New Spirit 1/43 Porsche!

Spirit will be getting into the 1/43 market in 2010!
This page is from their 2010 catalog, a friend scanned it for me because I don't yet have a catalog. The photo in the catalog is of a real car, not the slot car. More information when I get details from Spirit.

Porsche 911 Hybrid

Exactly 110 years after Ferdinand Porsche developed the world’s first car with hybrid drive, the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is once again taking up this visionary drive concept in production-based GT racing: During the Geneva Motor Show, a Porsche 911 GT3 R with innovative hybrid drive is making its debut, opening up a new chapter in the history of Porsche with more than 20,000 wins in 45 years scored by the extremely successful Porsche 911 in racing trim.

The innovative hybrid technology featured in the car has been developed especially for racing, standing out significantly in its configuration and components from conventional hybrid systems. In this case, electrical front axle drive with two electric motors developing 60 kW each supplements the 480-bhp four-litre flat-six at the rear of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. A further significant point is that instead of the usual batteries in a hybrid road car, an electrical flywheel power generator fitted in the interior next to the driver delivers energy to the electric motors.

The flywheel generator itself is an electric motor with its rotor spinning at speeds of up to 40,000 rpm, storing energy mechanically as rotation energy. The flywheel generator is charged whenever the driver applies the brakes, with the two electric motors reversing their function on the front axle and acting themselves as generators. Then, whenever necessary, that is when accelerating out of a bend or when overtaking, the driver is able to call up extra energy from the charged flywheel generator, the flywheel being slowed down electromagnetically in the generator mode and thus supplying up to 120 kW to the two electric motors at the front from its kinetic energy. This additional power is available to the driver after each charge process for approximately 6 - 8 seconds.

Energy formerly converted – and thus wasted – into heat upon every application of the brakes, is now highly efficiently converted into additional drive power.

Depending on racing conditions, hybrid drive is used in this case not only for extra power, but also to save fuel. This again increases the efficiency and, accordingly, the performance of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, for example by reducing the weight of the tank or making pitstops less frequent.

After its debut in Geneva the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be tested in long-distance races on the Nürburgring. The highlight of this test programme will be the 24 Hours on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring on May 15th and 16th. The focus is not on the 911 GT3 R Hybrid winning the race, but rather serving as a spearhead in technology and a “racing laboratory” providing know-how on the subsequent use of hybrid technology in road-going sports cars.

The 911 GT3 R Hybrid is a perfect example of the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy, a principle to be found in every Porsche: More power on less fuel, more efficiency and lower CO2 emissions – on the track and on the road.

Slot Car Corner Controller Holders

Slot Car Corner now offers high-quality controller holders which were specifically designed and fabricated with the needs of slot car racers in mind. Tired of accidentally knocking your controller onto the hard floor? Or having someone set their controller down on your track and causing an accident? Let's face it - whether you spend $20, $200 or more on a controller it represents a significant investment that you want to protect. While we can't guarantee our controller holders will completely eliminate the possibility of damage, we can say with confidence they will greatly reduce that risk. If you're looking for an attractive, easy-to-use solution for securing your controller(s) when not in use, look no further! Tested extensively with many aftermarket controllers (any inverted "L" shaped controller should work - some stock set controllers may not). For more information, please visit the Slot Car Corner Online Store (Canadian customers can order from Slot Car Corner Canada).

Note: Controller, driver station and track not included - must be purchased separately.

BMW to race at LeMans in 2010!

http://jalopnik.com/5467950/bmw-registers-for-le-mans-for-the-first-time-in-eleven-years

Check out this link to Jalopnik, BMW will be racing at LeMans this coming year!

LeMans entry list for 2010 for GT2. BMW's there! See the complete list at this link.

N°	LM GT2	PNEU	CAR	DRIVER
.	63	CORVETTE RACING (USA)	MICHELIN	CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 ZR1 (5493A)	Jan MAGNUSSEN (DNK)* Johnny O'CONNELL (USA) Antonio GARCIA (ESP)
.	64	CORVETTE RACING (USA)	MICHELIN	CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 ZR1 (5493A)	Oliver GAVIN (GBR)* Olivier BERETTA (MCO)
#	75	PROSPEED COMPETITION (BEL)	MICHELIN	PORSCHE 911 GT3 RSR (997) (3996A)	Paul Van SPLUNTEREN (NLD)*
	76	IMSA PERFORMANCE MATMUT (FRA)	MICHELIN	PORSCHE 911 GT3 RSR (997) (3996A)	Raymond NARAC (FRA)*
#	77	TEAM FELBERMAYR-PROTON (DEU)	MICHELIN	PORSCHE 911 GT3 RSR (997) (3996A)	Horst FELBERMAYR (AUS)*
.	78	BMW MOTORSPORT (DEU)	DUNLOP	BMW E92 M3 (3999A)	Jörg MULLER (MCO)*
.	79	BMW MOTORSPORT (DEU)	DUNLOP	BMW E92 M3 (3999A)	Andy PRIAULX (GBR)*
#	80	FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORT (USA)	MICHELIN	PORSCHE 911 GT3 RSR (997) (3996A)	Seth NEIMAN (USA)*
.	81	JAGUAR RSR (USA)	YOKOHAMA	JAGUAR XKRS (4998A)	Paul GENTILOZZI (USA)* Scott PRUETT (USA) Marc GOOSENS (BEL)
#	82	RISI COMPETIZIONE (USA)	MICHELIN	FERRARI F 430 GT (3996A)	Tracy KROHN (USA)* Nic JONSSON (SWE)
#	83	RISI COMPETIZIONE (USA)	MICHELIN	FERRARI F 430 GT (3996A)	Jaime MELO (BRA)*
.	84	MODENA GROUP RACING (GBR)	MICHELIN	FERRARI F 430 GT (3996A)	Roman RUSINOV (RUS)*
.	85	SPYKER SQUADRON (NLD)	MICHELIN	SPYKER C8 LAVIOLETTE (3990A)	Tim CORONEL (NLD)*
#	89	HANKOOK - TEAM FARNBACHER (DEU)	HANKOOK	FERRARI F 430 GT (3996A)	Dominik FARNBACHER (DEU)* Allan SIMONSEN (AUS)
#	92	JMW MOTORSPORT (GBR)	DUNLOP	ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE (4475A)	Rob BELL (GBR)*
#	96	AF CORSE SRL (ITA)	MICHELIN	FERRARI F 430 GT (3996A)	Luis PEREZ COMPANC (ARG)* Matias RUSSO (ARG)
#	97	BMS SCUDERIA ITALIA SPA (ITA)	MICHELIN	PORSCHE 911 GT3 RSR (997) (3996A)	Matteo MALUCELLI (ITA)*

Ford GT video

A cool, if somewhat short, video of the Ford GT that's raced in Europe.

New Scaleauto BMW 1/24 shown in Germany

New 1/24 BMW GT2 by Scaleauto shown in Germany. As well as new 1/24 Porsches. No word on when they will arrive in North America.

Slot It 2010 releases

Photos of the Slot It Ford GT40 prototypes, note the different bodies that Maurizio is doing. There are some excellent curves on these prototypes! Bravo!
Below the photo from Gary of MRE shows quite a trio of cars. A Group C Toyota and both Fords.


Check out all of MRE's photos of the Slot It 2010 releases at this link!

New Ninco car shown in Germany

Some photos from Gary of MRE showing some of the Ninco 2010 releases.


Many more photos at this link on MRE's website.

Revell Porsche on the way

A photo from MRE showing one of the new Revell slot cars on the way, a Porsche 550 Spyder. More photos here!

New HPI slot cars shown in Germany

Photos from MRE showing some of the new HPI Skyline's. Visit the MRE website for more photos from HPI.

Nurnberg News Racer/Sideways

Some new cars from Racer on the way, shown in Germany at Toyfair.



Thanks to MRE for allowing use of his photos here!

New Slot It/SCX Digital universal chassis

Slot It will be making a universal SCX Digital chassis based on the HRS2 design (extra points for anyone that knows what "HRS" means BTW). The chip is the V2 chip sourced from SCX. The chassis design is a proven winner on the track. The motor is the orange endbell motor. The chassis will be available as an RTR and kit form chassis.
I don't know pricing yet, and I don't know availability yet. This will allow nearly any body from any 1/32 slot car company to be used on the SCX Digital system.

Hopefully we will be getting these soon to race here in the US. Maurizio has this prototype but I don't think has production samples yet.

This has been a project that Slot It have been working on for some time now. SCX have been working together with Slot It on this project.

Discuss this topic here at this link!

DaveK

2010 Ninco releases

Something new for Ninco, a motor pod design, note the 3 point motor pod in the chassis.

Ninco's 2010 catalog is available here for download.
A few images I pulled from the catalog, MUCH more to see at the link to download.

Xlot cars below, note the addition of the BMW M3 to the line.

Colgate Motion toothbrush motor test

Colgate has entered the slot car world through its toothbrush business. The Colgate Motion toothbrush, its motor shown above front and center, can be bought at stores all over the USA and Canada.

Now, in the land of slot cars, we are used to seeing long can motors, referred to generically as type FK-180, priced from $12.00 to $32.99. Colgate provides an economical alternative, with two AAA batteries (and the rest of the toothbrush) included. Price for the toothbrush with motor and batteries is only $5.00.

Once relieved of its toothbrush, a sample motor tests at 20,240 RPM/12v, with fairly high torque at 317 gcm/12v. Maximum power output is 16 Watts at 12 volts. Comparable-performance slot car motors are the Avant Slot Hunter, BRM T-RS, Ninco NC6, Ninco NC12, NSR King 21, Slot.It Boxer 2, and Spirit SxXx. Some are slightly more powerful, some are slightly less, but this is a well-established power niche that now has a low priced alternative. More motors like this may be found on the Slot Car News Motor List.

The Colgate Motion motor has a fully enclosed case, so magnetic downforce is nil. Holes in the can end are threaded for 2mm screws, the shaft length and diameter is the same as the dedicated slot car motors, and there is a tiny oil hole in the bearing cover on the brush-tab end. Any standard pinions will fit.

Club racers have found this motor to be fast, reliable, and long lasting under race conditions.

SCX's 2010 releases!

Click on the photo!
Please check this link to SCXWorldwide.com which shows the 2010 SCX releases. Please note there will be a Compact C6.R Corvette and AAR Cuda done in 2010 as well.

NJ/NePa BRM Series race video - January

A short video showing some of the NJ/NePA BRM series race from last weekend at The Race Place in New Jersey.

Woz speaks... Toyota should listen

I'm with Woz on this one... hopefully Toyota will finally listen to him.

Toyota recall troubles

A Reuters video about the Toyota recall troubles.

Auto Art Porsche RSR 996-1/24

A photo tour of the new AutoArt 1/24 Porsche 911 RSR 996 slot car recently released.
See this link on the AutoArt website.








The 1/24 Cup cars shown here with the RSR.

911 Turbo "Porsche Experience TV" video

A cool video from Porsche showing the 911 Turbo being put through its paces.

Chip Ganassi... slot racer!

http://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/motorsports/chip-ganassi

Well you have to check this link out to a Road and Track article about Chip Ganassi talking about slot cars and real racing. You have to love this guy!

From the article:
Interestingly enough, the fundamentals of racing slot cars aren’t that much different than the fundamentals of racing at the highest level. Sure, the latter is a lot more expensive, but it’s all the same. It’s about having good equipment—good motors, good tires and good bodywork.

Thanks to "JohnnySlots on SCI" for posting this story on SCI!

Massa drives 599xx

Today Felipe Massa was the main protagonist on the last day of the Ferrari 599XX’s activities with its debut on the track. The Brazilian driver, who will be busy as of tomorrow in the first official Formula 1 test session this season held at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit, met the clients, who, by purchasing the non-homologated sports Berlinetta, planned exclusively to use on the track, participate in the exclusive programme bearing the same name.


After several laps on board of the car Felipe said: “I really enjoyed testing this car, I think it’s extremely powerful and has an exceptional stability. Considering that it has been planned for the track it’s really easy to drive.”

The clients showed great enthusiasm for the Ferrarista sharing the debut of this exceptional car: they now have a series of events ahead of them Ferrari will organise on race tracks in America, Europe and Asia, including the Finali Mondiali. Just like in Valencia on these occasions the cars will be taken care of by the team of official technicians, able to guarantee the necessary support and assistance.

From the Ferrari Facebook page.

SCX Peugeot 307 newsletter

Unlimited NePA Nationals

The NEPA Slot Car Club will host an "Unlimited" Nationals race this July 17th. Read this thread for more details>