Just picked up the SCX Jackie Stewart Tyrrell F1. Real handsome, but nearly undrivable. Bought it new off eBay and the lisiting indicated that it has a magnet (as you would expect with SCX).

If it does, neither I nor the track know where it is. The wheels are barely able to push the car around the track and I don't think I sense any pull as I lift the car off the track a little. I opened the car up and there neither seems to be anything missing (though I can't seem to actually identify a magnet in there; the entire insides are very different looking) nor have a found a good location to mount my own magnet. Does anyone else have this car, experience the same issue, and found a way to address it?

Thanks.

BTW, I did find the magnet, but it is very low power and not adjustable. Ultimately, it sits too high but there's no fixing that. I've tried mounting a small magnet directly to the underside and there's definitely not enough clearance for that. Any thoughts?

Gotta learn to be more mechanical Peace. If you rap the motor up and she stops
rolling real quick you have a tight car. Gear mesh, lack of oil, motor not broken in, are SOME of the problems that just about any new slot car can have. Most 1/32 guys break their cars in before they run a lap. You might try a board that has alot of 1/32 slotters on it if you don't get your answers here. I have limited experience with the 1/32 scale, but the mechanical principals are pretty much the same. Got to free the car up if she is tight and tighten her up if she is loose.
I would throw the magnet as far as I could pitch it if it were me. Keep it if ya like em. Hope this helps. TomH

Peace, I personally don't have this car but, sinse you have removed the magnet could you take a Dremel and hollow out a spot on the underside of the chassis where the magnet used to be and then glue a magnet into this hole ? Preferably one that has strong pull? Like I said haven't seen the car personally or apart either but you might be able to do this. Let me know if this helps.

I must not be explaining this right. I've not modified the car in anyway; the magnet is still there, but it's surprisingly low power (expecially for SCX). Indeed, I can't sense any pull on the car when it's on the track. I'm guessing this is the way it's supposed to be, but hard to believe as the car is not really drivable; it might as well be magnetless. I'd add my own additional magnet, but there doesn't seem to be a space for it.

So I'm wondering if there's something not right with my car (the magnets are bad if there can be such a thing, or the magnets are simply riding too high) or if that's the way it is and I need to find my own solution.

Thanks.

Peacefield,

I personally do not have any of the SCX F1 cars, but have dealt with SCX on some other cars. If you contact the US support guys (Bryan and/or Dave Kennedy) they are AWESOME with support. They can quickly tell you if that is normal and if not they will have what you need to resolve the issue quickly. You could not ask for better customer service - give them a contact (through the SCX USA website) and I can guarantee you will have this issue resolved.

As for the actual problem, I'd agree with you. SCX is usually very good about putting magnets that hold the car to the track. My NASCAR SCX's have some great, strong magnets that keep the cars planted pretty good. And my 1/43 SCX cars have some great magnets that keep the cars stuck to the track too. So I'd say you may have gotten a weak magnet. But contact the guys and see what they can do - I'm sure they will have you back in the slot in no time!

PD2:thumbsup:

My old eldon 1/32 camaro has no magnet to hold it to the track and it is real hard to drive! But then again , it is fun!

Lord I am getting old I guess lol

I immediately started laughing when I saw this as it reminded me of the story Pete told me about Stewart running off the track at a Ford promotion at Road America with what was then the new Fusion. He said that Jackie went into a fairly off camber corner and while the road turned the car didn't. Bent up the front end bad enought hey had to get another car. That was shortly before ol' Jackie stopped being the spokesman for Ford USA.

As far as the magnet is concerned you can get magnets to put it the car that will make it hold the track. Cincy Slots sells them all different sizes and you can either hot glue them or silicone glue them where you need them. I wouldn't expoy them in case you wanted them removed later, but what I have noticed is depending on the era of the car the older they are the less downforce they build it. If you were to run this one next to a more modern F1 the newer vintage car would have a lot more downforce.

This SCX car is a reproduction of one that they produced in the 70s and it drives like one too - so your car is probably ok. These cars have little to no magnetic traction and with the high voltage and low power of modern race set power supplies are diferent ( meaning more difficult) to drive than a car with a strong traction magent.

This might help too ==> http://homeracingworld.yuku.com/reply/52522#reply-52522

This may also help its a review on the Tyrell. I have the BRM and it has the low power magnet and motor in it just like the Tyrell and I love it. Great little car.

Tyrell Review (http://www.slotcarouthouse.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5&sid=2f0cd7ddf4b2926b1c543da23f86d7ee)