New Ranch Designs Peugeot 908HDi

A striking new Ranch Design Peugeot 908 HDi, in 1/43 of course.

2008 Singapore Motorshow

The 2008 Singapore Motorshow is now on. This bi-annual event started on the 26th of this month at at the Suntec City Convention Centre It will run on till the 5th of October.

Peugeot 207 Avant Slot on the way!

News tonight from Kimrey Enterprises that the new Avant Slot 1/32 rally ref: 50503 Peugeot 207 OJEDA is on the way, preorders are being taken now.

Blog of note-Carrera Slot Car.net

Got a minute? Check out John from California's site, he's blogging about Carrera slot cars at CarreraSlotCar.net . There are a number of websites in the German language but it looks like John is going to blog about Carrera in English. Give his site a click.

New NSR Clio's and Mosler's

Rest in peace Paul Newman

Lime Rock Park Mourns the Loss of Paul Newman

Lakeville, CT – Lime Rock Park lost a legend, a friend and a fan this weekend as Paul Newman, age 83, passed away last night, 26 September 2008, at his home in Westport, CT. With ten Oscar nominations, countless awards and credits, Newman's film career was well documented for the excellence he created in front of and behind the camera. At Lime Rock Park, Newman was a very competitive racer winning numerous events throughout the years with his last win being this very same weekend in 2007, the Sports Car Club of America NARRC Championship GT1 Class. And today, Lime Rock Park remembered Newman with a moment of silence between race groups.

That legendary career took a new turn in the early 1970's when he took an interest in auto racing while filming Winning. Newman became an active racer, cultivating a second career that many racers would cherish. His passion for the sport was no mere fancy as he became a tremendously successful team owner while also continuing to compete as a driver. In the same way that Newman astounded the critics with his ability to age with grace and perform with vigor deep into his life, he brought that same incredible performance to the track, even setting a record by becoming the oldest Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona winner at 70 years old.

A philanthropist with a heavy disdain for any sense of entitlement and glory that those in the limelight often crave, Newman considered Lime Rock Park a second home (a backyard playground), who lived far from Hollywood in (Westport), Connecticut. His unassuming manner meant that Lime Rock Park guests never knew if they might bump into him at the track, getting ready to strap into his GT-1 Corvette and taking the checkered flag on an SCCA race weekend or maybe just rumbling through the paddock in a deceptively fast Volvo station wagon.

“Everyone treated him as a fellow competitor, not as a celebrity,” stated Skip Barber, President of Lime Rock Park. “He came here as a racer, was serious about his racing and…he was good. It was amazing that he was as good as he was at his age. And, he liked going fast. Back in the day when Bob Sharp was building the incredibly fast Nissans/Datsons, Newman was racing at Long Beach with Sharp along with the Indy Cars. Newman was the fastest guy down the straight – faster then the Indy Cars. And when I say fast, I don’t mean lap time…I mean speed. He always enjoyed having a car with a big motor. He was a huge supporter of the track. Everyone (the staff, friends and myself) at Lime Rock Park will miss him.”

But beyond statistics, those amazing blue eyes, and a sense of grace that he brought with him no matter if he was waiting on the false grid or heading to the Oscars, Lime Rock Park mourns the loss of a racer, a humanitarian, a gentleman and a true hero. He will be missed by all.

Thank you, PLN.

Statement from Newman's Own:

"Paul Newman's craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all. Paul had an abiding belief in the role that luck plays in one's life, and its randomness. He was quick to acknowledge the good fortune he had in his own life, beginning with being born in America, and was acutely aware of how unlucky so many others were. True to his character, he quietly devoted himself to helping offset this imbalance. An exceptional example is the legacy of Newman's Own. What started as something of a joke in the basement of his home, turned into a highly-respected, multi-million dollar a year food company. And true to form, he shared this good fortune by donating all the profits and royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a total which now exceeds $250 million. While his philanthropic interests and donations were wide-ranging, he was especially committed to the thousands of children with life-threatening conditions served by the Hole in the Wall Camps, which he helped start over 20 years ago. He saw the Camps as places where kids could escape the fear, pain and isolation of their conditions, kick back, and raise a little hell. Today, there are 11 Camps around the world, with additional programs in Africa and Vietnam. Through the Camps, well over 135,000 children have had the chance to experience what childhood was meant to be.

"We will miss our friend Paul Newman, but are lucky ourselves to have known such a remarkable person."

PHOTO CREDIT: Alex von Kleydorff. News used with permission from Lime Rock Park.

Response to Anon - National Tyres and Autocare

Someone "Anonymous" left a comment on my post "Experience with National Tyres and Autocare". He or She said:

"hi there i work for national, the advert is not mis leading !! if you bother to read it properly it states, ON A RANGE OF BARUM AND AVON TYRES, SELECTED SIZES ONLY !! as for the tracking, the vocher (sic) sheet also states that prices are subject to change at any time, plus where else are you going to get tracking done for £15.00 any way ???"

In response to Anonymous, I am so sorry I forgot to read the SMALL PRINT. It does say that. Regarding the Wheel alignment offer, they have now increased the price to £12.50 from £11/ If it costs £15, why don't they just say so instead of misleading consumers.

This is precisely the reason why so many companies in the UK are unable to retain customers. They are so focussed on getting new customers by any means possible (including misleading ads). However, the most important part - retaining customers, is forgotten.

I left them a complaint on their web site and I am still waiting for their answer. A simple apology would have been enough and I won't have written the post and even if I had I would have written it in a more positive tone. Maybe "National Tyres and Autocare" got back to me and they were willing to even do the alignment for FREE. Amazing company". Unfortunately that didn't happen and I will go to the tyre shop near my house who are friendlier.

Remember it is cheaper to retain old customers instead of getting new ones. The old satisfied customers will bring new ones along with them.

New Sloter Zytek-Den Bla Avis deco

More pix at this link on SCXWorldWide.com.

SCX Nat's qualifier race

On Saturday, September 20th, 2008 the Wyoming Valley Slot Car Association and Warrior Run Loco Works, was the site for another SCX National Qualifier Race. This was a beautiful September day in Northeast Pa. and the racers were super excited to start the event, after a morning practice session and some coffee with a mixed variety of bagels everyone was ready to start. Dave Kennedy from SCX performed the preliminary tech on the Audi LMP no magnet class with a tyre hand out (1603 Super Tires) and the magnetic SCX Nascar class with all cars using stock tyres and 225 grams of down force. All 9 competitors teched just fine and all cars were impounded till the start of the race.
Our racing roster was as follows ; Tom Gunshannan JR, Tom Gunshannan 3rd, Sam Barbose, JJ Kozokas, Dean Kirkpatrick, Mike Grabko, Tom Pintchuck, Clarence Taylor, and Chuck Perez. Dave Kennedy was our racing official.
It was now race time and the racing line up was set , with the button pushed we were off to another regional event with 4 racers going to nationals, Tom2 was off to a blistering pace in red lane followed by Dean , Mike , and Clarence making up the pack in the first heat of the race. As other racers rotated in, this was anybody's race with changes in position almost untrackable. Tom P came into the Pack with a 36 lap run in the red lane but JJ and Sam would not be out done running 37 Laps in the same lane. Chuck was now entering the red lane and finished up with a 39,could this be a sign of what was to come? As every one kept to their pace and time ticking by with the half way point Chuck had a small lead on the feild and no one was going to give this race away. The start of the second half of LMP was clean and fast, Clarence Taylor was now getting the hang of the track and was on the way to prove he was not going down to any one, but Mike was starting to have some gear trouble and starting falling back but not giving up, Tom P, was battling against Tom 3rd and JJ, Sam, and Chuck were runiing for the lead, Tom 2, and Dean were intheir own battle at one point but Tom2 showed eveyone he was here to race today. The LMP race was finnally over and the standings were announced and the racers prepared for the SCX nascar class. This was going to be interesting because most of the club races no magnet. The race was super competitive and pretty rough with plenty of de-slots on the hill section of our track. THis race was mixing up the feild quite abit with racers switching positions till the end. Now it was time to add all the laps up from the LMP race and the Nascar race and here is the final results.............
1 Chuck Perez 461 laps (lmp record 5.984) (nascar record 5.738)
2 JJ Kozokas 439 laps
3 Tom Gunshannan JR 430 laps
4 Dean Kirkpatrick 421 laps
5 Tom Pintchuck 420 laps 11 sections
6 Tom Gunshannan 3rd 420 laps 3 sections
7Clarence Taylor 404 laps
8 Mike Grabko 386 laps
9 Sam Barbose JR 362 laps

The WVSCA and Warrior Run Loco Works would like to thank Dave Kennedy and SCX for allowing us to have this event, and Clarence Taylor for making the drive in from NJ to spend the day racing with us. We now have 4 racers ready to go to nationals, to race with more guys who share our hobby. Can't wait to go!!!!!!!!

Written by Chuck Perez

A video from the event shot by Dave K

Slot MiniAuto #48

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

SLOT MINIAUTO 48 - OCTUBRE

La revista mensual Slot MiniAuto, del mes de Octubre, muestra en la portada los dos nuevos protagonistas del Rallyslot, el Peugeot 207 S2000 de Avant Slot y el Nissan 350 Z de Power Slot. Se destaca también el Renault R8 Gordini 1300 de Scalextric. En el interior se pueden encontrar, además de las secciones habituales, las pruebas en pista del Renault R28 de Scalextric, Chaparral 2E de Racer, Mercedes 300 SLR de Superslot, Peugeot 905 de Le Mans Miniatures, Mercedes 300 SE de Revell y el BMW M1 de Fly Racing.
En exclusiva para Slot MiniAuto, las fotos casi definitivas de las nuevas motos de BYC SLOT, y las primeras imágenes del Opel Corsa de Sloter.

SLOTMINIAUTO-SLOTMANIA EN LA FINAL DE LA NWC

El equipo SlotMiniAuto-Slotmania, formado por Carles Carreño, Rubén Sánchez y Edu Urrutia, lograron clasificarse para disputar la final de la Ninco World Cup, que se disputará en el circuito de Silverstone a finales de Octubre, al ganar la carrera clasificatoria disputada en España.


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PRESS RELEASE

SLOT MINIAUTO 48 – OCTOBER

Slot MiniAuto, the spanish monthly slotcar magazine, of October, shows on the cover the two new Rallyslot challengers, the Peugeot 207 S2000 of Avant Slot and Power Slot Nissan 350 Z. Also highlights the new SCX Renault R8 Gordini 1300. In the interior can be found in addition to the regular sections, the track test of the Renault R28 of SCX, Chaparral 2E of Racer, Mercedes 300 SLR of Scalextric, Peugeot 905 Le Mans Miniatures, Mercedes 300 SE Revell and Fly’s BMW M1 Racing Series.
Exclusive to Slot MiniAuto, the definitive pictures of the Moto GP bikes of BYC SLOT new brand, and the first images of the Sloter Opel Corsa.


TEAM SLOTMINIAUTO-SLOTMANIA IN THE NWC FINAL AT SILVERSTONE

The team SlotMiniAuto-Slotmania, formed by Carles Carreño, Ruben Sanchez and Edu Urrutia, managed to qualify for the finals of the Ninco World Cup contest, which will be held at the Silverstone circuit in late October, by winning the qualifying race disputed in Spain.


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COMUNICATO STAMPA

SLOT MINIAUTO 48 – OTTOBRE

Slot MiniAuto, la rivista mensile spagnola di slot, di il mese di ottobre, mostra sulla copertina due nuove macchine di Rallyslot, la Peugeot 207 S2000 di Avant Slot e la Nissan 350 Z Power Slot. Risalta anche la Renault R8 Gordini 1300 di SCX. A l'interno si possono trovare, oltre alle sezioni regolari, la prova sulla pista della Renault R28 di SCX, Chaparral 2E di Racer, Mercedes 300 SLR di Scalextric, Peugeot 905 Le Mans Miniatures, Mercedes 300 SE Revell e la Fly Racing BMW M1.
Esclusiva di Slot MiniAuto, le foto quasi definitivo della nuova Moto GP di SLOT BYC, e le prime immagini della Opel Corsa di Sloter.

SLOTMINIAUTO-SLOTMANIA A LA FINALE DELLA NWC

Il team SlotMiniAuto-Slotmania, formata da Carles Carreño, Ruben Sanchez e Edu Urrutia, sono riusciti a qualificarsi per la fase finale della Ninco Wold Cup, che si terrà presso il circuito di Silverstone, alla fine di ottobre, vincendo la gara di qualificazione contestata in Spagna.


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COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE

SLOT MINIAUTO 48 – OCTOBRE

Slot MiniAuto, Le mensuel espagnol du slot, d'Octobre, montre sur la couverture les deux nouveaux joueurs du Rallyslot, la Peugeot 207 S2000 d'Avant Slot et la Nissan 350 Z du Power Slot. Met également en évidence la nouveau Renault R8 Gordini 1300 du SCX. A l'intérieur ne peut être trouvée, en plus des sections régulières, les preuve sur le circuit de la Renault R28 de SCX, Chaparral 2E de Racer, Mercedes 300 SLR de Scalextric, Peugeot 905 Le Mans Miniatures, Mercedes 300 SE Revell et BMW M1 de Fly Racing.
Exclusif sous SlotMiniAuto, les photos, presque définitive, de la nouvelle Moto GP de SLOT BYC, et les premières images de l'Opel Corsa de Sloter.


SLOTMINIAUTO-SLOTMANIA Â LA FIN DE LA NWC

L'équipe SlotMiniAuto-Slotmania, formé par Carles Carreno, Ruben Sanchez et Edu Urrutia, a réussi à se qualifier pour la finale de la Ninco WORLD CUP, qui se tiendra au circuit de Silverstone, à la fin Octobre, en remportant la course de qualification contesté en Espagne.

Renault 8 newsletter

LeMans Miniatures Matra coming soon

The LeMans Miniatures Matra will arrive in stores soon, but there will be very few of these that you'll see on shelves.

Thanks to REH Distributors for sending the news.

Adjustable Front Axle Blocks For Ninco Axles

Since Slot Car Corner introduced adjustable front axle blocks for 3/32" axles in early 2007, racers and scratch builders have incorporated them into a wide variety of 1/32 cars with excellent results. Given the success of the 3/32" blocks, Slot Car Corner has just introduced an adjustable front axle block designed specifically for slightly larger (2.5mm) Ninco axles. A complete, step-by-step illustrated installation tutorial is also available. For more information or to order, please visit the Slot Car Corner website.

Note: Axle shown for illustration purposes only - not included with axle blocks.

McLaren F1 with headlights? ....yeah right!

A very dry joke here....

SCX Morgan Aero 8 pix!!!!!

The SCX Morgan Aero 8 is nearly here... and here are the pix!


Read the newsletter about this car and see more pix at this link.

Jel Claws meet BWA

Jel Claws now makes stunning white wall tires for 1950's rods, customs, boulevard cruisers, and maybe even sports cars. The white rubber is a thin layer fused to the basic black rubber, with clean edges and durability. The other side is black. These tires fit the narrowest BWA 5mm rims, as on the front of the '32 Ford shown in the photos. These wheels were developed for vintage racers, and may be had with 1/8" threaded hubs, standard 3/32" holes with set screw, or 1/16" holes with set screw. They fit Scalextric classic F1 tires. Inserts are BWA 32214, a wide bolt-circle '37 Ford style standard for modified stock cars in the 1950's through 1970's.


Jel Claws ST-1135-W tires are intended for "Early Revell, Ferrari GTO, Marx and Strombecker Hot Rods, Marx Two piece Wheels & Others with Aluminum Chassis. Inner Diameter 1/2" 12.7mm" according to the package. The rubber is the same compound we have come to expect from Jel Claws, a soft, grippy EPDM rubber. They sure look fine on the front of this 1/25 scale AMT '32 Ford!

Small 4X vehicle

My "Auto Story in Pictures Wednesday" post.

These kind of vehicles are used in the University of Warwick, Coventry by the Landscaping people. Not sure but I think they are Kawasaki 4X mules.

Fuel prices may go down in the UK

According to Sky News, petrol prices may fall in the country. I hope this is true even though I am not betting on it.

It's quite funny to see petrol pumps increasing the prices as soon as World oil prices go up. However, when the World prices go down, they will take their own sweet time to lower the pump prices.

According to the report, the most expensive petrol prices are in London. Even in Coventry itself, prices vary between pumps. The costliest in our area is the Texaco, while the cheapest is Shell.

Body Post Repair/Replacement Kits

How many of your slot car bodies see limited use (or can no longer be used at all) because of broken/damaged body posts like the one in the accompanying picture? You don't have to race 1/32 slot cars very long to experience some sort of problem with the body mounting posts. While in extreme cases they may break right off the body, more often they crack or split. Body post cracking and splitting can have many causes - some common examples include using the wrong screw (too large in diameter and/or the wrong thread), over-tightening the screw, or excessive screw insertion/removal cycles. Whatever the cause, repairs typically involve replacing all or part of the post, reinforcing the existing post or filling/retapping the existing screw hole. In all cases, there is a good chance the repaired post will eventually fail again.

Slot Car Corner now offers specially designed inserts and accompanying mounting sleeves which offer a fresh approach to repairing body posts. In fact, serious racers may want to consider using this approach to beef-up the stock body mounting posts and eliminate the stock body mounting screws and their limitations altogether. Our inserts accept standard M2 machine screws (included in all kits) which will replace the stock body screws to secure the body. Here's a picture of the inserts.

Special Thanks to Jan Levine who first brought these wonderful inserts to our attention.

Note the inserts have a flange which makes them perfect for mounting inside a brass sleeve. This system offers another important advantage over plastic body posts and (metal) body screws. With stock body posts, even posts that are in good condition, body screws have a tendency to work themselves loose and in some cases, fall out altogether. In either case, the car's handling and overall performance is adversely affected (in extreme cases, the car may not be able to continue racing). Threadlockers (e.g. , Permatex, Loctite) are one potential solution; however, ordinary threadlockers are not plastic compatible. In contrast, these inserts and the mounting screws offer a metal-to-metal mounting system - this allows ordinary medium-strength (removable) threadlockers to be used to keep the body mounting screws exactly where you want them. A step-by-step, illustrated how-to article which describes the entire process is available on the Slot Car Corner website (click here). Here are some examples of body posts replaced with the SCC inserts and sleeves:

Example 1 - Scalextric Nascar (Old Style 2 Post Body):

Example 2 - Slot.it 956 Porsche:

Example 3 - Ninco BMW:

Example 4 - Porsche 911:

Several kits with the inserts are offered - for more information, please visit the Slot Car Corner Online Store.

Fine Tuning My Scalextric Mercedes

Using BWA's lower rpm motor, I tuned this car to run with other brands of classics. I also took it from plain street version and added a few decals to make it look the part.

Read the article at this link.

New Sloting Plus axles, screw drivers

Sloting Plus is introducing 3 new axles available in three lengths ( 50, 52.5 and 55 mm ) with a 2,38 mm diameter ( 3/32”).

And some phillips and flathead screw drivers.