Opel Astra V8 Coupe; Scalextric vs. Ninco

Scalextric or Ninco

Both Scalextric and Ninco show the Opel Astra V8 Coupe in their catalogue. Which one is the best buy? Which offers the best details? Which is the fastest on the track?

Scalextric

Scalextric offers different versions of the Opel V8. All different colored versions are known from the German DTM race series. Scalextric released also a race set of the new Sport track system with two Opels. You can also buy the cars separately. There is a difference in level of detailing between a box-set model and a model from the catalogue.
The cars from the set have less metal parts. For example, the exhaustion pipes of the race set cars are made of plastic. The individual sold versions have metal exhaustion pipes. The metal parts do give the models a better look, but no extra down force.
For this article I used an Opel from the set (the number 3 car) and a separately sold model (number 4). Both cars are red, driven originally by Winkelhock and sponsored by Sport Bild (a German sport newspaper).
Both versions run fast and the handling is smooth.

Ninco

Ninco released the number 3 car of Winkelhock of 2001. The car shows the standard Ninco specifications like a NC2 motor, a strong magnet and a spring loaded guide. The car handles like most other models of Ninco.
The description of the model is "Opel Astra V8 Coupe 60 seconds". "60 seconds" is the title of a movie. Ninco printed an advertisement of this movie on the hood. In German is written "Jetzt auf Video und DVD zu kaufen", which means "Now available on video and dvd".

What are the differences?

What are the differences between the Scalextric model and the Ninco slot car? In level of detailing you can conclude that Scalextric offers better detailing than Ninco. In the cockpit of the Ninco model you do not find any details. The driver figure is standard, so a driver without legs. Scalextric offers a full driver figure, a roll bar and a dashboard. The Opels of Scalextric are equipped with working front lights. Besides the Safety car, Ninco did not yet release any cars with working lights.

Position of the magnet

The position of the magnet of a Ninco model is fixed. With the model of Scalextric it is possible to change the magnet in three different positions. With the model of Scalextric you decide by yourself how much down force you would like to give the car. I prefer to put the magnet on the third position.
In general I think that the down force of Ninco cars is perfect, especially on a Ninco track, but on the Sport track of Scalextric the Opel with slicks do not have enough grip to make satisfied runs. I advise to change the slicks into rain tires (product number 80508).

Test results

I have tested the models on two different circuits; a Ninco and a Scalextric Sport track. Both cars run great. You won't be disappointed. As said, you get better handling of the Ninco's Opel if you change the tires. On the Sport track I raced half a second faster with rain tires. It was also interesting to notice that the box set cars of Scalextric were faster than the other model, but both versions have beaten the Ninco car.

Conclusions

The Opel of Scalextric offers besides excellent handling better details, in other words more value for money. The Ninco car is standard, runs great on a Ninco track, but needs other tires on a smoother track surface, like the Sport track of Scalextric. The Scalextric models are faster on both tracks. Why did Ninco release the Opel V8? The designers of Ninco must have known before they released the car that Scalextric have beaten them on al stages. Probably Ninco wanted to release the Opel to complete the DTM line. The Opel of Ninco can compete with Mercedes CLK and Audi TT, the other DTM models of Ninco. Together with the safety car they make a nice set of four.

More Information

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