Tuneup Day - All the new cars

 A rainy Sunday means being stuck at home, which means setting up the track and finally getting a chance to run some of these new cars. They're all through the initial lube/oil tuneup and ready for some fine tweaking. That gives me eight cars to work on, all of which have been purchased since April 2022. 

• F1 #5
• F1 #6
• Gulf #9
• Gulf #10
• Bosch #2
• Rothmans #95
• L/M #6
• L/M #7

__________

First off, the Bosch 917/10 #2

The pic clearly shows the car to be a little light in the nose.

The Bosch car has this problem that crops up sometimes, which is a light front end. Sometimes it's a matter of a few adjustments, allowing for the wheels to touch the track and maybe a slight loosening of the pod to help relax the chassis. 

The car usually holds pretty well through the turns, but when it comes off it goes straight, showing that the guide flag isn't staying in the slot. 

I try to set up my cars the same way when I first get them, which is to say that I usually will set screws to finger-tight, which is my reference to when you just start to feel resistance in turning the screw. Not lock-tight, which I rarely set my screws anyway, but less firm. Anyhow, this gives me a good starting point and usually sets the car up to medium by default. 

NSR likes to give you lots of room to make adjustments, so there's always plenty of throw on screws. So even when you tighten down, you're never going to really make anything lock-tight. There will still be a little wiggle room. This is kinda nice, as it's forgiving to those who might be prone to set-it-and-forget-it tuning. 

So what I did here was to turn each screw on the pod and body 1/4 turn tighter, putting it at my medium-tight setting. I run other NSR cars in this setting; all the 917 Porsches and the Tergal 908. It seems to be either medium-tight or medium-loose for these cars. They like it one way or another. 

The Bosch car has been through a complete tuneup, lube/oil/tires and 1000 lap break-in.

__________

The Rothmans 908 #95

Runs great, right out of the box.

I love it when I get cars like this. There's no weirdness, no awkward silence after that first crash, wondering if maybe you bought a dud. It's all good. Car handles well, is in control, exhibits standard behaviors found in most well-built slot cars, and is overall a very nice machine. 

Usually when I get a car in this good of shape right out of the box, I'll still give it the full tuning treatment, but I'm not going to get experimental just yet. I'm going to go with how it is now, and allow it to hit it's peak before I start messing with it. Kinda like the Gulf 908. Both run great, require minimal work, and are quickly gaining a reputation around this garage as fast race cars. 

This car has gone through initial tuneup, lube/oil/tires and 1000 lap break-in.

__________

Gulf Team #9 and #10

I still like the #10 better.

My plan has always been to take any cars that might be on a team and treat them separately. I've always had that attitude, and I don't believe you can do a blanket tuning to a group of cars based on how that tuning might work on one car. Thankfully, these two cars came out of the box differently enough so that they didn't even start on the same footing. The #10 has been a breeze, and the #9 has been a bit finicky in the setup. It seems to like the medium-tight as well, while the #10 prefers a medium so far. 

The #9 was definitely dragging around the track at first, but the tightening improved things. It drives more like the #19 now, meaning nice and smooth. It's not as fast as it could be, yet. I think I'm going to have to do more tweaking before it's at that point. 

These cars have gone through initial tuneup, lube/oil/tires and 1000 lap break-in.

__________

The L/M Team #6 and #7

Two cars, two garage treatments.

It doesn't take much to feel the difference between these two cars. The #7 drives great on it's own, and feels already like a contender. #6 is a little on the touchy side, but I suspect it'll come around. They've both gotten a full tuneup and are waiting for their 1000 lap break-in sessions to start. 

It's a bit more of the same for the #6. Mostly this type of tweaking can be done once and it should handle 95% of the issues. I suspect that'll be like that here as well. 

The #7 is going to be left alone in Medium mode, where he'll be allowed to prove itself as-is. Once the #6 improves and posts better times than the #7, I'll start improvements on that car. 

These cars have gone through initial tuneup, lube/oil/tires and 1000 lap break-in.

__________

The F1 cars

For recreational purposes only

So, there's no way for these cars to go up against the Classics. The F1 cars are way too fast. And since I only have two, and that they pretty much need magnets to run properly, they'll likely be more used as curiosities on my track. They're not going to compete, except against each other, unless I buy more of them. Not sure about that. I pretty much got these because they are Canon cars, and I'm finding myself to be more and more a fan of my Canon stuff every day. That's what all these pictures are shot with. Fanboy stuff, I know.

So as far as tuneups go, they got the usual treatment, except I didn't do tires. Tweaking the pod seems to make the biggest difference in performance, so that's what I'm looking to do with these cars. Otherwise they'll just be for fun and a good set of really fast race cars.

These cars have gone through initial tuneup, lube/oil/tires and 1000 lap break-in.

May Notes: New Controller plus other stuff

 I got a new controller, and I'm thinking of picking up another one right away. I'll tell you why: I've been having some trouble with my SCP-1 controller, notably that the wire is starting to get really soft and brittle. I was having some issues the other day with it, and went on a search and found a new SCP-2 controller. After having received it, I want another one. I think I'll go ahead and order it and shelve the old one and the DS controller.

The SCP-2 is everything I liked in the SCP-1 when I first got it. Total package kinda thing. Feels stronger, especially the cable. I like the adjustable trigger, and what seems to be a slow/med/fast controller setting. I haven't tried it yet, plan to tonight. Then the decision will be whether to buy another SCP-2 or see about picking up a replacement cartridge for the SCP-1. 

Also, as of this post, I have now bought more cars in 2022 than in 2021, and it's just May. Buying collector packs will increase your collection quickly, as will rounding out some of these race teams that I'm forming. I'm in a bit of a lull right now, as I'm waiting for the next batch of cars to come out. Still looking for a few things as well, and am considering branching out into another class to keep things interesting. 

I'm finally caught up on the blog. I've had a few of these new cars for almost a month now. I got the Rothmans 908 a month ago and didn't have time to write about it. Started drafts of all the cars, filling them out as time went by until I felt I had finished each post. They're still in the order which I got them. 

Manufacturer wars should get very interesting. With this new influx of NSR cars, that's going to put pressure on the Thunderslot cars to stay on top, which is under threat more and more with every purchase. I have 12 NSR cars to Thunderslot's 6 cars. Either way you slice it, that's going to give the competitive advantage to NSR on the very idea that there are double the amount of entries per race. We'll see how that all irons out. 

I'm going to delay purchasing the tire truer. Now that I'm up to speed with the cars I have, I don't need to do a batch truing job. Sure, it would be nice to have, but not for 200 bucks. Not right now.

Photography of cars is going great. As is video stuff. Putting together more stuff for the YouTube channel, just doing it in bits and pieces. Coming soon: the Gulf 917K #9 and #10, and the Bosch 908.

New Cars: NSR Canon F1 86/89 #5 and #6

 I picked up a couple of new cars yesterday. These are out of my normal "classic" era class of cars, so they'll be in their own category. 

NSR Canon F1 86/89 #5 and #6

Nelson Piquet [#6] and Nigel Mansell [#5]

First, it's important to note that these cars are quite different from what I usually run. While Classics run with 21k Sidewinders, the F1 cars run a long can KING 21 EVO/3 motor, which while it still runs at roughly the same rpm as the Classics, the long can motor has a built in magnet, adding 350gm/cm to the grip. That'll make the cars quicker and better handling in the corners. I would consider the Evo King running alone as a light magnet, which wouldn't be as strong as if it was in the kit, but strong enough. 

The Evo King fits very nicely in a pod, which has an open area for access to the gears. There are places for two more pod screws, which were curiously enough not included. Maybe it's for a suspension kit, which really wouldn't make much sense for a magnetized car.

It also has a curious magnet installed just in front of the motor. So these cars were pretty much intended to run with some magnetic pull, even though I suspect the magnet in front is just to help distribute the grip a little better in the front half of the car. I don't think that either the motor alone or the magnet alone would be strong enough to keep the car on the track. I could take it off, which would be a permanent move, but I want to try it as it is first. The magnet is heat-molded in with plastic, so it would not be easily put back.

Also, since it'll be running with magnets, I'm not going to bother with much in the way of tire work. I'll do a bit to get a solid patch, but that's going to be it. I really don't think I need to mess with tires while I have magnets. 

Okay, while I could see the desire to have current F1 cars, and I'd probably collect them if they were available, I don't think they necessarily have to be the current liveries, or even modern day cars. 

Overall the cars look great, and I'm hoping to get them on track tonight. Bonus points for being a Canon livery, as that's what I use for photography. One of the other reasons I got them, to tell the truth. 

On the track, they run with magnetic grip, however light. You can go faster, but expect the back to come out if you push too hard. Spin-outs happen much more often than end-over-end crashes. That's always a good thing at 75 bucks a pop. I was pleasantly surprised by this, as I was expecting magnetism at least as strong as what comes standard in the cars. But it doesn't seem to be as powerful of a downforce. Sure, you can rip through corners, and it'll definitely set a much better lap time than any of my Classics in their current condition, but it's not infallible. Perfectly possible to spin out from simply too much gas coming off the corner. 

I think the cars are balanced very well overall. Small pod adjustments have effects, so there's tune-ability. 

I won't be running these against the Classics, as I suspect these will soundly beat them. They'll instead be used for racing against each other and for unofficial times on various tracks. I'll use a win/loss system for them, since a points system is...pointless.

Before these arrived I thought I would look at some others to expand the field, but I'm not completely sure I want to do that just yet. Classics are my main thing, and unless the F1 cars prove to be more fun than expected, I'll probably just stick with these two cars. We'll see about that. I haven't even gotten them on the track yet; just lube/oil. Besides, I just found a couple more Classics that I need.

New Car: NSR Porsche 917/10K Bosch/Kauhsen Team

Every once in awhile I come across a car that doesn't necessarily scream at me. Something that is interesting enough, maybe even just barely. Kinda like the Revoslot Ferrari MOMO. I'm still not sure why I bought that car. I mean, it's grown on me, but it stands out like a sore thumb in my collection. I guess I just really wanted a Revoslot. Glad I got the Porsche GT2 as well. 

One of those cars I didn't find impressive by the pics from the hobby shop, but was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box, is the new NSR Bosch Porsche 917/10K:

I didn't put two and two together at first, but then I realized what I liked about it; it's got that great yellow color that I love from the Shell GT40. Once I got it out of the box I realized it, and my eyes got real big. Within seconds I knew I made the right decision. 

"We're going to paint the car this sweet Yellow with black logos. But Guy, you'll be wearing your ol' white firesuit."

Sometimes you read stuff about certain brands and how they don't always stick to the exact scale replica in every way. And I suppose some of that is true if I were to look. I don't count rivets. The historical significance of the 1:1 version of the slot car is cool and all, but once it gets here it becomes a completely different person/entity. The new history starts here, as it does with all my cars. So as long as the car looks good, goes fast and represents what it's supposed to within certain parameters, then I'm totally fine with it. 

In my days as an unconscious Porsche collector, I particularly like how the various makes compliment each other. This looks just as good sitting with a 908 as it does a 917, and that makes it an easy add to my group. I'm sure I'll have a fleet of 917/10s before too long. RC Cola is coming. 2 pack.

Hard to tell from these pics, but this car has some MEATY tires on the back. Holy smoke.

I fully expect this car to be immediately competitive, and maybe even dominant. The tires are considerably more beefy than the other Porsche tires. And although the 917/10 has a tail, it's not one that I'm overly worried about, as it is pretty thin in mass, so it's not adding all that much more weight to the car. The nose is also a little deceptive, as it slopes down rather quickly and turns the front end into an ankle-snapper. Totally love the face on the front. Once you see it you'll never not see it...

New Car: NSR Rothmans Porsche 908/3 #95

 Funny thing about this car...the other day I was taking pictures of my cars for a post about race teams, and I was going through each of the teams, taking group pictures. When it came to shooting Team Rothmans, I grabbed the 917, but couldn't find the 908. I looked everywhere for it. Thought I might have misplaced it since I'm running out of storage boxes. 

Actually, what had happened is I hadn't bought it yet. 

It had been on my list for awhile, and I had thought about it for so long that I had somehow convinced myself that I owned it when I didn't yet. 

NSR Rothmans Porsche 908/3 #95

The Rothmans livery looks great on the 908.

This car, like the Gulf 908 I bought recently, feel a little stronger than the previous 908s. Did they change something?

This is what a quick, nimble, corner-eating race car looks like.

I'm developing a fanaticism for the 908. They're so much fun to drive, and so competitive. Even on the longer tracks, they don't give up all that much to the longer cars. But they devour corners for breakfast. Crazy handling abilities make you feel like you can almost punch it through the tightest of turns. 

Simple yet elegant. The workmanship on these cars is awesome.

New Cars: NSR Gulf Porsche 917K #10 & #9 Brands Hatch 1000k

 I'm starting to realize something. I may never be able to let a sweet Gulf car pass me by. One thing that got me back into the hobby was the thought that I could actually own one of these, even if I couldn't fit into it or drive it. But since I was a kid I have loved this livery more than any other. 

NSR Gulf Porsche 917K #10

Winner of the 1970 1000k at Brands Hatch. Driven by Pedro Rodriguez and and Leo Kinnunen.

I've seen reviews of this car that comment on the lack of orange along the sides like the other Gulf cars, but I like it. The only way you don't see the orange is in a direct profile shot like the one below. And even then there is a nice big Gulf logo on the side. Plus the lack of orange on the side really shows off the flowing curves very nicely.

feeling curvy. might delete later idk

I have expectations for NSR cars right out of the box, as I now have a good collection of them and have seen how they usually are upon arrival. This car was no different. After the setup I let it drone run 1000 laps. Then I ran it against the #19 Gulf car and it was immediately comparable. I'm satisfied this car will set impressive lap times. 

Of course, some things are impossible to resist, one of those being that there was another car released at the same time as this one, from the same race, and now it's here:

#9 Gulf Porsche 917K Brands Hatch 1000k 1970. Driven by Jo Siffert and Brian Redman. It didn't finish, but it looked good not doing it.

I have an absolute LOAD of cars now. It's going to need separate sessions just to be able to take the time to focus on them so they get the attention they deserve. That's SIX cars now that are still in varying levels of tuneup needs. Some haven't had any work done on them at all. It'll be some assembly line stuff for sure. 

All of this has brought me to lean pretty heavily on a piece of accessory that I was pretty sure I wouldn't ever need. Now I'm starting to think I do, for a few reasons. It's a tire truer. While the tried-and-true piece of sandpaper taped to the track can do in a pinch, I think I need to put more work into my tires. I've always thought that, just haven't had the nerve to buy the dang thing. I never thought I would need it, but I'm almost at 30 cars. I have reviews sitting waiting to be finished. I need to race them. I might have to temporarily shelve a large percentage of my cars just to get the new cars a chance for some track time. 

NSR Gulf Brands Hatch 1000k 1970

I also want to come up with a track design that I can keep up for awhile that won't get in my way. That's tricky since that means it has to be square-ish, so I'll need to work on that. I want to have the track down so I can put a car on and race whenever. I'll need something like that if I'm going to try to do any kind of race, which I'm intending to do soon. 

Gulf Team Photo

The Gulf Team has a significant advantage in the Team Championship, coming in with four cars. The best two score for the team each race, so that gives them a considerable edge. All the other teams [Rothmans, Shell, Sunoco] have two cars each, so they'll have to accept the points from both entries, without the benefit of multiple cars fighting for two spots. I expect the Gulf Team to do quite well, as all four cars are competitive and could podium finish at any time. While a Gulf car might not win the overall championship, they're going to be practically unstoppable as a team.

A few days later....

Both cars have been setup and are ready to race.