Leigh’s Diecast Diary

Today there were new announcements from Sun Star and Kyosho.

Sun Star confirmed three 1:18 replicas from the 2007 World Rally Championship, the Subaru Imprezas of Chris Atkinson (Product code - SS4391) and Petter Solberg (Product code - SS4392), and the privateer Citroen Xsara of Gigi Galli (Product code - SS4427). These should all be available before the end of the year.

The only other 2007 1:18 World Rally Car so far announced is Sebastien Loeb’s Citroen C4 from Solido (Product code - SL150713). Unfortunately, as last year, it seems no-one will be replicating Marcus Gronholm’s Ford Focus in 1:18. Autoart, by the way, has already released Solberg’s 2007 Subaru in 1:18 (AA80790).

Kyosho announced two new replicas of the lightweight version of the Ferrari F40, in red (Product code - KY8412R) and black (Product code - KY8412BK). The earliest we will see these released is next April.

When Kimi Raikkonen speared off into the barriers in the opening minutes of Saturday morning’s free practice session at Monza, the expression ‘You cannot be serious’ crossed my mind! It was a big accident and I was originally concerned that he wouldn’t be able to start the race.

At our diecast warehouse sale a few weeks ago some Raikkonen fans came up to me and jovially (at least I think it was jovially!) asked me to stop going to races because of the ‘Hobden Hex’ I always seem to put on him!

Having only qualified fifth I wasn’t expecting too much from him in the race, but he made a brave effort on a one-stop strategy to ultimately finish third. I was sat at the first chicane, and thought it a great race, with plenty of overtaking (although could have done without the Hamilton/Raikkonen move!) and a particularly exciting battle between Rosberg and Button. Even the most optimistic Raikkonen/Massa/Ferrari fan would have to concede that it’s an all-McLaren fight for the drivers’ crown now though.

We received the latest Minichamps Hamilton replica today, the 1:43 2006 McLaren MP4/21 testcar (DC26484). It is limited to 2,736 pieces and comes complete with wet tyres, which is a nice touch. The inlay describes it as a ‘1st roll out’ model, from 19th September 2006.

Mattel provided us with some images of their 2007 1:18 Formula One Renaults, of Fisichella (Product code - DC2703) and Kovalainen (Product code - DC2704). We should receive their first delivery of 2007 F1 cars this week, which is something everyone in the office is looking forward to seeing.

Today Amalgam announced an exciting new 1:8 replica, to commemorate Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix win at Montreal earlier this year (Product Code - AML704C).

The McLaren MP4/22 will of course come with the correct bridge front wing and all of the specific aerodynamic features that were adopted in that race. It will measure 60cm in length, come in its own display case and will be a limited edition of just 99 pieces. It has the potential to sell out very quickly so we would recommend ordering as soon as you can.

There won’t be an entry tomorrow or on Monday as I’m off to the Italian Grand Prix. If something truly sensational is announced in that time (which usually happens when I’m away!), then someone will fill in for me.

Monza’s certainly going to be tense! Of the five Grands Prix I’ve attended so far this year, I’ve seen all three of Raikkonen’s wins and both of his DNFs. Which way will it go this weekend?

Today’s entry isn’t as hectic as the last couple, but I guess every day can’t see new Minichamps delivery schedules and long-awaited replicas released!

Mattel supplied us with an advance image of their 1:18 1999 Sebring Ferrari 333SP, sponsored by Olive Garden (Product Code - HW0522). We should therefore see it released in the next few weeks.

Spark also confirmed that we will see a couple of their more popular 1:43 replicas next week, James Thompson’s 2007 WTCC Alfa Romeo (Product Code - SPK457), and the 1977 Aston Martin Vantage coupe (Product Code - SPK578).

Aside from that it’s been pretty quiet, with our next diecast catalogue taking up most of my time. That, and daydreaming about going to the Italian Grand Prix this weekend!

Today we received Minichamps’ next release schedule, which takes us right up into the middle of October.

Next week we are down to get the 1:18 Audi TT in silverblue (Product Code - PG015020), and the 1:18 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 in green (Product Code - PG120904). There are also a couple of 1:43 ‘third driver’ 2006 Formula One cars, Markus Winkelhock’s Midland (Product Code - DC26439) and Ricardo Zonta’s Toyota (Product Code - DC26442).

While that admittedly isn’t the most exciting set of releases of all time, the next shipment makes up for it, with the 1:12 Vincent Black Shadow at long last (Product Code - P134500), and the next 1:12 Valentino Rossi figure, the 2004 sitting without sunglasses version (Product Code - PO49046). There is also Minichamps’ first 1:18 Maserati Birdcage, Carroll Shelby’s 1960 example (Product Code - PG601298). We won’t see these released until 1st October though, as Minichamps are closed for stocktaking the weeks beginning 17th and 24th September.

The week commencing 8th October we are scheduled to receive the next 1:8 Valentino Rossi helmet, his 2004 lid (Product Code - PO40846). There is also the popular 1:18 Ford Capri in silver and blue (Product Code - PG089074).

The following week sees probably the biggest release in the schedule, Rossi’s 1:12 2001 dirty Mugello Honda NSR 500 (Product Code - PO16186). We received a finished sample of it today, and it is good to see that it is not over-dirty, as the effect has been applied quite realistically. It comes with wet tyres as on the original release, and the box states ‘Dirty version’ and that it is limited to 10,999 pieces.

The only major release on the last week of the schedule (week beginning 22nd October) is the re-named 1:18 Porsche 911 Carrera in red (Product Code - PG063020). As ever, though, it is quite likely that other ‘bigger’ releases will join these shipments as and when we receive them. We already expect the 1:43 2006 Lewis Hamilton McLaren testcar (DC26484) next week, for example.

By the way, if anyone was brave enough to click on the link in yesterday’s entry to a photo of me half collapsed on the way back from Brighton on Saturday, it wasn’t my idea to include that on the website! It’s also been pointed out to me that I’m wearing the same Raikkonen T-shirt in that photo as the one that introduces the diary! I own more than one T-shirt, honest!

Well, I survived (just)! It turned out it was a 43 mile ride each way to Brighton and back, not 30 as I had written on Friday. If I’d known that it was actually that far then I’m sure I would have come up with a hamstring/shoulder/elbow/knee injury (or all four) to get me out of one or both days! There was quite a sense of achievement though when those of us who completed the return leg got back to the office on Saturday afternoon.

It’s been busy in the diecast world too, with two important replicas being released.

From Mattel, we have the 1:18 Michael Schumacher ‘Last Race’ presentation from the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix (Product Code - DC2605SP). It uses the same base as their Race Suit Specials from 2004/05, with the car, driver figure and 1:8 helmet all mounted onto it.

From Minichamps, we received their latest 1:12 Valentino Rossi figure, the 2005 Valencia Sitting release (Product Code - PO50086). This one is quite exciting, as it has been moulded in a ‘burn-out’ pose, with both hands on the handlebars and both feet touching the ground. To complete the effect you just need to put some cotton wool behind the rear tyre to simulate the smoke coming off of it!

We had stopped pre-selling this replica some months ago as we had reached the limit of our original allocation, but more made it into the country than expected so we are now able to offer it for sale again. It is limited to 3,999 pieces.

Mattel supplied us with a couple of advance images today of two of their forthcoming releases, Felipe Massa’s 1:18 2007 Ferrari F2007 (Product Code - DC2705), and the 1:18 Ferrari 250 GTO in the ‘Ferrari Sixtieth Anniversary’ shade of red (Product Code - HW2972). These can be viewed now on our website.

Finally, we expect to receive our delivery of the Lewis Hamilton 1:43 2006 McLaren testcar (DC26484) next week. We have completely sold out of this one already, so it will be interesting to see how it does on Ebay in the days after its release. The 2007 showcar (DC27402P) is still routinely going for about £70 - £80.