FSW Weekly Edition #12/2026

Patrese’s Ground Effect Arrows

Spark’s Arrows A3 Argentina 1980 #29 Patrese captures one of the defining machines of Formula 1’s early ground effect era. Developed as the Witney-based team’s response to the rapidly evolving aerodynamic landscape, the A3 combined Tony Southgate’s design philosophy with sculpted sidepods and Venturi tunnels to generate downforce with reduced drag. In the hands of Riccardo Patrese, already recognised as one of the grid’s most naturally gifted drivers, the car frequently exceeded expectations against far better-resourced teams. The 1980 Argentine Grand Prix marked the start of that campaign, and Patrese’s performances throughout the season reflected his ability to extract maximum performance from limited machinery, a trait that would later underpin his success with Williams.

Spark’s 1:43 resincast interpretation captures the A3’s clean, purposeful geometry with precision. The angular nose, compact sidepods and low rear wing profile are all crisply defined, while the gold and white Warsteiner livery is applied with sharp clarity across the bodywork. The model conveys the balance of simplicity and innovation that characterised this transitional period in Formula 1 design, where aerodynamic understanding was advancing rapidly but had yet to reach the complexity of later eras. It is a piece that communicates both the visual identity and engineering intent of early ground effect machinery.

The Arrows sits within a broader Spark delivery that traces a compelling arc through Formula 1 history. The same shipment includes the Ligier JS23 of Andrea De Cesaris alongside a strong group of Lotus 21 entries featuring Stirling Moss, Willy Mairesse and others, linking the ground effect period back to the final years of front-engined competition and the emergence of rear-engined design. The BRM P261 of Lanfranchi adds further depth to this classic single-seater landscape.

Beyond Spark, Tecnomodel contributes the Jordan 198 from the 1998 British Grand Prix in 1:18 scale, a late-1990s Formula 1 car finished in the team’s iconic yellow livery and driven by Damon Hill during a key phase of Jordan’s rise. Looksmart adds the Ferrari SF-25 from the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, capturing Charles Leclerc’s second-place finish on home soil, while BBR selects the Chinese Grand Prix as the basis for its first 1:18 Ferrari SF-26 models, with Lewis Hamilton’s third place and Leclerc’s fourth place presented as high-end collector pieces.

Spark also confirms three late additions to its 2025 1:18 Formula 1 programme, including Kimi Antonelli’s Miami Sprint pole position Mercedes W16 and Racing Bulls entries for Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, with deliveries expected later in the year. The Books department adds further depth with titles spanning the full history of the World Championship, Adrian Newey’s career and the enduring legacy of the Maserati 250F. Hasegawa completes the picture with a reissue of the Honda RA272E 1965 Mexico Grand Prix winner as a 1:24 kit, celebrating one of Formula 1’s landmark victories.

Arrows A3 Argentina 1980 #29 Patrese - SPK3989

Toyota 88C 12th Le Mans 1988 #36 Minolta 1:24 - HASLE20426

Toyota’s Minolta at La Sarthe

Hasegawa’s Toyota 88C 12th Le Mans 1988 #36 Minolta revisits one of the most recognisable machines of the Group C era, a period defined by aerodynamic efficiency, turbocharged power and manufacturer ambition at La Sarthe. The 88C formed part of Toyota’s sustained push toward overall Le Mans success, with the Minolta-backed entry becoming an enduring visual icon thanks to its distinctive blue and white livery. Its 12th-place finish in 1988 reflected steady progress in a programme that would span decades before finally delivering outright victory. The car’s low, elongated proportions, broad rear wing and enclosed cockpit define the classic Group C silhouette, a balance of speed, stability and endurance-focused design.

Hasegawa’s 1:24 plastic kit captures these characteristics with precision and clarity. The smooth bodywork surfaces, carefully moulded panel lines and well-proportioned aero elements translate effectively into scale, while the detailed wheel and tyre assemblies and high-quality decal set provide a rewarding and immersive build experience. It is a subject that combines strong visual identity with the hands-on satisfaction of kit construction, making it a cornerstone release for endurance racing enthusiasts.

The Toyota sits within a week dominated by two major Spark deliveries that together trace a broad arc across Le Mans history. The first brings together iconic machines from multiple eras, including the 1953 Le Mans-winning Jaguar C-Type, Porsche 356 and Porsche 911 RSR, alongside later entries such as the Cougar C12, Callaway Corvette and the McLaren F1 GTR Suzuka winner. Adding further character are the Nürburgring 24 Hours Dacia Logan entries, an unexpected but distinctive inclusion within the range.

A second Spark delivery focuses on modern endurance and GT racing, featuring the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 from the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours, the BMW M4 GT3 from Le Mans 2025 and the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2 Nürburgring entry. Looksmart complements this contemporary focus with the Ferrari 296 Challenge 2023 #32, representing Ferrari’s latest one-make racing platform in cleanly executed 1:43 resincast form.

In a significant announcement, Spark confirms the reissue of several long out-of-production 1:43 Le Mans winners, opening the door for collectors to secure some of the most sought-after models in the category. The programme includes the 1966, 1967 and 1968 Ford GT40s, the 1980 Rondeau, 1989 Mercedes, 1991 Mazda, 1992 and 1993 Peugeot, 1998 Porsche, 2009 Peugeot and 2020 Toyota. These re-releases provide a rare opportunity to complete key gaps in Le Mans collections, and demand is expected to be high. The Spark delivery is further strengthened by the Aston Martin Valiant 2024 in 1:18 scale, a modern performance road car that bridges the worlds of endurance racing and contemporary automotive design.

Cammish’s BTCC Ford Focus

Spark’s Ford Focus Donington 2025 #27 Cammish captures one of the standout machines from the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season, presented here in its striking Valvoline special livery rather than the standard NAPA Racing blue and yellow. Dan Cammish continues to rank among the most consistently competitive drivers on the BTCC grid, combining precision, racecraft and tyre management across the championship’s demanding three-race format. At Donington Park, the Focus proved particularly effective, its balance through high-speed sections and traction out of slower corners playing to the strengths of both car and driver.

Spark’s 1:43 resincast interpretation translates this presence with clarity and detail. The aggressive touring car stance, intricate aerodynamic elements and complex sponsor graphics are all sharply rendered, with the Valvoline livery adding an extra layer of visual distinction. It is a model that reflects both the intensity of modern touring car racing and the evolving visual identity of the BTCC grid.

The Cammish Focus sits within a broader Spark BTCC delivery that also includes the BMW 330i entries of Charles Rainford and Aiden Moffat, offering a strong snapshot of the 2025 field. Historic touring car enthusiasts are equally well served with the inclusion of the BMW M3 E30 from Macau 1992, linking the modern championship to the golden era of Group A racing.

Beyond touring cars, the same Spark shipment extends into rally and GT competition, with the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Japan winner, Toyota Supra Super GT500 and a compact 1:64 Subaru BRZ Super GT300. Schuco adds a modern hypercar highlight with the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50S Niki Lauda in metallic red, while Mini GT contributes a pair of James Bond icons in 1:64 scale, the Toyota 2000GT and BMW Z3, adding a cinematic dimension to the release.

The road car landscape is equally rich this week. Cult Scale Models introduces a wide-ranging set of new 1:18 releases spanning the MG TF, Jaguar XJ6 4.2, Chevrolet Blazer K5, Fiat 130 Berlina, TVR 3000M, Daimler V12 Sovereign and Volvo 262C, reflecting a broad cross-section of automotive history. Matrix continues its exploration of elegant classics with new 1:43 models including the Aston Martin Lagonda S1, Bentley 4¼ Litre DHC by Vanden Plas and Mercedes 500K Cabriolet C. BBR expands its 1:64 Ferrari programme with the Testarossa and 599XX Evo family, while the Books department adds Ultimate Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, a two-volume limited and signed edition that stands as a definitive reference for collectors.

Ford Focus Donington 2025 #27 Cammish - SPKUK031