Just watched the videos and a couple things strike me that will have me taking a second look at these!
One - I had never run / owned a Carrera F1 - only the Scalectric ones - and to say that the front ends are fragile would be to put it nicely! While the guide placement is a little unique - it looks like it makes for a NOTABLY sturdier front end!
Two - I can't get over how smooth those were in STOCK form with NO weight, etc! That in and of itself says a lot!
Thanks for the great review Harry - I may have to see about picking one of these up! :D