Visit Racer's Factory

[mtalley]

Hello Everyone –

I don't know if this is against forum rules... If so, I apologize, and feel free to remove it. On another forum (italiaslot) is a great write up on the two guys from Racer, and visits their factory. It really seems like a very small shop – true artisans! Fabrizio Mella and Marco Montrasio are shown doing the CAD drawings, pouring resin into molds, cleaning up the bodies, painting, decals... everything!

I know people knock Racer for being larger than 1/32 scale, but you've got to respect the passion that these guys have. I look at my Racer collection with greater appreciation for their work. I recently finished a pre-painted kit, and I did a good job (8.5 out of 10 stars), but it took a lot of time and patience – especially using tweezers to apply the small detail parts. So keep in mind they are putting together 300 of these.

It may not be practical for a slot hobbyist to build a collection equal in numbers to our mass produced cars, (FLY,Scalextric, etc.) but these are miniature works of art, and I believe that they are worth the money.

Check it out... You'll need to translate it via Google, unless you're fluent in Italian:

http://www.italiaslot.com/modules.ph...ticle&sid=3257

[biedmatt]

Thanks

[Zoom Beedo]

Thanks for the link. Seeing that explains why they cost what they do!

[geno]

Thanks for sharing, I have a couple of Racers and really enjoy them.

[JML]

There's an "English version" button on the host page. Look for the little flags on the left of the frame -- click the UK "union jack" image.

[Gordo Bond 007]

Hey Mike; Thanks a lot for sharing this with us. I sure love RACER slot cars, but I can't help but feel bad for how hard these guys must have to work for their money.

I have build 2 or 3 identical cars before, and I can't believe how tedious something that I love can become. I can't even imagine building 500 of the same car by hand! That takes a lot of talent, patience and stamina thats for sure.

Very cool article

Gordo

[Quickcars]

Wow, that's just amazing! Thanks so much for posting this link. I have several, including a just finished Chaparral and I have to say that each one was worth the purchase price. No cars, except perhaps my NSR 917ks and Ford, give me so much pleasure to run. These cars are true masterpieces and the fact that they have excellant running gear is an unbeatable combination.

I just hope that they expand the line of available "racing kits" so that I can build a greater variety of their cars. This costs about a third of the factory built model.

Keep up the good work gentlemen!

QC

[Rex Racer 9]

Oh man that was awesome!

Where can I get my hands on these?

[Mongo the Monster]

Fabrizio Mella and Marco Montrasio are shown doing the CAD drawings, pouring resin into molds, cleaning up the bodies, painting, decals... everything!

If you read the text it mentions they have a staff. There are pictures of at least 3 others, one a woman, doing the work.

[Robert Livingston]

I don't know a great deal about manufacturing engineering with CAD, but as far as I know, you can easily change the scale of everything, so there should be not good reason why the cars aren't all in exact 1/32.

But I guess there is a reason. I can't imagine what, though.

[John Schoen]

All Racer classics are sidewinders; using Slot.it parts you can't make them narrower. I suspect that is the reason why they are somewhat larger than 1/32. Why no inliners?

Rex Racer 9, those Speedracer cars were made for Warner Brothers for the promotion of the movie. They were never for sale.

[mtalley]

If you read the text it mentions they have a staff. There are pictures of at least 3 others, one a woman, doing the work.

Okay my mistake – but they must not be that big... If you read the text the one partner mixes the resin formula. Notice many of the photos have Marco's hand clean up the bodys, pulling the bodies off the molds – notice the watch and bracelets.

[Bullitt]

???

I don't know a great deal about manufacturing engineering with CAD, but as far as I know, you can easily change the scale of everything, so there should be not good reason why the cars aren't all in exact 1/32.

But I guess there is a reason. I can't imagine what, though.

Just wondering - how is it that you are so sure the scale of Racer cars is wrong???

[Robert Livingston]

Some are in 1/32, some are larger. Measurements were made, by myself and others, and compared with actual dimensions.

[BWA]

how is it that you are so sure the scale of Racer cars is wrong

Because, we measured them, but, some of them are so large that you don't even have to measure them to know they are way larger than 1/32 scale.

And, not a rivet counted to determine that either.

Also, I don't believe the original 330P had a Slotit chassis, I believe they first came with a made to measure (obviously wrong measurement.) resin chassis. So, even less reason to screw up so badly.