My Living Legend

Yes. My living legend. An MG Lola, manufactured by the all so famous Scalextric. As mentioned in my last post, every car has its own handling. The MG Lola is considerably easy to handle. It's at least a whole lot easier to handle than the Mini Cooper. In fact, due to its flat and wide chassis, its got a really low center of gravity (CG) which really helps a great deal when it comes to hugging those tight corners. Its probably got the lowest CG among all classes (perhaps it's only match is the GT). And because of this, its really stable and sticks to the track like you've got super glue on its tires! Hug those tight corners at high speed and you've got no problems like what other cars would give you i.e. flipping off the track.

Not only has it got the magnificent stability, its also got the speed. Though it can't exactly compete with the F1 when its on a long stretch of straight (or maybe it can with a slight upgrade of motor), they can easily outrun the F1 if there are just a few curves on the track. And while comparing it with the F1, the Lola is also a lot more durable. Unlike the fragile F1 where you can't exactly get involved in an "accident", the Lola gives you that luxury to get into minor "accidents". But no, I'm not asking you to put it to the test and crash it.

Enough said. Let me show you my *ahem*, Living Legend...

It's won me quite a number of races. It's in fact managed to set a record for the most laps in the Bangsar track over a 3 minute race. Of course it has also got some 'warrior scars' here and there, but with a little super glue, its still fit as a fiddle. I find it to be the most stable Lola on the track, even when compared to others of the same class. This Lola, is definitely a class of its own.

1 year and lovin' it

Time flies so fast I really did not realise that I've been into slot cars for more than a year already. But ever since my dad introduced it to me, I've been spending every Sunday afternoon with him at either the Bangsar track, or the Hartamas track racing away with our collection of cars. Ok, its not really "our" collection, its more like my dad's collection. But all the same, I personally find it a really interesting hobby. Well, I admit that I am the only female playing on a regular basis, and people do wonder why would a female be so obsessed with cars. I can't exactly tell why I am so into it as well. I just find it plain interesting and amusing!

To the general audience, this hobby may be just all about a motor with 2 wires assembled in a plastic casing and running it round and round the same track. But for those who knows about this, they would understand that it is more than just that. The motor is not just any other motors, but there is a difference in speed and power to each and every individual motor. Of couse we all know that there are different motors with different RPMs for sale, but to think that even 2 different motors with the same RPM can perform differently, that is something else.

Not only the motor, even the make of the car in general. The car can be of the same model and the same make, but tune it differently and you get a car that has totally different handling, speed and overall performance. There are just so much you can do with a new car. Upgrade the motor, run-in the motor, change the tyres, sand the tyres, clean the tyres, add/remove/alter the magnets, change the guides, and the list continues. Every slight toggle gives you a brand new car all together! Of course, you still have the option of not doing anything to the brand new car and run it the moment you purchase it off the shelf.

And the track. There are numerous track designs be it pre-designed or you can choose to be creative about it. And to note that you can actually have 2 different tracks with only 1 design! Scratching your head how that can be done? An experienced racer will be able to read me. Digital tracks and also certain makes of cars have the capability to run on "reverse" mode! And by running on reverse mode, the same track will be all different again!

If I were to list every single amazing thing about slot cars, this post will never end. But if this attracted your attention, then slot cars are definitely something you must try. I started it a year ago, and now I don't only love it, am obsessed with it. I sure hope to know that there are more like-minded people out there especially females because it does not feel nice to be "lonely".