Windows on Nürnberg 2005 - Scalextric and GOM Options

[Swissracer]

Well here is another coffee break peek into the German Toy Fair from the slotters point of view.

Scalextric again were showing SportWorld but no large setup this year just the packaging along with new Digital ranges including cars and especially the Pit Lane.
Most have been covered in the ExCel report.

The recently talked about new livery Porsche 911 GT3R has the new guide piece now although those wanting changes to the body work will be disappointed because this is the only change...


Now I don't know if this has been picked up on but the pit lane gives access to a huge range of layouts across unlimited lanes if a little imagination and design is used.



The 'Y' shaped piece can be fitted between two side by side track pieces and as long as at one point in the layout the design includes one section that reverts to two lane (such as a chicane simulation), you can design a track that includes the full range of curve radii which means 8 lanes are possible.

Also freely talked about but waiting for livery confirmation are the New NASCARS, which will involve little bodywork changes and will have the sidewinder setup and new guide.


One impressive point I found from talking to the guys on the Stand was the Moto GP bikes, not overly impressive when first released they have dropped from the hot topic charts since then. However, with the new weight pods available for some time now I thought I would try the show bikes once more.

For those into the Bikes but put off by the handling I can happily report that these pods work extremely well. I tried both with and without magnet and found them fun and easy to drive at last. For sure they are not race cars and the experience is different but the frustration factor of unpredictability has now been eliminated. They still don't lean of course but a gentle tail slide without the magnet was a suprising bonus - Congratulations to Scalextric for a good fix!






Onto GOM, in the past quality from this small Company has been limited although some of the cars produced have been unusual.
In the last year they have expanded their range, especially aftermarket parts.

On of the most innovative is their Rally Chassis, it can be fitted to a range of their own cars coming (see below for an example) or kits such as the all new RAID Easy kits from Revell which you can see here later.

Pre Production Toyota Celica...


Fully adjustable in width, length, ride height, guide position and travel (the guide is on a swing arm that can be moved forward/backward and even has the ability to be limited in vertical travel. Even the tension on the spring of the guide swing arm is adjustable.

4 wheel drive is possible and power plants such as those from the Slot.It motor mount range...


Body mounting can be from the supplied lugs or a side system similar again to the HRS from Slot.it...



pic courtesy of slotcenter.net


pic courtesy of slotcenter.net

The example Toyota with fitted chassis...

[jnr_seahorse]

Hi Swiss

Great update! Not such good news about the Porsche. Do you know if they have changed to a bar magnet or still use the button version of the original cars.

JS

[Swissracer]

As far as I know the guide is the ONLY change but, as usual, I could be wrong as I didn't specifically ask about the magnet

[driver#8]

Hi Swiss

Do you know if they have changed to a bar magnet or still use the button version of the original cars.

JS

The ModelZone version that I bought last year had a bar magnet. Went like stink and lapped everything in the headlights race with nothing but slackening the body screws.

[Slot City]

I was under the impression there would be other changes to the Porsche.

It isn't due for release until September, so its possible that is just a mock up based on the existing tooling rather than the finished car.

Jon,
Slot City.

[jonny s]

Cheers for all the info Swiss, thanks for posting the pics.