Here is a reference that I have been waiting for since the catalog was released in early February. It is not every year that we have new products in the Carrera catalog with new rails. September is traditionally the month of arrival of new products to prepare for Christmas, and it is available, the new GO Challenge range.
The principle of this range is a GO track with only one track, one controller, one car, one player. For this test, it is the Formula High Speed box reference 68002 with a length of 6 meters with a Red Bull Racing formula 1 that I chose.
On the front of the box, we immediately notice the photo of the single-track circuit, and we notice 3 sets of words that seem to refer to game modes. We then turn the box over to get more information.
On the back side we have a little more information, with a larger view of the circuit, the details of the track components and 4 information zones.
New items
If Carrera has already used some one-track elements in its boxes, we have some new elements this year. Here is the list of the elements of the box with its new features:
list of references (letters):
- D: letter identical to the rail of the same length but in two tracks.
- k: existing rail that was found in the Cars sets, in particular: 62239, 62252.
- V: letter already used for raised curve R2 – 45° 2 tracks – The single-track element corresponds to the outer track of an R2 curve
- M: letter already used for raised curve R1 – 45° 2 tracks – The single-track element corresponds to the outer track of an R1 curve
- K: Flyover ramp that were used in pairs on the double-track circuit.
- L: loop that had already been present for many years. They arrive here in red.
Not referenced with a letter, we find the starting rail which historically has the letter A and the rev counter rail usually letter B. We notice a personalized sticker on the box, present on the rev counter. The rev counter which in the double track version was able to count up to 50 can now only count up to 30.
Decorations
On the decoration side, we find the glossy paper track edges. There are three of them and they are placed in the long straight.
For a few years now, a decoration has appeared and can be found here, the tunnel that is placed just before the rev counter. A very narrow tunnel that is much more impressive than on the two-lane version.
The features of the starting rail
On the back of the box you can read 4 great slogans
1 Player Action (1 player action): Captivating high-speed action and fun solo or in competition with a friend
Race against the clock : you have to keep your cool to not fall off the track and do as many laps as possible on the high-speed circuit in the allotted time.
High speed race track : Suspense thanks to the challenge mode – Beat the lap record with a race duration of your choice of 30, 45 and 60 seconds per challenge.
Beat the lap record : With Carrera Go !!! Challenge to race on the fastest race track of all time
We are told about a challenge mode, the rest being applicable to all the boxes, it is time to open the instructions to find out more.
On the starting rail, there are LEDs (6 in number) and a button, let’s see what the documentation says. Concretely, the rail manages two modes, free mode and challenge mode.
The challenge mode is activated with the button and we can vary the duration of the challenge by pressing one, two or three times to configure durations of 30, 45 and 60 seconds. We are offered to reset the rev counter to zero, or rather to 30 because the wheel counts up to 30 laps (30 is also equivalent to zero).
We then press the button on the rail again to start the Challenge. The starting procedure is executed and the race begins when the lights go out.
When the time is up, the car stops and the diodes flash. It is time to check the rev counter.
The car
Formula 1 is proudly reproduced with the roll bar that protects the driver. For the photos, I put next to the RedBull, a version from previous years to compare. I let you appreciate the details on the photos.
As I regularly indicate, I love F1 but I avoid using them on circuits with loops, springboards, lane changes, crossings, finally all these accident-prone elements that risk breaking the wings which are fragile.
Note that the box contains a set of braids and a replacement guide for the car.
The little gift
In the box a small flyer informs us that for any order on the Carrera website a small useful gift will be offered to us thanks to a code.
reference 61510: A set of 10 braids, i.e. the possibility of equipping 5 cars.
Bilan
It’s always nice to have new elements that open up new perspectives for tracks. The fact that the curved rails are inclined limits the possibilities. It’s a shame, we can hope for other elements in the future. And a little disappointment on the starting rail that could have offered more features for a player.
Length: 6m
Dimensions: 2.03m x 75cm
Reference: 20068002
Recommended retail price: €50
