12/19/2006

Scalextric Jaguar XKRS

If you ask current enthusiasts what makes 1/32nd scale racing so much fun, you will certainly hear a variety of answers. For some it is how they perform, while others might just enjoy how the models look. Over the past 10 years I have witnessed a lot of changes in our hobby, and the scale detail levels are right at the top.  As I open the case which holds this latest Scalextric release, it is clear that the levels of scale authenticity have once again been raised.

Paul Gentilozzi may not be a familiar name to all of you, but any fan of today's Trans Am, CART and SCCA certainly does. Owner of Rocketsports Racing, he has amassed an impressive racing career. His record of wins in the Trans Am series (30) even surpassed the great Mark Donohue. This Scalextric version of his Jaguar should impress even the hardest to please scale enthusiasts.

The overall shape of the model is very accurate according to my eyes. Of course, with any model there will always be some issues here and there and it is simply up to you if Scalextric has done well enough. For my money I could not be happier. The attractive green and silver finish was near perfect on our sample with a clean clear coat sealing all the markings nicely.

This model reminds me of the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe which debuted in December just 2 years ago. Not everyone is going to appreciate it. This Jaguar shows what detail enhancements have been achieved in just this short amount of time.

The interior on this model has some of the most impressive detail levels I have seen on a ready to run model from Scalextric. Of course companies such as Fly and Slot-it among others have constantly increased their own high levels, but I have to say Scalextric is right there with them with this particular model. It does not come with working lights, but the model in question didn't race with them equipped so it is more accurate this way. Some enthusiasts might have wanted this option, but I am happy without them.

Wheels and tires are very nicely done. They appear to be very accurate in the scale department, and equally important is that they are very round and true out of the box. I noticed a high center to them so they will require some sanding to get them just right, but my initial test laps revealed a very smooth operator.

Our out of the box test was quite fun as you could expect. Lap times were easily in the 3.9 second range and I found a very well balanced model. We used PARMA 32 ohm control along with after-market power set at 12 volts. Braking and acceleration were crisp enough and I just enjoyed how well the car responded. Just on this small amount of testing, I can safely say you should add this car to your collection. Fun? Oh yeah. And quite competitive with other series of models in the GT/Endurance field.

Looking underneath there are 6 screws that hold the body to the chassis. 4 standard body mount screws hold the front and rear, while 2 smaller countersink screws secure to the bottom of the interior tray. Inside we see this car is equipped with the standard Mabuchi power plant mounted in the sidewinder configuration. It is equipped with a 11 tooth pinion that drives the 36 tooth spur gear. Gear mesh is very quiet and smooth and I found no signs of excess motor flexing in the mount, or any spinning of the rear bushings. I added a light drop of adhesive on the rear bushings anyway as a preventive maintenance measure.

We also see the standard bar magnet in the rear position with another pocket to the front. Although there is not pocket molded for it, you can fit the bar magnet behind the motor if you so desire. Personally, I enjoy a lighter magnet feel for my models so I moved it to the forward position. The solid front axle design works well as they have the model sitting in an almost ideal tripod effect. I only had to adjust my braids slightly for optimal electrical pick up on our Artin road course.

With the magnet moved up front this car was even better for my driving style. More forgiving in the corners with easily controlled drifting and spin recovery. Lap times averaged in the 4.4 second range although that really doesn't tell you how much fun the car is. It is just a well balanced model that operates smoothly and quietly.

On our new wood track is where this car also showed its fun factor. However, I did have to perform one quick tuning procedure. The tires do have a slight high center to them, at least on my model they did. Instead of trying to heavily sand the tires, I removed the tires and inspected the inner wheel rib. I noticed some flash molding, but not a very large amount. I decided to sand these ribs flush and clean and this almost eliminated all the raised center portion. Now I only needed to lightly sand these tires to get 100% tire contact on the track.

I really like the tire compound on this car and see no reason to change to any silicones. On our wood track surface these tires are just fine. In our home racing we do not modify the models very much, in fact most times we do nothing but the previous mentioned tire sanding and cleaning. We do add weight for some models but everything else stays pretty much stock. There is plenty of room inside for weight additions, so you should find a easy model to tune to your liking. I added a 1/4 ounce of sheet lead up front right under the axle assembly and this helped give the car a more planted feel in the corners. I may try other areas later on, but for now I am enjoying the model the way it is.

My final opinion is the that the only thing wrong with this car is more of them to go with it. Scalextric really impressed me with this model and I think you will be too. Great balance of power and control, excellent fit and finish along with a detail level that should please most any of you. With Christmas right around the corner in a few days, this would be a perfect stocking stuffer for any slot racer's collection.

- Harry

As always feel free to contact me about this article or just the hobby in general at harry@homeracingworld.com, or better yet drop into our Message Forum and share your thoughts with other enthusiasts!

Thanks Go To CincySlots.Com For Providing Us With This Model!