MOSLER MT900R

Mosler are a relatively new name in the motor sport world. The first race car left the factory in 2001, bringing founder Warren Mosler's dream closer to reality. Since then the cars have campaigned in numerous race series all over the world, including the FIA GT, Grand Am, Japanese Super Touring and many others. The Mosler MT900R has scored some notable successes too, including winning the British and Spanish GT championships.

The car is powered by a mid-mounted 5.7 litre, 445bhp Corvette V8, giving the 2,100lb car phenomenal performance. Top speed is in excess of 200mph.

For more information (including prices!!) visit www.moslerauto.com

Ninco seem to be on a roll recently. Their recent JGTC cars have flown off the shelves, and more new models are on the way (can't wait!!).

 But in the meantime, without the fuss and fanfare that seems to surround some companies, up pops another cracking model - the Mosler MT 900R.

This car, the Morrison-Mosler Racing which competed at Spa in 2003, is the first of several planned liveries.

The model looks very sharp. The body shell is very neat and tidy, with lots of crisply moulded details. The car looks like it's covered in vents, louvres and ducts, all of which are faithfully reproduced. 

The mirrors look oversized, but when you look at the pictures of the real car there isn't really a problem.

Paintwork is very good, a nice glossy silver with no visible flaws. The tampo printing, although fairly restrained on this livery, is sharp and clear. The colours are solid and opaque, but there are some minor gaps where the printing crosses panel lines.

The interior is a bit dark and gloomy, as you'd expect in a racing car. It includes the usual 'relaxed' driver, roll cage, fire extinguisher and some nicely detailed digital instrument displays on the dashboard. It's certainly enough to please most people. 

The body is secured with three screws, two at the front and one at the rear, which makes it very easy to achieve some chassis 'float' especially at the back.

 Just take care when removing or refitting the body. The front towing hook fits through the bodyshell, and could be easily damaged.

The chassis is dominated by the NC5 motor in it's bright pink wrapper. The motor is rated at 20,000rpm and 290gcm of torque at 14.8 volts. It's mounted as an angle-winder driving the rear wheels through bright red gears (12:32 ratio). Metal bearings are fitted as standard.

It's interesting to note that the motor is mounted the opposite way round to the NSX and Supra - the gear is on the left side. 

The chassis is quite flexible at the rear. This hasn't caused any problems, but some people may wish to reinforce this area. 

A button magnet and a standard 'unsprung' guide are also utilised.

But both the real car and the model are made for the track, so let's see what it can do.

Well it's a Ninco, so it's quick! And quiet too. It threw itself round my track with complete composure, faster and faster as I got more confident with it.

Acceleration and braking are very sharp, almost instant, and grip levels seem very high. 

Running on my painted Scalextric track, it will twitch and slide a little but it sorts itself out rapidly. Real provocation will push it into a spin, but it shows no desire to tip or roll over.

After the initial laps I trued the tyres (both wheels had small moulding pips on them which needed to be removed as well). I also took the opportunity to shorten the front axle by 2-3mm because it was too long and rattling!

And I took the magnet out...

Even without the mag the Mosler still has lots of grip. Sure, you need to be a little gentler on the throttle, slightly slower into corners, but it's fractions only - the car's natural balance and stability are always evident. 

Comparing this car to the NSX and Supra, the Mosler is lower than either and has a slightly wider rear track. Overall it's longer and has a 7 - 8mm longer wheelbase. It doesn't sound much, but it's nearly a 10% difference. I suppose that's why it feels so much more stable. Whatever the reasons, it's a great car to drive with or without magnet.

I've really become a fan of Ninco cars, the NSX and Supra are cars I always want to drive, and the Mosler has added itself to that list.

At least two more liveries planned this year (Kenmore and Gulf), so it shouldn't be too hard to find one you like.

Ninco cars are usually good value and the Mosler is no exception. Definitely worth adding to your collection!