Amateur And Serious Slot Car Racing
Within the world of slot cars, there are certainly different groups of people. There are those that view it as a fun pastime, and there are those that view it as a very serious hobby. Within the latter, it’s common to participate in slot car racing. Again, there is a range of how serious people take this endeavor. Some do it for amusement, while others actually place serious money on the race itself.
The major challenge when it comes to racing these slot cars is balancing control with speed. Anyone who thinks you can merely push the car at its fastest for the entirety of the track will quickly “deslot,” or completely leave the track altogether. Corners can be particularly tricky, because you have to learn to gauge the fastest you can go without derailing. In increasingly competitive levels, there are even jumps, which also require an expert touch to determine the right amount of speed.
Custom Car Culture loses an icon: Dean Jeffries
If Dean Jeffries thought you were crazy, he’d say you were “bananas.” If he liked what you were doin’, he’d say “that’s bitchin’!” The car modeling world, as well as 1:1 custom car culture has lost a great man. His disposition was humble, yet his self taught talents were immense. Sure, he started with pin striping and flame painting, but what about those cars! Who can argue the design and execution of the Mantaray? If it’s not the most exciting custom car ever built, we don’t know what is. In fact, back in the 1960s, plans to produce the Mantaray as a 1/25 model kit were drawn up by the original Kats at AMT. Later, the plans landed in the hands of MPC, but a slot car instead of a static kit was the single item to be produced.
Other 1:1 custom cars designed and built by Dean that became incredibly successful model kits include the Monkeemobile and Coyote dune buggy, both released by MPC in 1:25 scale. The infamous Green Hornet Black Beauty was released as a 1:32 scale kit by Aurora and later by Polar Lights.
We feel privileged to have known Dean and are very sad about his passing. We hope that wherever he is, he’s striping and building bitchin’ customs. 
Jr. Model contest winners…
I am pleased to present our Autoworld Store modeling contest winners. Each modeller received a new replica of their submission to build and a gift card for $150. These 2 modellers were in the under 18 group and have sent in their vehicles which will be displayed at the Auto World Store on Grape Road – Have you visited yet?
Legends of the Quarter Mile – 1972 Foster’s King Cobra
We just received a pre-production sample of the latest Legends of the Quarter Mile release, featuring Foster’s King Cobra 1972 Ford Mustang Funny car! We’ve been doing everything we can to make these cars as accurate as possible. For this one, we went above and beyond to have a silver foil decal applied for accurate body lettering. It brings the realism of this funny car to the next level.
Here’s some brief history of the King Cobra: During Gerald Foster’s ownership, this particular car was driven by famous driver Sydney Foster or “Super Sid”, as he was known to his competitors. In 1972, this car recorded a 6.61 quarter mile E.T. at 223 mph which were awesome times back then—and still for today.
Speaking of back then, can you imagine traveling back in time to see all of these racing legends blaze their cars down some of the classic drag strips of the past? Since we can’t, I’ll just add this beautiful 1-18th scale to my ever-growing collection of Legends of the Quarter Mile.
Until next time…
Tony Karamitsos
Auto World Brand Manager
***AND NOW FOR SOME BREAKING NEWS ***
***AND NOW FOR SOME BREAKING NEWS ***
We have been waiting patiently to present the winning entries from our Model Contest that was sponsored by Round 2 and the Auto World Store. Our first place winner for the AMT 691 Vantasy Chevy Van is….
Bill I. – In exchange for his built-up model, he has also won a replacement kit and a gift card for $150 for the Auto World Store.
2nd place in the Vantasy model came from Russ F.
Summer Blockbuster: All NEW Auto World 1:64 scale die-cast is coming!
The time is approaching! Sound the alarms, tell your friends, start your engines, and open the windows near your collection because it’s about to get some fresh air. For months, we have been developing an all-new line of true 1:64 scaled die-cast. This entire line of die-cast will be TRUE 1:64 scale all the way down to the wheels and tires. Even the hard wheels and tires on the 2.99 versions are scaled to real tires. As collectors ourselves, we’ve harnessed our years of experience and knowledge and channeled it into the ultimate line of die-cast destined to become the benchmark of quality, scale, and authenticity in the marketplace. The entire line revolves around the unique thrilling experience of finding your favorite small cars, prolonging your childhood, and the passion that these little machines ensue. There will be 3 versions with all new tooling that will be available at mass retailers like Walmart, Meijer, and Toys R Us (currently as of this writing) nationwide late this summer!
2.99 versions:
These are constructed using a die-cast body with a plastic chassis featuring 2 piece free-rolling hard wheels. Most will have no opening features, but are specifically geared toward play-factor with fast-rolling wheels! Remember those regrets as a kid when you ruined your BEST-rolling cars by taking them into the sandbox? Yeah, these are those. They’re fast. You’ll want to roll them everywhere. These will be packaged in a blistercard.
Release 1 will include:
2012 Camaro ZL1 Convertible
2012 Corvette Z06
1966 Pontiac GTO
1967 Corvette 427
1967 Buick Gran Sport
1984 Camaro
5.99 versions:
These will feature a die-cast body AND chassis with 2-piece knurled axle (dumbbell-style) with correctly matched and scaled rims and rubber tires. Most models will have opening hoods with a multi-piece engine. The attention to detail on these is world-class. We’ve lost sleep, consulted experts, and nearly cancelled vacations in order to make these as accurate as humanly and mechanically possible! These will be packaged in a blistercard and include a mini box to protect your car once removed from the package. These include:
1971 Dodge Dart
1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix
1967 Ford Mustang GT 390
1976 Cadillac Coupe De Ville
1969 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe
1966 Chevrolet Impala
6.99 versions:
These feature a similar level of detail to 5.99 cars, but will have a licensed tie-in and will include a newly tooled hard plastic display case! These will be in a protective plastic clamshell. Release 1 will replicate cars from both Road & Track and Car and Driver magazines. These include:
2011 Callaway Corvette
1965 Ford GT40
2012 Ford Mustang BOSS 302
1966 Oldsmobile 442
2011 Hennessey Camaro
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Sock it to me!
AMT introduces a special reissue of the 1962 Corvette, a longtime modelers’ favorite. This 1:25 scale kit comes molded in white or “Katch the Kat” metallic orange plastic, includes pre-lettered drag slicks, multiple engine and wheel options and a beautiful recreation of the wildly colorful original decal sheet. Reproduction “Sock it To Me” Sticker included! Item #AMT803.
Summer Blockbuster: All NEW Auto World 1:64 scale die-cast is coming!
The time is approaching! Sound the alarms, tell your friends, start your engines, and open the windows near your collection because it’s about to get some fresh air. For months, we have been developing an all-new line of true 1:64 scales die-cast. This entire line of die-cast will be TRUE 1:64 scale all the way down to the wheels and tires. Even the hard wheels and tires on the 2.99 versions are scaled to real tires. As collectors ourselves, we’ve harnessed our years of experience and knowledge and channeled it into the ultimate line of die-cast destined to become the benchmark of quality, scale, and authenticity in the marketplace. The entire line revolves around the unique thrilling experience of finding your favorite small cars, prolonging your childhood, and the passion that these little machines ensue. There will be 3 versions with all new tooling that will be available at mass retailers like Walmart, Meijer, and Toys R Us (currently as of this writing) nationwide late this summer!
2.99 versions:
These are constructed using a die-cast body with a plastic chassis featuring 2 piece free-rolling hard wheels. Most will have no opening features, but are specifically geared toward play-factor with fast-rolling wheels! Remember those regrets as a kid when you ruined your BEST-rolling cars by taking them into the sandbox? Yeah, these are those. They’re fast. You’ll want to roll them everywhere. These will be packaged in a blistercard.
Release 1 will include:
2012 Camaro ZL1 Convertible
2012 Corvette Z06
1966 Pontiac GTO
1967 Corvette 427
1967 Buick Gran Sport
1984 Camaro
5.99 versions:
These will feature a die-cast body AND chassis with 2-piece knurled axle (dumbbell-style) with correctly matched and scaled rims and rubber tires. Most models will have opening hoods with a multi-piece engine. The attention to detail on these is world-class. We’ve lost sleep, consulted experts, and nearly cancelled vacations in order to make these as accurate as humanly and mechanically possible! These will be packaged in a blistercard and include a mini box to protect your car once removed from the package. These include:
1971 Dodge Dart
1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix
1967 Ford Mustang GT 390
1976 Cadillac Coupe De Ville
1969 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe
1966 Chevrolet Impala
6.99 versions:
These feature a similar level of detail to 5.99 cars, but will have a licensed tie-in and will include a newly tooled hard plastic display case! These will be in a protective plastic clamshell. Release 1 will replicate cars from both Road & Track and Car and Driver magazines. These include:
2011 Callaway Corvette
1965 Ford GT40
2012 Ford Mustang BOSS 302
1966 Oldsmobile 442
2011 Hennessey Camaro
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Legends of the Quarter Mile
The ‘Legends of the Quarter Mile’ presents 1:18 scale die-cast 1971 “Jungle Jim” Camaro Funny Car. The Legends line celebrates the well-known drag racers of the late 1960s through mid-1970s who helped put drag racing on the map. These were the brash and over-the-top people who took to the emerging technology of the era without a second thought. In doing so, they attracted countless fans to drag racing and set the stage for the sport as we know it today.
http://www.autoworldstore.com/product_p/aw1112.htm
1970 Plymouth® Superbird – Car & Driver April 1970 Cover Car
Released January 2013
CAR and DRIVERTM was born as SPORTS CARS ILLUSTRATED in 1955 and renamed in 1961. Over the years, hundreds of exceptional vehicles have taken center stage on CAR and DRIVER’sTM cover. Auto World has expanded their American Muscle lineup of 1:18 replica vehicles to commemorate these polished and chromed beauties of yesteryear. Dubbed the ‘Aero Warrior’, the Plymouth Superbird was a sister car to the Dodge Charger Daytona. Both cars were sold with huge nose cones and rear spoilers that made them legendary among the competition. These were the first stock cars to be modified aerodynamically.
The short-lived Plymouth Road Runner Superbird was a highly modified version of the Plymouth Road Runner with well known graphics and horn. Developed specifically for NASCAR racing, the Superbird, a modified Road Runner, was Plymouth’s follow-on design to the Charger Daytona fielded by sister company Dodge in the previous season. This diecast car from Auto World is Painted in lime light poly with black interior and was released for the first time with a 426 hemi!
Auto World Die Casts offer superbly accurate detail. From the die-cast body with opening doors, hood and trunk to the chassis with a 4 speed manual transmission this car is as realistic as the original release. The steering wheel and front wheels turn together. Highly polished electro-plated chrome parts complete the details and the whole car sits on Goodyear polyglas tires with steel wheels w/hubcaps.