Happy New Year!

Slot Car News is entering the fourth year of publication. Since the site went live in May 2006 there have been 1695 posts and over 812,000 page views. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this website and especially for those that check in from time to time here. Happy New Year!
Thanks!
Dave Kennedy
Publisher, Slot Car News

masti with jokes

Hello friend i have create this blog with really fun and i hope that u enjoy my all masti jokes and pics thx.
jai

Honda WTCC's - gallery of photos

See a gallery of photos of the SCX Honda WTCC's at this link.

2009 McLaren SLR Stirling Moss

Things got just a bit brighter for the incoming Detroit Auto show. Mercedes-Benz will officially showing what will surely be one of the most attention supercars in exhibition hall, the new 2009 McLaren SLR Stirling Moss,a supercar for year 2009. The boldly styled Merc will be the last vehicle built under the partnership with McLaren, at a cost around €750,000 Mercedes should have no trouble finding buyers for the 75-car allotment. The feature of this super car will full carbon fiber bodywork wrapped over the standard version, a 650-hp supercharged 5.5-liter V8 and the five-speed automatic transplanted from the SLR 722. Despite lacking any sort of roof or proper windscreen, the Stirling Moss can still achieve a top speed of 217 mph and can reach 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. Other unique features include swing-wing doors, a retractable air brake that can be operated manually and a two-piece tonneau cover that can cover the entire cockpit or just the passenger seat.

Ferrari FXX

Ferrari FXX slot car photos at this link on SCXWorldWide.com.

BMW X6 by Hamann

The BMX X6 is a tricky vehicle to classify. In photos, it can look like a hot-hatch on steroids. Up close, you see the SUV in the vehicle. It's dimensions are even larger than the X5 and the only thing that cramps its cargo room to make it less than the X5 is the sloping hatch - a styling cue that makes the X6 unique and hard to pin down.

Of course, the term-du-jour is Crossover, which is what Hamann-Motorsports uses to describe the X6. But their treatment is a little more adventurous than that. Hamann boosts the X6's 3.5i gasoline/petrol version from 306 to 360 hp and the 3.5d (diesel) from 286 hp to 320 hp. Cranking power is also considerably elevated by 140 Nm to 540 Nm in the 3.5i and taken to a massive 660 Nm in the 3.5d from a previous 580 Nm.

On the outside, Hamann offers the option of 23-inch rims, in need of 315/25R23 tires. Oh, and the price tag for just the four wheels is 9,385 euros. Yes, this is an audacious tuner that also messes with the BMW sound with a four-pipe exhaust system that gives the X6 a more grounded sound.

The tuning kit also comes with a collection of spoilers and skirts and the interior gets a once-over with special carbon-fiber materials too. But Hamann is a performance tuner and this X6 definitely puts on a show.

ToyoBaru RWD Sports Car delay until 2012

A smart project of Toyota and Subaru to working together on a rear-wheel-drive sportscar with “wonderful styling” have been replaced by rumours that the car has been put on hold.

The future and superb drift machine, regarded by many as the potential successor to the now legendary AE86, is believe to be based on the current Subaru Legacy platform and powered by a boxer engine putting out around 200hp through a six speed manual transmission.

The original plan is due in 2011,but, according to Nikkei, the car has been delayed to at least 2012 or more. But with things set to get even worse around the globe, 2012 may just come and go without any trace of a Toyobaru RWD sports car.

Goodwood video... drifting, classic style!

Fastest Street Legal Super Car arrive at Europe...

Show up at any track with a car less than ordinary and you’re bound to get smirks of both disgust and pity. Some people don’t let it affect them, some pack up and go home in search of mummy, others give chase and some blow the competition away. That’s exactly what happen when the took his 1407hp Pontiac Trans-Am to the Papenburg track where the AMG boys from Mercedes

were testing their new models.

With a brisk 8.9L V8 producing a whopping 1407 HP, The top speeds of 300km/h in his warming laps. After driving a couple of rounds around the track, to see what his road machine would do! And after pressing the pedal to the metal the when the technician came over with his laptop computer with a big grin. Here we have the official numbers: 407.134 km/h.

You may say well the 9FF team drove 409km/h in an extremely rebuilt Porsche 911 at the same track; this speed was recorded with their own equipment and therefore can be fixed and therefore is not recorded as an official speed record. Bugatti Veyron 407km/h is also recorded with their own equipment.

As the Papenburg track is to small for the Pontiac to reach its potential top speed of 435km/h and Volkswagen’s test track costs 25.000 Euro an hour to rent.

New Testors Saleen and Viper models

The "Easy Press Fit " of our Quick Build Models means there is no glue involved. All the fun of modeling with none of the mess. Build a model in less than 15 minutes. Spend more time customizing your masterpiece with decals, paint brushes, and non- toxic- water wash-up acrylic paints all included! Rad Rides of the Road includes TWO 1:32 scale models---the Dodge Viper GTS-R and the Saleen S7, 6 bottles of acrylic paints, 3 different sized paint brushes, decals and a mixing tray. Order Now!

* 1:32 scale
* 15-30 pieces
* Assembles in 15 minutes or less

USD$ 22.99

Audi R15?

Photos today of what might be the Audi R15 that will try to do battle with the Peugeot 908HDi at LeMans this year.

Christmas day

Not slot car related but a favorite song of mine. All the best to all the nearly 800,000 slotters around the world who look in from time to time on Slot Car News.

From YouTube:
From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe. This and other songs such as "One Love" will be released as digital downloads soon; followed by the film soundtrack and DVD early next year.

Sign up at www.playingforchange.com for updates and exclusive content available only to those who...

Join the Movement to help build schools, connect students, and inspire communities in need through music

Christmas cards

Spirit 936's compared

Napaslot is showing a number of photos showing the differences between the older short tail 936 and the new long tail 936. See all the photos at this link.

Slot MiniAuto No.51-SCX MotoGP's, Carrera R8, Slot It F40

2009 Nisssan Skyline GT-R:Power Unleashed

Born from a long line of Skyline GT-Rs 1969, this latest version — “R36″ equipped with turbocharged power, more all-wheel-drive technology and more sheer speed than any Japanese car ever to come to America.

For six years the 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R has been the subject of intense rumors and frenzied speculation. It has appeared in more spy photos than Area 51; and Skyline prototypes are as familiar a sight on the Nürburgring as pine trees and pavement.

Why? Because the Skyline GT-R R36 is expected to be the ne plus ultra of Japanese performance machinery; and after 30 years of waiting, it’s finally America’s turn to officially take part in all the fun.

The original Nissan Skyline GT-R might have hit the street in 1969, but it wasn’t until 1990 that the GT-R legend would be solidified. That was the year the Skyline GT-R was introduced to an utterly stunned Japanese market. It was the first of three twin-turbocharged, all-wheel-drive and all-wheel-steering Skylines (R32, R33 and R34) and it’s the generation upon which the Skyline GT-R legend rests.

Though the R34 left production after the 2003 model year, it was so beloved that Nissan’s Nismo division actually bought 20 used Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec models during 2005 and completely rebuilt them into what is currently considered the greatest GT-R of them all — the $170,000, 500-horsepower Skyline GT-R Z-Tune.

Although Nissan never imported the Skyline GT-R to the United States, the supercar still found its way into America’s automotive consciousness. In fact, buying one in the U.S. became relatively easy. By the dawn of the 21st century, several hundred had been imported.

So prominent had the Nissan Skyline GT-R become that in 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious, the film’s hero drove and raced one through the streets of Miami. And the actor Paul Walker, who played the role, bought his own and modified it.

At the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan showed the GT-R Concept as the prospective successor to the R34. By early 2005, modified G35 coupes with Infiniti badges, oversize wheels and tires, big rear wings, hood scoops and bodywork protrusions big enough to hide exotic exhaust systems in back or intercoolers up front were spied at the Nürburgring.

These weren’t just tuner cars, but full-fledged prototypes of the next GT-R.

Then in the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, another GT-R showcar appeared called the GT-R Proto; and the new, innovative shape of the next GT-R was apparent. Obviously based on Nissan’s FM-code front midengine chassis, this GT-R would apparently use a turbocharged version of the VQ V6 with a seven-speed transmission and all-wheel drive.

And at the 2006 New York Auto Show, Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that, yes finally, the new Skyline GT-R R36 would be sold in the United States and it would be sold worldwide exclusively through Nissan, and not Infiniti. And apparently without the Skyline name.

That’s right, it’ll officially be called the Nissan GT-R. Yeah, right, just like the 2007 Mazda Miata is the MX-5.

Do you know "Super Car"?

Supercar is a term generally used for high-end sports cars, whose performance is superior to that of its contemporaries. It has been defined specifically as "a very expensive, fast or powerful car with a centrally located engine",and stated in more general terms: "it must be very fast, with sporting handling to match", "it should be sleek and eye-catching" and its price should be "one in a rarefied atmosphere of its own",but the correct usage of the term is both subjective and disputed, especially amongst enthusiasts. The use of the term can be dependent on the era; a vehicle that may have been considered a supercar in one decade may not be considered the same in another. The term supercar may refer to factory-built, street-legal sports cars.Some vehicles referred to as supercars include features required for race cars such as roll cages.

New Difalco Design 30 band controller

Racers, I wanted you to be the first to know that we have a new controller design!

The 4 attachments above show the information on our latest controller design for 1/24,H.O. and 1/32 Homeset controllers and modules. The one PDF file (not great quality) shows the front circuit board layout. All this info and pictures should be on our website very soon! Upgrade kits for your older Difalco Controller will be ready in a week. Controllers and modules will be ready shortly after that.


"E"MOTION 3 HD30 DESIGN OVERVIEW:

*30 bands will give scale racers more control.

*Optional plug in Network Resistor PCB will still allow racers to tune each band of the controller. We consider this feature more important then higher band count with no ability to tune each band!

* Compatibility with all older designs. Upgrade to new technology!

SERVICE WORK: Yes, we will be doing upgrade work! You can purchase the upgrade kit direct from us or your local raceway and do the installation yourself. You can also send us your controller and we will install and do a complete tune up. The tune up includes cleaning all contacts, new oilites if needed and complete adjustment so you controller feels like new.

SERVICE COST: upgrade service will be $94 which will include an all new HD30 PCB, labor and return shipping in the 48 states. If you have a very old 10 band or a 15 band with a range switch design you may need to have the sensitivity rheostat upgraded to a 50 ohm. Contact Jim by email before you send in controller for work for a time estimate and any special options like a mush button ($15 installed price). We will also be offering ball bearings at a installed price of $20. We have a special installation process that keeps the ball bearings from moving around in the trigger!

UPGRADE KIT: You can purchase our upgrade kit and do the work yourself (it is pretty simple) direct from us or your local raceway or mail order source. Please include $5 shipping when ordering direct from Difalco Design.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A DIFALCO DESIGN CUSTOMER! I am celebrating 40 years in slot racing in 2009 as a racer and manufacturer and I want to thank everyone I have met or talked to for their support over the years.

Jim Difalco
Difalco Design

Difalco Design New Products

Difalco Design HD30 controllers, modules and upgrade PCB.

New Hi Definition 30 band wiper design.


“E”MOTION3 FEATURES

* 30 band high definition design gives excellent control for scale type or wing car racing.
* Miniature plug in resistor network circuit board allows one controller to be tuned for any scale from a 16d Nascar to 1/24 Eurosport to the fastest 1/24 wing car to 1/32 homeset or H.O. car.
* Conversion modules for Parma Turbo frames or our D.I.Y. Frame kit offer a low cost alternative.
* Design is compatible with all older Difalco 10 and 15 band designs so racers can buy just the PCB (printed circuit board) and upgrade their controller very inexpensively (see page 2).

1/24 HD30 CONTROLLERS

DD250-HD30: The same overall construction as our current controllers. Economy brake rheostat gives great control for scale cars at a great price. Comes standard with a 148 ohm HD30 network (medium response) installed which is best for 16d and G12 motors. Positive polarity (easily converted to neg. polarity). $252

DD251-HD30: Upgraded Pro brake rheostat with new 3 ohm resistance for wider range for scale racing. Full power relay. Comes standard with 148 ohm HD30 network (medium response) installed which is best suited for 16d and G12 motors. Positive polarity (easily converted to neg. polarity). $318

DD252-HD30: Upgraded Pro brake rheostat with new 3 ohm resistance for wider range for scale racing. Full power relay. Comes standard with 148 ohm HD30 network (medium response) installed which is best suited for 16d and G12 motors. Comes with dual polarity. $342

1/24 HD30 MODULES

These electronic modules are an inexpensive way to convert your Parma turbo controller to a full function electronic controller. Save about $120 compared to our complete factory model. Text with drawings included for assembly. The kits can also be mounted on our DD242 D.I.Y. Frame and wire kit ($32) so you can build our factory controller from scratch. We also have available 4 other module kits priced from $89 to $154.

DD253-HD30: Conversion module with economy rheostat. Standard 148 ohm network. An inexpensive way to get our 30 band design! $124

DD254-HD30: Conversion module with 3 ohm pro rheostat. Standard 148 ohm network. $162


1/24 HD30 RESISTOR NETWORKS

Miniature plug in circuit board allows racer to change the overall band resistance to best suit the type of motor being used. The higher the listed ohms the slower the band response and the lower the listed ohms the faster the band
response. The standard networks are soldered and ready to install and have the same value resistance per band. The custom networks have miniature sockets and various values of resistors that can be mixed and matched to get the desired band response. All controllers and modules come standard with a 148 ohm network.
(As a comparison our 15 band Fanatic controllers have 150 ohms of total resistance)

(Note: the network resistance shown, 180 ohms for example, is the resistance needed to control our transistor circuit and should not be confused with the ohms rating on a typical Parma type resistor)

DD255: Standard Resistor Network. 180 ohm, slower response for flat track scale racing. $17

DD256: Standard Resistor Network. 113 ohm, faster response for 16d, G12, G15 and G20 motors. $17

DD257: Standard Resistor Network. 78 ohm, very fast response for G15, G20, G27 and G7 type motors. $17

DD258: Custom Resistor Network. Slow response. 33 each of 3 different value resistances let you customize response for scale racing. 136,162 and 192 ohms of total resistance if the same value is used per band. You can also mix and match resistors to best suit your track and driving style. $25

DD259: Custom Resistor Network. Faster response. 33 each of 3 different value resistances let you customize response for higher speed tracks and motors. 87,113 and 136 ohms of total resistance if the same value is used per band or you can mix and match response to best suit your track and driving style. $25

DD260: Custom Resistor Network. Very Fast response. 33 each of 3 different value resistances for customized response for high power G15,G20, G27 and G7 motors. 64,87 and 113 ohms of total resistance if the same value is used per band. You can also mix and match to best suit your track and driving style. $25

*Resistor networks for 1/32 and H.O. racing are also available. Please check website.


1/24 HD30 UPGRADE PCB

UPGRADE YOUR OLDER CONTROLLER OR MODULE KIT!

DD261: HD30 Upgrade PCB: Convert your 10 or 15 band Pro Plus or Fanatic controller to our new 30 band high definition design. You get the HD30 circuit board with a standard 148 ohm network board installed. Simply unsolder a few wires and remove the old PCB. Transfer the original brake and sensitivity rheostats over to the new HD30 board. Now bolt the PCB to the frame and solder a few wires to their correct positions. Simple instructions included. $56

1/24 FANATIC UPGRADE PCB

DD243: Fanatic Upgrade PCB: Convert your 10 band Pro Plus or Fanatic controller to our 15 band Fanatic module. Pots are already soldered to our 15 band Fanatic board. Our 15 band Fanatic circuit board gives you the convenience of instantly adjustable sensitivity on each controller band. 150 ohm total resistance gives you a wider range then the standard 113 ohms on our Pro Plus controllers. Simple instructions included. $39

DD244: Fanatic Upgrade Pots. Kit includes 15) 10 ohm Fanatic pots to convert your 15 band Pro plus controller to a Fanatic model. Unsolder and remove the individual resistors and solder the new Fanatic pots in place. $22

DD245: Fanatic Upgrade Pots. Kit includes 15) 20 ohm Fanatic pots to convert your 15 band Pro plus controller to a Fanatic model. 20 ohm pots give a very slow response for 1/24 scale racing and will also run H.O. and 1/32 Homeset type cars. Unsolder and remove the individual resistors and solder the new Fanatic pots in place. $22

H.O. HD30 CONTROLLERS

DD521-HD30: The same overall construction as our current controllers. 100 ohm brake rheostat. Comes standard with a 290 ohm resistor network. Brake/coast switch and dual polarity. $258

DD531-HD30: All the features of the DD521 with our adjustable choke rheostat installed. $288


H.O. HD30 UPGRADE PCB

DD553: HD30 Upgrade PCB: (This upgrade kit is for any model without a choke) Convert your DD515 or DD525 10 or 15 band Pro Plus or Fanatic H.O. controller to our new 30 band high definition design. You get the HD30 circuit board with a standard 290 ohm resistor network board installed. Simply unsolder a few wires and remove the old PCB. Transfer the original brake and sensitivity rheostats over to the new HD30 board. Now bolt the PCB to the frame and solder a few wires to their correct positions. Simple instructions included. $56

DD554: HD30 Upgrade PCB: (This upgrade kit is for any model with a choke) Convert your DD520 or DD530 10 or 15 band Pro Plus or Fanatic H.O. controller to our new 30 band high definition design. You get the HD30 circuit board with a standard 290 ohm resistor network board installed. Simply unsolder a few wires and remove the old PCB. Transfer the original brake and sensitivity rheostats over to the new HD30 board. Now bolt the PCB to the frame and solder a few wires to their correct positions. Simple instructions included. $56

DD555: Fanatic Upgrade Pots. Kit includes 15) 20 ohm Fanatic pots to convert your 15 band Pro plus controller to
a Fanatic model. Adjustable pots allow you to tune each band for total control of your band sensitivity. Unsolder and remove the individual resistors and solder the new Fanatic pots in place. $22


1/32 HD30 CONTROLLERS

DD302-HD30: The same construction as our current 1/32 controllers. 25 ohm brake. Comes standard with a 290 ohm resistor network. Super lightweight 1.25” x 1” x 3/4” heatsink. Upgraded with heavier 10 ga. main wires. $224

1/32 HD30 UPGRADE PCB

DD553: HD30 Upgrade PCB: Convert your DD300 or DD301 15 band 1/32 controller to our new 30 band high
definition design. You get the HD30 circuit board with a standard 290 ohm resistor network board installed. Simply unsolder a few wires and remove the old PCB. Transfer the original brake and sensitivity rheostats over to the new HD30 board. Now bolt the PCB to the frame and solder a few wires to their correct positions. Simple instructions
included. $56


H.O. & 1/32 HD30 RESISTOR NETWORKS

Miniature plug in circuit board allows racer to change the overall band resistance to best suit the type of motor being used. The higher the listed ohms the slower the band response and the lower the listed ohms the faster the band
response. The standard networks are soldered and ready to install and have the same value resistance per band. The custom networks have miniature sockets and various values of resistors that can be mixed and matched to get the desired band response. All H.O. and 1/32 controllers come standard with a 290 ohm network. (As a comparison our 15 band Fanatic controllers have 300 ohms of total resistance)

(Note: the network resistance, 290 ohms for example, is the resistance needed to control our
transistor circuit and should not be confused with the ohms rating on a typical Parma type resistor)

At this time we have not decided on the values and number of Standard and Custom
Resistor Networks we will be offering. These parts and information should be available by mid January.

A pair of Flying Lizards for 2009

Finally some good racing news to report:

Flying Lizard Motorsports, the 2008 American Le Mans Series GT2 team champions, announced today its 2009 racing program. The Sonoma, California-based team will field two 2009 911 GT3 RSR Porsches in the GT2 class -- the No. 45 and No. 44 -- for the complete 2009 ALMS season.

Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) will return to Flying Lizard in 2009 for his third consecutive season to defend his and the team's 2008 championships. He will be joined in the No. 45 by Patrick Long (USA). In the No. 44, Seth Neiman (USA) will return with co-drivers Darren Law (USA) and Johannes van Overbeek (USA).

2009 will be the third season that Bergmeister and Long have competed together as a team. Two of the top Porsche drivers in the world, together they won back to back ALMS GT2 championships in 2005 and 2006, a total of eight ALMS GT2 races, and won in GT2 at the 2004 24 Heures du Mans (with Sascha Maassen). Bergmeister and Long are again both Porsche Works drivers for the 2009 season. For complete driver biographies, see www.lizardms.com.

Flying Lizard team management for 2009 includes: Seth Neiman, team principal; Tommy Sadler, crew chief and co-technical director; Craig Watkins, chief engineer; Stefan Pfeiffer engineer, No. 45 Porsche and co-technical director; Thomas Blam, chief strategist; Eric Ingraham, team manager and No. 44 Porsche strategist; Jennifer Hart, team marketing; and Paul Pillitteri, team merchandising.

Neiman looks forward to a competitive season: "Flying Lizard is excited and energized to be back with the series for our sixth consecutive year. Our goal this year is to defend our team and drivers' championships. Everything we've done since the day after celebrating at Laguna Seca has been focused on that goal. With 2009 likely to be a step up from the already intense competition of last season, it is going to be a very tough and challenging effort. The fans should be in for a real treat."

Flying Lizard expects to receive its two new 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs in early January and plans to attend the American Le Mans Series Winter Test in Sebring, Florida in late January. Flying Lizard will announce additional program details in early 2009.

For more on the team, see www.lizardms.com.

New MRRC controllers and Ninco Mosler

Bantuslot is showing new MRRC controllers and a new Ninco Mosler.

Seat 131 review link

A review by Harry Wise of Home Racing World:

Ever since I first piloted one of the classic rally cars by SCX I have been wanting to add this model to our collection. As simple as it may seem, the wide fender flares and blue and yellow paint really caught my eye and sooner or later I would have to add it to our collection. It has arrived so let us see how well this little SEAT 131 fits in with our other models.

This little car is very quick and snappy right out of the box. Acceleration and braking are very crisp and the magnet here really holds the model in place. 3.9 seconds was the average which was right on track (ahem) with the other models in the series. For me, a Rally car should slide though so we will be removing this magnet later. In any event it functioned as it should right out of the box and for that it passes with flying colors.

Read the complete review at this link.

Carrera's Petty Fury

This latest release by Carrera has taken many enthusiasts by surprise. Although an odd choice to some, the same can be said for other models I see being produced. Like it or not the 1960 Petty Fury is finally in my hands and I cannot wait to see what this new classic NASCAR has to offer.

Read the review by Harry Wise at this link.

New and Improved Super Wheels!!

Super Wheels are now available in a 15x8mm format in addition to the original 17x10mm format. Both wheels now feature simulated wheel nuts based on requests from numerous customers. Other improvements - the axle fit is even "snugger" than it was before - you will need to push/twist (just slightly...) the wheel onto the recommended axle. The 17x10mm wheels are now about .5g/pair lighter than the original version without compromising the integrity of the wheel.

For a limited time, Slot Car Corner is offering a SUPER DEAL on SUPER WHEELS!! Here's how it works:Purchase two (2) pairs of Super Wheels for just $14.99 USD!! Thats almost $5.00 USD off the normal retail price!! Your choice - 2 pairs of 17x10mm's OR 2 pairs of 15x8mm's OR 1 pair each of 17x10's and 15x8's!! Offer expires Dec. 31, 2008 so don't procrastinate - these wheels are going fast!! For more information or to place an order, please click here.

Porsche (P2) leaves ALMS....

Motorsports news just keeps getting worse and worse these days.... From the ALMS website:

It's been a roller coaster of a week for the American Le Mans Series. Last Friday, Audi served up a curve ball worthy of Sandy Koufax when, seemingly out of the blue, it revealed it would not compete in the 2009 Series after the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. Coming on the heels of the not-unexpected news that Porsche had elected not to compete in LMP2 next year on a factory level, Audi's announcement was - if not devastating - worrisome news.

Seven days later, however, Mazda and Dyson Racing confirmed they will join forces in 2009 for a two-car LMP2 effort. While Mazda's decision to double its effort with one of the Series' top independent teams hardly balances-out the loss of two manufacturers who regularly fielded six prototypes in recent seasons, it goes a long way to nullify the perception that the Series is hemorrhaging manufacturers. In fact, given that BMW confirmed its plans for a GT2 program a fortnight ago and that Porsche's commitment to GT2 remains steadfast, the number of auto makers committed to the '09 schedule remains essentially unchanged from last year. And with a new, two-car LMP1 program and a continuing (if reduced) LMP2 effort, Acura is more committed to the Series then ever.

Still, there's no denying prototype racing circa 2009 will lack some of the pizzaz of recent seasons. Where once Porsche and Acura went toe-to-toe in an LMP2 battle that, often as not, threatened Audi (and occasionally Peugeot) for overall victory, now it will be a surprise if Acura does not win more or less at its leisure in LMP1 with any opposition from LMP2 for the overall victory offered by Mazda and, er, Acura.

On the other hand, GT2 figures to be more fiercely-contested ever, what with the welcome addition of BMW and (after Le Mans) Corvette with ANOTHER manufacturer in the wings. Indeed, this figures to be a dream season for GT2: not only a battle royal among a host of the world's leading auto makers, but an opportunity to emerge from the shadows of the prototypes.

No two ways about it, though, Audi will be missed. Just why the German automaker opted for a Sebring-only American Le Mans Series program this year is hard to define. Audi was sending all the right signals to the Series last year, from its less than top-secret decision to develop a successor to the mighty R10 TDI to Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich's upbeat comments at the post-season banquet about competing with Acura in 2009.

Revival Shelby 2008-Shelby Modelismo (Brazil) race report

An update from slotbrothers (Obrigado Luiz Carlos Cardoso!!!) in Brazil today, for those that don't read Portugese I'm sorry but admire the photos anyway!

PowerSlot Opel GT

Technical Specs
OPEL GT
Scale: 1/32 Engine
Body: plastic (ABS)
Chasis: plastic (ABS) Model: POWER SLOT PS-3
Traction: rear Position: in line
magnet: neodimium 2,000 Gauss Revolutions: 25.000 at 14v
Guide: pivoting Magnetic attraction: 8 UMS
Sizes (in mm)
Weights (in grs)
Length 136
Width: 55 Total weight: 82
Height: 40 Body weight: 20
Wheelbase 80
Guide-rear axle: 92.8
Axes: 54 Front, 55 Rear (Balanced)
Wheel width: 9
Wheel diameter: 18.5
Axes diameter: 2.36
Pinion: 9 dientes Latón
Crown: 27 tooth brass-Nylon