Who would have expected the Australian weather to play such a big role in our Grand Prix entertainment last weekend? After the months without, it was a feast taking in all the new cars, decorations and team/driver combinations and Spark has wasted no time in proposing all bar the Ferraris for pre-order. A shame for the Sunday race fans as support races were either be abandoned, curtailed or red flaged behind the Safety Car. Over in Florida there were no weather issues for the 73rd running of the Sebring 12hrs. Watching the highlights it was something of a crashfest in parts as a 12 hour sprint race played out. History was made too! Nick Tandy joining the select few drivers to win Le Mans, Daytona & Sebring added to the Spa and Nurburgring 24hr races creating a possibly unique victory record. Good man!
Already underway is the Safari rally. Although just two stages have been run, it's tight at the top of the leader board with the three manufacturers each represented in the top three postitions. Currently Ott Tanak (Hyundai) leads Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) and Gregoire Munster (Ford) but 2.5 seconds. For your delight, here's the SS1 battle between Evans & Neuville. This weekend is also the Chinese Grand Prix. Maybe more rain can be summoned up for a repeat performance from last weekend? It is also the second round of the IndyCar championship. A second visit to The Thermal Club track this time for championship points and not just cash like in 2024. NASCAR once again entertains this time from Homestead and endurance fans can follow round one of the VLN too.
20 March
Marsh Models: we have a small collection of factory built metal Le Mans models with 1966 Ford GT40 Mk2, 1967 Ford Mk4 & 1971 Porsche 917LH. None are perfect, none include the original packaging and each are at least 30 years old!...
Tecnomodel: you will have to wait until Q3 at the earliest until deliveries start of this beauty, 1:18 1953 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante Coupe....
Matrix: has another couple of new subjects to offer you in the shapes of the 1934-1935 Rover 12HP (P1) Tourer & 1950-1952 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Turismo Berline. Both offer a three colour choice...
Marsh Models: probably one of the oddest race car concepts to be conceived and built, the 1969 AVS Shadow Prototype is now available as a beautifully hand made model with its active aero parts on show...
Cult Scale Models: the 18th scale resincast 1981 Ford Capri 2.8 Turbo is its latest release available to order in red, silver and metallic green...
Kess: newly arrived are white and black colour versions of the 1934 Duesenberg Model A Krueger Special Roadster in 43rd scale...
Spark: expected to appear during week 15 is this 1:43 collection including the Aston Martin Vantage 2024 Spa 24hrs winner, Toyota 2024 Safari winner, Canada Alpine A524, Australia Haas VF24, Super GT Honda & Toyota, Schlesser Honda RA302, Huracan GT3 Spa 24hrs & Iron Dames Le Mans, Nissan R390 Test & 1:5 Magnussen Monaco helmet...
Looksmart: being prepared for shipping from the factory next week are the 1:43 2024 Miami Grand Prix Ferrari SF-24s in their unique HP blue decoration...
19 March
JPS: a welcome surprise is the news of four new 1:43 painted resin/metal kits of the 2019 Petit Le Mans Coca-Cola Porsches, Dome S101 Le Mans 2007 T2M, ALD Le Mans 1990 & a Ferrari F40 Bonneville speed record machine as well...
BBR: has issued its limited edition 1:43 2024 Le Mans Ferrari 499P winner, #51 & yellow #83 plus Maserati MC20 Cielo in a variety of colours, wheel & badge choices...
Tecnomodel: has now released its 18th scale model of the 1953 Jaguar C-Type offering the Le Mans winner and Ecurie Francorchamps cars, Goodwood Ecurie Ecosse winner, press version & 1954 Carrera Panamericana version too...
18 March
Spark: an enormous delivery has appeared and it offers a huge variety of subject matter from all the favourite event themes and marques covering classic and historic Le Mans, Formula 1, Spa 24hrs, Formula 2, Sebring 12hrs, FIA GT, Daytona 24hrs, Pikes Peak & 944 Turbo Cup...
Schuco Pro.R: has a bunch of new road car releases, not just 1:43 but 1:18 & 1:12 too with Audi Quattro Sport, Autobianchi Cabriolet, BMW 2002 Turbo, Ford OSI, Sierra Sapphire Cosworth & RS500, Mazda RX2, Mini Moke, Opel Kadett GTE, Porsche 916, Mercedes Uhlenhaut Coupe & the 1956 Daytona 500 Corvette Pace Car...
Spark: here is an initial choice of 2025 Formula 1 1:5 helmets for Albon, Sainz Jnr, Ocon, Alonso, Bortoleto, Russell, Antonelli, Norris, Lawson, Bearman & Tsunoda...
Spark: apart from Ferrari, here is the 2025 Formula 1 grid ready for your pre-orders. Only Asutralia winner Norris, Piastri, Verstappen & Russell are confirmed as being modelled on the Albert Park race with the others to be firmed up after the Japanese Grand Prix...
Ixo: big news here is the 1:43rd 4-car box set celebrating Toyota's 2024 WRC Manufacturers Championship win plus Wagner Skoda Fabia Rally2 Barum 2024 in both 43rd & 18th. Also 2024 18th scale Tanak Hyundai i20N 3rd Chile, Munster Ford Puma 7th Chile & Solberg Skoda Fabia 7th Safari...
17 March
Spark: here is a fine collection of 1:43 historics & modern classics of Formula 1 AGS, Aston Martin, ATS, Brabham, Lotus, Tyrrell & Williams, Le Mans AC, Alpine, Chenard & Walcker, Ecosse, Lotus, Maserati, Mercedes, Porsche, Rondeau & Simca, Spa 24hrs Alfa Romeo & BMW, FTCC Camaro, Sebring 12hrs Porsche & 944 Turbo Cup...
Schuco Pro.R: expected to arrive during April is the 1:43 resincast model of the 1989 Fiat Panda 4x4 available in red or white...
13 March
FSW Weekly: Happy days! A really busy week of new model deliveries offering great variety with 1:43, 1:24 & 1:18, resin/metal kits, plastic kits, diecast, resincast, hand builts and a few books for good measure. The deliveries are from Looksmart, Spark, BBR, Trofeu, DSN 43, Ixo, Model Car Group, Tamiya, SMTS & Scale Racing cars. These last two will be the last deliveries as we have the last of their stock...
KK Scale: the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO, arguably the prettiest of the marque, is coming as a 12th scale diecast with opening panels to show off interior & engine detail...
BBR: has made a boat before but this one will be a 43rd scale beauty - the 1953 Arno XI Timossi-Ferrari 3-pointer...
DSN 43: the end of March release list includes Spa 24hrs & Monte Carlo rally Ford Capris, 1987 6th RAC Audi Coupe Quattro & Porsche 911RS Le Mans 1973 & Portugal rally 1979...
Trofeu: there are a couple more 1:43 rally cars listed for the end of the month with Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 21st Tour De Corse 1987 #22 Rouget/Bouhours & Fiat 131 Abarth 2nd Hunsruck 1977 #11 Didi/Lux to look forward to...
BBR: newest 1:43 hand built models to appear are the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider & Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale, each available in a choice of colours in limited numbers...