Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
These are Nice V'dubs
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
Travel delayed posts
Sorry until not update until now I've been on a plane. Updates will be posted as normal.
CAT 5110B Hydraulic Excavator - diecast review
The Cat 5110B Hydraulic Excavator from Norcsot was a magnificent piece of equipment.
The model was extremely well detailed and contained many independent working parts. Each section of hydraulics on the arm worked beautifully and did not interfere with any of the other parts at all. The hydraulic hoses were laid out perfectly and ran up and down the arms on both sides.
The excavator was well balanced and did not tip while it was rotating 360’ with the arm extended. The cab design was open and easily visible through the large windows and the entrance walk with railings was also well designed. The metal tracks on this model worked very well although I would caution putting this model on a soft wood surface as the tracks may damage the wood due to the tread design and weight of the model. The Cat 5110B is one of the larger excavators produce by CAT and this model certainly shows off the size power of the real deal.
For any person who collects construction equipment this model should certainly become and integral part of that collection.
The model was extremely well detailed and contained many independent working parts. Each section of hydraulics on the arm worked beautifully and did not interfere with any of the other parts at all. The hydraulic hoses were laid out perfectly and ran up and down the arms on both sides.The excavator was well balanced and did not tip while it was rotating 360’ with the arm extended. The cab design was open and easily visible through the large windows and the entrance walk with railings was also well designed. The metal tracks on this model worked very well although I would caution putting this model on a soft wood surface as the tracks may damage the wood due to the tread design and weight of the model. The Cat 5110B is one of the larger excavators produce by CAT and this model certainly shows off the size power of the real deal.
For any person who collects construction equipment this model should certainly become and integral part of that collection.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Carrera Car of Tomorrow Nascar - review
Nascar has gone the way of the IRL, all the same cars just different paint jobs. Although I like the IRL, don’t get me wrong it can be some great racing, it also can be boring as all get out. I truly hope NASCAR does not follow the same path with this new car.
Carrera has stepped up to the plate with their new C.O.T. The looks are stunning. Spot on to the real car. The small details show through and make it stand out, but then Carrera has always made good looking cars. The body is molded in orange and has a nice color to it. Clean and crisp tampo printing is found throughout the car.
The overall shape seems accurate and placement of sponsors logos and numbers are also spot on. There is no mistaking what this car is even though some of us never liked the idea of the COT, and we are stuck with it. The rear wing snaps off, good thing for me.
The interior is well done, good paint, fairly high level of detail and I believe it will pass muster for most slot enthusiast.
The wheels are a two piece design and seem to have extra glue on them that will need to be removed and the tires are relatively flat but sanding and truing will never hurt.
The car for me was a little hard to get a handle on. I am used to braking late and charging hard out of the corner, and this car did not like this. I found the best lap time from this car was achieved with early braking and a smooth rolling on of the power starting from the apex of the corner.
This has the drop away rear pod. What a great feature! I would love to have a few of these pods and have different gearing and motors in each one. How easy car tuning would be. Bring the wrong gearing/motor setups for the track, no problem just swap the pod. This car is digital conversion ready.
Regards, Frank
Friday, January 04, 2008
A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally
Lisbon, Friday the 4th of January 2008
A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally
After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.
Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.
A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.
A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world’s biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.
The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports.
A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally
After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.
Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.
A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.
A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world’s biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.
The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Vote for your favorites!
Slot Car Illustrated.com is holding the first readers choice awards, and you can vote (if you're a member, at this link. Awards will be handed out to the winners during the Toyfair in Nurnberg. There's no better way to let the slot companies hear your voices than to vote for what you think are the best slot cars of the year.
DaveK
DaveK
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
SCX Vintage BRM F1 - Review
Vintage F1 slot racing takes you back to the way we used to do it in the 1960's, when our rules allowed nearly anything, as long as the wheels were open. Of course, traction magnets had not yet been invented; and so, this SCX car has no magnet. SCX has revived the BRM P261, with vintage RX motor. The BRM P261 poses beside its predecessor, a vac-body P578 (driven to a word championship by Graham Hill in 1962). The SCX car was raced 1964-1965, under F1 rules requiring 1.5L engines; its V-8 produced 200+ HP.
Graham Hill is in command, with his helmet marked for the London Rowing Club; the white arrows are oar blades. Graham has the motor whirring in his belly. The motor bearing is surrounded by a white felt pad, intended to hold a reserve of oil against the Oilite. This is the way it was done, when motors usually lived in HO/OO locomotives, and were oiled once a year, if that.
The V-8 engine has 16 inlet stacks. In reality, this model of BRM should have only four per side (the upper row), and only two exhaust stacks (the ones on top of the engine). Suspension detail is heavy; but, in my opinion, the car's virtues outweigh its faults.
Here is a view of the venerable inline, open frame, single magnet motor. The SCX RX motor is a direct descendant of the Triang motor used in Scalextric cars in the 1960's, including the stub brackets which anchor the motor into the clamshell body at the gear end. Downforce from the block magnet measures only 5 grams on a Magnet Marshall; the tach reads 19,500 RPM on 12 volts. But look out for that wide track, caused by over-long axles front and rear:
Trimming the ends of the axles at least .1" on each side (2.5mm) brought the wheels closer in to the suspension; the narrower track increased cornering speed:
Fresh out of the box, the BRM turned a 6.766 second best lap on my 61 foot wood track, at 13.6 volts. Sanding the wheels concentric, and remounting the tires more carefully, resulted in the best time improved to 6.669. Sanding the tires true reduced time to 6.212. Narrowing the track reduced time further, to 6.125. Almost ready to take on the Ninco NC-1 crowd! Still more tire truing brought time to 5.984; finally a contender. The SCX BRM handles smoothly and predictably, with no problems after the wheels and tires are trued. The gears mesh smoothly, there is no excessive rear axle play; overall weight, and weight distribution seems good. The car is fun to drive, and presents a good argument for low-power, no-magnet racing, at less than insane speeds.
Now, if you want this car to go faster, I can tell you it does go faster with Slot.It 15x8mm wheels (5.876 sec), and stock tires. With 8mm wide Super Tires, 5.562. Still no handling vices! What a car. No hop, very smooth, and faster than Scalextric 1.5L F1 cars (Ferrari and Cooper). The motor can be tuned to rev about 1,000 RPM faster by bending the hairpin brush spring to exert more pressure; this gained a slight increase in track speed, to 5.551. Meanwhile, here is a link to a good reference site on BRM F1 cars:
http://members.madasafish.com/~d_hodgkinson/brm-P261.htm
Thanks to SCX for the review sample car.
Graham Hill is in command, with his helmet marked for the London Rowing Club; the white arrows are oar blades. Graham has the motor whirring in his belly. The motor bearing is surrounded by a white felt pad, intended to hold a reserve of oil against the Oilite. This is the way it was done, when motors usually lived in HO/OO locomotives, and were oiled once a year, if that.
The V-8 engine has 16 inlet stacks. In reality, this model of BRM should have only four per side (the upper row), and only two exhaust stacks (the ones on top of the engine). Suspension detail is heavy; but, in my opinion, the car's virtues outweigh its faults.
Here is a view of the venerable inline, open frame, single magnet motor. The SCX RX motor is a direct descendant of the Triang motor used in Scalextric cars in the 1960's, including the stub brackets which anchor the motor into the clamshell body at the gear end. Downforce from the block magnet measures only 5 grams on a Magnet Marshall; the tach reads 19,500 RPM on 12 volts. But look out for that wide track, caused by over-long axles front and rear:
Trimming the ends of the axles at least .1" on each side (2.5mm) brought the wheels closer in to the suspension; the narrower track increased cornering speed:
Fresh out of the box, the BRM turned a 6.766 second best lap on my 61 foot wood track, at 13.6 volts. Sanding the wheels concentric, and remounting the tires more carefully, resulted in the best time improved to 6.669. Sanding the tires true reduced time to 6.212. Narrowing the track reduced time further, to 6.125. Almost ready to take on the Ninco NC-1 crowd! Still more tire truing brought time to 5.984; finally a contender. The SCX BRM handles smoothly and predictably, with no problems after the wheels and tires are trued. The gears mesh smoothly, there is no excessive rear axle play; overall weight, and weight distribution seems good. The car is fun to drive, and presents a good argument for low-power, no-magnet racing, at less than insane speeds.
Now, if you want this car to go faster, I can tell you it does go faster with Slot.It 15x8mm wheels (5.876 sec), and stock tires. With 8mm wide Super Tires, 5.562. Still no handling vices! What a car. No hop, very smooth, and faster than Scalextric 1.5L F1 cars (Ferrari and Cooper). The motor can be tuned to rev about 1,000 RPM faster by bending the hairpin brush spring to exert more pressure; this gained a slight increase in track speed, to 5.551. Meanwhile, here is a link to a good reference site on BRM F1 cars:
http://members.madasafish.com/~d_hodgkinson/brm-P261.htm
Thanks to SCX for the review sample car.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Slot Car News - Cars of the Year
PeteN95 goes first:
My choice for slot car of the year is the Spirit Peugeot series, both the touring and silhouette versions. While I love a beautiful model, I am basically a “go fast guy”. So the reasons for choosing this car are performance oriented. First, it is the fastest stock out of box car I have ever bought, non magnet. Admittedly, the high magnetic down force off the Spirit motor helps on my plastic track, there are several other reasons why this car is so good. The very powerful long can motor is mounted in the angle winder configuration, which is the best balanced of all layouts when not using added weight. The car also comes with very good tires, which surprised me a bit, because previous Spirit cars have had very poor tires, at least on my track. The tires on the Peugeots, while fairly hard, grip tenaciously on my Scalextric Sport layout, about like some of the best silicone aftermarket tires. The cars are also pretty light with moderately detailed, flat pan interiors.
Second, and the primary reason these cars are so quick, is the completely adjustable front and rear axle setup. The front axle is controlled by 4 set screws like the ones on Alloy gears or wheels, 2 above, 2 below. You can set the exact height and exact amount of play you want, if any, in both directions. In the back there is a very adjustable, but simple sprung motor pod with only 3 screws attaching it. The 2 screws at the rear set spring preload, without affecting ride height like the Fly racing Evo 3 pod. You can put spacers inside the springs to limit travel or use different rate springs. At the front is a pivot screw which sets the amount of twisting movement of the rear axle and pod, sort of like an adjustable sway bar. With these many adjustments, you can set this car to any track or any drivers preferences. I can’t wait to see the new Spirit Courage, it looks to have possibly an even better chassis setup!?!
Frank and Mike agree:
We think that the AFX cars are not only a great Slot Car but are changing the HO slot world. This is one of the biggest shifts to happen, bringing the HO cars from a toyish look to a real collector class. The new GT40s by Racemasters are by far the most realistic and detailed HO scale body ever done.
Frank also likes the 1/32 Carrera Flying Lizard Porsche 911 RSR, best out of the box, it would also win in the looks dept. Also Carrera should be recognized for their drop out pod system.
Terry Noe's choice:
My choice for 2007 car of the year would be the 1/24th scale BRM* Porsche 962C, Kenwood (white) #10. BRM came through in a big way for slot car enthusaists when it released six 962C's in 2007. My personal favorite is the #10 Kenwood car. The attention to detail and performance is simply amazing. I had the opportunity to race each of the six 962C's available at Chicagoland Raceway and due to the 1/24 size, the cars are so life like when they race its just a thrill to race them.
Robert Livingston's pick:
My Car of the Year is the Slot.It McLaren F1 GTR.
This car has an accurately rendered body, and is a fine racer out of
the box. I was impressed how our test car showed high cornering
speed, and nearly perfect balance, rivaling the better cars prepared
for the limited-modification Slot.It Shoot Out proxy race. The
improved wide-clearance holes for the pod screws really make a
difference. This car is a benchmark for box-stock performance, and is
priced low in comparison to other race-ready slot cars.
Rob Livingston
And my pick:
The SCX Pro Audi...I've been thinking about this for some time now. There were two cars this year that impressed me above and beyond the others. The Slot It McLaren is a fantastic car, it's great on plastic and it's a world beater on wood tracks...but then we'd expect that from Slot It wouldn't we? But we thought maybe we had SCX all figured out didn't we? RTR cars...plastic wheels, press on crown gear, you know...the usual. But that isn't what they gave us this year, they gave us a car with set screw parts, in other words they went out of a limb. They gave us a car, that in our recent testing after being tuned slightly, the SCX Pro Audi is AS FAST as a stock Slot It car WITH the standard Pro Speed motor!
Dave Kennedy
Publisher, Slot Car News
*BRM Distributed in the US by Scaleracing LLC.
My choice for slot car of the year is the Spirit Peugeot series, both the touring and silhouette versions. While I love a beautiful model, I am basically a “go fast guy”. So the reasons for choosing this car are performance oriented. First, it is the fastest stock out of box car I have ever bought, non magnet. Admittedly, the high magnetic down force off the Spirit motor helps on my plastic track, there are several other reasons why this car is so good. The very powerful long can motor is mounted in the angle winder configuration, which is the best balanced of all layouts when not using added weight. The car also comes with very good tires, which surprised me a bit, because previous Spirit cars have had very poor tires, at least on my track. The tires on the Peugeots, while fairly hard, grip tenaciously on my Scalextric Sport layout, about like some of the best silicone aftermarket tires. The cars are also pretty light with moderately detailed, flat pan interiors.Second, and the primary reason these cars are so quick, is the completely adjustable front and rear axle setup. The front axle is controlled by 4 set screws like the ones on Alloy gears or wheels, 2 above, 2 below. You can set the exact height and exact amount of play you want, if any, in both directions. In the back there is a very adjustable, but simple sprung motor pod with only 3 screws attaching it. The 2 screws at the rear set spring preload, without affecting ride height like the Fly racing Evo 3 pod. You can put spacers inside the springs to limit travel or use different rate springs. At the front is a pivot screw which sets the amount of twisting movement of the rear axle and pod, sort of like an adjustable sway bar. With these many adjustments, you can set this car to any track or any drivers preferences. I can’t wait to see the new Spirit Courage, it looks to have possibly an even better chassis setup!?!
Frank and Mike agree:
We think that the AFX cars are not only a great Slot Car but are changing the HO slot world. This is one of the biggest shifts to happen, bringing the HO cars from a toyish look to a real collector class. The new GT40s by Racemasters are by far the most realistic and detailed HO scale body ever done.
Frank also likes the 1/32 Carrera Flying Lizard Porsche 911 RSR, best out of the box, it would also win in the looks dept. Also Carrera should be recognized for their drop out pod system.
Terry Noe's choice:
My choice for 2007 car of the year would be the 1/24th scale BRM* Porsche 962C, Kenwood (white) #10. BRM came through in a big way for slot car enthusaists when it released six 962C's in 2007. My personal favorite is the #10 Kenwood car. The attention to detail and performance is simply amazing. I had the opportunity to race each of the six 962C's available at Chicagoland Raceway and due to the 1/24 size, the cars are so life like when they race its just a thrill to race them.Robert Livingston's pick:
My Car of the Year is the Slot.It McLaren F1 GTR.This car has an accurately rendered body, and is a fine racer out of
the box. I was impressed how our test car showed high cornering
speed, and nearly perfect balance, rivaling the better cars prepared
for the limited-modification Slot.It Shoot Out proxy race. The
improved wide-clearance holes for the pod screws really make a
difference. This car is a benchmark for box-stock performance, and is
priced low in comparison to other race-ready slot cars.
Rob Livingston
And my pick:
The SCX Pro Audi...I've been thinking about this for some time now. There were two cars this year that impressed me above and beyond the others. The Slot It McLaren is a fantastic car, it's great on plastic and it's a world beater on wood tracks...but then we'd expect that from Slot It wouldn't we? But we thought maybe we had SCX all figured out didn't we? RTR cars...plastic wheels, press on crown gear, you know...the usual. But that isn't what they gave us this year, they gave us a car with set screw parts, in other words they went out of a limb. They gave us a car, that in our recent testing after being tuned slightly, the SCX Pro Audi is AS FAST as a stock Slot It car WITH the standard Pro Speed motor!Dave Kennedy
Publisher, Slot Car News
*BRM Distributed in the US by Scaleracing LLC.
AutoArt December & January releases
80706 1/18 ASTON MARTIN DBR9 LEMANS GT1 CLASS WINNER 2007 D.BRABHAM/R.RYDELL/D.TURNER #009
80647 1/18 BMW 320Si WTCC 2006 TEAM GERMANY #42 (J.MULLER)
80648 1/18 BMW 320Si WTCC 2006 TEAM GERMANY #43 (D.MULLER)
73053 1/18 FORD SHELBY COBRA GT500 PRODUCTION CAR (RED W/ WHITE STRIPES)(LIMITED EDITION OF 6000PCS WORLDWIDE)
73054 1/18 FORD SHELBY COBRA GT500 PRODUCTION CAR (BLACK W/ WHITE STRIPES)(LIMITED EDITION OF 6000PCS WORLDWIDE)
80497 1/18 HONDA NSX JGTC 2004 RAYBRING #100
80498 1/18 HONDA NSX JGTC 2004 TAKATA DOME #18
80499 1/18 HONDA NSX JGTC 2004 EPSON #32
75361 1/18 LOTUS EXIGE (SILVER)
75362 1/18 LOTUS EXIGE (ORANGE)
75363 1/18 LOTUS EXIGE (BLACK)
80783 1/18 PORSCHE 997 GT3 CUP PLAIN BODY VERSION (WHITE)
80784 1/18 PORSCHE 911(997) GT3 CUP 2007"PENTHOUSE" M.BRUCKL #24
80785 1/18 PORSCHE 997 GT3 CUP 2007 TEAM JEBSEN D.O'YOUNG #55 (LIMITED EDITION OF 2000PCS WORLDWIDE)
80717 1/18 TRD FJ CRUISER 2007
59001 1/43 KOENIGSEGG CCX (ORANGE)
59002 1/43 KOENIGSEGG CCX (BLACK)
59003 1/43 KOENIGSEGG CCX(SILVER)
80501 1/18 ASTON MARTIN DB9R 24 HRS LEMANS 2005 PLAIN BODY VERSION (SILVER)
80503 1/18 ASTON MARTIN DB9R 24 HRS LEMANS 2005 PLAIN BODY VERSION (GREEN)
Estimated product availability - Jan 2008
80608 1/18 ASTON MARTIN DBR9 "RED BULL" WINNER OF MUGELLO 2006 #33
80609 1/18 ASTON MARTIN DBR9 "RED BULL" SPA 2006 #33
80645 1/18 BMW M3 GTR3 INTERLAGOS 2005 RED BULL #11
80646 1/18 BMW 320Si WTCC 2006 PLAIN BODY VERSION (WHITE)
73072 1/18 FORD SHELBY GR-1 CONCEPT(SILVER METALLIC/TUNGSTEN GREY METALLIC STRIPES)
73073 1/18 FORD SHELBY GR-1 CONCEPT(GUARDSMAN BLUE/WHITE STIPRES)
72745 1/18 MAD MAX THE ROAD WARRIOR INTERCEPTOR
80576 1/18 NISSAN FAIRLADY Z SUPER GT 2005 XANAVI NISMO #1 (ROUND 1 SUZUKA)
80579 1/18 NISSAN FAIRLADY Z SUPER GT 2005 CALSONIC IMPUL Z #12 (ROUND 1 SUZUKA)
80580 1/18 NISSAN FAIRLADY Z SUPER GT 2005 TEST CAR
80789 1/18 PORSCHE 997 GT3 CUP PLAIN BODY VERSION (BLACK)
2008 Slotdiner Calendar
Click on the photo above to get to Felix's site, then go to the downloads section to find the 2008 Calendar. Last year the photos were amazing, this year is worth downloading too!DaveK
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