Author: ChiliBoy

’24 Hours of Le Mans: 1923 – 2023 Centenary Edition’ ($189.00) will be here in a few days.

Only a few copies remain. You can reserve one HERE.

The latest announcement from TopSpeed features two versions of the 2023 LM GTE Am Class winning #33 Corvette C8.R and the Pfaff Motorsports #9 Porsche 911 GT3 R in their GTD Pro winning livery from the 2023 12 Hours of Sebring.

Also, the Le Mans #311 Action Express Cadillac and a pair of BMW M4 GT# competitors from the 2023 season.

Check out the list HERE.

LIMITED EDITION 499 PIECES WITH DISPLAY COVER

FUTURE RELEASE – RESERVE NOW!

Le Mans 11th June 2023
Ferrari won the Centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the 499P driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, who shared the number 51 car with James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi, covering 342 laps of the French track. The Maranello manufacturer claimed an historic result on its return to the top class after half a century, with the Ferrari – AF Corse team triumphing in the world’s most famous endurance race.

At the chequered flag Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen finished fifth in the 499P number 50, delayed during the night by repairs that knocked the crew out of contention for the podium, despite an excellent performance that saw them climb several places back up the standings.

The Ferrari 499Ps started from the top two positions on the grid with Hypercar numbers 50 and 51, respectively, thanks to the times posted during the Hyperpole when Fuoco took pole. 

This was the Prancing Horse’s tenth overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, to go with those collected in 1949, 1954, 1958, and 1960-1965. Ferrari’s history at Le Mans now comprises 39 victories, including 29 class wins.

With this result in round four of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship, Ferrari remains second in the Manufacturers’ standings, narrowing the gap to Toyota to 19 points.

The models will be sold with dedicated bases with finish line and includes a plexiglass display case in scale 1/18.

Reserve HERE.

Overnight we received information from Tecnomodel that they will produce 4 versions of the Lola T90 Indy Car in 1/18 scale, including the three cars entered by John Mecom, Jr. in the 1966 Indianapolis 500. 

Graham Hill led the final 10 laps in the #24 Red Ball Express to become the first Rookie to win the Indianapolis 500 in 39 years after teammate Jackie Stewart dropped out while leading the race. The third Mecom entry was driven by 2 time winner Rodger Ward in his final Indianapolis 500 appearance. Ward finished 15th in car #26.

Both Hill and Stewart’s cars were powered by the Ford DOHC V8 Indy engine. Rodger Ward’s car was fitted with a supercharged Offenhauser. 

The ‘Press Version’ of Tecnomodel’s Lola T90 will feature the Ford engine.

Unfortunately, we have a very short deadline for this set. 

Please reserve by this Friday, July 14. We will probably reserve a few extra pieces but our allotment will probably be spoken for before the shipment arrives. Click HERE for ordering information.

1923-2023 Centenary Edition

by Jean-Marc Teissedre & Thibaut Villemant

This luxurious book of more than 360 pages is presented like an album of mostly unpublished photographs, arranged chronologically

Throughout its century of existence, every moment of Le Mans has been captured in countless photographs. From black & white to color, these particularly vivid images bring to life a whole world: that of the cars, naturally, but also of the many human players – drivers, engineers, mechanics – and the public, always numerous and varied.

The authors summarize the moments and actions of the key characters, identifying five major periods:

1923-1929: The time of the pioneers
1930-1967: Reconstruction and globalization
1968-1981: In search of the right solution
1982-1999: The 21st century in sight
2000-2022: A Modern Race

Text in English and French.

US AVAILABILITY LATE SUMMER 2023 – RESERVE NOW!

It was through model-making that this mathematics teacher became France’s greatest endurance expert. This vocation happened to coincide with the 1976 launch of the magazine AUTOhebdo, of which he was to become a fixture. Jean-Marc Teissedre is also the author of seminal works on this motorsport discipline, such as the official annual of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in addition to penning biographies of drivers such as Henri Pescarolo (ETAI) and Bob Wollek (Le Mans Racing) and multiple publications on the 24 Hours, including Les 24 Heures du Mans 1923-2010 (Le Mans Racing).

Having discovered the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the age of five, Thibaut Villemant subsequently joined AUTOhebdo in 2009. He was quickly promoted to senior reporter and served as deputy editor-in-chief until 2021. Together with Jean-Marc Teissedre, he is the author of the official 24 Hours of Le Mans annual, in addition to which he has published other works on the event and regularly consults for television.

$189.00 – RESERVE YOUR COPY HERE

Spark Model’s 1/43 scale commemorative model of Max Verstappen’s 2022 Japanese Grand Prix winning Red Bull RB18 is here. It includes two extra items: A Pit Board celebrating the clinching of the 2022 Formula One World Championship and the #1 Park Fermé Board honoring his victory. Still at the old $80.00 price. Order HERE!

LookSmart will produce the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans Winning Ferrari 499P #51 and the 2023 Le Mans Hyperpole winning Ferrari 499P #50 in both 1/18 and 1/43 scale. 

In addition, they will produce the 7 Ferrari 488 EVO GTEs entered in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE AM class in 1/43 scale.

Advance order deadline is Wednesday, July 7. Delivery expected in Q1 2024. You will not be charged until the models become available. 

With the publicity surrounding the Le Mans Centenary and the historical significance of Ferrari’s return to the top class in Sports Car racing after 50 years, then taking their first overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1965, demand will be high. 

But I don’t have to tell you that, do I?

Please reserve early!

Highlight of the latest 1/43 scale announcement from TSM Model is the winner of the 2023 12 Hours of Sebring, the #31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R from Action Express. Check out the entire list HERE.

Each year, we import copies of the excellent 24 Hours of Le Mans Annual Book from our European sources. We usually start taking advance orders in the fall but with the excitement surrounding this race – and the added complications of Brexit – we want to get our reservation in early to make sure we have sufficient copies reserved before they sell out. If you would like to reserve a copy, click HERE or on the image above. We expect a price around $90.00 but will confirm as soon as possible. You will not be charged until the Annual becomes available.

By Kevin Guthrie

Foreword by Bob Fernley

The mention of Jim Crawford’s name instantly produces a smile from those who knew the courageous Scot, with an abundance of natural ability and a laconic wit. Twenty years on from his death he is still fondly remembered by those who followed his tumultuous, and eclectic, career. Jim was a star of the sport on both sides of the Atlantic, easily garnering new fans wherever his racing took him. From his beloved Oulton Park in England, to Trinidad, India and eventually the hallowed grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Jim’s gentle nature and dry wit drew people to him. What also attracted them were his on track performances. Amid the disappointments and bad luck that punctuated his career Jim enjoyed some truly memorable days. These events – and most importantly the man himself – are fondly recalled by those who knew him best in this authorised biography of one of motor racing’s great characters.

Featuring contributions from such racing luminaries as Kenny Bernstein, Roberto Guerrero, Bobby Rahal and Willy T Ribbs, in addition to memories from friends, family members and rivals, this is a tale of triumph over adversity. Illustrated throughout with many photographs never published before, Jim Crawford’s story is a high-speed tale, often fluctuating between joy, sadness, despair and laughter.

Softbound | 134 pages

Just In! – $49.95 – Order HERE