Dueling DTM!

The Scalextric Sport

AMG Mercedes and Opel Astra V8

When the latest releases by Scalextric were announced, I eagerly awaited the day for their arrival. The photos and initial reports I have read about them just seemed to fuel my anticipation not only in the models themselves, but in the fun they will surely bring to our home racing. These models are destined to battle it out against each other so rather than look at each one individually, I thought it only natural to compare them both.

I do not ordinarily do this kind of review, but these beautiful models I think deserve this type of comparison. Obviously Scalextric wants to bring you close, challenging home racing and so far to date I feel they have done a good job of achieving this. Since these cars are both to be included in the upcoming C1111T Touring Car Challenge Circuit 2 race set (According to Scalextric-USA this set is due next month) which at the low price will attract newcomers, explains a little more why I thought matching them against each other NOW would be more interesting. The standard versions of these models in the sets are just as detailed with only the changes of plastic bushings and "precision ground" rear axle. The Sport versions come with the special packaging shown here, as well as the additional button magnet. I have found that in all other releases that the standard versions perform just as smoothly and are just as fast as the Sport versions, so I feel this comparison applies.

All 3 releases arrived here intact and ready for our greedy hands to open them. These are all of course the Sport versions of the model, however Scalextric has changed these from previous releases. These models differ from earlier Sport versions by including an emblem attached to the bottom of the chassis along pronouncing it "Limited" with what I like to refer to as a Limited Edition "Credit Card" giving you some sort of additional identification. I won't go into the value factor this brings, as it doesn't apply to me. We want these models for racing, so what value the Limited brings to the model is quickly erased once we begin to trade paint with them:) Each model is limited to 6000 except for the C2474AT Team Phoenix Opel with 5000.

As far as the models themselves are concerned, I am hoping my photos tell most of the story here because to be honest I am at a loss for words. All of these models are simply beautiful representations of the prototype, with excellent overall fit and finish. True-scale enthusiasts will most likely find some issues with both models, and I have the utmost respect for those who appreciate scale accuracy and fully understand how minor issues can, and do bother them. However, with that said I fully admit that I am just not that particular. I do want my models to be reasonably scale accurate, and I also appreciate some of the finer detail Scalextric has produced thus far. It is just that in my mind these models are prototypes of "real" race cars that are designed and built to do just that: RACE! If I were to shelve every slot car I own because of a few scale inaccuracies, I most likely would not need a track.

From my eye, while these 3 adversaries sit on my track and get ready to do battle, they look fantastic. Mold lines and overall shape seem to capture the prototypes extremely well, and as usual Scalextric has done a superb job in the paint and Tampo-stamping departments. As I look over the paint work itself, it never ceases to amaze me just how much effort one can put into a slot car, and how that effort brings you more realism in your racing. All 3 models had a clean, dirt and dust free clear-coat with no signs of the dreaded "orange-peel" effect on the finish. The markings were also all very well done being crisp and opaque throughout.

Wheels and tires were very concentric and true. The new soft compound tires grip the track very well, although some sanding of the rears were needed for a smoother drive. Detail such as the brake rotor again add to the scale effect of the model nicely. I noticed while checking the wheel seating on the axle that Scalextric wanted to make sure these wheels were secure, as they are glued in place VERY tightly. I found no excess amount of freeplay in the rear axle system, at least not enough to warrant any shimming.

Interior detail is high as well, with full roll bars, fire bottle and Tampo dashboard detail. The overall effect really adds to the realism of the model, and again I must give Scalextric credit for a job well done. Again some have made comments due to the drivers, and the helmets, but to be honest it really will only offend the most die-hard scale enthusiast. It is here where the similarities in these 2 models begin to fade as each one introduces different designs in not only physical appearance but assembly as well.

Both models utilize 4 screws to mount the body to the chassis. There are 2 other screws that secure the interior to the chassis, and both are easily removed. Both of these cars are lighted in the front, and this is where disassembly of them becomes very different. The Opel is the easier of the 2, although on both models please be careful while removing the interior from the body due to the location of the windshield wiper. This wiper arm will not stand up to an excess of pressure, however if you do break it, it is easily glued back in place. I don't see the need to ever remove the interior from the body, unless you just want to get a better look at the detail, so on both our models I removed all 6 screws at once for removal. The interior in the Mercedes is fitted to the body better than the Opel as it will snap in and stay in place.

The front light system is mounted into the chassis with all wiring located on the lower half of the chassis itself held in place by 2 screws. At first I thought the Mercedes was different as upon first opening it the front light assembly stayed mounted to the body, and the short sections of wire for them didn't give you much room to work with. So BE CAREFUL when removing this assembly, it takes a little effort but the headlight assembly will pop free from the body, and I found that adding some adhesive to the headlight mounts will keep this assembly secured in the chassis for easier body removal for tuning and maintenance in the future.

Once removed we see the familiar stock Mabuchi motor adorned with Sport wrapper and 11 tooth pinion. The spur gear is 36 tooth and is held in place by metal bushings and these were seated very firmly in the chassis. The chassis itself is an adjustable one having 3 places for the bar magnet and a small pocket for the option of the included button magnet up front near the spring-loaded self-centering guide. I found that this magnet is not the easiest to remove or re-install, but using a good flat-tip screwdriver it can be done. For our home racing, we moved the bar magnet all the way to the forward position as this allowed the car to slide a little easier in the corners, and we found it easier to drive. Take care when removing this magnet in the Opel as the lower body work that is attached to the chassis will not stand up to excess flexing, so try and minimize the bending of the chassis itself.

If you are a fan of magnets, these models should not disappoint you. If you move the bar magnet to the rearward position, this model is incredibly fast. Again, I feel the front button magnet to be an OPTION not an addition to tuning these models. The stock Mabuchi motor isn't going to give you maximum performance very long if you combine both of these magnets together, as the down-force that they create really adds a strain on it. I have always thought the Scalextric chassis to be one of the most flexible designs as these models can basically be tuned to suit almost any driving style. Tuning these models with lead weight instead of magnets might be a little tricky, however I found that there is some room to work with right behind the interior tub in between it and the motor.

Since the Sport models come with blackened metal bushings you will need to oil these first before operation. While your under here, I suggest a small drop of oil on both ends of the motor as well. The gears come with lubricant already applied and I didn't see the need to add any more. Driving both of these models certainly put a smile on our faces as they were very smooth and after some break-in began to quiet down some. Braking and acceleration were crisp and clean, with control better than expected with the bar magnet in the box stock mid-position. We found we could still recover from a slide rather easily, and we quickly found our racing groove.

How do they compare? Beautifully in our eyes. Lap times were so even that I can't really say that one is better than the other. We tested these models a little longer than most that arrive here, and we also allowed other drivers to try them as well. Some felt the Mercedes was easier to control, yet someone else found the Opel the best choice. Personal preference in action once again! Timing went even on most laps with an overall best lap of 2.9 for each model. We did find that the rear wing on the Mercedes a little weak as a hard crash eventually happened and broke it. However, it was easily glued in place and we continued to race.

My opinion is that these models are fantastic 1/32nd scale racing cars. They are very close in performance, high in detail quality and most of all extremely fun to pilot. Once in a while a release arrives that are immediate winners here, and because of this, we want to collect them all. Regardless if you are a DTM fan or not, I am pretty sure you will appreciate the effort Scalextric has put into these beauties and I highly recommend them for any enthusiast. Scalextric needs to be commended on a job well done! - Harry

As always feel free to contact me about this article or just the hobby in general at wiseone@yhti.net, or better yet drop into our Message Forum and share your thoughts with other enthusiasts!

Thanks go to SCALEXTRIC-USA  for providing us with this excellent model!

Check their website for all the latest information often!