big dennis

Not an EBay listing this time but a great example of a seller's over-inflated opinion of what their 'collection' is worth. This lot was originally listed on Facebook Marketplace for $600, but now reduced to a mere $320. Based on the pictures I'd suggest that the only items of any value would be the Tokyo Plamo boxes. I did ask for pictures of the underside of the cars to check out the condition of the chassis but none were supplied. Perhaps it's just as well! Den

One Australian retailer is advertising the Australian release date for the Avant Slot Ferrari 296 GT3 range as December 31st, 2025, so it looks like we may have a long wait ahead. Den

It's interesting to note that Avant Slot appear to have abandoned the 2-piece adjustable motor pod for this model in favour of a beefed-up 1-piece pod that eliminates the horrible flexing that was evident in the recent Kremer, Lotus Elise and Mirage GR8 releases. There should be plenty of liveries available for those enthusiasts that would like something different from the three colour schemes that Avant Slot have announced. Our local decals producer (Patto) has a lot of Ferrari 296, 458 and 488 GT sets available, but I'd be looking for a set that has individual decals, not the full body 'wrap style'. That's because slot car manufacturers can sometimes make 'adjustments' to scale, which may result in decals not fitting the body that they were intended for. Den

The use of 'thong' rubber to make slot car tyres goes back more than 50 years, to a time when a degree of self-sufficiency was required to overcome a lack of retail outlets, in Tasmania in particular. i often wondered why the 'donuts' made by a friend of mine in Hobart were 'two-tone' - usually brown, with an outer ring of off-white. It was because the thongs that he used as the source material had a brown 'upper' with a white bottom. Because most of the club tracks of the post-commercial era (after the late 1960s) had an abrasive Ferrodor surface the tyres would provide a reasonable level of grip. The owner of one club track in Northern Tasmania uses a type of industrial rubber (EPDM?) to make all the tyres for those racing at his track. It literally lasts forever. Den

Available in May, Gazza? As someone who is a fan of Avant Slot cars, in the past I have waited for many months after the European release before the cars have eventually arrived in Australia. The 'new' Lotus Elise GT1 and Mirage GR8 models were available in England and the USA 4 -5 months before they landed on our shores. For the sake of those interested in buying the 296 GT3s I hope that i am wrong in this instance. Den

Thanks, I found that on my smartphone. Den

Thanks Mark and Joào, That link was also posted to the opening topic on our forum and I found the pictures. The only drawback is that the pictures are not labelled i.e. no manufacturer and model. Unless you have an extensive knowledge of slot cars you wouldn't know which bodies the various chassis will fit. Having purchased some from Shapeways in the past I can identify quite a few, while some others are straight-forward as only one manufacturer may produce a particular model of car e.g. several of the Avant Slot LMPs. As I have mentioned previously 'miniracingstudios' in Spain is on EBay and they have quite a few chassis to fit SCX and NInco cars among others. Den

Not sure whether I'm looking in the right place Mark, but I'm blowed if I can find a full listing of the Olifer 3D printed chassis and pods on their Facebook page - certainly not in the same format as they appeared on the old Shapeways website. You mention their 'media directory' ... if that means Photos, all I can find are some references to events where someone has been successful using an Olifer chassis in their car. Den

Fortunately I have found the missing parts. Den

Does anyone have a non-working Carrera D124 car that I can use for parts? When I recently disassembled a Cheetah I may have accidentally thrown out 2 parts that secure the rear axle and bearings in place. The larger item holds the rear axle assembly in place by enabling the bearings to clip into the flexible plastic moulding. The smaller item is a spacer plate that enables the axle assembly to sit at the correct height in the chasis I am in the process of converting four (4) D124 cars to run on a 12-volt analog track, so I will probably have 18-volt motors and digital chips available for sale. Den

Sorry, Greg, but I'm about 120% low-tech. I've never owned a set of calipers, I've never had scales to weigh a car. Next time I go to our local track I'm sure our host will have all the gear needed to get the measurements. Den

Sorry for the tardy reply Greg ... The Scalextric Sport 3 mm double-flanged bushes (C8407) have 'thicker' flanges but on eye-balling them alongside a Slot.It double-flanged bush the flat area between the flanges appears to be the same. Obviously then the overall width of the Scalextric Sport 3 mm bush is slightly wider. I haven't any trouble with fitting them into the 'forks' of my Area 3 (aka Professor Motor) tyre truer. An alternative solution is to use Revoslot reducers (part number S-141) to 'sleeve' 3 mm wheels so they can be mounted on 3/32 axles. Of course these solutions have probably been made redundant for anyone who obtains your 3D printed 3 mm bushes. Den

Greg, Scalextric Sport bearings were 3mm and double-flanged. I have a few pairs in my 'inventory' but I'd think they'd be fairly difficult to obtain at present. Den

More important to get the 'body float' right on the DeLorean, Mark. Den

Hi Ding PM will be sent shortly, along with pictures Den

If only the postage hadn't been so expensive! Den

Mark, Rather than gluing the Fly motor pods to the main chassis I secure them by drilling a couple of 1/16th holes through chassis and pod, then using 2 pairs of 10 or 12 BA model railway nuts and bolts, countersunk on the bottom of the pod, and kept in place by a dab of nail polish on the thread. This method enables the pod to be returned to the 'standard' position fairly quickly, if you have a change of mind. I also a single solid axle at the front and so far have found that using the standard front axle mountings provides a free-spinning front axle assembly with little vibration. Of course with prolonged use you may have to opt for a front axle tube to prevent 'slop'. Den

I'll be checking my letter-box in anticipation of you sending me an airline ticket, Gazza. Den

A lot of the 'performance' 1:32 scale cars are getting close to 1:24 dimensions so they should be right at home on the new Morley track. Recent history show that successful 1:32 events have been run on commercial raceways e.g. Revoslot Nationals at Show Us Ya Slotz, and Slot.it Nationals at SlotShop. The only problem I have with these tracks is that they are on the opposite side of the country to me! Den

On a lighter side, Nico87, I recently heard someone say that there is a person in Carrera's design section whose job seems to be coming up with totally absurd new wheel designs. I recall buying a Steinmetz Opel Jumbo some years ago and when the tyres were removed the rims looked more like the wheels from a Massey Ferguson tractor. A review in SLOT magazine showed the Dekon Monza wheels had a similar bizarre design. Den

If you'd like to PM me Shaynus I can arrange to send you one. Den

Well Folks, After a break of six weeks I was finally able to get back on track to test the 'mods' I've made to my new 2024 Avant Slot Kremer Porsche. Out went the new green pod with its adjustable motor carrier, replaced by a standard black pod. And, as recommended by Chris Walker, a piece of aluminium tubing was used to brace the uprights that hold the axle bushes in place. The verdict? The 'axle hop' problem has been eradicated, and the car achieves lap times slightly quicker than my Slot.It Group C Mazda 787. The new 21K long can motor is very smooth and the braking is better than that of the 'old' orange 25K motors that were previously fitted to many Avant Slot cars. I'm now looking forward to the arrival of the new Lotus Elise GT1 and Mirage GR8 models later this year. I have also been 'retro-fitting' some of my older Avant cars with a full-width chassis plate made from thin plasti-card material. This method replicates the handling characteristics of the 2024 chassis by reducing the body roll that results from the 2-point body-mounting system. Check the attached pics showing the new chassis (black) with the modified older chassis (white) Den

Some of the National Racers 3D chassis look quite interesting. They seem to be quite expensive until you consider that the motor 'pod' is built into the chassis so you don't have the additional cost of buying a separate Slot.It (or similar) pod. I was thinking of buying a couple of these for some of my Avant Slot cars. Den

Unfortunately due to severe weather in my local area I haven't yet been able to re-test my Avant Slot Kremer Porsche after making changes to the set-up, namely replacing the adjustable motor-pod with a fixed pod. Firstly, the owner of my local track was without power for several days, and has since been cleaning fallen trees in the aftermath of that severe weather. However, I have now watched two (2) video reviews of the Kremer Porsche and in my opinion both demonstrate the problem that I have mentioned in earlier posts. In the first video there is noticeable 'wheel hop' as the car leaves the start line at the beginning of the track test. That problem may have occurred on other occasions during the track test but the 'ambient noise' of running on a plastic track makes it difficult to verify. In the second video the reviewer demonstrates the spring suspension by pushing down on the bar that holds the suspension components. The spur gear can be seen moving away from the pinion due to the flexing between the adjustable motor-carrier and the main part of the motor-pod. This flexing is likely to cause 'wheel hop'. Den

I'll be in touch with you soon Phil. Thanks for the advice Chris.