Shell 1:38 Ferrari - Part 4 (Play mat)

Well, it come to the last review of the 2009 Shell 1:38 scaled Ferrari collection. This time, I'll showcase the race track like play mat that offers by Shell in line with the Ferrari mini car promotion. The whole play mat package comes with the following items:

- play mat
- decorators
- printed user manual
- showcase CD.

As shown above, it's a pretty huge track.

The 5 models with intelligent navigation allow you to race on the track.

Challenge yourself to find out which Ferrari would make to the finish line with the fastest time!

The track tour
Let me do it a little different this time. In line with the raising the curtain of the 2009 F1 season in Melbourne today, I'm gonna show you the awesome power of the Ferrari F1 on this 7KM race track. Therefore the F2008 challengers are 360 GTC, FXX Evo. (Note: The pull back 2 speed F2008 may not be ideal for this race track).

From Left: 360 GTC, FXX EVO and the F2008 driven by kimi Raikkonen.

The 420HP 360 GTC hit the track first and accelerate off....

10 seconds later the 850HP FXX EVO speed away from the starting line...

wow! awesome power of that FXX! it quickly close up the gap to the 360 GTC.

Oh dear! oh dear... the 850 HP monster is running out of fuel.... and stop for fuel... the race is over? - it's time to test the pit crews....

Great job from the pit crew... it took less than 5 seconds to add sufficient fuel for the FXX to the finish line.

... Kimi Raikkonen speed off from the starting line... can he catch the 360 and FXX before the finish line?

The 360 is approaching the last corner of the track and look, the FXX and F2008 is catching up fast....

oh! no... the FXX lead from the 360 GTC and heading to the finish line... and closely follow by Kimi Raikonnen.... can he do it?

oh! yes the F2008 crossed the line first, closely follow by the FXX and 360 GTC took the 3rd place...

Shell 1:38 Ferrari - Part 3 (The collector's garage)

The 2009 collector's garage is simply gorgeous. Take a took on the photo yourself...

Compare with this (2008 collector's garage)also this (2007 collector's garage) So which one is the best?

Well for my money it's definately the 2009 version. The best part is the three holder stands... it make the display looks more elegant. Without think twice I quickly grab 2 set. Absolutely worth it.

Shell 1:38 Ferrari - Part 2 (The Car)

Shell has made the Ferrari collection more interesting, the 2009 cars are so tempting which make collectors hard to reject.

F430 Scuderia:
The F430 Scuderia is lighter (by 100 kg/220 lb) and fitted with more powerful engine (515 PS (508 hp/379 kW) at 8500 rpm.) than the standard F430 has. Thus the weight-to-power ratio is reduced from 2.96 kg/hp to 2.5 kg/hp. In addition to the weight saving measures, the Scuderia semi-automatic transmission gains improved 'Superfast', known as 'Superfast2', software for faster 60 millisecond shift-times. A new traction control system combines the F1-Tractraction and stability control with the E-Diff electronic differential. The Ferrari 430 Scuderia does 0-60 miles per hour (97 km/h) in 3.1 s and 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 198 miles per hour (319 km/h).

This is one of my favorite model in this year line up. It comes with touch steering function. Equipped with a unique memory chip and high-speed pull-back motor. User allow to select their race path with up to 15 directional commands.

The 2008 model F430 Challenge together with it's big brother the F430 Scuderia, a perfect match.

599 GTB Fiorano
The 599 GTB Fiorano (internal code F139) is an Italian gran turismo produced by Ferrari. It is the brand's two-seat flagship, replacing the 575 M Maranello in 2006 as a 2007 model.

Styled by Pininfarina, under the direction of Ferrari's Frank Stephenson, the 599 GTB debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006. It is named for its total engine displacement (5999 cc), Gran Turismo Berlinetta nature, and the Fiorano Circuit test track used by Ferrari.

The 599 GTB engine is capable to punch out 456kW** (620 CV*) at 7600 rpm, reaching maximum speed over 330km/h. Such appealing sports car has a lengthy waiting list, Ferrari customers willing to wait for two years in order to own this hot chic.

The fantastic trio - The Left yellow 599 is the 2009 model only available through Shell Helix purchase, the middle is the 2009 regular and right black version is from last year collection.

FXX Evolution
When the FXX project was first announced, it was set to run for two years, culminating at the 2007 Ferrari World Finals in Mugello, Italy, this October. Originally there were to be just 29 FXXs, but last year an extra car was made for a certain M Schumacher, who has become very active in the FXX programme.

Now Ferrari has announced that the programme is to run for another two years with an ‘evolution package’ – which it says was developed with the ‘invaluable support’ of Schumacher – being made available to owners.

The upgrade includes an uprated version of the 6262cc V12 engine that revs to a scarcely believable 9500rpm (some 1000rpm higher than before) to produce 860bhp, up 48bhp. The gearchange time has been reduced to a Scuderia-matching 60 milliseconds, all of which helps the FXX ‘Evo’ lap Fiorano some 2sec quicker than the old car – in just 1min 16sec.

360 GTC
The Ferrari 360 GTC is a race version of Ferrari's 360. With a dry weight of 1100 kg, it was developed by the Corse Clienti Department in Maranello, in collaboration with Michelotto Automobili to compete in the N-GT class. It makes use of recent evolutions successfully race tested on the Ferrari 360 GT, with a sequential six speed gearchange and a further improved Magneti Marelli electronics package. The aerodynamics are substantially different from the 360 GT, given that the 360 GTC has been newly homologated by FIA/ACO from the Challenge Stradale, taking up from its basic elements: front bumper, side skirts, engine cover and double rear end. Wind tunnel research has led to a new system for the rear wing, with a notable improvement in vertical downforce. The performance of the 90-degree V8 3586.2 cc engine has been improved in terms of consumption and power, putting out 445 horsepower (332 kW) at 8750 rpm.

* In fact I've been searching high and low for the Ferrari 360 GTC (race version) for the last couple of months but in vain. An average Red Line 1:43 scaled Ferrari models cost about US$120 a piece. Anyway, the shell 360 GTC just cost 1.9% (RM8.90) of a Red Line model (retail at RM450). I'm happy to settle with it for the time being.

612 Scaglietti
The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a grand tourer produced by Ferrari since 2004. It is a large two door fastback coupé. The 612 Scaglietti was designed to replace the smaller 456 M; its larger size makes it a true 4 seater with adequate space in the rear seats for adults.
It is produced at Ferrari's Carrozzeria Scaglietti plant, the former home of the car's namesake coachbuilder in Modena, Italy. The design, especially the large side scallops and the headlights, pays homage to the custom 1954 Ferrari 375 MM that director Roberto Rossellini had commissioned for his wife, Ingrid Bergman.


* This was the first car I bought when promotion started. I've never own any Ferrari 612 in my collection. A descent model that suits for an average collector like me...

Ferrari Enzo Limited Edition (Yellow)
The Enzo is a mid-engined car with a 43.9/56.1 front/rear weight distribution. The engine is Ferrari's F140 65° V12 with 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and variable valve timing. Bosch Motronic ME7 fuel injection is used and the engine is naturally aspirated. It displaces 5998 cc (366 in³) and produces 485 kW (651 hp/660 PS) at 7800 rpm and 657 N·m (485 [ft·lbf of torque]) at 5500 rpm. The redline is 8200 rpm.

This model was offered in last year Helix promotion. Customer have to buy Shell Helix Lubricant oil before allow to purchase the model. For those non-motorist collectors, this was great disadvantage. Therefore, many collector out there miss it. Shell probably realized the problem and offer the model again this year. On behalf of those collectors who manage to complete their last year collection, Thank you for such fantastic offer.


F2008
The Ferrari F2008 is a Formula One motor racing car, which Scuderia Ferrari used to compete in the 2008 Formula One season.

The car was unveiled to the public on January 6, 2008. It features a new standard Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which is the electronic system that controls all the cars, produced by McLaren Electronic Systems. This was included to comply with the new regulations. The ECU also removes most of the driver aids used in previous seasons, including traction control, engine braking and electronically assisted starting system. It also makes the management of the differential, engine and gearchanges easier.

The car also weighs more than 2007 season's F2007 chassis due to rule changes which includes the gearbox which has to be used for four consecutive races, higher side protection around the drivers helmet etc.

World champion Kimi Räikkönen gave the car its first shakedown at Ferrari's Fiorano test track on January 7, 2008.
* This is definately on the top of my list. The above photo already tells it. I normally collect more than one piece of my favorite diecast racing cars. The same goes for the F2008. Remember, I rushed to the Shell station at 7:00am in the rainy morning on the 17th March 2009 to pump RM40 petrol, cause I can't afford to miss this model. Moreover it's my favorite driver Kimi Raikkonen...

599 GTB Fiorano (Yellow)
Like the yellow Enzo last year, customer only allow to buy the yellow 599 GTB and a F430 Scuderia with RM8.90 if they buy Shell Helix lubricant oil. What a bargain (2 car for the price of one)!

Being a serious diecast collector for about a year. I've spent over RM10,000 in collecting 1:43 scaled model car from countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, UK, US and Germany.. On average I splashed RM850 a month for this hobby. An IXO (budget line) Ferrari 1:43 model would cost nearly RM160 (including shipping). With that money you can buy the whole set of 2009 Shell Ferrari collection - about 8 models (RM8.90 a pcs), a garage (RM60) and the playmat (RM15 a pcs). You won't be able to find such deal elsewhere... Therefore I urge you collectors out there go grab yours now, it's so affordable and worth collecting.... 100% satisfaction is guaranteed!!!

2009 Shell 1:38 Ferrari - Part 1

Shell Ferrari 1:38 collection is back again with more exciting features:
- with touch steering function.
- equipped with a unique memory chip
- high-speed pull-back motor,
- select your race path with up to 15 directional commands.

This time Shell offers 8 models as below.
1. FXX Evolution - with intelligent navigation,
2. F430 Scuderia - with intelligent navigation,
3. 360 GTC - with intelligent navigation,
4. 599 GTB Fiorano - with intelligent navigation,
5. 612 Scaglietti - with intelligent navigation,
6. F2008 Kimi Raikkonen – with two speed pull back,
7. Enzo Limited edition – with two speed pull back,
8. Yellow 599 GTB Fiorano – with dynamic engine sound.

The 2009 collector garage is by far the most impressive (compare to 2007 and 2008 version). Most of the Shell stations are running short of stock due to high demand from customers. Some of them already taking extra orders to fulfill the overwhelming demand. If you are Ferrari fan, you shouldn't miss this opportunity. Quick go grab them all before sold out. For more information about the promotion please visit http://www.shell.com.my for more information.

More updates will follow...

HIS ADVAN KONDO GT-R Grabs Season Opener!

The race started at 14:00. At the start it was raining with the course completely wet, and the safety car paced the field for a full two laps before the racing began in earnest on the third lap.
Joao Paulo Lima de Oliveira drove the first stint in the No. 24 HIS ADVAN KONDO GT-R that would win the race. Moving up rapidly from his third-place position when the actual racing started, de Oliviera sped past the No. 35 KRAFT SC430 (Kazuya Ohshima) and the No. 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430 (Richard Lyons). The rain tires Yokohama Rubber had prepared this time seemed to fit the conditions perfectly. In the early running, the No. 18 ROCKSTAR DOME NSX (Takashi Kogure) showed determination not to let No. 24 get away, but after the tenth lap the gap began to widen and by the end of lap 22, de Oliviera has stretched his lead to about 10 seconds.

At the end of the 30th lap, cars were already beginning to make their pit stops, as No. 24 kept up its fast pace. De Oliviera continued his charge until the end of the 51st lap, by which time he had built up a lead of 1 min. 20 sec. over 2nd place.After its pit stop, No. 24 returned to the track still in the lead and with second driver Seiji Ara at the wheel. Ara continued to run lap after lap at a controlled pace, keeping an eye on the competition behind him. As the rain lightened in the latter stages of the race, however, his pace slackened, and at the end of the race when he took the winning checkered, that lead had fallen to just 21 sec.

This was the team’s first victory since round 4 of the 2008 season at Sepang in Malaysia and its third overall. But it was also their first victory on a circuit in Japan. For the GT-R camp, this was the fifth straight victory since round 6 of last season. Also, it was the first GT500 class victory in Japan for a car racing on Advan tires since the ECLIPSE ADVAN Supra (Manabu Orido/Dominique Schwager) won the opening round of the 2005 series here at Okayama.
Finishing 2nd in the race was the No. 18 ROCKSTAR DOME NSX (Ryo Michigami/Takashi Kogure). Starting from the 4th position on the grid, Kogure passed the SC430 machines in front of him at an early stage, but due to the fact that the team had predicted light rain and its choice of tires was not performing well in the heavy rain conditions, they made their pit stop as soon as the required 1/3 of the race was finished. In the latter stages of the race, Michigami continued to narrow the gap with Ara in the leading No. 24 machine but was unable to catch it before the race ended.

Third place went to the No. 8 ARTA NSX (Ralph Firman/Takuya Izawa). Like No. 18, the first driver, Firman, was forced to return for an early pit stop and was unable to give chase to the leaders.

The pole-sitting No. 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430 (Yuji Tachikawa/Richard Lyons) eventually finished 6th. This turned out to be the best performance by an SC430 team. The choice of shallow-slit tires before the start based on a prediction that the weather would improve turned out to be the handicap that kept Richard Lyons from maintaining the lead pace. In the latter half of the race, after changing tires and turning the wheel over to Yuji Tachikawa, they were able to pass many of their rivals on the track. But that didn’t relieve the frustration of having lost the lead and the victory.As for the defending champions, the No. 1 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (Benoit Treluyer/Satoshi Motoyama), a collision with the No. 36 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 (Andre Lotterer/Jyuichi Wakisaka) on the first corner just after the actual start of racing resulted in a drive-through penalty as well as damage to the left front fender that forced it to return to the pit for repairs and lose considerable ground in the race.

So it was another bad day in office for the Toyota teams. The poor tyre choice had throw away vital championship points to its rival. Hope they rebound in round 2.

2007 GT300 Champion - APR MRS #101

Driven by: Kazuya Oshima and Hiroaki Ishiura.

Won the 2007 GT300 drivers title with magnificent display of driving from start to checkered flag - a dramatic ending as they pipped their closest rival #2 Cars Tokai Dream28 - levelled on points (89 a piece) but with most win.

Words from the drivers and manager after the last race.

Kazuya Ohshima:

We were able to win the title by finishing 2nd here today, but our rivals were really strong this year. We had a hard battled with the Shinden (No. 2) team, and I am really happy that we were able slip by to beat them. The whole team worked as one from the beginning this year to win the title. I think that we owe this result to the fact that we fought hard in every round of this year's season. From now on I want to do the same and battle hard every round.

Hiroaki Ishiura:

Things went well in the first half of this season but after that we had a difficult time. We had some bad luck and we were unable to get the results we wanted in the second half and our rivals caught up with us. Then for the final round Michelin developed some new tires for us, and the engine tuner also prepared us a special engine. I think we were a good combination as drivers too. I feel that this is a title we all won together. We won this title because everyone gave 100%, and that makes me really happy.

Manager Makoto Goto

It would have been nice if I could have come here [to the winners press conference] with the drivers. It is not an easy feat to finish second in the drivers title race for the second year in a row with the same point total (laughs). It is an unfortunate result, but the contents of our racing this season was very good, I believe. This is our second year with this new team makeup using Shinden and with these drivers. I didn't expect us to do this well and come this far in just two years. And now we have won the team title. I hope that next year I can come here [press conference] with our two drivers.

The MRS were last seen in Super GT scene in round 9 last year and are replaced by Toyota Corolla Axio in the upcoming 2009 season... here are some photo of the newcomer.