SCX rally cars

Present models

The Spanish slot car manufacturer SCX (sold in Spain as Scalextric) is the leader in 1:32 scale rally racing. SCX offers a great variety of rally cars. Three present models are featured in this article about SCX rally cars: Citroen Xsara, Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza.
All present cars are four wheel driven with working front and rear lights. The guide with suspension works good, but it is possible that you loose a braid during a race. Another problem you can face in the sharp turns: When the Citroen Xsara slides to the limit it can happen that the car looses power.

The interior of the SCX WRC car

The interior of the SCX WRC slot car is detailed. In the back of the car you will find a spare wheel. As in real rally cars the interior offers a roll-cage, a driver and co-drivers. The bodies of the cars are perfectly printed. Especially the models with snow or dirt effect look great. The frames of the windows are painted black. I think it is a pity that the name of the brand (SCX or Scalextric) is printed on the front window.

Car preparation

I admire the cars of Ninco, as you probably have noticed in the articles on this web-site. Almost all Ninco cars are really ready race models. I believe that cars of SCX need preparation before you can put them on the track.
It is wise to remove the magnet. I do not understand why SCX put the magnet on the back of the model. A rally car must be designed to slide. The standard position of the magnet makes it impossible to slide. According to my opinion a magnet does not match in these cars. The magnet front position at Ninco cars is better. Although the magnetic power you will experience real rally movements with Ninco cars.
The standard SCX car makes a lot of noise. A few drops of oil are needed on the motor shaft, gears and axles.

Rims and tires

All plastic parts have burrs due to molding. Cut the burr form the rim and make the rim completely round by using fine sandpaper.

Examine each slot car wheel

Put the tires back on the rims. Examine each wheel and make sure that the tires are seated properly. By the use of sandpaper you can give the tire a round profile. Place the sandpaper under the rear tires, apply pressure to the back, prevent the car of moving forward and start slowly turning the wheels. Make the tires completely round.

On the track

It is possible to adjust the magnet on the position that you prefer, but you get a more realistic performance of the car when the magnet is removed. The track performance depends to the surface of the track. The car is designed for a SCX/Scalextric track. It is logical that the car performs at its best on its own system. On the rough surface of a Ninco track the car performs reasonable.
The Ford Focus gives the best rally performance on my GT-track and was the fastest during the test. The very attractive Citroen was a bit slower. The Subaru was the slowest. The handling of the Subaru is very rigid.

Collection of rally cars

Some model car racers restrict their collection to rally cars. SCX must be for Rally freaks the favorite slot car manufacturer. With the cars of SCX you can collect the most important entrants of the World Rally Championship. Together with the special track sections of SCX, like the Super Sliding Curve set and the adjustable Hump Bridge, you can have a lot of rally fun.

More information

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SCX Ford Focus WRC "Snow Effect"
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