Ninco: The first years

In 1993 Ninco released its first slot car

At the end of December 1993 Ninco released its first slot car. The Renault Clio got a warm welcome from the slot car enthusiasts. After the release of two other types, the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) Alfa Romeo 155 and AMG Mercedes 180-C, nine slot cars were available. In 1996 the first release of the Ninco classic-series is the Ferrari 166-MM.

Track

In 1998 Ninco released the track system. The marketing people of Ninco describe it as "the ultimate slot racing system". The easy clip building system makes it simple to build a circuit. Ninco makes a great presentation with the first set. The set is packed with a Styrofoam base that protects the track, cars and controllers. The track is wider than Scalextric's (18 cm, the distance between the slot centers is 9 cm) and has a rougher texture. The sloth depth is 6,5 cm and the slot width is 2,5 mm.

Ferrari and Jordan

Also in 1998 Ninco introduced the first Formula One replicas. Personally I think that these Formula One cars are better than F-1 cars of Carrera and Scalextric. Although a year later SCX produced the Minardi and Arrows that for the looks scores better.

Horsepower

Ninco's standard motor is the NC1. In 1998 the fast NC2 motor became available. This reasonably priced motor performs great. Nowadays the cars of the sets and some Classic models have NC1 motors, but almost all single sold cars have the NC2 inside. Some people have the opinion that the NC2 motor is too powerful. I think that the some cars perform better with the NC1.

NC3 motor

In 2000 Ninco released the NC3 motor. This small motor only fits in the Karts. It is not very fast but realistic to the scale (1/18) of the Karts.

Controllers

If you compare the standard controllers of all makes you conclude that the standard controllers of Ninco are the best. I like the feel of Ninco's standard controllers over Scalextric's for example. Ninco's 70-Ohm controllers have a built-in braking system. The expensive Vario 16 of Ninco, available from 1999, is according to my opinion not the best there is. I think that most experienced slot car racers prefer Parma controllers above all.

Lap Counters

Racing without a lap counter can be boring after a while. In 2000 Ninco has shown up with two lap counters, the Sprint and the Pole Position.
Both the Sprint lap counter and the Pole Position lap counter/timer come with two half-straight track section, one equipped with sensors and a cable and another regular 1/2 section.
The Sprint's case, black with red and silver graphics, is designed to stand upright. It provides a good view of the displays. The Pole Position's case is colored green and gray and sits horizontally. It matches with the styling of the Independent Power Connection Straight and the Vario 16 controller. The Sprint and Pole Position can be connected to the spare power plug entry of the Standard Power Straight or the Independent Power Connection Straight. The cable from the sensor track plugs into the unit with a standard RJ-11 plug (phone connector).

Ninco fails to provide detailed operating instructions

It is a shame that Ninco fails to provide detailed operating instructions. You only get an instruction sheet for the basic instructions (mostly pictorial) in four languages. But you do not need any instruction to operate the Sprint lap counter. It can be programmed to score a race to either a specified number of laps between 1 and 99 or a specified duration of 1 to 9 minutes. The Pole Position is more difficult to operate. The Pole Position is both a lap counter and a timers. It will time laps to 1/1000 seconds and will display lap totals op to 9999 laps. There are four race modes that can be programmed. The options are GP Racing and Rally for races of a specified number of laps and Endurance and Training provide for a race or qualifying session of a specific length of time.

Photo elctronic control

The photo electronic control sensors do not miss any Ninco or Fly, but sometimes the sensors do not notice a Scalextric of SCX car. The Pole Position is a great product. I hope Ninco will show up with the software soon!

Power

Power is supplied by the 14-volt wall-mount power pack and provides decent power across both lines if your track is not too long. For longer tracks you need the power boost. Experienced slot racers do use for their home track two power packs in combination with the Independent Power Connection Straight.

Single Racing System

The Single Racing Set is inspired to hill climbing racing. The idea is not new. Other companies were having single lane track systems. The set includes a Ninco stopwatch and a nice rally car. With this system you can create a beautiful and realistic rally track.

Software

The best way to create a nice track is to take all track sections you own and start to create the track on the space you have, but it is also possible to use your computer. Ninco's layout design software Trackmap V.2000 is a powerful tool, but the people of Ninco are no real software developers. The software is very basic and looks out of time. If you see the program for the first time you do think that it is created in the early nineties. The software is available on CD-ROM but it is not very costly.

Slot cars

Ninco has produced 240 different printed slot cars until 2001. Many cars are not available anymore because Ninco cars a very popular among racers and collectors. Ninco cars have been designed to race. Logical you think, but the people of Fly do think that you only collect slot cars. Racing performance is refined time after time. Road holding is optimized up to a decent level by the use of the NC2 and a small magnet. The models are good replicas of the original sports and rally cars.

Our conclusion

The high quality of the track system can be one of the reasons to choose for Ninco. The cars are good performing on the track and perfectly tampo printed. Ninco offers you all spare and upgrade parts you desire, such as braids, rims, tires and magnets. The Pole Position lap counter/timer is a great product. Ninco is bringing your hobby to a higher level.

Ninco's address

Ninco Desarrollos, S.L.
Ctra. De Cornella 140
08950 ESPLUGUES Barcelona
Spain

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