Today I received a package from Ron Burnstein of Riggen HO containing two original Riggen factory repair kits, which are in and of themselves quite interesting. This contained a replacement guide flag that was on Riggen production cars by August 1971, or was at least available to the general public by that time. A bit of slot car sleuthing into one of my childhood CAR MODEL magazines provided some useful clues to the restoration. An article entitled "Mini Mods/Riggen" by Dale Flanagan was full of production nuances.  Interestingly the chassis featured in the article came with a one piece guide flag with press-fitting steel braid and two white lead wires to the motor brushes, both a thinner white than the two red lead wires originally on the car. This was the same type of flag that I received in the kit. The production car had a black plastic keeper nut and a black crown and pinion. The kit contained a white pinion gear and a white keeper nut. By this juncture the shape of the pinion had changed to a more rounded profile where the teeth contacted the crown gear, something also found on the later Gala car.

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Well, when it comes to postioning magnets in a pancake chassis, I'm not done yet. I thought I would save the best for last. So far I've covered, shimming the magnets closer to the armarture and centering the armature between the magnets. Here is a tool that helps you accomplish these and more. Magnets can also be skewed in there mounts, leaving a bigger gap on one side or the other, in relationship to the armature.

Two of the greatest race cars of all time were Ford’s GT40 and Jim Hall’s Chaparral. Now they battle again in the new Super Coupes – CLEAR set. Featuring clear windshields with detailed interiors, these cars add a whole new level of realism to HO racing. And only AFX has it!

Decorated exactly as they competed in the famous Le Mans race of 1966, these beautiful cars formed the vanguard of America's effort to beat Ferrari and the Europeans for the first time in the fabled 24 hour event. In the end, the GT40s finished 1, 2 and 3 and a new era began in international motorsport.

Over the past two years three separate slot car sites: Slot Car Illustrated, Slot Car News and HO World named the AFX GT40 Slot Car of the Year. Editors and Consumers alike voted this the top HO slot car available. And now it is featured in this terrific new set.

As if that weren't enough, these beautiful bodies sit atop the all new Mega-G chassis. Lighter, faster and lower than any other HO chassis, the Mega-G brings a new level of fun to driving. But after all, isn't fun what it's all about?

FEATURES

# The only set with HO cars molded in clear – Extraordinary detail and realism
# The Only HO cars with full color interiors – Detail no one else can match

AFX has released a new, more richly detailed issue of their popular #59 Cobra Daytona Coupe. The car, raced by Scuderia Filipinetti at the 1964 Le Mans, has been a perennial favorite since its introduction over 5 years ago. And after the original car was discontinued last year it was decided to re-issue a CLEAR version. With clear windshields and photo realistic interiors, the red livery is even more striking. Then there is the extra detail of the decorations and, of course, the addition of the Mega-G 1.5 chassis. What a package!

Landing two wife approved slot cars in a week, especially with all of the commotion going on in and around the Brown house is rather noteworthy. We did learn that my former Royal Ranger Josiah Crumpler earned a Bronze Star for his bravery, and that is indeed some comfort. It seems like the Army was certainly aware that he was of sterner stuff, as a four star general greeted the Crumplers at the airport in Raleigh. Somehow half of Hillsborough knew that his remains would be landing today, and they were at the airport to show support. I was also able to help sort out some problems with a friend's 1962 MGA Mark 2 Tourer, and this was an escape valve. Nice to come home to a package from Slot Car Central as well. Inside was a new old stock L&M livery Lola T260 body. Number five in the AFX Can-Am Pit Kit. A non-magnatraction chassis is in order, but that can wait of course. All that is needed is an early production Porsche 510K to land each of the initial Can-Am Aurora AFX production cars. That leaves two slots in the Pit Kit, so at least one will be a Super II clone of some sort with a Jairus Watson painted body.

It certainly pays to have friends in high places, or at least friends who can fall back on their years of slot car experience to provide some assistance. I must say that that is a fine quality of our community. I spoke with Dennis Hoskins on Sunday who in his youth in Huber Hights, Ohio was an employee of the Huber Heights Hobby Shop which had both an Aurora Tub Track as well as a King Track. The best of both worlds if you will. Of course the nature of the call involved restoring my late era Riggen chassis which has arbor pressed Dynamic hubs on all four corners. I was able to remove the original sponge tires not only successfully in that they were removed from the hub, but to do so with the tire still intact. Quite amazing considering it was a forty year old low profile sponge tire in the first place which by its very nature would be a somewhat fragile beast. The tire had been glued onto the hub with rubber cement, and by examining a thread in the vintage HO section of SLOTBLOG they still advocate rubber cement as the best glue for the job. Amazing, as I still use the Elmer's version, complete with a bottle brush just like in was in first grade in 1961.

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I'm sure Ray must thing I'm losing it. Over the past few months I've purchased a lot of magnets from him. Here is a photo of my current inventory. Even though none of the magnets have a home, I just ordered another 6 pair. The numbers on each magnet represent the gauss readings.

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I want you to know, that when I post tips and tricks, I'm giving you my best advice. It's very much about sharing. I was out of racing for almost 30 years when I met up with two groups of great guys, namely the racers of FRHO and the members of HOSlotRacer.

Hi, I'd like to offer some friendly advice to those new to this hobby of ours. When cleaning your track, use fine sand paper, or and eraser, even a block of wood. But please please please don't use steel wool! I've been meaning to post this for a while, but when I came across these pics I took after removing the shrapnel from a chassis, I realized I shouldn't wait any longer. Wait. check that, do use steel wool to clean your track, and then when you get frustrated with your cars not working, I'll buy then off you cheap!