07/18/2013

1/32nd Scale Racer Porsche 935/78 "Moby Dick" - Test Version - Paul Ricard 1978 #SW19
Extra offset blocks, unpainted wing & wrench under box.

Being a simple home racer, models like this are usually not my style. But somehow this latest entry into the Racer Sideways line of models has found it's way here to HRW. The efforts that the team at Racer are making are hard to ignore and since there are quite a few of you heavily into the performance scene, let's take a closer look at this whale of a Porsche.

Quick Data (Please allow a little + or - here)

Length- 156 mm
Width - 65 mm (At widest section of rear fenders)
Height - 35 mm
Wheelbase - 71 mm
Body Weight- 20 grams
Total Weight - 78 grams

First and foremost I have to commend Racer for the passion they are putting into their product line. Regardless if you are into these competition level models or not, you almost have to commend them for listening to the racing public and bringing a model like this to market.

If you want a great history of this car, do what many of us do and Google it. You can really appreciate a model like this a lot more when you discover why it was made and how it came to be. In the case of Racer adding to the Group 5 series it was an easy decision. It is iconic in a way no other car is and if you are a fan of this series then you know that this Porsche simply had to be made.

There is not much in the paint department on this one, but hopefully it let's you know how well they captured it.

Race informed us that there will be differences in the various bodies. 3 different kind of doors (Test version and Fitzpatrick/Hobbs LM , Momo, and Official Martini) and lots of aerofoil according to various races. This is impressive and shows they are making every effort they can to produce a car that will appeal to more scale racers.

Of course the fine scale racer will likely not appreciate the entire car. As with the Capri before it the wheels are not the right size.

However, Racer makes no bones about the fact that these models are designed for the serious competitive racer. The wheels are this way as they are the common sizes already on the market from Slot.it and so the gears will clear the inside due to the anglewinder configuration.

In other words: Either it bothers you or it doesn't.

From the racer's feedback I have read it is no issue. Not only do they like this new class but the performance of them has most very pleased.

Looking underneath we see very similar mechanics as the Capri. GOOD. That is what I want when investing models like this:  Close compatibility.

Removing the 2 screws shows our chassis topside.

With that, please read our first review of THE CAPRI HERE. Everything is mechanically the same so I will not waste your time repeating it here.

I will not waste time trying to compare this model to the Carrera version either. Although they are modeling the same car, the end result is so different that comparing them is futile. I have Carrera models and I like them very much. They are designed more for the simple home racer and with a little tuning they run great on our home track.

But under this Racer body is all Slot.it and it shows. Unless you are going to completely re-design and rebuild your Carrera, there won't be any contest. And from the feedback we received on the Racer Capri vs. the Fly version, there is not many who are willing to do that.

And neither will I. I picked this model to run against my Racer Capri and that is exactly what we will do.

Routed Wood Track Test
MidMo International Speedway
4x16 - 3 Lane MDF - Satin/Flat Latex Surface
Slot Car Corner Braid/Flush Mount - Aftermarket Power @ Volts
Professor Motor 2110 Low Voltage Electronic Controllers

Before I tested the car I oiled the axles and each end of the motor.

Also loosened the front axle height adjustment screws to allow the axle to spin freely.

Are you looking for a fast car? If so then you may have found it here. As expected this model ran very quick and handled our small course easily. The gear mesh is a little on the loud side, but break-in time helps. Our Capri was this way and after plenty of racing action it has smoothed out and the difference between them is noticeable.

Lap times were very close to our Capri.

This is about as good as it gets when you are looking for a great match-up. I am sure that professional drivers will have different opinions and findings due to the varying tracks they compete on, but for down here at the HRW Skunkworks this car has delivered exactly what I was hoping it would.

Although models like this are not for everyone, this latest entry from Racer is hard to ignore. The performance/competition enthusiast will especially appreciate a new player in the current Group 5 series and with more whales coming as well as other models, this series in our scale will just increase in popularity.

- Harry