Wednesday 28 March 2012

1:24 Formula racing

Last weekend the new season of "Classic Formula Days" started in Düsseldorf.
This 1:24-slotracing series is dedicated to the midengine formula racing cars of the sixties.
The series is divided into two classes: "Formula 65" and "Formula 70".
In formula 65 the 1:1 model must have been build until 1965, in formula 70 until 1970.
Formula- and Indy-cars are allowed.

I liked to start the season 2012 with two new cars and builded a Lotus 29 Indycar for the 65-class:





and a Ferrari 312 1966 for the 70-class:





(note: the cars don´t have to be exact copies of the 1:1-model,  so I use my freedom as artist...)

Bodys are resin, chassis is the SOLID formula chassis, FOX-motor, tires in front: material is free, rear tires are Sigma black magic-tires.

Taffy

Monday 19 March 2012

Bugatti number 25

Some 5 years ago I started to build a series of Bugattis, all based on the Airfix kit and a purpose made chassis. The last one was completed a couple of weeks ago and was tested/raced over the weekend to see if the sums were right. This is the first car of what I hope will be an increasing number which are retained and used for racing.



The chassis is a modified version of that used for all cars built. 16 gauge aluminium is heat treated and beaten over a steel buck, providing the 'canvas' to which various parts may be added. The SCX motor was added for the hell of it, but actually works quite well. The axle runs in brass bushes, with the highly modified MRRC guide pivoted in a similar way.



The wheels are fully machined Airfix originals with Scalextric tyres at the front and urethane at the rear.



The first 'official' car in the stable, suitable companions are expected over the next few years.


Peter.

Saturday 3 March 2012

Wheels, rejected and embraced...

The recently introduced 16"Borrani wheels have done rather better than expected. Originally made for the 300S Maserati, they are inevitably correct for a number of other cars, though the one below is not one of them.

The Ferrari TR 59/60 should indeed have wheels similar to the above, but not quite the same. All wheels should be cross laced, the rears not noticably so, whereas the fronts should have a row of spokes anchored into the outer wheel rim. Still, not far off.

The recent tyre venture, whilst having proven a 100% success performance wise, is being cut back due to the labour involved. Existing purchasers of these tyres will continue to supplied.

Recent continued experimental wheels are a continued drain and are thus likely to cease, therefore the proposed Alfa 2900 wheel, due to expense and complexity, will be limited to the few sets made.

The present range of wheels will probably reach its' peak (30 different wheels) in the present year, after which production will be cut back to certainly no more than 10, readily available.

Peter.