17 February, 2003

The RACER Ferrari 333SP

There are some models that just catch your eye, and you want it regardless of price, or who the manufacturer is. Such is the case with the RACER Ferrari 333SP, a model that has been released for awhile, yet not much attention has been given to them. Well, if a whisper-smooth slot car is your idea of fun in this hobby, you might want to read on.

Lets face the facts first shall we? It is the price of this model that turns away some enthusiasts, pure and simple. For some of you however, this model could be a blessing. Perhaps you want some of the top components in a model racing car, yet your building skills seem to lack those of others? (this describes me perfectly). Or it might be a simple case of wanting something different than the "normal" offerings we have in the ready-to-run arena. In any case, enthusiasts are buying them, and RACER is coming out with more models as well, so for those of you interested in what they have to offer, I will try my best to give it a decent overview.

Arriving safe and sound from Slot Car World, I was immediately impressed. The body and chassis are both made of a durable resin, and the striking MOMO livery alone was all it took to have me hooked. As I looked around the body, I found a perfectly dust free clear-coat, that seals all the decals in place. Yes, decals. This was the touch that impressed me most of all. Although there were a few areas on the model that had some decals that didn't set down into the recesses of the body mold, or were slightly off in alignment, I still felt they did an excellent job. This might be due to the fact that I one of world's worst decal applicators, and seeing what they look like when they are done right impresses me.

When it comes to the wheels and tires, I can safely say you will be happy. Being VERY round and true, due mostly to the fact that this model includes the quality Slot-It aluminum wheels many of you are already familiar with. I was happily surprised with the level of detail included here, from visible brake rotors, to the decals on the tires. These decals add to the visual and scale appeal of the model, however they won't last long once you begin to race it.

The interior here is nicely done as well, with a nice amount of detail to satisfy almost any scale enthusiast. It appears that they have a clear intention on replicating the 1:1 counter-part, and I was impressed with their efforts. As this model can be purchased as a kit, as well as a completed model, to me this adds even more value for your dollar. Again, some enthusiasts do not care for an over abundance of detail, but I personally will take as much of it as possible, as long as it does not interfere with the maintenance of the model.

However, lets cut to the chase shall we? This model is built to RACE, make no mistake on this, and I could not wait to get under the hood to see what was in store. 3 screws mount the body to the chassis, and were removed easily. Inside you will find that Slot-It parts are again employed here, from the venerable V12 motor with 10 tooth pinion, to the gearing system employing a 28 tooth crown gear. For many enthusiasts, the Slot-It gears and motors are some of the best upgrades you can make to your model racing car, and I must agree. I will let the photos try and do most of the talking for me. From front to rear, this model speaks quality in its power and drive-line.

I don't have to tell you that having these components inside, relay quality in performance. From the first time you pull the trigger, you can feel the difference. Smooth, quiet, and powerful seems to sum it all up nicely. It isn't just the gearing, motor and wheels, but the overall mass of the model that seems to make it such a treat to drive. However, it seems this model needs a slight amount of attention in the rear bushing areas, as do most models released today. Both the bushings on my model were loose where they snap into the chassis, and required a few drops of adhesive to keep them in place. This was the only "repair" I found the model needed, and after this modification was completed, all was well:)

I found this model to be very easy to drive, in fact a great deal of FUN! After sanding the tires slightly, it hooked up even more, and lap after lap I began to settle into a groove with it. Lap times were fairly consistent given my driving ability. I posted times of 3.8, 3.7, 3.6, 3.7 and 3.5 form our DS timer in my first of 10, 5 lap heats. The later heats produced the same times, although I did manage a best time of 3.2.This isn't the fastest model I have driven, but certainly one of the smoothest. Strong acceleration and throttle response were present of course, and this model seems to just float through the corners. Braking was very smooth as well, allowing me to let off the throttle a little easier before a turn, and keep a more consistent speed throughout the corner.

I have to say that I am very pleased with this model. Fun being what we all SHOULD be having in this hobby, this model provides plenty of it. So was it worth the price? I can only say that for me it was. Looking at the amount of hours I have already enjoyed this car, I seem to be getting a good return on my investment. This slot car is certainly aimed at the advanced enthusiast, and if you are looking to add a quality racing car to your stable, along with a model that separates itself from the rest, it might be worth your time to give RACER products another look.

Harry

Feel free to email me at harry@homeracingworld.com about this model, or just the hobby in general.

Better yet, drop into the Home Racing World Message Forum and share your thoughts and ideas with other enthusiasts as well.