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by Doug Teggin
Click on the images to enlarge.

Scalextric released their MotoGP concept at the British Toy Fair.

This was eagerly anticipated by all visitors.

The Bikes and riders are 1/18th scale - a size that was debated at length by Scalextric management. They were thinking of producing them in 1/32nd scale to be in scale with existing car layouts, but at that size would have been too small - 'dinky' sized and probably would have been perceived as a little kid's toy. At 1/18th scale the bikes fit comfortably in your hand and look like real bikes. 

The liveries are the key to this product. 16 2004 MotoGP liveries will be produced, including Rossi (the 2002 and 2003 World Champion), Gibernau, Biaggi, Capirossi, Hodgson, Checa and Byrne.

Scalextric secured the license to produce the product on condition that they produced all liveries and the liveries of the current season.

The bikes are Honda, Ducati, Yamaha, Aprilia and Suzuki. This will appeal to fans of the race series and will get the guys racing in their living rooms as the real race is shown on the TV.
The stand was very well presented, but they didn't let anyone touch the pre-production models on display.

They were using standard Sport track and using standard Scalextric controllers to run the show.

The bikes don't lean in to the curves, but that too was debated by the developers. They played with the idea, but didn't want to detract from the scale and quality of the bikes themselves by adding gadgets that made the bikes lean.

You may have seen an RC bike that leans in to the curve, but note its unscale-like body of the rider. They usually add weight to the rider to swing out, pulling the bike over.

They did mention that these were a first - the product had to get to market and there was always the possibility that some innovation might come up in the future.

 

The MotoGP project Manager (name?) together with Michael Walters the Scalextric Products Development Manager pose next to a real MotoGP bike.
The underside of the bike, showing the sled, braids and button magnet.

The bikes use new, smaller Scalextric motor.
MotoGP bike on its display stand.

The MotoGP bike and sets will be available from June 2004 with further releases in July, August and September.
This bike is actually racing around the track and is leaning - ever so slightly - but in the wrong direction...
More info at: www.scalextricmotogp.com
Doug Teggin  January 2004

 

 

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