Our annual S.C.O.T.Y. awards are our way of recognizing the most important releases of the past year. First up is our overall winner!
This year it is won by Scalextric with the release of the Monte Carlo. Hands down.
Original Review of Sneak Preview Prototype HERE
Original Review of the STOCK CAR CHALLENGE SET HERE
Our Monte Carlo Tuning Article HERE
The criteria we follow is rather simple:
- Must be a NEW mold. Not just a repaint or re-release of an older mold.
- Innovation? A truly new mold or just another version we have seen from another brand?
- The popularity. How many enthusiasts are getting them and talking about it?
- USA? Is it an American car? These are rare compared to other markets.
- Has HRW reviewed it? Not a deal breaker, but if it was that important, we would have.
This year has sadly been a very easy victory for Scalextric. I say that as we would always like to see more innovation and new molds in our hobby. These days it is a tough decision for a company to invest in the cost of new tooling. But without fresh models, our hobby and the brands that fail to invest, become stale.
The Monte Carlo has a lot going for it and seeing it released is not taken for granted. It has been a long time coming that this era of racing be represented in our scale. Not just by European road course / Le Mans type models either. This one is ALL USA.
It also targets the oval racing enthusiast. Another segment of the hobby that is overlooked too often. Primarily due to all our 1/32nd brands being from overseas. They do not really relate to just how popular this style of racing over here.
This release also starts a whole new series, not just a single release.
This is what truly makes a good slot car into a GREAT one.
The first two were set only releases, which of course did not please everyone. Yet, I know many veteran enthusiasts who picked it up anyway. What does that say to you? It simply shows just how popular and important these models are.
And at this writing two more regular release are available. That starts us out with a total of four. This is how you really impact our home racing hobby. A single car is fun of course, but side by side action is always better. MUCH better.
With a series of models, larger home and club based slot racing also get something new. Again, that fresh approach that keeps enthusiasts interested.
Some brands that are more innovative than others have a solid presence here in the USA with main distributors. Some of them are just that: distribution. They are not involved with the brand other than that.
The ones with clear vision are more. They bring on talented professionals that are also enthusiasts in our hobby. They involve them into the new releases process, and only from there do we get to see original thinking for fans of USA racing.
The past couple of years that team has been Scalextric USA. These people rarely get the credit they deserve, but it is they we should be thanking for what we have on the track.
Another part of the success of this team is the one on one social media presence they provide. This is seen by all members of our forum as well as others, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Same recognition goes to the main office at Hornby/Scalextric. The last few years they have changed quite a lot in how they are involved in this hobby. From blogs, forums, and their own behind the scenes TEST TRACK reports.
We can commend them for other releases as well. Models that have been around for quite a while, but are still available to the newcomer. Without this team there would not be a Javelin, Ford GT series, or the assorted re-releases of the classic Trans-Am series. That series by itself has impacted our small USA racing hobby like no other.
As a die hard oval racing fan, I appreciate this effort. I am pleased to commend Scalextric and the team behind the scenes at Scalextric USA.
Now let’s see what happens next?!
-Harry
