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The Toyota 88C raced from 1988 to 1989. It is the successor to the Toyota 87C and the predecessor to the Toyota 89C-V. Like other Toyota-powered sports prototypes of the era it was designed and built by Dome. The Toyota 88C-V is a slightly modified version of the 88C, adapted to fit Toyota's R32V 3.2 L (200 cu in) turbocharged V8 engine, instead of the 88C's standard turbocharged Inline-4. The 88Cs and 88C-Vs both competed in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, the World Sports-Prototype Championship, and the North American Camel GT Championship. In 1989 Toyota and All American Racers entered the GTP category of IMSA's Camel GT Championship. One car was designed by AAR and entered as the Eagle HF89, while the second entry was a modified 88C. Both were powered by same turbocharged inline-4 engine and produced approximately 600 horsepower. The 88C-based car, also known as Eagle Mk.I, made its debut at the 1989 Daytona 24 Hours race but retired from the event. Due to troubles with the HF89 car, the team concentrated its efforts on the Mk.I throughout the rest of the season. After the completion of the season AAR concentrated their efforts on the HF89 and the latter Mk.III. |
Photo: Josh Lintz Text source: Wikipedia |
The Slot.it model
The eagerly awaited Toyota 88C will be a popular model. Adding a little variety to Slot.it's Group C range. This Daytona 1989 model and the forthcoming Le Mans 1988 model will be hot property for collectors and club racers alike.
We saw the pre-production model at Nürnberg earlier this year and I saw the same model on my visit to the Slot.it offices, but this is now the first time I get to run the car on the track and look at it in detail.
High detail, crisp finish & great quality - everything we expect from a new Slot.it model. I ran the car on my BLST track in analogue mode and was very happy with the results.
Below, the underside showing the nice flat chassis and motor pod. I tried racing with and without the neodymium magnet - I don't usually bother removing magnets on my braided track as they have little effect, but due to how low this model sat, the magnetic down-force was stronger thanmost other models. With the magnet it stuck like glue until it broke free and then you know what happens of course...
But with the magnet out, the car handled very well. The car came out the slot a few time under heavy braking before a particular bend on my track. The torque on the car under braking was twisting the car making the guide flag came out. Probably a combination of a short guide flag, tight curve and the torque-twist. With the magnet in I didn't have that problem.
A slight gripe: What you will notice here (above & below) is that the rear spoiler is not quite straight. The attachment point is a complex moulded piece that fits around the rear body mounting pillar. No obvious way to straighten it - perhaps with a hot-air gun.
Another slight gripe is the windscreen wiper. As we have see in in other recent Slot.it cars it seems a bit chunky and is sitting in not quite the right place. The wiper blade needs to be vertical and out of the line-of-sight of the driver (assuming that the wiper is off).
Below, a complex array of components that make up the body details. Coloured inserts, painted air ducts, rear air-duct screens (preventing you peering into the innards of the car through the large ducts onthe sides. A detailed cockpit with some detail only visible if you take it all apart - quite amazing really.
The body itself is moulded from a very light plastic. Light enough for racing.
Notice the sides of the chassis (below), painted to the body colour as it is exposed under the rear-wheel brake-cooling air-ducts.
The 21.500 rpm motor gives this model real grunt on the track. An incredibly flat chassis sitting very close to the track and wide wheel stance make it very stable. Combine all this with a light body and the car is very fast.
Included under the box tray is a set of inserts (below). I suppose so that you can fit them to racing rims if you wish.
A great looking model that goes like the wind on the track. I love it.
This model (SICA19A) - Toyota 88C No.98 Daytona 1989 - White will be available very shortly at about £49.99. It is currently being sent out to dealers now. will be followed up by the (SICA19B) - Toyota 88C No.37 Le Mans 1988 - Taka-Q. Look out for that exciting livery.
June 2011
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Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 23rd May 2013 - 20:42 |