With all the resources and money that slot car manufacturers like Mattel (nee Tyco) have, you have to wonder why they can't produce a better product for there money. They have millions at their disposal, they have volume purchasing, they have the staff already on board. Leave it to the small entrepreneur to fill the niche.

Cracking The Pack

Crack it open, and let 'er rip. Wizzard has produced a magnet car for racers that should delight. This car was the dream of owner Bob Lincoln, to make a car that appealed to racers, right off the "showroom floor". Listening to his customers, and making the right changes, the car has evolved to it's present state.

It comes in two versions. Standard ($31.95), and Extreme ($37.95). Difference being the extreme car has polymer traction magnets (phase II polymers). We tested the Extreme version.

The Chassis is injection molded for them by a state of the art molding company with a lot of know how. In cooperation they researched material to find what they now use.

Available add-ons include: Front bumper $1.00, Independent front end $6.00. All Wizzard gears and tires will work with the car (variously priced). Silver plated electrical kits are $8.50. Only one body style, in red white or blue. You can purchase clear bodies and paint them any color you want.

Note: The back of the package has a nice break down of the car, and includes a diagram of where to oil it.

Features include: Adjustable brush tension, ultimate downforce, optimum magnet geometry, state-of--the-art materials, quick change guide pin, hi-efficiency electrical system, made in the USA by champion racers, for champion racers.

The obvious differences from the P2 are the motor magnets, the adjustable pickup shoes, and the ressessing of the positioning of the guide pin a full 1/8", which is certain to have an impact on handling.

On To The Tests

We used the 75 foot, 6-lane, spaghetti course at Petaluma Raceway for our tests. Good indicator of everything a car has. The first job was to oil her up. Then, put her in one of the middle lanes and see how fast we could get her to take a lap, and how easily she handled it.

There isn't too much more than a fast lap that a racer might ask for. The only question might be what the car feels like. This one is tight, and it has breaks, for going deep into corners. Yet the response is very precise. We used a 25 ohm Parma Economy to test it, and we turned 6.6 second laps. On the above described track, that's amazing. But what really makes it amazing is that it held the S'es as well as the 90's and 180's. Nothing threw this car. It is one of the most predictable cars I ever drove.

Acceleration was good. But where this car gets it is after the first 18 inches or so. That's when it really comes on.

Since we think of this as a low priced car, we figured that a Tyco 440X2 would be a fine car with which to compare the P3. Not just any Tyco, though. This one was totally stripped and tuned, with stock parts, by Jeff Hurley. That means it was done right. Even with that, the Tyco doesn't come close. Even in a drag race down a 12 foot straight, the P3 won by 2 feet

As for maintenance, we don't know how long between tuneups, but when you're ready, the chassis just pops apart after you pull off a couple of retainers. Rear wheels snap out, ala Tyco/Tomy, but the fronts are pressed. Oiling points are very accessible, and few.

So, isn't it human nature to suggest what one might do to improve this product? We thought about it a lot. Make it easy to rebuild and tune? Nope, did that. Improve the body mounting system? This is the best I ever saw for lexan. Improve the handling? Well, maybe, but it seems that this already out handles anything else I've used straight from the blister.

In all, this is a fine product for a great price. This would work well, and affordably, for any group who wanted out-of-box races.