[woodcote]

   
E2034 Fly Porsche 911SC Grp 4 - Rally RACE 1981 - Antonio Zanini / Jordi Sabater - Clean version. Available now.

New from Fly and Scalextric Passion is this Porsche 911SC driven on the 1981 Rally Sol-RACE. A co-production between Fly and Spain's famed customisers, the clean version is available in 300 units, plus there's an exclusive 'dirty' version - hand painted by Manel Espallargas - and available in only 50 units...

   
E2034AR Fly Porsche 911SC Grp 4 - Rally RACE 1981 - Antonio Zanini / Jordi Sabater - 'Dirty' version. Available now.

Zanini is a big hero amongst Spanish rally fans - and a popular subject of both Fly and Scalextric Passion creations. Boasting a remarkable record of finishing on the podium in 47% of the rallies he entered, Zanini won Spanish rally championship titles ten times between 1974 and 1984. He was also European rally champion in 1980 and made three starts in the World Rally Championship - making the podium with a third place at the 1977 Monte.

       

Although Zanini and regular co-driver Sabater won the 1980 Rally RACE, they retired at Sol-RACE in 1981. The event had moved up from Marbella to the Cost del Sol and from a mix of gravel and tarmac to a pure asphalt rally for 1981. The date also changed from October to March to become round ten of the ERC and the third round of the Spanish championship - which Zanini and Sabater has a poor year. The 1981 rally was won by Vudafieri and Bernacchini in a Jolly Club Fiat 131. I found this magnificent 8mm home movie from the event...



As for the slot car model... It is a standard Fly Porsche 934 / 911SC with a livery designed by Manel Espallargas, who has also created the unique 3D printed wheels for this car. For 66 Euros (74 for the dirty version) you get the attention to detail of the master customisers for less than half the price of a standard Scalextric Passion release. Both versions are available here: https://www.scalextricpassion.com/series-especiales

A similar 350-unit co-production - Gérard Larrousse's 1972 Monte Carlo Porsche - was sold in the UK car last year with Pendle having a few in stock. I grabbed one of those - and will definitely look out for this one.