Carrera (car racing track)
Carrera is a brand that was established by the Bavarian toy manufacturer Neuhierl in Fürth and under which track-bound car racing tracks have been sold since the early 1960s . After a restructuring in 1972/73, the development of the Carrera Structo model building area began with in-house production of RC cars , RC boats and RC model aircraft up to and including the RC remote control . After the company went bankrupt in 1985 , it was operated under new management and with a greatly streamlined product range until 1998. The flight model area was taken over by a newly founded company called airjet-Modelltechnik. Carrera has belonged to the Salzburg Stadlbauer Group since 1999 . The branch in Nuremberg was left in the summer of 2010 and the new headquarters in Puch near Salzburg moved into. On July 1, 2019, Stadlbauer Marketing und Vertriebs GmbH (SMV) was sold to the Quantum Capital Partners group of companies from Munich, which had already acquired Revell GmbH in Bünde in the previous year and has now merged both companies into Revell Carrera GmbH. According to their own statements, the Stadlbauer family is still represented on the advisory board.
In Germany, “Carrera-Bahn” is used synonymously for car racing tracks. The term Carrera (Spanish for "race") has also become known in Germany for engines and car models from the manufacturer Porsche , which are named after the Carrera Panamericana car race .
Company history
Original scales are 1:32 (Carrera Universal) and 1:24 (Carrera 124). In the mid- 1970s , these two standards were supplemented by a system on a scale of 1:60, the “Carrera 160”. In 1978, the product range was expanded to include the track-independent tracks "Servo 132" and "Servo 160", the number in the designation also indicating the scale here. In 1979 "Servo 140" was added. In the early 1970s there was still Carrera Transpo, a railway compatible with the Universal, on which trucks could solve various transport tasks. A Carrera Jet aircraft and rocket runway also existed at that time; for example, NASA's moon flights could be simulated on transparent rails . These tracks are among the most sought after among collectors today.
Due to the sharp decline in interest in car racing tracks, Carrera ran into financial difficulties in the first half of the 1980s, which ultimately led to bankruptcy and the company takeover. Among other things, this also meant that production of the former bestsellers Carrera Universal and Carrera 124 was discontinued. The “Carrera 160” as well as the various servo tracks (which differed from the conventional track-based systems due to the lack of track guidance) were also abandoned in the course of time. Only “Servo 140” survived until the year 2000. The “Carrera Profi” system was produced in 1984 as a replacement for the two classic track-bound systems.
The 1:24 scale car racing tracks have been marketed under the name “Carrera Exclusiv” since 1989, although at the beginning only replicas of old models of the former Carrera 124 were produced, but the quality of these did not reach the level of the old 124 vehicles. Since 1998 there has been a new, very successful 1:32 scale system called “Carrera Evolution”. Technically, the Evolution system differs from the old "Universal" system, also at a scale of 1:32, in that the cars and trains are in the so-called "2-wire system" (the vehicles receive the traction current through two on the right and left side conductors attached to the guide slot ("slot"), while the universal rails had a third conductor in the slot which, in conjunction with a special current collector on the model cars, made it possible, for example, to drive two cars independently of each other on one lane.
With its new, detailed models, Carrera Exclusiv in 1:24 scale doesn't have much in common with the initial 124 replicas, but is still fully compatible with all rails and cars of the Carrera 124. Evolution and Exclusiv use the same rail material, this is basically identical to the rails of the Carrera 124 introduced in 1967.
In 2001 Carrera expanded its product family with a 1:43 scale car racing track called “Carrera GO !!!”. This system is characterized by its low price and space requirements.
At the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2004, the digital Carrera Evolution PRO-X system was presented, which allows four Evolution PRO-X vehicles to be driven on two lanes. This is made possible by the so-called Pro-X Black Box : There is permanent voltage on both conductor tracks; An ID can be set on the vehicles, so the black box finds the appropriately coded vehicle when the controller is pressed. The lane changes are also new: despite the "slot" system, the lane can be changed independently by the vehicle crossing a photodiode in front of the switch and switching the switch by pressing a second button on the hand controller.
The further development of PRO-X bears the name Carrera Digital 132 and was presented to the public at the 2007 Toy Fair. At the same time, the “Carrera Profi” disappeared from the list of offers. In 2008 Carrera Exlusiv was replaced by Carrera Digital 124 and Carrera Digital 143 was introduced as an additional product line.
Most vehicles are licensed builds of well-known car models or Formula 1 racing cars, historical racing cars and modern GT racing cars are also represented, as well as the DTM for some years . A part is also produced and marketed as merchandising for Disney or similar companies specializing in children and young people.
Product overview (historical)
Carrera 132 Universal (1963 to 1985)
The most famous Carrera car racing track system from Carrera in the 60s, 70s and 80s. The track and vehicles are on a scale of 1:32. A special technical feature is the three-line system and the option to expand to up to ten lanes. This system established the brand's reputation. Even today there is still a large fan base of collectors and drivers. Carrera itself no longer produces any parts for this system, but the supply of spare parts is ensured through reproductions from third-party suppliers. There are many fan sites on the Internet that deal with the Carrera 132 Universal. This also shows that the university scene is still very much alive.
Carrera 124 (1966 to 1985)
1:24 scale racing track system. Was placed as a systematic addition to the product range to appeal to professional drivers and clubs. The fan base is slightly smaller than with the 132 Universal, but in principle the situation is comparable. The supply of spare parts is largely secured.
Carrera Jet (1969 to 1971)
Flight game system with three-dimensional expansion options for flight routes. Was a financial flop and therefore only in the program for a short time. Very sought after today and correspondingly expensive. The circle of fans of this system is manageable.
Carrera Transpo (1970 to 1974)
Commercial vehicles, trucks and forklifts in 1:32. Initially its own rail system based on the Carrera 132 Universal, then integrated into the Uni range from 1975.
Carrera Tempo (1970 to 1972)
A system similar to the well-known Darda railway . Vehicles with a scale of 1:60, which are either mechanically accelerated or electrically driven, drive on soft plastic tracks. The system has not been particularly successful commercially. Some of the vehicle shapes have been reused for the Carrera 160 in a revised form.
Carrera Structo (1972 to 1985)
In order not to lose market shares with the car racing track to the RC hobby, which was increasingly emerging in the 1970s, Carrera tried to serve this new market from 1972 onwards. For this purpose, remote-controlled vehicles, boats and airplanes were designed and offered in the most varied of scales.
The vehicle range can be divided into two periods. Up to 1980, the vehicles were true to the original, but generally designed to be toy-like, and there was mostly no indication of the scale. From 1980 the vehicle range was completely restructured and geared more towards the professional hobby sector, but the inexpensive toy sector was not neglected:
- 1:12 scale vehicles with hard plastic bodies (BMW M1, Porsche 935-78): Each type of vehicle has its own chassis with battery compartment and robust hard plastic body, the vehicles were sold ready for use including remote control.
- 1:12 scale vehicles with Lexan bodies (Ford Capri Zakspeed Turbo, Porsche 935-78, Renault Formula 1): A modular chassis system was used here, which enabled a wide variety of wheelbases and drive concepts on a base plate. Rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with up to four engines was possible. The Lexan bodies were optionally delivered painted or unpainted, remote control and servos were - as is usual with competitors - not included in the kits.
- 1:10 scale vehicles with Lexan bodies (BMW M1, Ferrari Formula 1, Porsche 924, Porsche 936, Truck Transpo Diesel): The same modular concept was also offered on a larger 1:10 scale.
Carrera Modelltechnik (1974 to 1985)
Soon after the introduction of the Structo model range, the flight model sector was given its own name Carrera Modelltechnik . Vehicles and boats were no longer listed in the Carrera model technology catalogs. The approximately 30 Carrera flight models were mostly equipped with the almost indestructible "Ferran" plastic fuselage. The 18 different Ferran hulls were manufactured in a special, very complex process. In addition to Robbe and Graupner , Carrera was also significantly involved in the introduction of the electric drive in model aircraft construction. The motors for this were supplied by the Bühler company . The extreme effort that was put into the model technology range and accessories ultimately led to the insolvency of Carrera in February 1985. After Herrmann Neuhierl's suicide, Air-Jet, which was founded for this purpose in Schwarzenbruck near Nuremberg, took over the production of the flight models and continued this until the end of 1990. The distribution was guaranteed by the Simprop company .
Carrera 160 (1976 to 1982)
Track-bound racetrack system on a small scale of 1:60, similar to the well-known Faller AMS . This system was not particularly successful either, as the Carrera Servo 160 steerable system was introduced shortly afterwards.
Carrera Servo 132 (1978 to 1983)
Steerable racetrack system on a scale of 1:32. The vehicles were adapted from the Carrera Universal, the track system was a completely new development. Although technically very reliable, the system could not establish itself on the market.
Carrera Servo 160 (1978 to 1996)
Steerable racetrack system on a scale of 1:60. Technically identical to Servo 132, only smaller. The success of this smallest steerable system, in which the vehicles could change lanes, was also the death sentence for the track-bound 160s.
Carrera Servo 140 (1979 to 2000)
Steerable racetrack system on a scale of 1:40. Has been produced in various technical and optical variants for over 20 years, most recently from 1998 to 2000 under the name "Carrera Servo Plus". Curved trajectories from the Servo Plus and Servo 140 cannot be used together (the path guide horns or spacer horns used in each case also differ). The chassis of the vehicles fits both systems.
Carrera Profi (1984 to 2006)
Track-bound racetrack system on a scale of 1:40. It was significantly cheaper to produce than the two systems "Carrera 124" and "Carrera 132 Universal" and replaced them. A special feature were the additional magnets on the vehicles that Carrera used for the first time in this system. At the beginning of 2007 the system was removed from the product range.
Carrera Strax (since 1985)
Fairway, which is mainly characterized by its special track concept: The track consists of hundreds or thousands of segments (sticks) that make the course of the route completely flexible. Almost any route is possible. The vehicles are battery-operated and have been equipped with radio remote control for some time. The largest Strax track was built by Carrera for the TV show "Vier gegen Willi" with Mike Krüger in the Nuremberg Exhibition Center.
CarRacing (1988 to 2001)
Second brand based on the Carrera Profi. Was mainly sold at discounters.
Carrera Exclusiv (1989 to 2007)
New edition of the Carrera 124, d. H. Vehicles and trains on a scale of 1:24. The railway system was only slightly changed and was still completely compatible with the railway components from the 1960s and 1970s. The vehicles were initially also re-editions of the old racers, which were gradually replaced by new designs. The compatibility also benefits owners of a Carrera 124 system, which in principle can be expanded with Exclusive or Evolution track parts. With the 2008 model year, Carrera Exclusiv was renamed “Carrera Digital 124”. The analog exclusive vehicles built after 2005 can be digitally retrofitted.
Carrera Evolution Pro-X (2004 to 2006)
Digital racetrack system based on the Carrera Evolution . Vehicles are on a scale of 1:32, the track parts are identical to Evolution and Exclusiv on a scale of 1:24. Overtaking maneuvers are possible through special switches. Another feature: up to four drivers can race independently on two lanes. In 2006 the name was changed to “Carrera Pro-X”.
Product overview (current)
Carrera Evolution (since 1998)
In principle, Carrera Evolution is identical to Carrera Exclusiv, but the vehicles are on a scale of 1:32. Due to the size of the vehicle, the system can be seen as the ideal successor to the Universal. The identical parts of the lane also enable operation with vehicles on a scale of 1:24. Carrera Evolution is widespread today, there are some outstanding sites on the Internet that cover the entire spectrum of the hobby: collecting, driving, tuning. A special feature of the first vehicles in this series was the drive; it was realized via a friction wheel attached to the motor shaft that drove a rear wheel. From model year 2007, all new vehicle designs can be digitally retrofitted.
Carrera Go !!! (since 2001)
Compact entry-level system on a scale of 1:43. The Go !!! fans are also strongly represented on the Internet. Although the system is designed as a pure toy, there are a number of collectors, as Carrera repeatedly issues special editions for department store chains etc.
Carrera Go !!! Plus (since 2016)
Extension of the Go !!! to include additional functions such as pit lane, ghost car, etc.
Carrera Digital 132 (since 2007)
Further development and successor system of PRO-X. Like this one, it is based on the proven Evolution / Exclusive road material. Up to six vehicles can now be operated at the same time. In theory, it is also possible to drive six vehicles on just one lane. The option of retrofitting analog vehicles is also new (Evolution from model year 2007, exclusive from model year 2005).
Digital vehicles can also be operated on analog railways. The Digital-132-Bahn itself does not offer an operating mode for analogue vehicles; these must be retrofitted with digital decoders if they are to be used on the digital system.
The Digital 132 components from the production years 2007 and 2008 are also downwardly compatible with the previous Carrera PRO-X system. From 2009 this downward compatibility will no longer be available. A new central unit for Digital 132/124 has been on the market since 2010, which is called "Control Unit". This was initially offered in parallel to the black box, but is now gradually replacing it.
The cars of the digital 143 series can also be operated on this system, with some restrictions. The vehicle's IR diode is closer to the center of the slot than the rail's IR diode. This can lead to unclean switching processes of the turnouts. Digital 143 vehicles cannot be used as a safety car either.
Carrera has been selling a Bluetooth adapter called "AppConnect" that can be connected to the Control Unit since 2015. With the matching app , the train can also be controlled via smartphones or tablets ( iOS and Android ). In addition to the manufacturer's app, there are also third-party apps .
Carrera Digital 124 (since 2008)
Successor system from Carrera Exclusiv. From model year 2008, vehicles and basic packs on a scale of 1:24 will only be delivered digitally. The other road material remains unchanged. The digital vehicles can also be operated in analogue mode. Due to the size of the vehicles, however, verges are essential for a functioning operation, but are included in the starter sets.
Carrera Digital 143 (since 2008)
Digital racetrack system on a scale of 1:43. The system is based on the Carrera Go !!!, the normal track parts are identical. Up to three vehicles can be used at the same time.
The Control Unit of the Digital 124/132 can be converted to the Carrera GO !!! / 143 rail system. This means that up to six vehicles can be used on the track. Some of the Digital 124/132 accessories can also be used, such as B. the digital lap counter, the wireless buttons or the "Position Tower". However, the digital decoders of the Carrera Digital 143 cannot implement all the functions of the Control Unit. Ghostcar or Pacecar are not possible.
literature
- Henry Smits-Bode: Carrera 160 · 132 Universal · 124 · Jet - history and complete model catalog . mekCar-Verlag, 2002, ISBN 3-9806411-1-2
- Henry Smits-Bode: Carrera 132 Universal & Transpo - collector's manual and price catalog . mekCar-Verlag, 2004, ISBN 3-9806411-3-9
- Carrera Modelltechnik main catalogs from 1978 and 1981
Web links
- Carrera official website
- Extensive information for collectors
- Slot card database for Carrera vehicles and basic packs
- Toy legend Carrera - with speed out of the curve . In: einestages.spiegel.de
- Carrerawiki / Servowiki , Carrera systems up to the 80s
Individual evidence
- ↑ AirJet-Modelltechnik , Modellbau-Wiki
- ^ Uwe Ritzer: Dieter Stadlbauer: Renewer of the Carrera-Bahn is dead. In: Süddeutsche Zeitung . April 21, 2015, accessed March 15, 2018 .
- ↑ Quantum Group acquires Stadlbauer Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH. July 2, 2019, accessed on July 12, 2019 (press release).
- ↑ Carrera GO !!! PLUS. In: https://www.carrera-toys.com/ . Retrieved December 28, 2016 .
- ↑ SmartRace: Time measurement for Carrera Digital via Bluetooth - wireless and flexible