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Slot.it CA49a Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 - 24 Hours of Spa 2018 - Matt Parry, Alex Buncombe & Lucas Ordoñez. RRP £62.95. Scheduled Q3 2021

The next model in Slot.it's 'Modern GT' range can't be too far away. UK distributor Gaugemaster published these two pictures in their latest 'Racing Lines' newsletter (here)...

       

There's also a page for the car on the Slot.it website and plenty of wonderful photos of this fabulous looking car...

       

Nissan have had a GT3 homologated GT-R available since 2012. The cars have won in Japanese Super GT GT300, the various Blancpain (now GT World Challenge) series and took a prestigious win at the 2015 Bathurst 12-hours. The 2018-spec GT-R Nismo GT3 model bottom-up re-design - a new engine and gearbox, plus changes to the length, rear track, wheelbase and weight of the car. This is the version modelled by Slot.it...

       


The new 2018-spec car was entered in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup by Team RJN - GT Sport Motul, alongside a 2017-spec Silver Cup car. The #23 Nissan was driven by Matt Parry, Alex Buncombe & Lucas Ordoñez - with Jann Mardenborough deputising for fellow gamer-turned-racer Ordoñez at the final round in Barcelona. Results for the Pro-rated team were solid, finishing fifth at Paul Ricard and then running successfully in the top ten throughout the Spa 24-hours, ending up seventh. This is what it looked (and sounded) like from inside...



Spa was the highlight of the season for the Team RJN Nissan - it led the race during the night and was the highest placed non-German make at the end of the 2018-spec's first 24-hour race. The performance and muscular good looks made the GT-R Nismo GT3 a fan favourite, especially in the Asian GT series. I really hope Slot.it produce the KCMG cars.

       

Of course, the Slot.it GT-R follows the company ethos of absolutely top-notch detail and scale accuracy, paired with performance parts. The quality is a level above most of Slot.it's competitors in the GT slot car market. Although I am very fond of a Maserati MC, it's this car that will get collectors and racers super-excited about the new Slot.it Modern GT range.

       

Under the body is the sidewinder layout that seems to be standard for the Slot.it GTs. Although that might not fit the GT anglewinder orthodoxy, it's certainly a perfect set-up for serious home racers - and preferred by some club racers, where rules allow. The 23k S-Can motor certainly offers plenty of power, if less torque. Of course, it's an easy change to fit an anglewinder pod... The car is also fitted with the SP45 connectors which allow easy digital conversion - or motor swaps - without the need for soldering.


There's no firm release date from Slot.it yet. Although it shouldn't be too far away. I can't wait! The Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 is available on pre-order from most UK Slot.it retailers.