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Scalextric C4237 Ford Escort MK1 - Andy Pipe Racing - 2020 Modified Ford Series. RRP £42.99. Scheduled June 2021

Scalextric Escorts are always in huge demand and it looks as if they're onto another winner with this super-looking Mark I. Owned and raced by Essex electrician Andy Pipe, it makes an ideal partner to the Teamslot model of Jamie Gough's Martini-liveried RS2000 - both race in the popular Modified Ford Series, sponsored by Scalextric this season.

The story of Andy's Escort starts way back in 1992 when he rescued the car from a scrapyard and painstakingly rebuilt it at a race car for club meets. After managing a class win and fastest lap in his first season, Andy leant the car to a mate, who crashed it - badly. New body panels all round, plus a new roof and suspension gave Andy the first version of his well-known Acid Yellow Escort that was campaigned through to 2016...

   

The Escort was gradually modified over the years - the original 1600cc engine replaced by a 2-litre Pinto. The wheel arches became nicely flared too. Another accident saw another major rebuild... this time taking quite a while. The rejuvenated black, white and gold liveried car was ready for the 2020 Modified Ford Series...

   

Andy's car races in Class B of the championship - for cars with normally aspirated 16v engines from 1751cc to 2250cc. It's an eclectic mix of Escorts and Fiestas, with the odd Anglia, Capri and Sierra thrown in. The 2021 season was delayed, starting at Lydden Hill in April and Donington in May. Six more dates run through from Mallory Park this weekend to Snetterton in October. This club racing at its best - run by the drivers with pretty open rules that show off some great builds and provides fun, low-cost racing. Entry fees start at £250 for qualifying and two 15 minute races. Here's a great introduction to the series from last month's meet at Donington...




Andy was in action at Donington, qualifying 29th in a 35-car field, working his way up to twentieth in Race 1 and twenty-first in Race 2. And with the same car Andy has been racing for nearly 30 years!

   

The Scalextric model looks as tasty as Andy's new car. The livery, flared arches and wheels are spot-on. It's great that Scalextric are sponsoring grass-roots club racing and the Modified Ford Series will hopefully delivery a few more slot car models over the next few years.

Andy Pipe's Ford Escort MkI is scheduled for release this month and is available for pre-order at all your favourite Scalextric retailers.