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Pro Racing was a line of NASCAR cars and other racing related cars and trucks released from 1997 through 2005. Most of the cars in this premium line feature rubber tires, but the speed is found with the more affordable '"Basic" version series which featured plastic tires. The cars from the "Basic" series to focus on are the stock cars. These cars were meant for the track and they are fast, featuring Goodyear Eagle 10-spoke tires which respond well to graphite. Note that the two years with the fast, plastic tires are in 1997 and 2000.
Across those two years there were four stock car castings: Pontiac Stocker, T-Bird Stocker, Monte Carlo Stocker and Ford Tauras Stocker. The Pontiac Stocker and Monte Carlo stocker castings are available in 1997 and 2000, the T-Bird Stocker only in 1997 and the Ford Tauras Stocker only in 2000. In the 1997 and 2000 release years there are 48 different driver/car versions across the four castings. On the back of the blister pack it will indicate what car model it is. You can also check the Hot Wheels Wiki as a reference.
Some racing details.
Across those two years there were four stock car castings: Pontiac Stocker, T-Bird Stocker, Monte Carlo Stocker and Ford Tauras Stocker. The Pontiac Stocker and Monte Carlo stocker castings are available in 1997 and 2000, the T-Bird Stocker only in 1997 and the Ford Tauras Stocker only in 2000. In the 1997 and 2000 release years there are 48 different driver/car versions across the four castings. On the back of the blister pack it will indicate what car model it is. You can also check the Hot Wheels Wiki as a reference.
Some racing details.
- I race on a two-lane, 27 foot Magic Derby track (equivalent to about one-third of a mile). The Derby track is 22% wider than a typical Hot Wheels orange track, allowing me to race more car sizes/scales.
- I've applied graphite to the cars, which really brings out the speed potential for diecast. Some cars only improve slightly, but others improve significantly when dry lubes applied.
- 5-star performers are the most elite and 4-star performers is the next best tier.
- See the home page for more details on track design, testing, etc.
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My fastest Basic Pro Racing cars among the four castings. From left to right: Pontiac Grand Prix, T-Bird Stocker, Monte Carlo Stocker and the Ford Tauras Stocker.
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The performance of the four castings is outstanding. The Pontiac Grand Prix and the T-Bird Stocker are 5-Star cars and among the fastest hot wheels. The Monte Carlo and Ford Tauras models are strong 4-Star performers.
The driver/car variations (48 different ones in 1997/2000) do not really impact the speed of the car, so my best examples shown above may be different from yours, Notice though how performance correlates to the weight of the car. Not surprised that the Pontiac Grand Prix is the fastest given the heavier weight (51 grams), as opposed to the Ford Tauras at 37 grams.
The driver/car variations (48 different ones in 1997/2000) do not really impact the speed of the car, so my best examples shown above may be different from yours, Notice though how performance correlates to the weight of the car. Not surprised that the Pontiac Grand Prix is the fastest given the heavier weight (51 grams), as opposed to the Ford Tauras at 37 grams.
My collection of the Basic Pro Racing cars. I went a little crazy with buying them, but they are reasonably afforable.
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