12 replies to this topic

[n.elmholt]

I am building two almost identical 1/24 models af the 1971 LeMans-winning Martini Porsche 917K for a special race in Germany on August 29. The race is held each year and only for models of the 5 litre Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512 racecars that dominated the tracks in 1969-1971. One body is for practice and one for the race itself.

Last time I attended a race in Germany was actually in 1971, so the time is ripe for a visit again.

More about the race here (in German): src-northland

The Germans are famous for their high quality of Classic Scale Slot Car Models, and as the Concours point sare included in the total score I decided to do it the hard way and build a car that would not lose the race on Concours points. I know me and my partner will have enough trouble keeping up with the very capable German drivers in the race itself.

I am building the car around a Schöler 5513 Chassis with the Fujimi Porsche 917 plastic kit. The minimum car weight is 180 grams with 50 gram minimum body weight. The car has to have working lights, so I have tried to keep the weight of the details as low as possible, using a lot of homemade parts.



I attended the Copenhagen Historical GP last weekend and had the pleasure of meeting Gijs van Lennep, who paired Helmuth Marko at LeMans in 1971. van Lennep drove a Porsche (of course!) 550 RS Spyder in Copenhagen and is a very kind and friendly person who is still capable of trowing a race car aound. I got his autograph on the photo in the Fujimi kit.

You can follow the build on my website, which will be updated regularly as the build progresses.

Here are a few details:



One of the finished bodies with windows added. Front window is Lexan, tinted side windows are from the kit.



Lexan dash with Studio 27 photo-etched details added.



Rear end from kit parts with built in light-emitting diodes



Lexan interior with lightened kit fire wall and homemade vacuum-formed driver, helmet, and passenger seat. Decals for helmet, driving suit, and shoulder straps are homemade as well. Weight 3.8 grams.

[Tex]

Looks good so far; can't wait to see the finished product with lights glaring!

[n.elmholt]

The build is updated regularly on:

http://racecars.dk/SlotRacing.htm

se the website for updates on light kit insstallation etc.

Niels, DK

[n.elmholt]

One body is finished:



I look forward to seeing it on the track.

[Allan Feldman]

Hi Neils,

Your 917K looks great. The same car was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year.

I hope you do not feel my next comment is negative. Because it is the fault of Fujimi and not you in any way. The rear clip of the 1971 917 were much wider than the bodywork in the Fujimi kit. In fact when I was in Grand Prix Model in Banbury some firm was making the corrected tail section in resin as a replacement.

I really admire your work. Good luck in the race.

Regards,

Allan

[n.elmholt]

I have seen the wide rear deck, but stuck to Fujimi's as i assumed it was lighter (and certainly cheaper) :-)

thanks for the comments and nice words :-)

Niels

[Jairus]

Now THAT is some nice work!

[mam2f]

Beautiful work and detailing...it's so nice, I'd be afraid to run it !

The 917K is one of the all time great race cars, eh ?

[n.elmholt]

Mark, you are right - they don't come much greater

a small update is ready on my website



Gijs van Lennep is ready for the second body

Niels, DK

[n.elmholt]

The German race is in the coming weekend as the cars are basically ready. here is our race car:







more pictures on My Website

30 teams from several European countries will participate, so I really look forward to the race.

Yours

Niels, DK

[MG Brown]

Thank you for sharing your lovely models with us.

I hope that you do well in the race and above all that it will be a satisfying experience for all of the participants.

I hope that Fujimi hurries the 917 Langheck (static model kit) to the shops that they are rumored to be working on!

[Michael Rigsby]

Beautiful work, Niels . I am very partial to the Martini Porsche's and Lancias.

Michael Rigsby

[n.elmholt]

Of course you need the "correct" t-shirt to race this car:







a small race report will follow

Niels