Why are slot car manufacturerers more switched on than thier diecast relatives?!

Was browsing Ebay whilst waiting for a delayed flight at the weekend and couldnt quite believe how many really interesting variants of rally cars that the likes of Scalextric have made recently. Sadly seems to put diecast makers very much in the shade. In a matter of only a few minutes I found a Bertie Fisher MK2 Escort, an Ulster Rally Mouton Quattro S1, Kris Meeke Lurgan Park Mini WRC and a Stig Blomqvist rally/rallycross triple set including a 6R4 which I never knew he had driven! Obviously these were mainstream available models and not Code 3s etc which got me wondering why the slot makers are happy to model differing liveries but the diecast bods stick to the really obvious. Dont know if anyone has any contact with the slot world but made me a bit envious of what they can get hold of!

I agree with you, Chris.

There are some blindingly good models out there now form Scalextric themselves. They are details models rather than the blobby approximations I bought as a lad!

The MGB model is a lovely looking thing and the Lawrence Gibson 6R4 is an absolute cracker! I should know, I've bought one two!

Cheers, Steve

http://www.scalextric.com/cars/rally.html

Just a few to illustrate and a Willie Rutherford Sanyo 6R4 on the way.

Beware the magnets though Steve! I have a friend who used to have a massive slot car collection and was convinced it was given him a constant bad headache due to the magnet motors!

No fears, Chris.

The Scalextric cars haven't got anywhere near the race track yet... and I won't be putting them on my head like a hat. They won't be any good for keeping your head dry or warm, though I can understand the braids and slot mechanism could give someone a headache! Seems a strange place for your friend to keep their cars, Chris!

Cheers, Steve

He had 600 models on shelfs round his bedroom let alone the others in the house and yes he was single at the time!

Not quite sure why you thought I meant he had them on his head! Perhaps the magnets are effecting you already

Ah! I see what you mean, Chris. It's not that one set of magnets, even on your head, would cause headaches, but given 600 of the things in close proximity... well maybe!

He didn't have a pacemaker, did he!!

I like that you mentioned your friend was single... with 600 Scalextric cars... I think we could have guessed that for ourselves!

Sorry Chris, me and my sense of humour!

Cheers, Steve

Chris, on a slightly different topic, are you heading to Croft on the 15th March? First round of the British Rallycross Championship is less than 2 weeks away!?

I'm there... are you? Would be good to meet up, at last!

Cheers, Steve

Stig Blomqvist drove a Clubman Metro 6R4 at the traditional end of season F1 drivers vs Rally drivers 1985 Austin Rover Rallysprint at Donington Park, Chris.

Thanks David! Just goes to support my point that the slot makers are happy to model really obscure/niche variants. Compare that to Minichamps who made one version of both their RS200 and Quattro S1 mouldings for example!