[fast lucky]

I just paid a visit to Scalextric's site and they announced yesterday that the two DTM Audi A4 are scrapped from their release planning !

They apologize to Audi AG and to their customers.

I suspect another licence war went underway ...

Now which manufacturer will announce their plans for the Audi ? Ninco ? SCX ?

Ninco being not too clever - or careful - with licence issues (remember the Arrows, Minardis or more recently the DTM Astra), I would bet on SCX ...

That said, you could argue that SCX once announced the Audi R8R and the Toyota GTone in their catalog and got beaten by Carrera and Proslot.

 

[moped rider]

To give you some idea of the time scales that slot car manufacturers work to when working on plans for their annual offering there is a manufacturer who has indicated that the plans for 2005 will be finalised by March 2004!

So it then takes around 12-18 months to get that product from the planning stage to the retailer!

And in the middle of all this the catalogue is published.

It is not surprising then that there are a few hiccups along the way.

And its pretty amazing that folk can keep a secret for so long!

So you have between now and March to convince your favourite slot car manufacturer that your "must have" car has to be in the 2005 catalogue or else you will commit hari kari!

Moped

 

[Jamie]

What series did these run in and when?

Sort of lost track of the touring car competitions of late, and never on T.V. nowadays (non satelite viewer here).

I kind of felt that these sort of looked abit of an odd ball choice, unless they are DTM??

Anyway a substitute:

2005 Mustang (Concept)

It'll keep the GT company and is in keeping with Scalextric's current line up - well it's American...

 

[Biberle]

Hi Jamie,

the A4 is the current Audi factory entry for the DTM 2004, following the TT Coupè which will not race any more. The past efforts were done by ABT on a semi-factory basis, so this year's Audi's official return to the DTM.

Here's a picture:
http://www.racing1.de/web/_img/dtm/2004/00...a4_gruppe_o.jpg

 

[Turismo]

That's a real shame. The Audi would be best made by scalextric which would have kept the competition nice and close with the two DTM cars they've already done. The only hope I have is that perhaps Ninco rather than scx has snapped it up.

 

[Wankel Ickx]

Er?

I can't believe that this sort of thing can happen in this day and age.

Granted I have no concept of the timescale for planning, producing and releasing a model but wouldn't you, as a big manufacturer, go get the licence sorted before you made your big bold and brassy announcements of things to come?

To not do so and then have to retract a declared intent makes you look stupid, as Ninco and Margate can testify.

Fingers crossed it is SCX that have the rights.

 

[Ecurie Ecosse 9-5]

Who is to say they did not have an agreement and it is the 1:1 manufacturer who has broken it.

Scott

 

[thomas]

FYI - Carrera has the license to produce the Audi A4 DTM as a slotcar in 1/32...
Maybe the guys in Margate have not been quick enough ;-)

 

[jonny s]

I doubt that Scalex would go as far forward as this (tooling etc) without an agreement. The license isn`t always exclusive and is it a coincidence that carrera are going to make it, both being German I mean?

Before anyone witters on about equality or similar let me highlight how much Nationality matters in Motor Sport. It`s a matter of pride and commercial priority,often keeping sponsors happy etc. and getting the best deal matters above all. If Carrera talked big they got the deal and now we can look forward to placing another car on the shelf!

 

[Wankel Ickx]

QUOTE Who is to say they did not have an agreement and it is the 1:1 manufacturer who has broken it.

Ah, well, there you have it - most of my posts are based on wild assumptions!

 

[Scott B]

Mine are based on tame assumptions - less scratching I find.

Scott

 

[jonny s]

And highly entertaining it is too guys! Adrian must be falling off his chair laughing at our gossip. Like a bunch of old ladies we are!!