The Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) since 1993 has run to V8 Supercar regulations, having previously run under Group A regulations from 1984-1992. Group A cars in the ATCC had become unpopular with Australian crowds as the dominant cars tended to be either European or Japanese, as opposed to the local favourites Ford (Australia) and Holden. Under the new V8 regulations, all cars were either Holden Commodores or Ford Falcons with 5 litre V8s (a Ford Windsor SVO unit in the Falcons, and a Chevrolet Aurora unit in the Commodores). All cars use the same kind of gearbox, differential and brake rotors, and Dunlop supply a standard tire to all teams.
The effect of the new regulations was to reduce the cost of developing and running a car in the ATCC, and it also resulted in closer racing as there was little to separate the cars in terms of overall performance.
This particular V8 Supercar is the 2005 season Ford Falcon BA run by Stone Brothers Racing for Marcos Ambrose. Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) was founded in 1998 by New Zealanders Ross and Jim Stone, and has become one of the leading teams in the ATCC, with a hat trick of drivers championships from 2003-2005 and two constructors championship win in 2004 and 2005.
Marcos Ambrose won two drivers championships with SBR in 2003 and 2004, and narrowly missed out on the 2005 championship to his team-mate Russell Ingall. To date (March 2007) he has not won the premier V8 Supercars event the Bathurst 1000, but his impressive V8 Supercar career includes 18 pole positions, 37 podium finishes and 18 race wins. Since 2006 he has been racing in the USA in NASCAR.
This superb model by Classic Carlectables is a replica of Ambrose's car from his last V8 Supercar race to date at Phillip Island on 27/11/2005. He won the race, which was a nice way to leave the V8 Supercars series.
Classic Carlectables have done a superb job in recreating this car in 1:18th. The exterior looks superb with great paint and tampo printed markings. The net over the drivers window is made in rubber which is a shame as it would look better in fabric like the real thing. The rear lights look a little flat but otherwise the exterior detailing is superb. The V8 engine is realistically recreated complete with plug wires and eight air inlet trumpets on top. It sits beneath a removable cover just like on the real thing. The interior is a work of art with an intricate roll cage, a detailed racing seat for the driver and other neat pieces such as the floor mounted fire extinguisher. Completing the model are a set of realistic racing wheels with the standard regulation Dunlop tires.
In addition to this superb model in 1:18th Classic Carlectables also make a neat range of 1:64th Falcon V8 Supercars one of which is pictured below with it's big brother. Again a dangerous slippery slope for me to fall down! So I'll have to stick to my favourite scale 1:18th.
Overall a superb model of a great looking racing car. Highly recommended in my opinion.
83.75%
