Leigh’s Diecast Diary

We thought today was going to be all about Sun Star, as they sent us both new releases and new announcements.

But then Minichamps cut in at the last minute and released their 1:18 Lewis Hamilton 2011 McLaren MP4-26 (DC21103).

Sun Star released the next subject in its rallying Escorts collection: Ari Vatanen’s Ford Escort RS1800 from the 1981 RAC Rally (SS4453). It is limited to just 1,099 pieces worldwide, and won’t be around for long that’s for sure!

Other interesting subjects on the delivery were the Opel Ascona 400 Anders Kullang drove in the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally (SS5357), and Yvan Muller’s Peugeot 207 S2000 from the Rally of France (SS5357).

Click here to see the rest of Sun Star’s new releases.

Sun Star also announced a new 1:18 replica today: The Opel Ascona 400 driven by Jimmy McRae in the 1981 RAC Rally (SS5360)

Today we received seven new replicas from Spark.

Jenson Button’s 2011 Hungarian Grand Prix winning McLaren MP4-26 (DC211404H) is by far the most exciting subject. Last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix was, of course, Jenson’s 200th grand prix start, and he won the race on the fifth anniversary of his first grand prix win. This is surely a must for Button fans.

We also received the Daniel Ricciardo 2011 Hispania HRT F111 from the Belgian Grand Prix (DC211422B), and Derek Warwick’s Lotus 102 from the 1990 Belgian Grand Prix (SPK1782).

And, not long after we received IXO’s 2012 Citroen DS3 WRC, Spark sent us the Citroen DS3 WRC driven by Mikko Hirvonen in the 2012 Monte Carlo Rally (SPK3327).

Click here to see the rest of Spark’s new releases.

Today we had more announcements from Schuco, as well as a single new announcement from Fujimi.

Fujimi announced a 1:43 replica of the striking Patron Tequila liveried #01 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 from the American Le Mans Series (FUJ1243025). The car’s regular drivers are Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek.

Schuco announced over 20 new 1:43 resin replicas. The Mercedes Brabus 700 Biturbo in red (SCH8829) and Francois Chatriot’s Renault R5 Turbo from the 1986 Tour de Corse (SCH8852) were standout subjects.

There was also plenty to choose from if you’re a Porsche fan; they announced the Porsche 934 RSR in red (SCH8860), Bob Wollek’s Porsche 934 RSR Porsche Cup champion (SCH8861) and James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder ‘Little Bastard’ (SCH8866) in 1:43.

Click here to check out all of Schuco’s 2012 announcements.

Today, Minichamps announced is range of 2012 1:43 and 1:18 Formula One race car replicas.

Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes are the teams getting the 1:18 treatment and these three are joined by Lotus F1, Force India, Sauber, Toro Rosso and Williams in the smaller scale.

There were also a few limited edition special replicas too: Nico Rosberg’s 2012 Chinese Grand Prix winning Mercedes MGP F1 W03 is available in both 1:43 (DC212408C) and 1:18 (DC21208C); there was also Kimi Raikkonen’s Lotus E20 from the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix (DC212409B), and the Finn’s Lotus Renault R30 2012 Valencia test car (DC212409T).

The German brand also announced a 1:43 Mercedes F1 two car set (DC212408C2) commemorating Mercedes’ victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, the marque’s first since 1955. The set will feature Nico Rosberg’s 2012 Chinese Grand Prix winning Mercedes MGP F1 W03 and Juan-Manuel Fangio’s 1955 Italian Grand Prix winning Mercedes W196.

Click here to see all of Minichamps’ F1 announcements.

We should also mention that the 1:18 Lewis Hamilton 2011 McLaren MP4-26 (DC21103) has been added to next week’s Minichamps delivery.

Today we received some new replicas from Minichamps, plus new announcements from Schuco.

The top model on the Minichamps delivery was the 1:43 Red Bull RB7 that Sebastian Vettel drove to victory in the 2011 Turkish Grand Prix (DC211401T). We also received a couple of nice British roadcar subjects from them too: the 1:43 1969 Aston Martin DBS in metallic red (P137601) and the 1:18 2011 Bentley Continental GT in metallic grey (PG139920).

The most interesting Schuco announcements were the 1:18 1995 Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 in white (SCH0345) and the 1:18 1995 Porsche 993 Turbo in black (SCH0315).

The 1:12 AC Cobra 289 in matt black (SCH6726) also looks as if it’s going to be mightily impressive.

Click here to see all of Schuco’s 1:18, 1:10 and 1:12 announcements.

Today IXO sent us four sample replicas which, up until now, hadn’t previously been announced! We also received a new delivery from Norev.

Perhaps the most significant replica is Kimi Raikkonen’s 2011 Citroen DS3 WRC from the Rally of Jordan (RAM417C). This means collectors who missed out on Spark’s version, which sold out on release, now have a second chance to fill that hole in their collection.

There was also Ken Block’s awesome Monster liveried Ford Fiesta RS WRC from the Rally of Germany (RAM417B), Sebastien Loeb’s ‘clean’ Citroen DS3 WRC from the Rally GB (RAM464C) and Juha Salo’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X from the 2010 Rally of Finland (RAM455).

There wasn’t an awful lot to shout about on today’s Norev delivery, with the most exciting subject taking the form of the 1:18 1991 Renault Clio 16S in red (NV185231).

Click here to see the rest of Norev’s new delivery.

Today Greenlight Collectibles announced three 1:18 Indycars from the 2012 season, and we received a fantastic new delivery from Spark.

The trio of Indycars that Greenlight has announced consists of the 1:18 2012 Dallara DW12 of Dario Franchitti (GL10910), as well as the cars driven by Mike Conway (GL10922) and Charlie Kimball (GL10928).

Spark’s latest delivery was full of quality subjects; we particularly like Alan Jones’s 1977 Austrian Grand Prix winning Shadow DN8 (SPK1756), the Lotus 56B that Emerson Fittipaldi drove in the 1971 Italian Grand Prix (SPK1776) and the Matra MS84 that Jackie Stewart tested in practice for the 1969 Dutch Grand Prix (SPK1600).

Click here to see the rest of Spark’s new releases.

Today, Minichamps released their 1:18 Sebastian Vettel 2011 Red Bull RB7 (DC21101).

That means that our fantastic 1:18 Sebastian Vettel 2011 World Champion Presentation (DC2011) will be able to be despatched from tomorrow!

Today BBR announced some new replicas, and we received one new release from IXO.

BBR has announced a 1:43 replica of the 1965 Maserati Quattroporte in four colours: red (BBR160A), dark blue (BBR160B), green (BBR160C) and silver (BBR160D).

They also announced two very exciting modern F1 subjects: the 1:43 2012 Ferrari F2012 launch car (BBRC82) and the 1:43 2012 Fernando Alonso Ferrari F2012 Jerez test car (BBRC81).

Incredibly, IXO has released their 1:43 replica of Sebastien Loeb’s 2012 Monte Carlo Rally winning Citroen DS3 WRC (RAM482) just three months after the event!

Today Minichamps revealed details of their May release schedule.

It all kicks off on the week beginning 7th of May, when we will receive the 1:18 #78 2010 BMW M3 GT2 from the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours (PG102078). This car was driven by Jorg Muller, Augusto Farfus and Uwe Alzen.

After that, it starts getting good for Rossi collectors! On the 14th of May we will see the 1:12 Valentino Rossi 1999 Rio figure (P990096F). Just seven days later, on the 21st May, the 1:12 Valentino Rossi 2011 launch figure (PO110846F) will arrive.

On week four of the schedule we will see the 1:2 Valentino Rossi 2010 Laguna Seca helmet (PO102096). On the week beginning 4th of June will see the 1:18 Mark Webber 2011 Red Bull RB7 (DC21102).

You can click here to see the full schedule.

In other news, the 1:12 Valentino Rossi 2000 Honda VTR 1000 from the Suzuka 8 Hours (PO01446) has been delayed until June.