Tuesday, June 30, 2009

120 minuten der Frederickring


An endurance race I raced in last weekend. We raced 40 minute heat races driving SCX GT cars during the race. Thanks to the Interstate Home Slot Racing Club and Nils for hosting the event.

Monday, June 29, 2009

New Sloting Plus bushings

From Sloting Plus:

Two Combi bushings adapted for a tube ( 1 g total weight ) in order to keep axle straight, ensure perfect alignment of bearings and reduce possible transversal oscillation chassis !
The 31 mm is for example adapted to Ninco Ferrari 360 and Lamborghini Gallardo....
The 31,6 mm ( with a groove in the tube for easy identification ) is for example adapted to Mosler...

Recommended with our axles 2250, 2252 or 2255 and finally, an advantage is also you can keep oil you put under bushings under the tube and so not loose it quickly in the ground ....

UPDATE from Jacques...
Ref 1010 31 mm is for exemple for Mosler's, Megane, Toyota Supra, Honda NSX and Lexus
Ref 1011 31,6 mm is for exemple for Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ascari

Friday, June 26, 2009

Slot MiniAuto #57-July


SLOT MINIAUTO 57 – JULY

The new Porsche 997 of Xlot by Ninco is the highlighted protagonist on the Slot MiniAuto cover of July. On the inside you can find the track tests of the new Lola T70 of Revell, the Chevrolet Bel Air of Carrera, the new and exclusive Rondeau M379B of Slot Real Car, the Honda NSX and Lexus SC430 from japanese GSlot and the assembly kit of the Toyota 88 C of BRM. It includes an extensive interview with Marco Montrasio of Racer.
You can also read the chronicle of the second meeting of SCX collectors VIP’s. The new Slot Miniauto subscription car, the McLaren MP4/6 Ayrton Senna, also stands out on the cover.
(More information on www.revistasprofesionales.com)






SLOT MINIAUTO 57 - JULIO

El nuevo Porsche 997 de Xlot es el protagonista destacado de la portada de Slot MiniAuto del mes de julio. En el interior se pueden encontrar las pruebas en pista de los nuevos Lola T70 de Revel, el Chevrolet Bel Air reproducido por Carrera, el Rondeau M379B de Slot Real, los Honda NSX y Lexus SC430 de Gslot y el montaje del Toyota 88 C de BRM. Se incluye una entrevista a Marco Montrasio de Racer.
Además se puede leer la crónica del segundo encuentro VIP de coleccionistas de Scalextric.
El nuevo coche de suscripción, el McLaren MP4/6 de Ayrton Senna, acapara también gran parte de la portada.
(Más información en www.revistasprofesionales.com)

Thursday, June 25, 2009

NINCO World Cup 2009


The first pieces of information are surfacing for the NINCO World Cup 2009.
The information below is from the NINCO Blogspot site.

Friends, drivers... Finally we have a date and a venue for the final of the NINCO WORLD CUP 2009! The chosen city is: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands Spain. An idyllic location that will permit participants and guests to enjoy the greatest Slot event of the year, in privileged surroundings.

The dates are the following: 20/21 Nov 2009, the first day (Friday) will be entirely given over to training sessions and on the Saturday the final will be held the determine the new world champions.

The NWC will crown two World Champions in two categories this year, NINCO SPORT and XLOT.

This year the NWC offers a new format, there will be 2 x champion teams! In 2009 the first XLOT World champions will be crowned. Under this format, this year all countries entering will compete in both categories, the traditional 1:32 NINCO SPORT and with the revolutionary 1:28 XLOT.

The car to be used for the final of the 1:32 category will be announced on this blog on the 1st Sept. For the XLOT final, the car will be the PORSCHE 997, the first available model of the brand which will be available from week 30 worldwide.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

"Go Like Hell"-a book review

"Go Like Hell" by AJ Baime is just a fantastic book.

The book gives an in depth picture of the Ford vs. Ferrari battle for supremacy during the mid 60's LeMans era. Every page of this book gives the reader an ever clearer view of the background of the two giants of sports car racing during what is probably, at least for the slot car fans out there, the most popular era for slot cars. Who out there in slot car land does NOT have a Ford GT or Ferrari 330P3... and if you don't have one you probably want one... at least one.

In the book Baime gives us a view inside the politics of racing and building the iconic cars that made history. But what I personally found more interesting was the VERY good backgrounds of the drivers that are written about in the pages of this book. All the drivers you've heard of and seen on the sides of the cars and mentioned on the message boards. I must admit I didn't know much, if anything about John Surtees... yes... Il Grande John was not someone I knew much about. Sure I knew the name, but to read about him in such detail. To read about an accident that permanently disfigured him, and to read about his comeback to get into the drivers seat for the '66 LeMans only to have a vindictive team leader (Dragoni... appropriate name, eh?) who effectively took him out of the drivers seat before the start of what would be a crowning race for Ford.

And to read about Ken Miles (yes I know, I know.... again, I'd not know much about him either as a driver, someone out there all the older generation of slotters are saying to themselves,"oh god open a book once in a while...") but to read about his tireless work to develop the Ford GT40 from a worthless, useless death trap into a world beater and then to have the race win taken from him by his bosses at Ford in some half-assed attempt to get a "tie" between the top 2 Fords... it's tragic, and I really felt for him.

The book built towards the '66 race. Each chapter building and laying the groundwork for the finale, Carroll Shelby coming from "only" being an American driver to being one of the most important figures in sports car racing. Being given the chance (and the burden) to build maybe the single most important American race cars. From a small shop of hotrodders where there was an informal open-door-policy of letting people wander into the shop and see what they were working on to acres of high security compound to build the cars that would finish 1,2,3 at LeMans.

And then there's the long trail of horrible accidents chronicled in the book. The prologue for the book sets the tone... the infamous accident by the Mercedes 300 SLR piloted by Pierre Levegh is described in gripping detail.

Of course no book about this part of sports car racing history would be complete without an in depth look at the man behind it all...Enzo Ferrari... well, let's just say I'm more of a Porsche fan now than ever and leave it at that.

There's simply something in EVERY chapter that you as a racing fan will find interesting I think. If you don't have this book, you should get this book.

...Go like hell? Yes... read it like hell! When you finish it, you'll want to start all over.

Good job Mr. Baime... good job!


http://golikehellthebook.com/

$26.00
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
www.hmhbooks.com

Dave Kennedy
Publisher, Slot Car News

SCX Philadelphia Qualifier race-video


A video of the race from Saturday at Great Traditions in Philadelphia.

Monday, June 22, 2009

New Morgan Aero 8-DeWalt livery


The DeWalt Morgan Aero 8 was raced in the 24 Hours of LeMans in 2002 by the trio of Richard Stanton, Steve Hyde, and Richard Hay. The 4 litre car also competed in the British GT Series.

The classic styling of the car makes maybe the most unique GT sports car being raced today.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

New Sloting Plus tires!


From Jacques at Sloting Plus:

"We present you tyres made with Cartrix brand collaboration.
We have used some very good Cartrix moulds with a new formula of rubber high quality tested together !
It is always difficult to specify tracks adapted BUT in general, we can say Ninco tracks are natural for Sculpture references and Ninco, other Rally tracks a little bit dirty for exemple are adapted for Microtaco references...

The four references are for wheels with a minimum diameter of 15,9 mm but you can use for bigger diameter and it is not necessary to glue tyres on the wheels...


Selling by packs of 4 units under references :
SLPL M27A ( 19 mm x 9 mm dimensions for A ), SLPL M27B ( 20 mm x 10,5 mm dimensions for B ) for Microtaco design, SLPL M28A and SLPL M28B for Sculpture design !

Kind regards
Jacques
Sloting Plus

Friday, June 19, 2009

McLaren free practice notes-Silverstone

In order to explore the performance of MP4-24 to a fuller extent, the team has chosen to pursue differing paths for Lewis and Heikki over the course of the Silverstone weekend. Today’s practice was the most divergent of the season so far: on a track where the benefits of using KERS are less pronounced, Heikki’s engineers chose to continue running the system while Lewis’s team decided to focus on developing the most effective balance without it.
Also evaluated today were further modifications to the floor and front wing, the back-to-backing of tongued and standard static front hubs and the addition of new double-fin sidepod strakes.

LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-24-04
P1 programme 26 laps 1m20.650s (8th)
Lewis spent the morning understanding the balance of the car and was encouraged by its consistency. He completed two installation laps and three runs, all on the Prime tyre, as he evaluated a series of new aero components. With the track starting off cold and slippery and the tyres requiring several laps to reach their optimum, Lewis spent the morning working down to a fast time. He completed runs of four laps/1m23.722s best; six laps/1m21.026s and seven laps/1m20.650s, ending the morning session eighth fastest.
“It took a while to get used to the car this morning,” he said. “It feels a little different from what we’ve been running in previous races. Generally, I’m very happy with the balance but, with a revised car and on a high-speed circuit like this, it takes a bit longer than usual to find the limit.”

P2 programme 35 laps 1m20.417s (7th)
Lewis’s opening five-lap run (1m21.181s) felt different from the pace shown this morning. Nonetheless, his second run, on Primes, was remarkably consistent, seeing him post the following eight-lap sequence: 1m22.572s, 1m22.736s, 1m21,826s, 1m21.862s, 1m21.768s, 1m24.032s, 1m21.644s and 1m21.688s. Two further runs on Options (10 laps/1m21.475s and four laps/1m20.417s) concluded his session.
“It’s no secret that we’re lacking speed in the faster sections,” Lewis concluded. “But the car wasn’t too bad today. The balance was good, we’ve made some set-up changes and it now appears to be fairly consistent. But this has already turned out to be one of the best weekends of the year for me because I’m at my home grand prix and the fans are incredible here – I’ve seen and felt their support from the very first lap I did today.”

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
MP4-24-02
P1 programme 22 laps 1m21.029s (12th)
Heikki completed three runs this morning: five laps/1m22.779s;four laps/1m22.161s and six laps/1m21.029s. MP4-24’s lack of high-speed grip and its nervousness in the faster corners meant it was difficult to extract a strong time from the car, but Heikki felt the team made progress with its understanding of the car and its balance at high speed.
“Firstly, it’s great to be back at Silverstone because it’s a circuit I love,” Heikki said. “I got pole position last year and I really enjoy driving here. We know we face a tougher weekend this season because we’re lacking grip, but the balance of the car didn’t feel too bad this morning. As Lewis is running without KERS this weekend, we now have to analyse the balance of both cars and see what we’ll do for the rest of the weekend.”

P2 programme 37 laps 1m20.733s (12th)
Another busy session. Heikki started off on Primes (five laps/1m21.796s) and Options (three laps/1m20.859s) before starting his long-run programme, completing runs of seven laps (Primes/1m22.682s) and eight laps (Options/1m22.822s).
“We’re definitely making progress,” he said afterwards. “It’s still difficult to say whether it’s an advantage to be running KERS, but I felt I was getting a laptime benefit from the system. This weekend will be all about developing our car and seeing what difference the changes make to both Lewis’s and my pace. The whole team is pushing like crazy and we’re getting a better understanding of our car. Whatever happens, we are definitely going to learn a lot of useful things about the car this weekend.”

1 Sebastien Vettel Red Bull Racing 1m19.456 39 laps
2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 1m19.597 35
3 Adrian Sutil Force India 1m20.141 41
4 Kazuki Nakajima Williams F1 1m20.209 36
5 Fernando Alonso Renault 1m20.237 36
6 Rubens Barrichello Brawn GP 1m20.244 26
7 Lewis Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m20.417 35
8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1m20.458 40
9 Nico Rosberg Williams F1 1m20.468 42
10 Nelson Piquet Jr Renault 1m20.608 37
11 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1m20.622 23
12 Heikki Kovalainen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m20.733 37
13 Timo Glock Toyota 1m20.762 37
14 Jenson Button Brawn GP 1m20.767 28
15 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1m20.932 35
16 Sebastien Bourdais Toro Rosso 1m20.945 36
17 Felipe Massa Scuderia Ferrari 1m21.005 37
18 Kimi Raikkonen Scuderia Ferrari 1m21.132 38
19 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India 1m21.413 40
20 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 1m21.668 37

Session 1
Pos Driver Constructor Time Laps
1 Sebastien Vettel Red Bull Racing 1m19.400 20
2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 1m19.682 19
3 Jenson Button Brawn GP 1m20.227 20
4 Rubens Barrichello Brawn GP 1m20.242 29
5 Fernando Alonso Renault 1m20.458 26
6 Felipe Massa Scuderia Ferrari 1m20.471 23
7 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1m20.585 32
8 Lewis Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m20.650 26
9 Nico Rosberg Williams F1 1m20.815 32
10 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India 1m20.838 25
11 Adrian Sutil Force India 1m20.913 22
12 Heikki Kovalainen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m21.029 22
13 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1m21.103 24
14 Kimi Raikkonen Scuderia Ferrari 1m21.179 27
15 Sebastien Bourdais Toro Rosso 1m21.384 23
16 Timo Glock Toyota 1m21.386 32
17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams F1 1m21.489 26
18 Nelson Piquet Jr Renault 1m21.525 30
19 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 1m21.590 37
20 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1m21.801 16

News and photos courtesy of McLaren.com, ToyotaF1, and Red Bull no reuse for any reason.

Wild day in F1 developments

WOW, F1 hot discussions.....
* Silverstone says the doors are still open for F1
* Bernie stands firm on no F1 return to Silverstone...
* 8 teams including Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - all say YES to FOTA and NO to FIA for 2010 season...
* FIA introduces 3 new teams for 2010 Campos, Manor and US F1....

What a trip. The stories continue to build as F1 practice continues at Silverstone.

New SCX C2 set-Porsche and Ferrari

The new SCX C2 analog set comes with the silver Ferrari 360 and the UPS livery Porsche 911.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

New Slot It Nissan 390

The new Slot It Nissan R390 GT1 Long Tail.

The Nissan R390 GT1 was a racing car built to compete in the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1997 and 1998. It was developed by Nismo and the Tom Walkinshaw Racing team, and was modified in particular in order to generate more downforce, thanks to a longer rear tail.

In 1998 Nissan entered four R390 GT1's to the race and all of them were able to finish the race, getting to the 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 10th positions.
The car featured a carbon monocoque chassis, and a twin turbo V8 3496cc engine.

In the pre-qualification, car No. 32 driven by A.Suzuki, was the first car to finish one lap in less than 4 minutes.

After LM 1998, rules for the GT1 class were changed and the R390 could no longer compete in LeMans.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

MRRC's red GT40 coming in July



Production In July By MRRC. There will also be a light blue Cobra produced as well.



Gurney, Fogarty seek Rolex history at Mid-Ohio


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 16, 2009) -- Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty seek to make Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 history in Saturday's EMCO Gears Classic at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The co-drivers of the No. 99 GAINSCO Pontiac Riley are seeking to become the first Rolex Series drivers to win the same class in the same event in three consecutive years.

The 2009 Rolex Series season reaches the midway point when Round 6 takes the green flag at 5 p.m. ET. The race will be televised live on SPEED.

The opening five rounds have seen four different winners in the Daytona Prototype class, with four teams within six points of the lead. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates drivers Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas are tied for first with SunTrust Racing's Max Angelelli and Brian Frisselle. Tied for third, six points behind (140-134), are Gurney and Fogarty, along with Penske Racing pilots Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard. Rolex 24 winners Darren Law and David Donohue of Brumos Porsche are another seven points back with 127 points.

Gurney and Fogarty lead the series with two victories. The pair won the 2007 EMCO Gears Classic, the third of their record seven en route to the championship. Last year the pair scored their lone victory in the rain-soaked Mid-Ohio round. Gurney and Fogarty won both the Virginia International Raceway and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca races this season, but a 16th-place finish in the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen dropped them from the championship lead to a tie for third.

"The points situation coming out of Watkins Glen is not too bleak, so we will head to the next round and give it our all," Fogarty said. "Mid-Ohio is a cool place, and one of our favorites."

Pruett and Rojas, in the No. 01 TELMEX Lexus Riley, scored their first victory of the campaign in the most recent event at Watkins Glen International, moving from a 14-point deficit to a share of the point lead. Pruett is also a former Mid-Ohio victor, winning there on his way to the 2004 series championship.

Angelelli and Frisselle, in the No. 10 SunTrust Ford Dallara, are among the teams seeking their first victory of 2009. The two are coming off three consecutive podium finishes, including seconds at New Jersey Motorsports Park and Watkins Glen.



Defending Winner Keen Shares GT Point Lead

Leh Keen and Dirk Werner, co-drivers of the No. 87 Farnbacher Loles Racing Porsche GT3, won their second race of the season at Watkins Glen to take over the lead in the battle for the Acxiom GT championship. The pair leads Spencer Pumpelly, who has finished sixth or better in every race, by eight points (151-143).

Keen is the defending GT winner of the EMCO Gears Classic. Last year, Keen co-drove with Eric Lux, who will share the team's No. 86 Farnbacher Loles Racing Porsche GT3 with Dominik Farnbacher this weekend.

"We're definitely sitting where we want to be in the points," Keen said. "Having won last year at Mid-Ohio, we've got a wealth of confidence coming into this race. The team is doing outstanding work and I've a heck of a co-driver in Dirk Werner. We're really looking forward to this weekend and Daytona (July 4) after that."

Pumpelly will co-drive with Duncan Ende in the No. 66 AXA/DigiTrust Group Porsche GT3, one of four TRG entries. Rolex 24 winners Andy Lally and Justin Marks will share TRG's No. 67 No Fear Energy Drink/Construct Corp. Porsche GT3.

Defending Rolex Series GT champions Paul Edwards and Kelly Collins return in the No. 07 Banner Racing Pontiac GXP.R. They are third in the points, 11 behind the leader (151-140).

Dempsey Racing, with drivers Joe Foster and Patrick Dempsey in the No. 40 El Grado Tequila Mazda RX-8, backed up four consecutive top-10 finishes with a ninth in the GT2 class at last weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans. Dempsey finished a career-best seventh at New Jersey Motorsports Park, a result he matched at Watkins Glen.

Practice for the EMCO Gears Classic begins at 9:30 a.m. Friday, with qualifying at 5:10 p.m. Friday. The weekend also includes a pair of Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge races, with a Grand Sport race at 1:45 p.m. Saturday and a Street Tuner event at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. For additional information, visit www.grand-am.com or go to www.twitter.com/RolexSeries for weekend updates.

News used with permission from the Grand American Series.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Landspeed record video

A video I shot during the recent LSR 2009 in Cincinnati Ohio.

A link to coverage on Home Racing World.com.

Boss Bodies-dirt modified car


From Boss Bodies:

"We've released a new body that's a little different from what we usually do. This is an asphalt modified which is a direct for the Parma Womp, Champion Thumper, Legends, and Modified chassis. The body is 2.5" wide at its widest point and has a 3" wheelbase. The width makes it very easy to also mount on most plastic 1/32 chassis. If you look at the picture showing the body unpainted, you can see that this is an offset (most body mass to the inside of the turn).

Special thanks to Rick Lugg (paint and build of this model) for making our stuff look great."

Monday, June 15, 2009

Busch/Speed to race Daytona Prototypes in Grand Am Series

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 15, 2009) - Three-time Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Daytona Prototype team champion Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will field a second entry for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch and Scott Speed in the July 4 Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

The race will be televised live on SPEED at 2 p.m. ET.

The duo will make their Grand-Am Rolex Series debut piloting the No. 02 Waste Management Lexus Riley alongside defending Rolex Series Daytona Prototype champions Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas in the No. 01 TELMEX Lexus Riley. The team is the defending winner of the Brumos Porsche 250, with Pruett executing a last-lap pass in the trioval to beat Alex Gurney to the checkered flag last July. Pruett and Rojas won their first race of 2009 at Watkins Glen International last weekend to capture a share of the Daytona Prototype point lead.

"I am really looking forward to seeing Kyle and Scott in one of our Grand-Am cars," Ganassi said. "Kyle is one of the best racecar drivers in the world and Scott is a young talent with a lot of road course experience. Also, I think having the opportunity for them to work with a road course veteran like Scott Pruett should make for a great experience for them. It will be exciting to see what they can do."

Since the team's introduction into the Grand-Am Rolex Series in 2004, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates has won the Rolex 24 At Daytona three consecutive times, in addition to capturing three Daytona Prototype team championships and winning 22 races in a six-year span. Last season, Pruett became the first two-time Daytona Prototype champion and Rojas became the first Mexican driver to win a major racing championship in the United States.

Currently, Busch is the leading winner in all three of NASCAR's stock car national touring series. He won three events in Sprint Cup competition in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 M&M's Toyota and is ranked ninth in the point standings, in position to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. In the Nationwide Series, he has four victories and leads the point standings. Busch also has two victories to share the lead in Camping World Truck Series competition in wins. Last year, the 24-year-old native of Las Vegas, Nev. won a record 21 races in the three series.

Prior to moving to stock cars, Speed raced in Formula One, making 28 starts in 2006 and 2007 for Scuderia Toro Rosso. A 2008 winner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Speed is ranked second in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings behind Joey Logano. The 26-year-old native of Manteca, Calif. was fifth in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway in April at the wheel of the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota.

The Brumos Porsche 250 will be a one-day show on July 4, with practice beginning at 8:30 a.m. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will follow the two-and-a-half hour race with the 8 p.m. Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola.

David Brabham on top of the world!

David Brabham on Speed Freaks Radio, list at this link.

I must admit I had not heard of SpeedFreaks radio before but I will be listening to it regularly from now on.

Wellsboro Rally Video-Pastrana, Block

A video I shot recently in Wellsboro, Pa. of a Rally America race featuring Ken Block and Travis Pastrana.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Happy Birthday Raidslotworld!


A photo from slotbrother David at Raidslotworld.blogspot.com, congrats David on your second anniversary!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Flying Lizard LeMans deco and radio link


Here's a team photo from the Flying Lizard Motorsports team.(credit:Bob Chapman)

And check this link for the official FLMS radio internet feed.

http://powerlink.powerstream.net/002/00324/live2.asx

Check out the Lizard's blog at this link during LeMans. They update frequently during races so it's a good thing to keep an eye on.

http://lizardms09.blogspot.com/

New Ferrari 360 Modena GTC

Thursday, June 11, 2009

LeMans Miniatures Porsche 962-Jochen Dauer

Historique / Historical background :
Réf. / Item number : 132035M
Code barre / barre code : 3700474500422

Based on a model presented at the Frankfort Exhibition by Jochen Dauer, the strategy and development of the Porsche 962 for the 1994 24 hours of Le Mans began with the optimum interpretation of ACO's regulations by Porsche's N. Singer and R. Joest. By ratifying a sport racing car in the GT category, they succeeded in challenging the very nature of endurance racing. Its success was accomplished by many changes made to the original model.

Never had a Porsche 962 been so long (4995 cm) and with such improved engine performance. This was the work of the wizard R. Joest (cooling system, water cooler with a heat exchanger for the engine oil and cooling the gear oil in the heat exchanger). The talent, tenacity and reliability of drivers were also major factors in achieving the victory. However the narrow width of tires (only 14“), the small diameter of wheels, and the heavy weight of the cars created problems with the tires and suspensions that consequently caused them to waste precious seconds at the end of the race, especially for the number 35 car.

The two qualified in the 5th and 7th positions and immediately mounted a challenge to the pole-sitting and favoured Toyota. While car number 35 was soon threatened with problems of tires and suspension, number 36, driven by Dalmas, showed either some doubt about the reliability of the car. In the evening the time required to change its left rear transmission system relegated it to the 6th position, 3 laps down. After 9 hours racing, only 10 seconds separated the Dauer n°35 and the Toyota in front. In the morning while Boutsen won the fastest lap (3'52”54) the transmission suffered and its change caused them to lose 3 laps on the “Fat” as Irvine continued on his march on victory. Then just 98 minutes from the end, the Toyota with Krosnoff, rolled to a stop on the wrong side of the pit wall with the gear in neutral and lost the lead. The two Porsches ran first and second in the closing stages, one lap apart. Nevertheless, on the next to last lap, Irvine passed the German car number 35 at the Ford Chicane and fended off Boutsen's last challenge at the finish line to give the Porsches a first and third place.

La stratégie de développement de la Porsche 962 des 24 Heures du Mans 1994 basée sur la 962 Jochen Dauer présentée au Salon de Francfort repose sur l'exploitation optimale du règlement A.C.O par Porsche - Norbert Singer et Reinhold Joest. En homologuant une voiture de course en catégorie GT, ils sont sans conteste parvenus à défier toute logique. Mais c'est sur le travail apporté au modèle d'origine que la victoire s'est construite.

Jamais en effet une Porsche 962 n'avait été aussi longue et n'avait eu une telle capacité moteur, résultat du travail du sorcier Reinhold Joest (système de refroidissement de la boîte et du moteur par le circuit général…). Mais il a aussi fallu compter sur la fiabilité et la ténacité des pilotes. Seul bémol au succès de Porsche, la petite largeur des pneus et le petit diamètre des roues ainsi que le poids important de la voiture qui ont sollicité les pneus et les suspensions leur faisant perdre des secondes qui à la fin se sont avérées précieuses notamment pour la n°35.
Les deux voitures qualifiées en 5ème et 7ème positions aux essais menacent dès les premières heures de course les Toyota pourtant favorites. Si la voiture n°35 bute sur quelques sorties de route, des problèmes de pneus et de suspension, dans le même temps on doute de la fiabilité de la « Fat » pilotée par Dalmas. Le changement de sa transmission arrière gauche l'immobilise d'ailleurs en début de soirée et la relègue au 6ème rang à 3 tours des leaders.

Après 9 heures de course pourtant dix secondes seulement séparent la Dauer n°35 de la Toyota de tête. Mais au matin, alors que Boutsen remporte le record définitif du meilleur tour, la transmission souffre et son changement lui fait perdre 3 tours sur la Fat et la Toyota d'Irvine qui continue a priori sa marche triomphale. A 2 heures de l'arrivée, ironie du sort ou infortune, la Toyota s'arrête devant les tribunes face aux stands commandes de boîte de vitesse bloquées et perd la première place. A l'avant dernier tour pourtant revirement de situation, au virage Ford Irvine passe devant la Shell et vole la deuxième place définitive du classement derrière la Porsche n°36.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

IRL testing at the Glen

Oh that smile! Milka Duno walks through the garages at Watkins Glen before taking to the track for some testing June 9, 2009.

Marco Andretti lifts his visor as he enter pit lane during testing at the Glen.

See all the photos at this link on SCXWorldWide.com.

Photos copyright Dave Kennedy/Slot Car News/SCXWorldWide.com

Bryan Young sets up the SCP-1D controller

SCX's Bryan Young sets up his Slot It SCP-1D controller for his SCX-Digital system.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Sideways Daytona Prototype review


Written by Harry Wise of Home Racing World:

Once again I am late to a slot car party. No excuses really, just with everything coming in our hobby it is very difficult to keep up. I have wanted to try one of these models for quite awhile now and for good reasons. First and foremost is the feedback I read from our forum members. It appeared RACER has really hit a home run with this series of models. With one of the latest in my hands it was time to see what this model is all about.

It arrived safe and sound from BRS Hobbies and my first impressions were very favorable. I am no expert on the 1:1 series of these cars, with only recently starting to follow them. I will say that according to photos found across our internet it appears they have done an excellent job recreating it in 1/32nd scale.

Hopefully the photos you have already seen and the ones here help you appreciate this model. To my eyes this model is simply fantastic. The level of detail is enough to satisfy even the hard core enthusiast.

Visible engine detail right down to the Ford markings with the roll bar thrown in really draws you in closer.

Read the full review at this link on Home Racing World.

Flying Lizard gives you Wing(s)!!!

See http://www.lizardms.com/store.htm to stock up for LeMans... even if "LeMans" for you happens in front of the TV

Also, check out this link to order a piece of the Lizard Porsche itself!!!
http://www.lizardms.com/store/12.htm#44wing

LeMans Miniatures Porsche 962-FATurbo


Historique / Historical background :
Réf. / Item number : 132036M
Code barre / barre code : 3700474500439

Based on a model presented at the Frankfort Exhibition by Jochen Dauer, the strategy and development of the Porsche 962 for the 1994 24 hours of Le Mans began with the optimum interpretation of ACO's regulations by Porsche's N. Singer and R. Joest. By ratifying a sport racing car in the GT category, they succeeded in challenging the very nature of endurance racing. Its success was accomplished by many changes made to the original model.

Never had a Porsche 962 been so long (4995 cm) and with such improved engine performance. This was the work of the wizard R. Joest (cooling system, water cooler with a heat exchanger for the engine oil and cooling the gear oil in the heat exchanger). The talent, tenacity and reliability of drivers were also major factors in achieving the victory. However the narrow width of tires (only 14“), the small diameter of wheels, and the heavy weight of the cars created problems with the tires and suspensions that consequently caused them to waste precious seconds at the end of the race, especially for the number 35 car.

The two qualified in the 5th and 7th positions and immediately mounted a challenge to the pole-sitting and favoured Toyota. While car number 35 was soon threatened with problems of tires and suspension, number 36, driven by Dalmas, showed either some doubt about the reliability of the car. In the evening the time required to change its left rear transmission system relegated it to the 6th position, 3 laps down. After 9 hours racing, only 10 seconds separated the Dauer n°35 and the Toyota in front. In the morning while Boutsen won the fastest lap (3'52”54) the transmission suffered and its change caused them to lose 3 laps on the “Fat” as Irvine continued on his march on victory. Then just 98 minutes from the end, the Toyota with Krosnoff, rolled to a stop on the wrong side of the pit wall with the gear in neutral and lost the lead. The two Porsches ran first and second in the closing stages, one lap apart. Nevertheless, on the next to last lap, Irvine passed the German car number 35 at the Ford Chicane and fended off Boutsen's last challenge at the finish line to give the Porsches a first and third place.

La stratégie de développement de la Porsche 962 des 24 Heures du Mans 1994 basée sur la 962 Jochen Dauer présentée au Salon de Francfort repose sur l'exploitation optimale du règlement A.C.O par Porsche - Norbert Singer et Reinhold Joest. En homologuant une voiture de course en catégorie GT, ils sont sans conteste parvenus à défier toute logique. Mais c'est sur le travail apporté au modèle d'origine que la victoire s'est construite.

Jamais en effet une Porsche 962 n'avait été aussi longue et n'avait eu une telle capacité moteur, résultat du travail du sorcier Reinhold Joest (système de refroidissement de la boîte et du moteur par le circuit général…). Mais il a aussi fallu compter sur la fiabilité et la ténacité des pilotes. Seul bémol au succès de Porsche, la petite largeur des pneus et le petit diamètre des roues ainsi que le poids important de la voiture qui ont sollicité les pneus et les suspensions leur faisant perdre des secondes qui à la fin se sont avérées précieuses notamment pour la n°35.
Les deux voitures qualifiées en 5ème et 7ème positions aux essais menacent dès les premières heures de course les Toyota pourtant favorites. Si la voiture n°35 bute sur quelques sorties de route, des problèmes de pneus et de suspension, dans le même temps on doute de la fiabilité de la « Fat » pilotée par Dalmas. Le changement de sa transmission arrière gauche l'immobilise d'ailleurs en début de soirée et la relègue au 6ème rang à 3 tours des leaders.

Après 9 heures de course pourtant dix secondes seulement séparent la Dauer n°35 de la Toyota de tête. Mais au matin, alors que Boutsen remporte le record définitif du meilleur tour, la transmission souffre et son changement lui fait perdre 3 tours sur la Fat et la Toyota d'Irvine qui continue a priori sa marche triomphale. A 2 heures de l'arrivée, ironie du sort ou infortune, la Toyota s'arrête devant les tribunes face aux stands commandes de boîte de vitesse bloquées et perd la première place. A l'avant dernier tour pourtant revirement de situation, au virage Ford Irvine passe devant la Shell et vole la deuxième place définitive du classement derrière la Porsche n°36.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Prince of Sweden races Porsche in Gothenburg City Race

HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden spent the Swedish national day, June 6, on the city race arena in Gothenburg, Sweden, participating in the STCC Gothenburg City Race. During two days, drivers compete in four classes: STCC, Camaro Cup, JTCC and Carrera Cup. The prince inherited his interest in motor sports from his father, but also his godfather and uncle, Prince Bertil, whose passion for fast cars and racing gave him the nickname "The Motor-prince". The City Race Arena in Gothenburg is located in the city centre by the Gota River overlooking the Gothenburg Opera house. This year's competitions gathered 21,000 spectators. Available video includes shots of HRH Prince Carl Philip driving and general views of the race.

Maserati GT MC video

The new Maserati GranTurismo MC on the track during the FIA GT "Media Days" at the Paul Ricard circuit.

AutoArt June/July releases





Estimated Product Availability - June 2009

Item No. Description
12546 1/12 DUCATI GT 1000 (RED)

74503 1/18 LAMBORGHINI ESPADA (GOLD)
74504 1/18 LAMBORGHINI ESPADA (RED)
74591 1/18 LAMBORGHINI REVENTON(GREY)
77401 1/18 NISSAN FAIRLADY Z VERSION NISMO (TYPE 380RS) 2007 (BRILLIANT SILVER)
77402 1/18 NISSAN FAIRLADY Z VERSION NISMO (TYPE 380RS) 2007 (PEARL WHITE)
73118 1/18 SHELBY GT 2007 (BLACK W/ SILVER STRIPES)(LIMITED EDITION OF 3,000 PCS WORLDWIDE)
74803 1/18 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3 2005 (METALLIC GREEN)
73634 1/18 JAGUAR XKR COUPE (MIDNIGHT)
76232 1/18 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 600 1997 (BLACKMETALLIC)
74701 1/18 LANCIA FULVIA 1.6HF FANALONE(ROSSO CORSA/RED)
77913 1/18 PORSCHE 911 1964 (BLUE)
80745 1/18 BMW Z4 COUPE RED BULL SILVERSTONE 2007 J.CAMPBELL-WALTER/JOHANNES STUCK/D.WERNER/D.QUESTER #1
80649 1/18 BMW Z4 COUPE TEAM SCHUBERT 2006 H.STUCK/M.HENNERICI/C.HURTGEN #676
80890 1/18 SUBARU IMPREZA WRC 2008 P.SOLBERG #5 (RALLY OF MONTE CARLO)

54612 1/43 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA(METALLIC BLACK)
54613 1/43 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA(TELESTO GREY)

75331 1/18 LOTUS CORTINA MKI (WHITE)
77901 1/18 PORSCHE 928(MINERVA BLUE METALLIC)
77902 1/18 PORSCHE 928(WHITE)
70906 1/18 BUGATTI EB 16.4 VEYRON PRODUCTION CAR (BLACK/RED)

Estimated Product Availability-July 2009

Item No. Description
12547 1/12 DUCATI GT 1000 (SILVER)
12551 1/12 DUCATI SPORT 1000 (RED)

12102 1/12 FORD GT (RED W/WHITE STRIPE)
12117 1/12 PORSCHE 997 GT3 RS (ORANGE W/ BLACK STRIPES)

76231 1/18 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 600 1997 (SILVER)
74807 1/18 RANGE ROVER SPORT 2006 (BLACK)
79502 1/18 VOLVO 850R SEDAN 1996(BLACK)
78781 1/18 TOYOTA CELICA 1600GT(TA22) (WHITE)
73633 1/18 JAGUAR XKR COUPE (LIQUID SILVER)
73638 1/18 JAGUAR XKR CONVERTIBLE (MIDNIGHT)
74702 1/18 LANCIA FULVIA 1.6HF FANALONE(AZZURRO HF/BLUE)
80806 1/18 ASTON MARTIN DBR9 LEMANS 2008 (GULF LIVERY)

54611 1/43 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA(BOREALIS ORANGE)
54614 1/43 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA(GIALLO MIDAS/METALLIC YELLOW)
54615 1/43 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA(MONOCERUS/METALLIC WHITE)

13164 1/32 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO POLICE CAR SLOT CAR

70907 1/18 BUGATTI EB 16.4 VEYRON PRODUCTION CAR (BLACK/BLUE)
74574 1/18 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO (METALLIC SILVER)
74571 1/18 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO (METALLIC YELLOW)