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With a moderate amount of social media hype, Scalextric unveiled five previously unannounced models this week. These were cars that would have been in the 2022 catalogue under normal circumstances - one of them was even a pixelated teaser back in December... At the range launch in January, the Scalextric team explained the 2022 catalogue concentrated on new tooling - new cars for 2022, plus the new cars that were scheduled for 2021, but had been delayed. Re-liveries that were planned for the catalogue had been shelved, not cancelled. And it looks like some of them have just broken cover...

       
Scalextric C4314 Ford Escort MK1 - Mark Freemantle - Castrol Racing. RRP £49.99. Expected Autumn 2022.

This is another cracking livery from the Modified Ford Series, which is sponsored by Scalextric - that's why the Escort has a Scalextric sticker on the bonnet and each door. Freemantle prepared the 2-litre BDG-powered Mk1 Escort for the 2021 season, but didn't get on the grid until the 2022 opener at Silverstone. He finished runner-up in Class B in both races. This Castrol Escort joins Andy Pipe's Mk1 and two versions of Jamie Gough's Mk2 RS2000 (from Teamslot) from the Modified Ford Series. Definitely worth catching if you get the chance: https://www.modifiedfords.co.uk/

       
Scalextric C4308 McLaren M23 - Dutch GP 1978 - Nelson Piquet. RRP £53.99. Expected Winter 2022-3.

When I think of Nelson Piquet, an M23 doesn't come to mind... But Piquet made three appearances in this BS Fabrication McLaren in 1978, between his F1 debut for Ensign in Germany and him joining Brabham in Canada for the start of truly remarkable partnership with Bernie Ecclestone's team. Having wrapped up the 1978 BARC British F3 title, it was no surprise Piquet found himself stepping up to F1 for the end of the season. Run by former Lotus engineer Bob Sparshott, BS Engineering was a decent F1 baptism for the future triple world champion. Although the M23 was in its sixth season of racing, Piquet managed to pre-qualify and qualify the car in all three races, the Dutch GP at Zandvoort being the second. Retiring at Austria and Zandvoort, Piquet brought the M23 home ninth at Monza - a race marred by the death of Ronnie Peterson.

       
Scalextric C4254 Jaguar XJS - Winner Donington ETCC - Win Percy & Chuck Nicholson. RRP £49.99. Expected Winter 2022-3.

The classic green and white TWR livery was always going to appear on a UK release of the XJ-S. There were sad faces in January, but now it's officially on its way. Those who bought the Aussie-only Bathurst car can add this one to their collection - another Jaguar race winner, this time at the 1984 Donington 500 Kms, round two of the European Touring Car Championship. Up against the might of the BMW 635s, Nicholson and Percy put the #2 Jag on pole and then finished half a minute ahead of James Weaver and Vince Woodman's BMW GB works car in second, with German and Italian 635s third and fourth. Tom Walkinshaw and Hans Heyer brought the #1 XJ-S home ninth and it was that pairing who'd finish first and second in the '84 ETCC drivers' championship. The smaller Division 2 Alfetta GTV6s took the manufacturers' title for Alfa Romeo, but Jaguar was best of the big guns.

       
Scalextric C4256 Aston Martin V8 - Chris Scragg Racing. Web exclusive £49.99. Expected Summer 2022.

Rather like the Modified Fords, Scalextric also celebrate grass-roots racing with some nice Aston Martin Owners Club cars, including this smashing V8 raced by long-term Aston campaigner Chris Scragg and his son Ant. The Aston is expected around the same time as the similar Gulf-sponsored car of Rikki Cann - and the Bond road car version. That'll be the first chance to try out the V8s, which feature a sidewinder motor and full interior. The Chris Scragg Racing car is only available from the Scalextric website here: https://uk.scalextric.com/products/aston...cing-c4256

   
Scalextric C4302 Castrol Rally Car. RRP £32.49. Expected Spring 2022.

This is the pre-Christmas teaser that confused so many people. Removed from the catalogue at the last minute, this super-resistant model joins a fleet of mid-priced offerings aimed squarely at younger and learner drivers, but with more imaginative and striking liveries than in the past. This has a cool Castrol colour scheme and is piloted by two members of the Scalextric team - Oscar and Caitlin. It sits nicely with previous versions of this fantasy rally car, which do have a loyal fanbase.

So that's the five cars. And I guess it's good news with Scalextric playing catch-up and leaving the 2023 catalogue open for more new tooling and more new liveries... The fact that they can make this announcement just a few months after the catalogue launch suggests the manufacturing backlog is easing and there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, Covid remains a massive problem in China, so I'll be expecting at least some disruption and uncertainly into 2023 and beyond.