[woodcote]

   

The usual unveiling takes place this Tuesday, probably around lunchtime - or once the traffic jam from the Hornby launch at 9am has settled down.

However, the format is a bit different this year. What we'll see on Tuesday are all the new sets for 2024, but only the cars scheduled to arrived in the Spring and Summer. That does remove the frustration of seeing a car announced in January, pre-ordering it, but not having it in your hands until 12 or 14 months later. Most of the remaining 2024 cars will be unveiled on the eve of the UK Slot Car Festival in May - and many will be on display at Gaydon as prototypes or pre-production samples.

Whether spreading the excitement over the year increases our enjoyment or dilutes it remains to be seen... but it does work well for the company, allowing them more flexibility over release dates and a more ordered flow of new products being released into the marketplace. It'll certainly make the Slot Car Festival an essential trip for all Scalextric fans.

I can promise you some excellent new stuff on Tuesday, just not as much of it as we're used to. Part 2 in May will more than make up for any gaps.