Two legendary motor racing forces will be coming together in 2016 when world famous toy brand and slot-racing company Scalextric produces a host of officially licensed BTCC products.
The partnership has been in the making for more than a year with both parties now delighted to announce the full range of products that will be available from next summer.
At the very top of the list will be an incredible four-car ‘BTCC Touring Car Challenge’ app-based ARC PRO set, which is the first ever edition in the latest style of slot racing. The multi-car racing package comes complete with lane-changing track and can even be managed via your mobile device using a specifically designed app.
The cars included in this set will be Colin Turkington’s #1 Team BMR VW, Andrew Jordan’s #77 888 MG, Matt Neal’s #25 Honda Civic Type R and Rob Collard’s #7 WSR BMW 1 Series – all fully replicated from the 2015 BTCC season.
Next up is the ‘BTCC Champions’ car set, which includes the cars of the last two Championship winners of Britain’s most coveted motor sport prize. Colin Turkington’s #5 WSR BMW 1 Series and Gordon Shedden’s #52 Honda Civic Type R will see the 2014 and 2015 champs going head-to-head in a one-off collectors edition.
If that isn’t enough, Scalextric will also be producing a further six individual cars for sale, which include the two 2015 manufacturer winning Hondas of Neal and Shedden, plus Jack Goff’s #31 888 MG, Sam Tordoff’s #7 WSR BMW, Jason Plato’s #99 Team BMR VW and Andy Priaulx’s #111 WSR BMW.
Products will be released from May through to November so you can start writing your 2016 Christmas list before we’ve even celebrated this coming festive season! The multi-year partnership between the BTCC and Scalextric could see further products added in 2017, so keep up to date with all the latest news via www.scalextric.com.
Scalextric will also be working together with the BTCC throughout 2016 so look out for a host of activities at our race events, plus online competitions and a whole lot more.
Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director, said: “We are really excited by this partnership with Scalextric. The brand is a legendary household name and fits perfectly with the BTCC. We’ve had an extremely busy few months cementing some of the vital components to our championship well into the next decade, and it’s great to announce something different that we believe will excite and inspire people of all ages and indeed the next generation of BTCC fans. It just goes to further underline the massive appeal of the BTCC.”
Jim Procter-Blain, Scalextric Marketing Controller, said: “We’re very excited to announce our new BTCC range after working with the well-loved touring car series for just over a year. We’re delighted to have BTCC included in our very first app-based ARC PRO set, and we can’t wait to attend BTCC events with our new range. Scalextric and the BTCC are a great match and we hope it inspires our slot car racers to be just like their idols.”
Gordon Shedden, reigning and double BTCC champion, said: “Every kid, and some big kids, had Scalextric when I was growing up. I remember having some epic races and fun and even had a track set up full time in the spare room! It was my first introduction to motor sport you could say, which started an amazing journey to my career now. To have my 2015 Championship winning Honda Civic Type R is mega and I can’t wait to have a go and make the Scalextric version a winner as well.”
Jason Plato, double BTCC champion, said: “It’s great to see BTCC cars in the latest Scalextric range. I am sure it’s also an honour for Scalextric to be partnered with our successful series and will also excite the next generation of BTCC fans.”
Colin Turkington, double BTCC champion, said: “As a kid who grew up slightly addicted to playing Scalextric it feels pretty special to have my very own BTCC cars recreated as Scalextric models. I have no doubt the 2015 BMR VW and my 2014 championship winning car will look cool, but most importantly I hope they’re fast. I look forward to adding them to my collection.”
Matt Neal, triple BTCC champion, said: “We all grew up with Scalextric and I remember many exciting nights challenging my Dad. Now the next generation can enjoy the fun and competition, choose their weapon which has to be a Honda Civic Type R and let battle commence!"
Andrew Jordan, former BTCC champion, said: “From a very early age I was and still am addicted to cars. For me, the best way to be a ‘real life racer’ at such a young age was to play with Scalextric. I loved everything about it, from building the circuits in my bedroom with the additional grandstand and lap timer I had, to the competitive racing with the great variety of cars. We took it pretty seriously and turned our loft into a Scalextric room. I thought I would clean the track one day and was found polishing it with Mr Sheen, they didn’t quite have the grip after that...”
