Proto-Slot-Kit announcement

Proto-Slot-Kit (PSK) was founded four years ago. As we start the new year, this is a good time to look at the company's results and future.

These were four years of unrelenting efforts, all with the aim of improving the product and satisfying our customers to ensure their loyalty.

Our results have been very satisfying in fact, since we have come a long way indeed from the first model CB001 to the latest CB037.

However, since my human and technical resources have reached their limit, I have decided to transfer the commercial aspects of this business to BSR (www.bitume-slot-racing.com), which becomes a partner. My choice of BSR as a partner was very natural, because we are in very similar businesses.

The two official new models for 2008 will be the Porsche 917 LH Le Mans 69, Nos. 10, 11, 12 and 15. The kit will enable you to build one of the four cars entered in the race, and a new livery for the TR61, painted blue team NART, wich ran at la Mans in 1962, availability from BSR in February 2008.
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Après quatre années d'existence, il était temps de tracer un bilan de l'entreprise.

Quatre années d'efforts, avec pour seuls objectifs l'amélioration du produit, la fidélisation et la satisfaction de la clientèle.

Un bilan particulièrement satisfaisant donc, car quel chemin parcouru depuis la CB001 à la CB037.

Les ressources humaines et techniques ayant atteint leurs limites, j'ai donc décidé de confier la partie commerciale à BSR (www.bitume-slot-racing.com), qui devient partenaire.

Les deux premières nouveautés 2008 officielle PSK seront donc la PORSCHE 917 LH LM69, N° 10, 11, 12 et 15, le kit permettra de réaliser une des 4 voitures engagées, et une re décoration de la TR61 en couleur bleue, qui a couru sous les couleurs du NART au Mans en 1962, disponibilité courant février 2008.

Cordialement, Chris.

Avant Slot cars - get 'em while they're hot!

The top 4 photos are of Avant Slot cars on the way. The LeMans Podium set is coming...
...and the three Audi R10's are coming as well.



These three are sold out on the distributor's end. If you see them in your local hobby shop buy them if you're in the market for any of these below.

Peugeot testing at Sebring & SCX Peugeot preview

I'm putting the finishing touches on a review of the SCX Peugeot 908HDi, it will be published soon. Until then it's good news for fans of this distinct car to find out that it will be running in the American LeMans series this year!

Read the testing report below from the ALMS website:

Nic Minassian, Peugeot Sport
Peugeot 908 HDi (LMP1)
"Driving for Peugeot is great. They give you every tool you want. The car is competitive, but has not been reliable. That will be our battle all year.

"Sebring is a very rough track. I could hardly see the corners from the bumps. We are learning a lot. I like this place. It is very different from the European tracks.

"Hopefully, we will be back for the race (an announcement is expected by Feb. 15). It will be a great battle with Audi, Acura and Penske."
The Peugeot 908 fielded by Equipe Total Peugeot was fastest on the second day of the American Le Mans Series 2008 Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway. The No. 07 Peugeot set the fastest lap at 1:42.801 during the morning session, a time faster than last year's 12 Hours of Sebring record qualifying time of 1:44.974.

"I got a good feeling for the car this morning," said Stephane Sarrazin. "We've worked on set up and balance a little since yesterday and had a new set of tires this morning. This is a very difficult track. I've driven here before but in a GT [class car], but the prototype handles differently on this bumpy surface. I really didn't expect to post the time we posted this morning."

The diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI set the second fastest time as Allan McNish piloted the No. 1 Audi around the 3.7-mile circuit in 1:43.639. Tom Kristensen, Dindo Capello, Mike Rockenfeller and McNish will continue their efforts during the final day of testing on Wednesday.

JLG Releases Two New 1:32 Scale Die Cast Models of ATLAS II Telehandlers

They're here, they're huge, watch for the review

JLG Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], announced the release of two 1:32-scale die cast model replicas of its All Terrain Lifter Army Systems (ATLAS II) telescopic material handlers used by the U.S. Army. Having recently been awarded more than $140 million in military contracts to provide ATLAS and ATLAS II telehandlers, JLG will manufacture and release these high-quality rugged die cast designs in both olive-drab and desert sand colors this fall.

SCX Tech video - running 6 cars

One of Bryan's latest videos.

Flying Lizard Porsche 911 - LeMans livery diecast

Photo and news used from the Flying Lizard Motorsports site:Now you can own the only version of the Le Mans 2007 Flying Lizard No. 80 Porsche authorized by Flying Lizard. The 1/43 model has the high quality and attention to detail that you expect from Spark/Minimax. It's rendered in full color: a beautiful and highly accurate representation of the art car designed by Troy Lee that the team entered at the 24 Heures du Mans in 2007. Although the Lizard Porsche was retired at hour 10 due to a mechanical problem, it remains one of the most memorable liveries in recent Le Mans history. Packaged with an acrylic case and attached to a black MDF base (5.5" x 2.875"). The base says "J. Van Overbeek - J. Bergmeister - S. Neiman" along one edge and "Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Team Flying Lizard Motorsports n80 LM 2007" along the other edge. Car is approximately 4" x 2" (and a little over 1.25" tall).

$46.00

Successful first test for the RS Spyder

The new RS Spyder, with which Porsche is eager to continue its success streak in the American Le Mans Series, has passed its first practical test. On the opening of the official winter test in Sebring, the Weissach-developed and built sports prototypes concluded their testing programme without problems. Traditionally the winter test begins the countdown to the start of the season on 15th March, when the Sebring 12 hour race, one of the great sportscar classics, takes off on the airfield circuit in Florida.In radiant sunshine and spring temperatures, four RS Spyders, run by Porsche teams Penske Racing and Dyson Racing, rolled onto the track . Over the winter the most successful race car of the 2007 American Le Mans Series underwent further developments in various areas after securing eight overall and eleven class victories last year. “For the new season we made some more improvements to the aerodynamics,” says Porsche head of motorsport Hartmut Kristen. Obvious differences are the new nose and the new rear wing. The engine also underwent modifications. Hartmut Kristen: “In this area it was all about reducing fuel consumption and improving the driveability. And we managed this.”
Top time of the day for title defendersOn the first day of the winter test Porsche concentrated primarily on the basic set-up of the RS Spyder for the bumpy circuit in addition to trying out new tyres. Roland Kussmaul, head of performance, was visibly pleased. “We've achieved the insight that we had hoped for.” Although the fight for quick lap times is not the first priority, title defenders Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) still managed to post the top time of the day in the LMP2 class with their Penske RS Spyder with starting number 7. Roland Kussmaul: “We are always happy to take a top time home with us.”


News and photos used with permission from Porsche Motorsport, no reuse without their permission.

Gulf Aston

MRE is reporting that Scalextric will do the recently announced Gulf livery of the Aston Martin DBR9. Read the report at this link along with photos.


***EDIT***

The question of copyright of photo has been raised by Samjack and I thought I'd add my comment to this posting since the idea of copyright is something that's very important to me personally.


I have seen the photos of the Aston on the Aston Martin Racing website. I've asked Aston Marting Racing for permission to use their photos but that permission has not be given, so I will not post those photos here or anywhere. As you say MRE is using the official photos from Aston's site, I don't know if MRE has been given permission to use the photos but that's Gary's decision. He makes the decisions on his site and I respect that. I will NOT use copyrighted images on my site without permission.

I have gone to great lengths to obtain written permission from EVERY source that I use.

I'm a professional news photographer and I have been for the last 15 years. Copyright is an important subject for me. Unless you took the photo you do not have the right to claim copyright over it. You can watermark images to try to protect them from being hyperlinked, which may cut down on images that you pay to host being used on sites that don't give attribution. A number of website have used images that I pay for webhosting for. I don't mind people using the photos that I pay for hosting on, I DO MIND if those photo are used without attribution because I pay for the bandwidth out of my own pocket. And in that respect I understand why MRE has put a watermark over those images which are copyrighted by Aston Martin.

Dave Kennedy
Publisher, Slot Car News
Staff Photographer, The Journal News

New Racer 330 P

RCR39 - 330P Scuderia Bear - Sebring 12hrs 1965 - B. Grossman / S. Hudson

In spite of the name 330P, mainly given by the type of engine originally used, this is a brand new model for us since bodywork comes from 250P (year 1963) and even similar to 330P (year 1964 ref. RCR26/27 and 35) shows substantial differences especially in nose and tail area, but also for what concern cockpit and air inlets over the arches.
Also, this new model, will be equipped with new wire rims (see photo) handcrafted
to enhance realistic effect.

Gallery of photos from the Northeast SCX Challenge race

At this link you can see the photos from the Northeast SCX Challenge. The photos are being hosted on Slot Car Illustrated.com. Thanks to SCI for the webhosting.

Northeast SCX Challenge - video

Sunday was an important day for slotters in the US, it was the first race supported by a major slot company since the golden age of slot cars. Company supported races used to be regular events back in the 60's, but now they're not very common in the US, and maybe happen only as a feeder race for a finals race overseas. But Sunday 30 slot racers got together in Branford Connecticut to race cars, talk slots, and enjoy racing. Racers came from New York, all over New England as Quebec...the event was supported by SCX.

The race on Sunday was hosted by the guys from the Shoreline slot car club.

Links to the thread on Home Racing World.
Links to the threads on the Northeast Message Board.

SCX Tech video - removing the motor from the pod

Daytona LIVE....HERE!!!!

I love this a streaming video feed of the Daytona 24 hours!

1965 Pontiac GTO Hurst Edition

The Special Edition 1965 Pontiac GTO Hurts Edition from Maisto was sharp looking model in the 1:18 scale. The car sat nice and straight and the black and blue color combination caught your eye. The Hurst decals and symbols were prominently displayed on this model and give it that “special edition” feel. The front end and grille on this model was very well done and was balanced off by the molded rear fender and tail lights. The chrome rims for this model had the Hurst emblem in the center instead of the traditional Pontiac logo. The independent spring suspension for all four wheels kept the car level straight when the terrain was uneven.
The interior of this car was extremely well done. The gauges on the dash sat nicely inside and were lined up perfectly straight across. The gas pedals along with the clutch and brake pedals line dup squarely across the driver’s side as well. The low slung front seat had the stitching which was so common to keep the passengers from sliding off when the car left the line. The key element to the interior of this car was the signature Hurts shifter and tachometer on the center console. It is just not a Hurst without the long shifter handle and white porcelain knob with the shifting pattern on it. For a minute or two I wanted to reach inside to see if I could actually move the shifter. It does not move so please do not try it!
The engine in this model is not real impressive with only a small amount of detail included on the top side of the engine. The triple carbs add a nice touch as this model was also available with a four barrel carb. I like model for its interior detail and overall muscle car look. It is priced right for almost any collector and certainly should be seriously considered as an important edition to the American Muscle Car lineage.
Regards

Frank

Strong Porsche presence at Daytona 24 hours

Photo and news used with permission of Porsche Motorsport. No use of this news or photo without their permission.
Twenty-eight Porsche race cars – four Daytona Prototypes powered by Porsche and 24 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers – got together for an early-morning group photo today at the Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the first practice session for Saturday’s Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.

Two of the cars – the DP class #58 Brumos Racing Porsche Riley of Darren Law/David Donohue/Buddy Rice; and theGT class #67 TRG Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racer of Romain Dumas/Spencer Pumpelly/Bryan Sellers/Tim George, Jr.- were fastest in their class after the first two-hour session on Thursday morning.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – January 24 – The field for the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona attacked their first qualifying session Thursday – a short, but competitive 15-minute stint around the famous 3.56-mile oval/road course combination – and no clear favorites emerged for Saturday’s grueling event.

The #58 Brumos Racing Porsche Riley, driven by David Donohue, Darren Law and Buddy Rice, was the highest qualifying Daytona Prototype Porsche (seventh) in a session which locked in the top 30 overall starting positions. The #23 Ruby Tuesday Alex Job Racing Porsche Crawford, with Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand, Andy Wallace, and Patrick Long on board, qualified 12th, while the other Brumos Racing Porsche Riley, the #59 car, driven by Joao Barbosa, Hurley Haywood, Terry Borcheller, and J.C. France, will start 17th on the DP grid.

In the GT class, a four-manufacturer battle is brewing between Mazda, Pontiac, Ferrari and Porsche, with each car company placing a car in the top positions of the class grid. A Mazda RX-8 (Ham/Trembley/Haskell/Matos) has grabbed the pole, with the #67 TRG Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of Emmanuel Collard/Romain Dumas/Tim George, Jr./Spencer Pumpelly/Bryan Sellers second and Orbit Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Mike Fitzgerald/Johnny Mowlem/Tom Papadopoulos/Lance Willsey) third.

The #81 Synergy Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, with Porsche factory driver Richard Lietz at the wheel, crashed in the morning practice session, and the subsequent major repairs caused the car to miss the rest of the day’s sessions, including qualifying. The rest of the field – positions 31 to the end – will qualify on Friday.

GO-ing Digital?

From the Carrera invitation that sent out for the Toyfair in Germany:

132 - 124 - 143 = Digital = "CARRERA 2008"

Seams the GO!!! goes Digital and Carrera will make the first 1/43 Digital System on the
market!

Thanks to slotbrother Zippo for this news!!!!!!

New Scalextric Mustang - Grand Am livery

The first of what will likely be many liveries of the Grand Am Mustang FR500C

Slot MiniAuto #40

SLOT MINIAUTO 40 – FEBRERO 2008

El Porsche 550 Spyder de Ninco es el protagonista de la portada del mes de Febrero, junto al Mercedes Benz 300 SLR de Superslot.
En este mismo número se pueden encontrar las pruebas en pista del Opel Commodore “Jumbo” y del Porsche 911 GT3 RSR de Carrera, Audi R10 TDi de Superslot, Pagani Zonda F2005 de MBSlot, Pescarolo C60 de Le Mans Miniatures y un interesante reportaje de investigación sobre los amortiguadores en Slot.
En esta revista también se incluye un avance, en exclusiva, de las principales novedades que se van a poder ver en la Feria de Nuremberg. El resultado del concurso COCHE DEL AÑO, con todos los modelos premiados, la segunda entrega gratuita del Diccionario Técnico del Slot y las secciones habituales completan esta revista del mes de febrero.

PRESS RELEASE

SLOT MINIAUTO 40 – FEBRUARY 2008

The new Porsche 550 Spyder Panamericana of Ninco is the cover protagonist of February next to the Scalextric Mercedes Benz 300 SLR.
In this issue can be found the track test of the Carrera Opel Commodore “Jumbo” and Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Audi R10 TDi of Scalextric, MBSlot Pagani Zonda F2005, Pescarolo C60 Le Mans Miniatures and an interesting investigative report on the shock absorbers in Slot.
The magazine also includes an exclusive advance, of the novelties that are going to be able to see at the Nuremberg Toy Fair.
The results of the contest CAR OF THE YEAR, with all the category winners, the second free chapter of the Technical Dictionary of Slot and the usual sections, complement this February magazine.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR from Maisto better known as the “Gull Wing” contains many fine details in the 1:18 scale. The signature metallic silver paint is practically flawless; it shines in almost any light. Both doors open easily as well as the hood and the trunk. The spoked wheels add style and flair to this car. The large rubber tires are clean and detailed as well. The passenger side exhaust pipes certainly make this classic car stand out in a crowd. The designers at Maisto put their time and energy into the exterior of this classic car.
The plaid cloth seats in this car are another unique touch that this model has as well. The dash contained a lot of detail and clearly authentic as well. I was not impressed shiny plastic shifter, gas and brake pedals as this detracted from the overall look of the interior. The plastic window glass looked okay on the model and the back window was actually loose on this particular model.
The real treat comes when you open the hood on this model. The engine is enormous and takes up half the length of the car. Even though the motor is entirely made of plastic
The detail and skilled design is hard to ignore. Each ignition wire is clearly visible and the straight eight manifolds look excellent as well. . If you look more closely at what looks like a front drive arrangement, you'll notice there is no differential between the finned brake drums, nor is there any connection to the engine. This car used inboard brakes at the front, connected to the front wheels by half-shafts, but no front drive. The drive was to the rear wheels through swing axles.( thank you Zoom Beedo for this bit of info...)
I liked this model and will certainly put it up on the shelf with the rest of my collection The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR is a classic car and this model from Maisto is an affordable rendition of the original. If you like one of a kind car, and do not want to break the bank then you should purchase this model for you collection.
Regards
Frank

Daytona Prototypes - Flyer cars

You can't believe everything you read on the internet...but in this case you can! Bruce from Cincy Slots has a thread on Home Racing World about Fly releasing Daytona Prototypes which will be sold under the brand "Flyer". I confirmed this information with Fly...
The cars will be a lower detail car than Fly currently produces. And I'm told the motor will be in the center of the car.

Details will be updated about these cars soon by Fly.

DaveK

Cric Crac - Is it the coolest store in the world?

Recently I went to Spain. Before I went I emailed a few friends in Spain and asked them where I should go while I was in Barcelona..."Oh, you need to visit Cric Crac, it's worth the drive." Well, that was the understatement of the year.

Slot car shops are hard to find here in the US. They're on nearly every street corner in Barcelona it seems but even with slot cars being so available Cric Crac stands out as THE place to visit if you're in the general vicinity of Barcelona (it's about 45 minutes away if you're driving quickly...and we were!). Even if you're say in the vicinity of Spain...or in the vicinity of Cleveland for that matter!
Upstairs there are several tracks...so why no photos of the floor of the store? Well I was busy...it got ugly, really ugly. I bought parts, decals, and a few cars for friends back in the US. While I was looking (ok, more like freaking out over the selection of parts and decals) Bernat Basas, who runs the store, helped me with my search for the coolest, most useful and unavailable parts that every slotter needs for his proxy racing endeavors. I have no idea how long I was there, though according to Chuck and Bryan from SCX (who had the great misfortune agreeing to take me to the shop) it was at least an hour and a half...I have no idea, I was crazed from seeing all the "Unobtanium*" on the shelves of the store.

Actually when I think about it, the best part wasn't really actually buying the stuff, it was talking with Bernat about each line of products. We compared notes about what we considered "fast" to be. Surprisingly our thoughts we quite similar...the top dog racer on both sides of the Atlantic is the McLaren Slot It, with the NSR Mosler, and MRRC/ScaleAuto Toyota GT1 closely behind or ahead. But the consensus was that all three were worth the money and were cars to be raced when the goal was all out speed.

The Cric Crac special edition cars are the stuff of eBay legend. Either you have one, or more than likely, you don't have one of the special editions but you want one. So what happened next was a complete surprise and was shock to me. Bernat went into the back of the store and came back out with a car to give to me. The car below is that car.
The Corvette C5.R by Fly made specially for Cric Crac is stunning. The yellow and white paint job is perfect.

How does it run? Well...I have no idea! This is one of a few cars that I think will actually become a shelf queen for me. A certain Canadian slot brother has a "strict no shelf queen policy" but in this case maybe I can get an exemption from him for this car... in any case it's a very cool car to have. And a very special reminder of an amazing trip to a store that can't be missed. Really... go now and buy plane tickets for Spain.

So if you're in need of really just about anything slot-related you can find them at:
http://criccrac.es/
Or via email at:
info@criccrac.es


"Unobtanium"- Noun - Slot car enthusiast slang for products that are readily available everywhere else in the slot car world but not in the US market.

Diecast collectable or HO layout diorama piece?

Atlas has released some very highly detailed 1/87th diecasts, well, really plastic cars. As you can see from the photos I would call these collectable, more than diorama piece. The panel van has fully detailed dash, stick shift, and a 3 spoke wheel.

The Jeep is so highly detailed I really don’t know where to start… Let’s see. You can actually read the license plate. Check out the tire on the back, it has the proper number of lug nuts and then there is the door handle where you swear you could lift it up and open it.
I saved the best for last: The Chrysler Airflow Imperial Eight. This car just went over the block at the Barrett-Jackson auction; Speed called it a car ahead of its time.

If you collect cars, have an HO scale train layout or have a diorama on your HO scale slot car track, you would want to have these….
FrankRegards