June 2016
June 2016
Policar F40 - #40 2nd IMSA GTO Road America 1990 #CAR03a
The Policar brand is slowly becoming more popular in our hobby and with good reasons. The original effort of the Lotus 72 was the driving force, but releases such as this keep the brand name fresh at the local shop.
The model itself isn't entirely a new one. We have seen this release from Slot.it in years past and given the close relationship the two brands have, it's no surprise to most.
The body and scale accuracy were never perfect and nothing has changed. Scale appeal will vary among you and of course only you can make the call. For my eyes the model is done well enough.
What is amusing is the abscenece of the Ferrari logo. The Policar website shows the model with the famous prancing horse, but my model is bare. There is no decal sheet under the cardboard base either. I looked closer and there is a slice of tape though that covers it. Remove the tape and the logo is visible.
No surprise given that Carrera has the legal license to produce the Ferrari models. Yet, Policar released it anyway and even has the name Ferrari stamped on the the sides and windscreen of the car as some prototype photos show.
The overall finish is ok. My model has a few fitment issues and a Tampo smudge on one side. The rear has an uneven wheel arch as well. Nothing glaring, but have to mention it. Seems the rear bonnet is not fitting properly as both sides are this way.
The main appealing aspect of this model was the price point. As some brands are in a hurry to break the $60.00 plateau without improving quality, this release takes us the other direction. At $44.99 it instantly increased it's appeal for me.
The second part of the appeal is the running gear. Policar utilizes Slot.it parts inside of course and that seals the deal for enthusiasts like me. If you are new to this hobby, Slot.it is pretty much the standard in high quality. From the axles, bushings, and gears, to the pod systems they utilize.
And this is exactly what is under the hood of this Policar.
Under The Hood
Data chart is incorrect. It has a standard 32 T spur gear.
The mechanicals here are familiar to the seasoned enthusiast. Slot.it parts and sidewinder pod are present and most of you will be pleased.
Most of you that enjoy non-magnet that is.
Because this model does NOT come with a traction magnet.
This is very odd and quite honestly a signifigant mistake. Not including a traction magnet is simply unacceptable for the mainstream market of our hobby. Although veterans of this hobby and non-magnet racers will not be too offended, remember there are those out there that are not only new, but ENJOY the magnets.
The first release of the 312 had a magnet and now 2 years later we do not get one. In my eyes this is just not the direction to go.
There are no grub screws up front to adjust the the front axle height as the spare parts chart on the Policar website might lead you to believe either. This is ok as the car is set up using the spacers that have the car sitting fine for simple out of the box running.
This model differs from the Slot.it versions as it is sidewinder and not inline. The stock tires barely clear the motor shafts and if you change tires, they will most likely NOT clear these areas and cause rubbing.
I use Paul Gage tires and the size I normally use for this wheel (17x10) is 19125 LM. Even this low profile tire is too close to rubbing on one side and oes make contact on the other. Sanding them will give clearance but it's just too close for my taste.
The rear wheels are plastic but don't let that bother you. These are VERY good quality plastic wheels. They are pressure fitted onto the axle and will take a fair amount of elbow grease to remove them. Just use a twisting action and one side will come free. The axles are not knurled, so you won't damage the inside of the wheel hub. I removed mine easily enough and reinstalled them before testing. They are still a very firm fit. The important part for advanced enthusiasts is that replacing the wheels with higher quality aluminim versions is as easy as it gets.
I trimmed the motor shafts on each end using the cut off disc in my Dremel. Don't have a Dremel? No better excuse than this. If you are starting this hobby then you need one, trust us on this. So go treat yourself to a "tool run" and tell your better half Harry sent you.
I trimmed the motor shaft and installed my new tires. In just a few minutes I was ready for the road.
Road Test
MIDMO SPEEDWAY
4 x 16 3 Lane Routed MDF - Satin
Latex Surface
Slot Car Corner Braid - DiFalco Control
Aftermarket Power @
12 Volts
HRW SLOT CAR CHANNEL
Overall I give the car a thumbs up due to the low price point and quality running gear. The sidewinder pod system is also appealing and makes this model a prime candidate for more advanced enthusiasts as well.
I still must repeat my dissapointment that the traction magnet is missing. Even if this meant adding a $1.00 to the price point. For many racers who are just starting out or enjoy the action of magnet racing, it's simply a mistake to omit it.
As for my own hobby dollar, I'm very pleased. I have another very smooth running model that is virtually made for my kind of track out of the box. With a quick pit stop for fresh tires I am literally off to the races.
-Harry
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Thank You LEB Hobbies For Sponsoring This Review
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