5th-Jan-21, 04:15 PM
Finally, we get to Formula E…
Scalextric have signed a global deal to produce Formula E slot cars and sets. Both brands are family-orientated and it’s easy to see why Scalextric would be attracted by Formula E’s fun and innovative format - especially all the interactive, arcade-like elements. Using a racing-oriented evolution of the Spark Plug app, Scalextric are attempting to emulate the atmosphere and borrow some of the features of Formula E in the new World Championship set.
The cars are robust replicas of the 2019-20 Spark Gen2 electric racers that Formula E fans will instantly recognise. The set has a gold DS Techeetah and a blue and black Jaguar. Available separately will be DS Techeetah of 2019-20 champion António Félix da Costa, plus the 2021 Mahindra of Alexander Sims. All four are standard Scalextric analogue cars, fitted with the F1 slim-can motor and magnatraction. They are also Digital Plug Ready (DPR), taking the smaller C8516 F1 Digital Plug.
The Formula E set is a standard Scalextric analogue set, but has two Spark Plug dongles rather than traditional hand controllers. Each dongle connects by Bluetooth to a compatible smart device (phone or tablet), which acts as a wireless controller via the Spark Plug app. I've reviewed Spark Plug at SlotRacer here.
The current Spark Plug app will continue, with a separate app having all the Formula E features. The new app allows two teams – of up to six people each – to participate in the race. Each team has a driver, plus up to five non-driving team members who have their own collective and individual tasks to perform in the race – pit stops, strategy, fan boost and attack mode.
An average race lasts eight to nine minutes and has these features...
I am a fan of the current Spark Plug app and am delighted to see an alternative motorsport-themed version. I love how Spark Plug adds in arcade-style features to analogue racing – in a different and more interactive way than the ARC app and ARC Air. I can’t wait to try it! The Formula E set and individual cars are expected in the summer / early autumn.
That’s it for what’s in the catalogue – I think... I did miss a couple last year
This is my tally of new tooling…
New 1:32 Tools
As for what’s not in the catalogue, I did ask about the lack of rally cars. As the Scalextric team have said before, their bosses need sure-fire sellers at the moment - and rally hasn’t performed well-enough in the past. However, last autumn’s rally-cross Sierra seems to be doing okay, which is useful ammunition. I also know the Scalextric team keep an eye on Facebook forums - and second-hand rally cars have certainly been in demand during 2020. Every car is planned at least 18 months in advance, so there can be a big lag between a decision being made and the car appearing in the catalogue. I got the impression that there will be rally cars in the future. No promises, but…
I hope you’ve enjoyed the coverage today. As more images are available, you can rest assured that I’ll be posting them in the News section here on SlotRacer Online – along with any extra info and gossip I can glean.
Don’t forget, if you’re visiting SlotRacer Online for the first time, why not have a look around and sign up as a member of the forum - you'll be made very welcome
Scalextric have signed a global deal to produce Formula E slot cars and sets. Both brands are family-orientated and it’s easy to see why Scalextric would be attracted by Formula E’s fun and innovative format - especially all the interactive, arcade-like elements. Using a racing-oriented evolution of the Spark Plug app, Scalextric are attempting to emulate the atmosphere and borrow some of the features of Formula E in the new World Championship set.
The cars are robust replicas of the 2019-20 Spark Gen2 electric racers that Formula E fans will instantly recognise. The set has a gold DS Techeetah and a blue and black Jaguar. Available separately will be DS Techeetah of 2019-20 champion António Félix da Costa, plus the 2021 Mahindra of Alexander Sims. All four are standard Scalextric analogue cars, fitted with the F1 slim-can motor and magnatraction. They are also Digital Plug Ready (DPR), taking the smaller C8516 F1 Digital Plug.
The Formula E set is a standard Scalextric analogue set, but has two Spark Plug dongles rather than traditional hand controllers. Each dongle connects by Bluetooth to a compatible smart device (phone or tablet), which acts as a wireless controller via the Spark Plug app. I've reviewed Spark Plug at SlotRacer here.
The current Spark Plug app will continue, with a separate app having all the Formula E features. The new app allows two teams – of up to six people each – to participate in the race. Each team has a driver, plus up to five non-driving team members who have their own collective and individual tasks to perform in the race – pit stops, strategy, fan boost and attack mode.
An average race lasts eight to nine minutes and has these features...
- Pit stops – at least two per race. The pit crew carry out a tyre change and battery recharge. The app gives a warning and then stops the car on the track. An in-app ‘mini-game’ appears in pit crew’s app. Speed is of the essence to jack up the car, change wheels, recharge the battery etc. Each team member can work on a different task. Once completed, the car is released back to the driver.
- If a driver crashes more than a set number of times, an extra pit stop is triggered. The pit crew get a view of car to diagnose and fix any damage as quickly as they can.
- Fan boost – one per race, controlled by pit crew.
- Attack mode – the opponent’s car gets an unexpected boost that might cause a crash.
- Speed restrict – intermittent power on the opponent’s car to give a ‘kangaroo’ effect.
I am a fan of the current Spark Plug app and am delighted to see an alternative motorsport-themed version. I love how Spark Plug adds in arcade-style features to analogue racing – in a different and more interactive way than the ARC app and ARC Air. I can’t wait to try it! The Formula E set and individual cars are expected in the summer / early autumn.
That’s it for what’s in the catalogue – I think... I did miss a couple last year
This is my tally of new tooling…
New 1:32 Tools
- Batmobile 1966
- Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 – racing and road versions
- Corvette C8R
- Formula E Spark Gen2
- Jaguar XJS – racing and police versions
- KITT
- Lotus 97T Renault
- Lotus 99T Honda
- Lotus Esprit S1 / Lotus Esprit S2
- Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo
- Pagani Huayra BC Roadster
- Plymouth Barracuda / Chrysler Hemicuda – two racing versions
- Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 – GT and Trans-Am racing versions
- Aston Martin V8 (set only)
- Lap Counter track piece (set and separate accessory)
- Hump bridge track piece (set only)
As for what’s not in the catalogue, I did ask about the lack of rally cars. As the Scalextric team have said before, their bosses need sure-fire sellers at the moment - and rally hasn’t performed well-enough in the past. However, last autumn’s rally-cross Sierra seems to be doing okay, which is useful ammunition. I also know the Scalextric team keep an eye on Facebook forums - and second-hand rally cars have certainly been in demand during 2020. Every car is planned at least 18 months in advance, so there can be a big lag between a decision being made and the car appearing in the catalogue. I got the impression that there will be rally cars in the future. No promises, but…
I hope you’ve enjoyed the coverage today. As more images are available, you can rest assured that I’ll be posting them in the News section here on SlotRacer Online – along with any extra info and gossip I can glean.
Don’t forget, if you’re visiting SlotRacer Online for the first time, why not have a look around and sign up as a member of the forum - you'll be made very welcome
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