SCALEXTRIC MINI COOPER

Review by Pace1970uk

The Mini needs little introduction, a true motoring legend. A brilliant concept designed by Sir Alec Issigonis as a small family car that became a style icon driven by the celebrities, a movie star, a giant killing touring car and a rally champion. In the form of the Cooper it also gave performance motoring to the masses.

When Scalextric announced they were going to make a new version of the classic Mini I was certainly very pleased and this was going to be one of those must have cars. One of my first Scalextric cars was a yellow C7 Mini Cooper with the wide arches (I still have it) and I have fond memories of spending many a happy hour racing this little car during my childhood, a challenge to drive but so enjoyable.

The first version available is based on the number 177 car driven to victory by Rauno Aaltonen in the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally. Detailing as expected with the current crop of Scalextric cars is excellent. The finish of the red and white paintwork is superb; there is a deep shine and no sign of any overspray. The simple livery is nicely done, as is the chrome detailing. The roof number board is not fitted and this is taped to the underside of the display case, where it shall remain. I had forgotten how small the Mini is, sat in its box it looks quite lost, and those wheels are tiny!! There is no space for a digital plug, but thanks to the use of the slim-line Mabuchi motor Scalextric has managed to squeeze in a well-detailed interior.

I place the Mini on the track and apply the power for the first time, the 15k motor spins nicely and the front lights shine brightly. I do notice a lot of light bleed, especially from the rear. I begin with a few test laps on my Sport track, which the Mini completes with no fuss. I pull the trigger harder, this is a swift car, though not as quick as the Boxster or Audi TT, it is certainly no slouch, with the combination of lightweight and a powerful magnet it is quite the pocket rocket. 

I complete lap after lap in little more than a blink of an eye as this tiny red blur flashes round my track. Even whilst enjoying a cup of tea I am still able to consistently complete quick lap times!! As my confidence builds I begin to apply more power, until eventually the magnet lets go and the Mini crashes in quite a spectacular style coming to rest after completing numerous barrel rolls, I expect it to blow up just like in the movies. A word of warning though, the Mini only crashes when it is going very fast, watch out for solid objects it will hit them very hard. Fortunately, the Mini survives intact even after succumbing to several spectacular crashes.

On the routed track where the magnet is redundant things, however, are very different. Unfortunately, it is quite un-drivable and the small wheels and high centre of gravity does the Mini no favours at all. It is way too fast on the straights and will struggle even on the gentlest of bends. Even when tiptoeing through the corners the Mini will roll at the slightest provocation. After several attempts I did mange to successfully complete a lap, albeit very slowly. In contrast, my SCX Fiat Abarth, though slower on the Sport track, was an absolute blast on the routed track. The Mini will need some serious work before I am able to complete half decent lap times, sometime in the near future I will have a go at sorting it out as at the moment it is even worse than my Revell Trabant. I find this a shame as I had been so looking forward to putting this little car through its paces.

The Mini is nicely presented, the quality, reliability and performance (on Sport track) is a quantum leap ahead of the last generation of old style Mini Coopers. If kept on the Sport track, which the Mini was designed to run on, it performs faultlessly, however, take it away from this comfort zone and it really does struggle.