Tuesday, 23 December 2003

Slot Car Of The Year!

The Home Racing World Official "Un-Official" Slot Car Awards

This edition of Dungeon Notes will focus on our own SCOTY (Slot Car Of The Year) Awards. It has been a great year for our hobby and plenty of new models to choose from, but there is always some that seem to stand out for one reason or another. After hosting polls in our message forums and numerous emails from our readers our am happy to present this years winners!

1/32nd Scale Slot Car Of The Year - Carrera Classic NASCARS

Without a doubt these models top our list and for good reasons too. These slot cars were ones that many enthusiasts have waited years for and Carrera delivered, and not with just one model or livery either. This, plus the fact that Carrera re-designed their chassis to improve performance makes them the clear winner this year. And just in case you thought the Classic line would stop there, Carrera has officially announced the rival to these Mopars with the Ford Torino Talledega which just makes this line even more appealing for the slot racer...and we can't forget the low list price to go with them. Already I have seen enthusiasts re-painting these into their favorite NASCARS legends and clubs are beginning a whole new series featuring them that just makes the decision even easier.  Nice work Carrera!

Runner-up - Vanquish MG CAN-AM Line

Yes, I can hear the scale purists screaming now but the numbers speak the truth. Most enthusiasts were not stopped by the fact these models were larger than 1/32nd scale and that they had other scale issues, not to mention the early problems with the working differential some enthusiasts had. According to many forum posts and especially emails and phone calls I have received since their debut, most average enthusiasts just didn't care. They DID however care that the CAN-AM line was finally brought to us in force, a line that some in the industry said would never sell, and they did it with a price tag under $60.00. The bottom line was that these cars are fun to drive and FIT on 1/32nd scale track. Like them or not, these releases were important to many and VMG shows no signs of slowing down either, making the series even more enjoyable.

Value Slot Car Of The Year - Scalextric IRL

This was a close one but Scalextric deserves this honor. Not only did they bring us IRL models we have been waiting for, they did it at a price anyone could afford. Combining high quality and smooth operation with a price tag under $30.00 is something you don't see a lot in our hobby. Not only that, but they released several fictional liveries based on current licensing and offered those for under $20.00! Already a favorite with veteran enthusiasts who work magic with their painting skills, Scalextric made sure just about anyone with even the tightest budgets could afford a new slot car...and they did it with style.

Comeback Of The Year - Monogram

This of course has to go to Monogram coming back into the slot car scene. The rumors of them returning buzzed around for quite awhile before they arrived on the scene with the Daytona Cobra. This model showed us that Monogram was serious about this venture as it impressed many enthusiasts with its drop-dead good looks and whisper smooth running gear. The model did have a few issues to it and when Monogram allowed us a sneak peak at the Grand Sport Corvette, we found these areas addressed...showing us that they DID listen to the enthusiast.

Welcome Back Monogram!

1/24 Car Of The Year - Pro-Track Hardbody Chassis

This chassis has went through some changes over the years and it just keeps getting better. Using top quality parts combined with easy of body mounting has made this chassis extremely popular with those racing in this scale. I have heard from clubs across the country who race these chassis utilizing the modern NASCAR 1/24th scale bodies (just as this chassis was intended for) and the fun they are having has convinced others to join us in this great hobby. With silicone tires on the way plus top notch customer service makes them the clear winner!

HO Scale Car Of The Year - Johnny Lightning X-Traction

Just making it in time for the holidays, these little beauties just had to get some attention. When Johnny Lightning officially announced they would be bringing back the famous A/FX magna-traction chassis I wasn't the only one excited. Finally these models would be available in force once again and with a great price to go along with them. With the popularity of the new Thunder-Jet line and now the X-Tractions...Johnny Lightning (Playing Mantis) has created a clear winner for the HO scale enthusiast.

Honorable Mention

Coming right in before Christmas, Slot-it released their new version of the Porsche 962C. This model is becoming very popular with enthusiasts quickly and for good reasons too. Top of the line drive-line components combined with excellent scale detail usually allows this to happen, and Slot-it has brought it to you. With more versions on the way, and popularity continuing to grow, I can only hope this line expands even more. This release will certainly be in the hunt for next years award as I feel it deserves to be eligible due to its late release date.

Although some do not realize it, 1/43rd scale is beginning to grow at a fast rate. Carrera's line of cars and track has helped this along with Artin at Slot Car World having new sets and models. With what I have seen for future projects planned by both, 1/43rd scale is only going to get bigger and offer the enthusiast even more.

Well that is it for this year! There are of course many other models that didn't make the list, and as I stated before these are just some of the ones that were available to us this year. If your favorite model didn't get mentioned, don't take it personally ok? Like most anything else in this hobby, this "unofficial" award was meant only to add to the fun. This hobby is growing faster everyday and we can only look forward to even more to choose from in the future. Compared to just 5 years ago, it is amazing what we now have available to us in ready-to-run models.

Aside from all of the models, this hobby has always been, and will continue to be the best there is due to the people in it. I want to thank everyone who has helped out around here to make our little site a great place for the enthusiast to hang out and talk about their hobby. Through this website we have been fortunate to meet some of you and have had some of the most fun of our lives, and we want to extend our invitation to all of you to come by and visit us someday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Harry and Cindy Wise