SCALEXTRIC PORSCHE 997
     

Slotcar reviews - Fly, Scalextric, SCX, Ninco, Slot It, TeamSlot, Spirit, Proteus and many more

The 997 is the latest incarnation of the venerable Porsche 911 and seems to be popular with slot car manufacturers - Scalextric are the fifth manufacturer to add the 997 to their range.

Scalextric have taken a different approach to the others though, because the Porsche is the latest addition to their 'super-resistant' range. This means it has a solid body shell (no separate glazing), no interior and no working lights - the lights are tampo-printed.

The body is nicely shaped, easily recognisable as a 997. Scalextric cars often tend to look a little tall and narrow and that seems to the case here too, though it could just be a perspective/perception thing.

The finish is good, smooth and even and the tampo-printing is crisp and clear. The printed lights look a bit odd from some angles but most of the time they look pretty convincing.

The chassis is attached to the body with four screws. The chassis is familiar Scalextric stuff; sidewinder Mabuchi motor, nylon gears and bearings, big bar magnet and standard guide with quick-change braid plate.

The chassis is digital-ready, set up for the quick fit DPR plug.

On my little Scalextric track the Porsche is brilliant. Its light weight and strong magnet almost guarantee performance and the 997 delivers. It's smooth and controllable even with standard controllers. The magnet keeps the car glued to the track with just a hint of over-steer in tighter corners. 

Because the car seems to be aimed at the junior end of the market I let my kids take over the testing at this stage. After a couple of hours of crash'n'bash racing on a figure of eight track (with cross-over) the 997 emerged unscathed. My kids quite liked the car, their only complaint was the lack of working lights.

The Porsche really struggled on my larger wooden track. I think the light weight works against it here and the cars skips and bounces and generally fails to perform. With some added weight and suitable tyres it could probably be made to work well but in standard form it's really unhappy on this surface. 

I must admit I have mixed feelings about this car. I can see the need for this type of cheap, almost indestructible car, especially for younger racers and probably even more so on digital tracks. 

But I don't think there's much appeal for the more 'mature' collectors and racers. The detail and realism of many modern slotcars is what brings many people into the hobby. I hope Scalextric will bring out 'full detail' versions of the 997 to cater for that market too. 

I sincerely hope that the 'super resistant' models will be a niche in the Scalextric range. Scalextric make some brilliant, beautifully detailed models of saloon/GT cars like the DBR9, Dodge Viper and Jaguar XKR. I would hate to see this type of model abandoned.