Wednesday April 25, 2007

There is such a wide variety of models in our hobby that it is very hard to keep up with all the latest releases. Some models simply do not inspire me at first glance and soon they drop off my radar, so to speak. Such was the case with the A1 Grand Prix models by Scalextric. I began hearing more about them in the past few months from our forum members and with a new track in our future here, I wanted to try one and see if they would work for an all new open wheel class.

My first impressions of the model were quite positive. Although I do not know much about this series, a quick surfing session on the web told me Scalextric has done a decent job re-creating these in our scale. Nothing is perfect of course, but to my eyes they are more than adequate and represent the class nicely. When I look at the price point of this model, smaller details that have been omitted really do not bother me. Given that these cars are nicely suited for beginners and younger racers, the less fragile detail the better.

There is a link at the end of this article to the A1 Grand Prix website, so check it out to learn more about the series.

And although there is not much in the detail department, what is here gives the model a more finished look. The overall fit and finish of the paint and clear coat was as nice as you could ask for. So far this model looked well enough and I had high expectations.

Wheels and tires are pretty standard fare for Scalextric and they were very round and true. I did notice some flashing on the rear tires but a good sanding session will clean this up without issues. The compound of the tires felt medium to soft and it appeared they would provide excellent grip on our home track. They did have some high edges on them, but that is common on most cars and sanding will clear that up quickly.

Turning the model over we see the standard Scalextric bar magnet to the rear which should be enough for most racers. Up front the quick change guide is in place but the tolerance with the wires and body are very close. In fact, turning the guide all the way to each side showed a very tight fit. This might eventually lead to a wire failure after extended use, but for now it is in top condition and I simply cannot predict the future. What I do wish of this model, and every other model Scalextric brings us is to start making a guide with more depth. There are 4 screws that hold the body to the chassis and all are easy to remove.

Out Of The Box - Initial Testing
4 x 16 - 4 Lane Artin Road Course
PARMA Control
Pyramid After-Market Adjustable Supply Set At 12 Volts

It is now time for our out of the box test. As usual, Scalextric makes a great car out of the box as our A1 took off without a hitch. The gear mesh was smooth and the rear bar magnet certainly allowed for plenty of magnetic traction. Wheels and tires functioned fine and I knew they would get better with some tuning. Lap times were very quick as we had an average of 3.7 seconds. This is a very good average for a model straight from box to track.

Looking Closer

After removing the body mount screws we find the model is equipped with the new FF 18,000 RPM slim-line motor with a 9 tooth pinion. The rear axle has the standard 27 tooth crown gear and as stated, gear mesh was very smooth. I did not notice any free-play in the rear bushings under power, but I added a drop of hot glue on each as a preventive measure. The bar magnet has only one position which is fine by me. Personally, it has plenty of magnetic downforce for my tastes and the motor should suffice most enthusiasts.

Advanced Testing
4 x 16 - 4 Lane Artin Road Course
5 x 16 Routed Wood Oval
PARMA Control
Pyramid After-Market Adjustable Supply Set At 12 Volts

It was time to head back to the track for more fun. All I did was sand the rear tires and we were ready to go. The results were very pleasing as the car had increased grip and was also smoother overall. I dipped lap times into the 3.5 second range easily and although control is not ideal, it is still a fun model to pilot. Just remember that with these speeds along with the magnet leaves little room for you to correct the model. Usually it will simply snap off the track with little warning, so the model will take a steady hand to find that perfect balance in the turns.

On the wood the model did not of course have the magnet, but it still was a smooth runner. The tires do not have the grip I expected, so it was a handful in the corners. Aftermarket tires will likely be needed for most routed wood tracks for the best performance. It still has potential because of this option and once I have a set that fits, I can re-test the model. I tested tires for the older F1, new F1 and Indy cars but they were a shade too large in diameter. I am sure some will be made soon so keep an eye out for them. If any enthusiasts do know of some that fit, please let us know.

Final Thoughts

What does this model offer for your home racing? Well, value to start with. Most of these cars are at a price range between $35.00 to $32.00. This might not mean much to some, but it certainly does for me. When looking at having 4 of them for visitors to race here, the difference between these and the more expensive Formula 1 is quite considerable. They also make good candidates for repainting them in your favorites liveries. Many enthusiasts use their "Modeler's License" to create fantasy models that really look the part.

Performance and durability are also a factor. So far the model runs very well and both the front and rear wings have held up to some hard crashes. Eventually, they might fall victim but as of now they are holding up very well.

Dollar for dollar I truly like this model. It offers a low cost option for enthusiasts on a budget, yet still delivers plenty of fun. When slot car prices on some models keep going up, it is nice to see models like this still being offered.  I will add 2 more to my stable and I think you should take a second look for your collection as well.

- Harry

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

Thanks Go To HobbyGods.Com For Providing Us With This Model!

CHECK OUT THE A1 GRAND PRIX WEBSITE

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UNIQUE RACING SERIES