing wonderful '70s F1 cars to slot racing, including the McLaren M23, Ferrari 312T (I have to get the Gilles Villeneuve one, even though we don't have a class for them!), the Renault RS10 and the Hesketh 308. They also have other non-F1 cars in the works. Racer is adding some new cars to their Sideways series as well as to their outrageously expensive primary Racer range. Lastly (for now), Avant Slot have a great line of both racing and rally cars in their plans. These include cars coming out of their collaboration with Flyslot with Fly bodies on Avant Slot chassis.
Check out this link for much more information on the different models along with lots of pictures:
http://www.slotforum.com/forums/index.php?act=home
I don't know where I'm going to begin with all these choices but I know I'll have more stuff by year's end!
Gordon
News coming out of the Nuremberg International Toy Fair 2015 indicates that this year will see many new cars and innovations.
For the first time ever, Slot.It is introducing a line of saloon cars, specifically classic DTM cars. They will also finally release their very technical, toothed-belt driven 4WD Audi R18 Etron with front shaft differential - a slot car first. They'll also be introducing a replica of the Audi R8 open cockpit Le Mans five time winner. Also coming is a model of the 2011 Lola-Aston driven by Jacky Ickx's daughter which I saw at Le Mans (I can still vividly recall it's beautiful screaming engine sound). They also have new Group C cars and even a new Chapparal for our VS class in the works.
On the parts and tools side of things, they're introducing Torx T3 grub screws and this little item which immediately caught my eye:
Imagine Scalextric SSD crossover lane changers and pit lane entry (and hopefully exit) with anti-collision and return-to-straight features. This means you can't change lane or exit the pit lane (hopefully) when another car is next to you. It also means that the lane changer will automatically return to the straight position after someone changes lane. This will sort out a lot of those unintentional lane changes, particularly in our Rally class. I'm not yet sure what "selective lane changing" is all about, but it's probably something good too.
Looking at their 2015 catalog, there are a number of new parts as well as mention of their Shapeways 3D chassis print shop to create Slot.It cars for your existing bodies from other manufacturers. There's also their new PCR (Pro Chassis Ready) initiative with Scalextric where Scalextric will be producing cars which can be easily converted to Slot.It running gear. So, a LOT to look forward to from Slot.It this year.
But there's a lot also going on with other manufacturers as well. From Scalextric with their great new range of cars, SRC bringing wonderful '70s F1 cars to slot racing, including the McLaren M23, Ferrari 312T (I have to get the Gilles Villeneuve one, even though we don't have a class for them!), the Renault RS10 and the Hesketh 308. They also have other non-F1 cars in the works. Racer is adding some new cars to their Sideways series as well as to their outrageously expensive primary Racer range. Lastly (for now), Avant Slot have a great line of both racing and rally cars in their plans. These include cars coming out of their collaboration with Flyslot with Fly bodies on Avant Slot chassis.
Check out this link for much more information on the different models along with lots of pictures:
http://www.slotforum.com/forums/index.php?act=home
I don't know where I'm going to begin with all these choices but I know I'll have more stuff by year's end!
Gordon
Its one thing to see the toothed-belts, pulleys & tensioners (driven 4WD cars) but give me a break ~ I can not believe there's ratio set-ups for this too .. 