We have been visiting SCALEXTRIC and have all the news for 2010. We have some EXCLUSIVE pictures and details of items not in the pricelists and catalogues ! Let us take you through the details from the beginning.

SCALEXTRIC START

START INTRO. Not a bad place to begin, because this is the new introductory range from SCALEXTRIC. Three sets will be available, the smallest set has 2 rally cars and 430cm of track which can be built into 4 different layouts, the middle set has 2 GP cars and 540cm of track which can be built into 6 different layouts, and the biggest set has 2 GT cars and 620cm of track and a choice of 8 different layouts.

CARS. There are three basic START cars, and they are all a generic design. This eliminates licence fees so reduces pricing, and as the cars will all be supplied with a plain sprayed finish it allows the buyer to apply the included self-adhesive decal sheets to decorate the cars to your own choice.

START rally car prototype

START GP prototype

START GT prototype

CAR DETAILS. The cars are all very nice, with contemporary design that would look very authentic in any current race. They will be available separetely in twin-packs at the fantastic price of £29.99 RRP per pair, see our main listing for details of catalogue numbers and colours. Although the cars share many of the same components as the main range, they do have some different features. The guide is unique to these models (so far) and makes a return to hard-wiring with the dreaded eylet-pushed-into-hole connection. Nothing wrong with hard wiring, many racers prefer it, but the eyelet method will always be fiddly to use and in our opinion the far better method of braid-wire connection as per Carrera and some other makes is easier and more reliable, we think this would have been a good opportunity for SCALEXTRIC to make a sensible change. The motor for START is a Mabuchi clone but made by a different manufacturer, and if this proves reliable may also find its way into the main range. Power output is the same as the current standard Mabuchi motors so there should be no difference in performance.

START guide details with hard-wired connection

TRACK. There are only 2 track sections ! The track has the same width dimensions as Scalextric Sport track and adaptor sections are available. The geometry is different however, and the radius of the only curve section is not the same as any other SCALEXTRIC curve. The straight track section is approx the length of 1.5 normal straights and the curve is only available as a 90 degree part. Because of the revised geometry many different track layouts can be built using only these two sections.

The two START track sections

The START track has been designed to be pushed together and taken apart without the need to have hands underneath to unclip connections, it can all be done on a flat surface by simply pushing the track sections together. Electrical connections are by tongues on the ends of the pickup rails, so we hope these will be more reliable than on the old Classic track. There is a cost factor here as well, each track section has only 5 components, reducing materials and assembly time.

START track connections

START track sections aligned for pushing together

START track will be produced in a rigid plastic similar to Carrera material, as this reduces shrinkage and expansion problems and makes the track more durable. The parts pictured are pre-production parts, we are assured that the sets will contain black plastic track with contact rails fitted !

CONTROLLER. The START controller is a pistol-grip type with conventional resistor and trigger. It does have one very useful feature - the power can be reduced by simply turning a switch on the controller handle. This will be a great asset for use with younger children or inexperienced drivers, so anyone with a young family or considering a slot track for promotional use will like to consider this as a good point. START will also have its own tranformer, with the normal 12v - 14v output, but the rectification will be done at the power-socket point and not at the terminal track point, so eliminating any heat build up at point of use. All the electrical connections (controller, transformer, track) are unique to START and it is not possible to use START controllers with the normal SCALEXTRIC range.

START controller with the power-limiter switch looking like a blue button

MRE CONCLUSION - START has been produced in 1/32 scale after considering 1/43, this was rejected on the basis that a system that would easily integrate into conventional SCALEXTRIC is more desirable. START cars will run on any other track, and any other 1/32 car can be used on START. This looks like a good way to introduce new racers (and customers) with a hassle free way of racing that is also cheaper and easy to assemble. Sensible design and features are all plus points, so we think this is a good new product. Many thanks to Mike Walters for the detaild run-through of the design process and product details.

SCALEXTRIC LIMITED EDITIONS

Two separate cars plus two twin-packs for 2010 is enough to interest collectors. 

BRAWN GP. This is a completely new model and has a new design feature with the front wheel scoops. These have been very cleverly done, and will look good in that florescent yellow colour we have watched throughout 2009. The car does has a rigid metal axle but the front wheels are a loose fit and the brake scoops are a tight press fit to secure the wheels in place. Good suspension and brake detail provides the inside retention and the wheels span true on the sample we tried. The same system is used on the prototype McLaren pictured below.

Above - McLaren GP front detail

Unfortunately we did not have a fully finished car to examine, but we do know that it will be supplied in a similar box to the recent Hamilton World Champion presentation box, so they will make a nice pair to display together. Taking a look at the car overall, the rear wind endplates are very distinctive and the rear track looks a little narrow, but the detail is good with lots of little mouldings for the aerodynamic parts.

Above - front and rear views of the pre-production McLaren GP

ASTON MARTIN DB5 JAMES BOND. What a wonderful addition to the new range - we are ready to stick our necks out and predict this will be the Car of the Year for 2010. There are two versions, so we'll start with the easy one. The car included in the James Bond 007 set is a SR (Super resistant) model without any working features. It will be paired with the more modern Aston Martin DBS, but we know which one everybody will want to drive ! There are other detail differences for the set car as well, obviously a different chassis moulding that doesn't have the working feature fittings, and there are parking lights instead of machine guns at the front.

The SR set car from C1254 James Bond 007 set - no working features

Now to the real thing - the Limited Edition with operating ejector seat and bullet shield. The shield is operated by pushing the number plate light at the back, it didn't take much pressure to operate and the action was smooth with positive location, but we think the number plate light looks a little high to be hit by any cars arriving suddenly in your boot. This assumes you would be using the Digital System to get another car on your tail, but a notable feature of both versions of the DB5 is they are not DPR Chip compatable, so you would have to fit the universal chip for Digital operation.

Aston Martin DB5 prototype front view with operating parts open

Aston Martin DB5 prototype rear view with operating parts open

The ejector seat has very similar operation to the original James Bond set from the 1960s, a lever protrudes from uner the left side of the car and is tripped by a track obstacle to operate the seat mechanism. Again, the action was easy and positive, with a smooth operation and everything clicked back nicely into place. The hinged roof section is a very good fit, returning flush with minimal gap, so our compliments to the Hornby design team.

Aston Martin DB5 prototype with everything closed up for driving

Astom Martin DB5 prototype chassis showing the ejector seat operating lever

LE MANS 1955 CLASSIC PACK. Of the two cars in this pack we have to mention the Mercedes first. Already available as a single car, this has proved a disappointment to many potential buyers who dont want to duplicate, especially when other choices are available. The # 19 car admittedly has the most famous driver Fangio, but while we agree that Pierre Levagh is not a wise choice in the # 20 car it does leave the # 21 car available for this pack. We made our feeling known about possible options before production begins and others have also made comments direct to Hornby so (just like the Ferrari 250 GTO in 2009) there is still time for change and we may yet get the # 21 car and SCALEXTRIC may get some extra sales.

Now to the real interest - the Jaguar D Type. This model has been in gestation for about 3 years so we are pleased to see the time has been well spent and the car is nicely proportioned and has good detail. It depicts the longer nosed version driven by Mike Hawthorn, no doubt other version will be along in 2011. Technically, the car is DPR-ready, but we were most impressed by the wheels and tyres which look exactly the right size, in fact they would also look exactly right on the Vanwall and Maserati 250F so its a pity the D Type wasn't produced earlier !

Jaguar D Type front view

Jaguar D Type rear view

ASTON MARTIN LE MANS PACK. Unfortunately there is not a lot we can say about this pack as no prototype of the Aston Martin LMP1 car was available, and the Aston Martin DBR9 has been extensively covered since its release. Gulf is always a very popular livery, and Le Mans has a huge number of slot enthusiasts who will want these cars, so we think it is a nice addition to the twin-pack series.

MRE CONCLUSION - The Limited Editions for 2010 are all desireable items, but we urge customers to remember they are all Limited editions and supplies may well be restricted so make orders as ealy as possible (and please don't be greedy, its a lot of work for us if we have to limit customers to only one each if we can't get enough, it doesn't matter how many we order if numbers are allocated, we can only have as many as SCALEXTRIC have allowed for our part of the world !). The technical department have done an excellent job, the Brawn GP and the Aston Martin DB5 especially are another step forward, keeping SCALEXTRIC ahead of any opposition in many areas. Many thanks to Paul Chandler for listening to our concerns about the Mercedes and for explaining the marketing philosophy behind the Limited Editions for 2010. Excellent news all round !

SCALEXTRIC and FERRARI

One notable aspect of the 2010 catalogue is that there is not a single Ferrari pictured or listed. There are Ferraris in the 2010 range but they cannot be marketed. Why ? Because Carrera now have an exclusive licence for all Ferrari slot cars and all of the SCALEXTRIC production must be produced and released in the first half of the year. Whatever remains at 30th June must be abandoned and destroyed ! So - we are getting some very nice Ferraris from SCALEXTRIC this year, and we will be getting them early, but we will only be getting them once and there won't be very many as SCALEXTRIC are calculating the production runs to sell out completely as soon as they are released. You have been warned !

The 2010 Ferrari cars themselves are all nice - on their second appearance SCALEXTRIC have chosen a famous 250 GTO and a pretty 308 GTB. The P4 goes out with yet another colour, and the Ferrari F1 2009 will be a rare beast as it is completely new tooling and will only have one production run. The F430 has a few new versions as both SR and detailed models.

Ferrari 250 GTO Stirling Moss at Goodwood in the UDT Laystall car

Ferrari 308 GTB Martini ice racer

Ferrari P4 in David Piper green with headlamp tape detail

MRE CONCLUSION - A coup for CARRERA to get the exclusive slot car licence, we will be looking on with interest at this years releases from FLY and SLOT-IT and RACER and CARTRIX (and possibly others as well) to see how well it is regulated. We felt deeply sorry for SCALEXTRIC for their new F1 car, they take a lot of flack for just repainting older models and then when they do invest heavily in a new model they are slammed behind the 8-ball and facing a loss. I hope the louder critics of other SCALEXTRIC F1 cars will take note and maybe shut up for a bit. On a positive note, the new models are all excellent additions, well known and collectable cars, and some very attractive liveries. We like them all and will be very sorry to lose Ferrari from the SCALEXTRIC lineup because there is so much more potential with the cars they have available. Many thanks to Paul Chandler for explaining the Ferrari licencing issues to us.

PRO-PERFORMANCE CARS

This is a new introduction to the range and is designed as a stepping stone for skilled home racers to tune cars up to a competeitive level for club racing. There are two models, the Aston Martin DBR9 and the Chevy Impala NASCAR car. Both cars will be supplied in kit form but with a huge selection of parts to build them up. For example, each kit will include all three Mabuchi tuned motors, a complete set of pinions and spur gears, ballrace bearings, 5 hollow axles, and a complete set of alloy hubs and tyres. The cost of the spare parts alone is more than the cost of the complete kit, so these represent very good value for money. The kits will have bodyshells sprayed in plain white, so buyers can paint them into colour of choice or just apply the included decals for decoration.

Pro-Performance Aston Martin DBR9 -supplied as a kit

Pro-Performance Chevy Impala NASCAR - supplied as a kit

Parts supplied in the Pro-Performance cars - Chevy shown, Aston is similar

MRE CONCLUSION - It will be interesting to see how these are received. We think there is a market for home-tuners who want that extra bit of performance and like fettling their cars for faster lap times on their own circuits. The fact that the SCALEXTRIC performance parts are not compatable with any other slot cars is a drawback, but shouldn't deter customers who won't be racing ouside their own environment. Many thanks to Adrian Norman for demonstrating the cars and explaining their introduction.

NEW CARS

GRAND PRIX CARS - often contentious with SCALEXTRIC as the same cars have often been in the catalogue with only a repaint. This year, we are very pleased to tell you there are three completely new F1 cars. We have already told you about the Brawn Gp and the Ferrari F1 2009 above, we can now add that the McLaren is a completely new model for 2010 and you will be able to have Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton in their new racing cars. That should keep the whingers quiet......

DODGE CHARGER. Most obvious new car is the Dodge Charger from Dukes of Hazzard. The General Lee with bright orange paintwork, the Confederate flag, and that huge 01 on the sides is as recogniseable as Daisy Duke herself. Sadly, Daisy is not part of the model we tried out, but even more surprisingly neither is Luke Duke, as the car only has the blond Bo in the driving seat. We made very strong protestations about this, and it seems we were not the only ones, as a telephone call less than 24 hours later informed us that a passenger was being urgently sought. By the time it reaches the shops it should have a full crew - you read it here first !

Dukes of Hazzard Dodge Charger

The view from Boss Hoggs point of view

Hi Bo - we hope Luke is better looking than you are !

AUDI R8 GT3. Another completely new car is the Audi R8 GT3 car. This will be available in three versions, but two of these are less detailed SR cars and have no interiors, only the Flatex model will be fully detailed although all cars will have a racing livery finish. The prototype pictures show the nice body sculptures, this is a very 3-dimensional car with lots of scoops and intakes, and we have to praise the design engineers for pushing their skills to the limit for the tooling. See the coloured cars by looking at the SCALEXTRIC listings on our website.

Audi R8 prototype front view

Audfi R8 prototype rear view

MRE CONCLUSION - The new F1 cars will be popular as they should be accurate for at least a year. It gets harder to find new racing cars every year, but the Audi R8 has a high profile around the racetracks, especially with the big names like Rosberg associated with it, so this is a good choice by SCALEXTRIC. The Dodge Charger is more than welcome, even if its age-recognition profile is smaller than the customer base it has great novelty value and we predict it will be popular. Thank you to Adrian Norman for guiding us through the new model developments and to Paul Chandler for acting so fast looking for Luke Duke ! 

NOT IN THE CATALOGUE

START CARS. There are six car items not in the catalogue (despite not being Ferraris) and not on the price list. As mentioned above, the START cars will be available in pairs and a super price so may be of interest to clubs who want equal racing at a budget price. Honestly, these cars DO look very good and if performance is the same as the main range you won't go wrong by trying them out, We were impressed but you'll have to wait until the 3rd Quarter until they are released.

SR TWIN-PACKS. There are also three SR twin-packs for 2010. A pair of Minis, a pair of Lamborghini Gallados, and a pack with a Nissan GTR and a Porsche 997. With a full RRP of only £39.99 these are also budget bargains, and buyers with children will be licking their lips until the 2nd Quarter when they can part with very little money for hours of fun.

MRE CONCLUSION - Super Resistant cars are a big percentage of SCALEXTRIC car sales, so having twin-packs makes sense. Not everyone is a collector or detail anorak, and these are welcome additions for the casual buyer or newcomer to SCALEXTRIC.

CLASSIC CARS

After many years trying, SCALEXTRIC finally entered the Classic Car market a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. The demand for classics is huge and we are very pleased to see some new additions every year. Some are not as expected, for example another Lotus 49 Gold Leaf is not yet available, but the same car in Rob Walker blue and driven by Jo Siffert is no less welcome. The Eagle is slightly harder to vary as they are all in AAR dark blue, but the 2010 release has some revised rear detail to represent updates on the real cars.

Lotus 49 entered by Rob Walker and driven by Jo Siffert

Last years Grand Prix twin-pack cars will be available separately, representing the World Championship years of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. The Holden Torana L34 makes its second appearance as another Bathurst winner, last years car was 1976 and this years model is the 1975 Bridgestone car. More versions of the classic Mini Cooper, Cortina, Escort RS1600, Ford GT40, Boss Mustang, Chevy Camaro of both 1968 and 1973 versions, will all be available. There is also the return of an older model as we have two models of the Caterham. This is an unexpected move by SCALEXTRIC, as it is very rare to bring back old models, the cynical would say its a cheap way of boosting the catalogue while others would approve of making distinctive cars available to new customers. We are keeping one leg firmly on each side of the fence on this one !

The Caterham returns - this white car has a blue brother available as well

Chevy Camaro in Sunoco colours - iconic sponsorship

Hannu Mikkola's Safari winner brings new detail parts for the Escort RS1600

MRE CONCLUSION - Classics are becoming a bigger proportion of slot car sales every year, it is right that SCALEXTRIC should keep up with demand.

MODERN RACERS

Several modern cars have new identities for 2010, and you can choose from a variety of Jaguars, Aston Martins, Nissan GT-Rs, Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Ford GTs, Mini Coopers, and even a lone WRC rally car because the Focus makes a brave entry with nothing new to race against. Sadly the state of the real WRC does not have enough variation or stability for manufacturers to invest in licencing and tooling that may not produce profits.

There are more modern racing cars available in the SR range, notably more Top Gear branded models. It is not entirely clear if these cars have actually been on the programme, but youngsters know the name and the cars are at the cheaper end of the range. The Stig is not as heavily promoted as before, but the Top Gear name is very boldly emblazoned across the cars so there is no doubt about their branding.

MRE CONCLUSION - Introducing new racers is vital for survival, and marketing forms a large part of that. The Top Gear brand is well known, other cars can be seen racing on TV and in advertising and magazines. If any of these attract newcomers of any age it is the right decision to have them in the range.

EXTRA SPECIALS

COLLECTOR CENTRE CAR 2010. As usual there will be a Limited Edition available only through Collector Centres, and is generally released in the spring. This year the car is the Ford Escort Mexico in bright red (sorry no picture) and this will add to the orange and yellow cars already available.

RANGE PRESENTATION CAR 2010. Every year there are a very small number of special cars produced to celebrate the new range. This year the car is the C3118 McLaren Mercedes 722 GT in special decoration. Only 200 of these have been produced and are eagerly sought by collectors. Take a look at this one - now you know what you are looking for ! (We know at least 3 dealers who will put their Range Presentation cars on Ebay as soon as they get home, and these will typically get a big 3-figure sale. We are proud to get our car as a return for the effort we put in for SCALEXTRIC during the year, and it will never be on Ebay !)

C3118 McLaren Mercedes 722 GT Range presentation Ltd Ed

MRE CONCLUSION - Overall we are very pleased with the new SCALEXTRIC range, 2010 shows a lot of promise and the new items are all excellent. Technical achievments are considerable, marketing strategies are sensible, and the range is exciting and varied enough to please everyone. One major factor has been resolved for 2010 and will show big improvements in supply. There were a lot of problems at Sanda Kan in 2009 which resulted in very slow production and delivery, and even a last minute panic when the proposed deal for Hornby to buy Sanda Kan was gazumped by Kader, and the prospect of no production at all became very real. Now everything seems to be resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned, and the production capabilites can be utilised to the full for both SCALEXTRIC and HORNBY trains. We are looking forward to a very good year with SCALEXTRIC. 

See the whole SCALEXTRIC 2010 range HERE