[woodcote]

It's not often we feature 1/24 scale new releases here in the SlotRacer Online News section. However, these BRM Opel Kadetts are too good to ignore. They are also small enough to run side-by-side on 1/32 scale track, so that's another reason to look at them...

         

The two models are:

BRM-099 Opel Kadett GT/E No.165 24h Classic Youngtimer Nurburgring 2018, Oliver Davidovic
BRM-100 Opel Kadett GT/E No.43 DRM 1976, Walter Rohrl

Each has a different body moulding, the most obvious difference being the front splitter.

Under the body, the BRM engineering is a thing of great beauty and simplicity...

         

As usual, there is the anodized aluminium chassis, a 19,000 rpm S-Can motor, aluminium wheels all round, aluminium axle and motor holders,  nylon gears (12:33 ratio), a sprung guide and independent front stub axles.

There is a full range of spares and tune-up parts that are shared with the other 'Group 2' or 'Mini-Saloon' series of BRM cars - the NSU TT, Renault R8 Gordini, Abarth 1000TCR, Mini Cooper and Simca 1000.

The Kadett measures in at

Length: 165mm
Wheelbase: 99mm
Front Track: 72mm
Rear Track: 72mm
Height: 48mm
Weight: 132g

That makes the Kadett the longest and widest of the BRM Mini-Saloons, but even with the 72mm rear track, two of them will race side-by-side on 1/32 Ninco or Policar track - Scalextric Sport will be a much tighter squeeze. Of course, if you run on Carrera or wood track the Kadetts will have acres of room.

On the track, the BRM Mini-Saloons are a lot of fun to drive. I thoroughly enjoyed racing the NSCC BRM Mini Coopers at this year's UK Slot Car Festival. Indeed, I've had my eye on this range for while and these new cars are terribly tempting as a Christmas treat...

The first two Kadetts have just arrived in the UK and are priced at £105.

Thanks to Pendle Slot Racing who distribute BRM cars and parts in the UK. The full range is here: www.pendleslotracing.co.uk/brand/brm

[GregK]

Fitting a Carerra or an O2 digital chip is simplicity for these cars as there are appropriate apertures in the chassis. It is just a shame that there is not one pre-drilled for a Scalextric chip.

[GregK]

Sorry ...... nearly forgot. The apertures are also perfectly aligned for a Scorpius chips as well .....