Most of the new NASCAR COTs (Car of Today!) are available for purchase. The #88 cars are due out in a few more weeks and the generic paint cars are still TBA. The cars in the Ford vs. Chevy twin pack look pretty nice even with the generic paint schemes, especially the Fusion. The pictures look good, and as soon as my order arrives I'll let you know how they look and how they drive, and how long the little wings survive. It's great to see the new stuff rolling out.

I had the pleasure to talk with some of the folks from LL recently and they definitely have some people who are really serious about this part of their business. I tried to plant a seed for them to carry over some of their scenery related expertise they have on the model railroading side into road racing related scenic elements like grandstands, structures, people, etc. They took notes, so maybe will find a way to make it happen.

On the NASCAR side of racing LL is definitely taking the lead and effectively owns the HO market. The success of Aurora was always closely linked to its relationship with the popular 1:1 or "real racing" forms of the day. LL is following a similar strategy with NASCAR, which is not a bad idea considering the current popularity of NASCAR. I expect we'll be seeing a lot of 18 vs 99 bumping battles being recreated by the younger slot car crowd once these cars start showing up on store pegs.

Don't forget to post some pix of your newbies. :) rr

Where did you order from AfxToo, if I may ask???

Directly from Walthers.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?manu=433&category=Roadracing

They have a clearance sale on a previous generation Dodge twin pack, the winged sprint cars, and the Honda Civic Si tuner. Not a bad deal.

I found mine here.....best price I've found so far........

http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/wab_lif.htm

Yes, indeed, great prices on the latest LLs. I've had good experiences with HobbyLinc.com and they send me email notices about specials, but for some reason only for brands I've ordered through them in the past and those special prices are just so-so. It definitely pays to shop around. Looks like I'll be ordering some twin packs...

Looks great!

I had the pleasure to talk with some of the folks from LL recently and they definitely have some people who are really serious about this part of their business.

If I can ask, where/how did you speak with them?

The thing I have found most frustrating about Lifelike/Walthers is the inability to determine exactly what cars they have produced in any given year, especially when they reuse part numbers. 2007 was especially difficult as any collector can tell you. Trying to determine how many different cars they produced that year is next to impossible. My biggest complaint/suggestion is that they should market their product much better and not make it so difficult to try to locate and buy each car they produce.

Joe

If I can ask, where/how did you speak with them?
Joe

I'd bet it was in Milwaukee at the HOPRA Nat'ls. at Lucky Bob's.