AER (Advanced Engine Research) produced an engine light enough to make the weight limit, tough enough to last the full 24 hours and fast enough to take on the world's best sports car prototypes. The MG Power 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged, intercooled engine codenamed XP-20, which generates over 450 bhp and a top speed of around 215 mph.

The car had its public launch on 26/4/01. Two EX257s were entered into the LMP675 class (Le Mans Prototype with a minimum weight of 675kg) at the Le Mans twenty four hour race in June 2001. Chamberlain Motorsport managed the two-car team with six all-British drivers; Mark Blundell, Julian Bailey, Kevin McGarrity (car 33), Anthony Reid, Warren Hughes and Jonny Kane (car 34).

MGs return to the 24 Heures du Mans race, 36 years since MG last competed at this historic event, impressed on its first outing. Having qualified 1st and 2nd in the LMP675 class, the No 33 MG Lola reached 3rd overall within two hours of the start, and established the fastest wet weather lap, with a blistering 3rd fastest time overall.

Car 34 lapped well, before stopping after 41/2 hours with low oil pressure having completed 30 laps.

The thirteenth hour was unlucky for surviving Car 33. It had been going so well at one time Mark Blundell had been the fastest driver on the track, leading the LMP 675 class and running 8th overall. There were a number of incidents during the first twelve hours but with Kevin McGarrity at the wheel more trouble struck.

The team battled to tackle an oil leak and took on a full rear end rebuild, tracing the leak to a pipe, but almost as soon as McGarrity returned to the track (standing 26th overall after a long time sidelined) he reported high temperatures and had to return to the pits after completing a total of 92 laps. The official retirement declared that the engine had been too stressed from the oil loss.

What can I say about this model from Scalextric. Our track is not available so I am unable to road test at present but reviews by those who have suggest it is one of Scalextrics best ever. It is the first modern car we have and it certainly looks a lot more advanced than anything else we have. The car appears to be a perfect model although on first looking one or two things are a little wrong. I think these are due to the design limitations rather than a failing of the makers. Minor changes have had to be made at the back to fit the motor in.

The cockpit area is a separate unit with correct coloured drivers fitted and coloured buttons on the steering wheel. While it is understandable that sponsors logos have not been put on the overalls I would have liked to have seen some attempt to detail the helmets, as Bailley's colours were shown on the preproduction pictures.

There is a little wiring detail in the passengers space, on the MG this has been picked out in white but left plain on other Lola models. The back wall on the passenger space has been moved slightly forward to allow the fitting of the motor.

Minor criticisms I would have liked fixed are. the dashboard top which was all red like the windscreen, the red arrow to the tow hook at the front has been included on the Knighthawk so there is no reason why it couldn't have been put on the MG and on pictures of the actual cars the twin headlamps are very obvious, an effect that is lost with the fitting of working LED units for true 24 hour racing.

I was surprised that Scalextric didn't make the No. 34 car as it seems a would take little effort to do so and would allow collectors to display both standard and Sport models together as the Works team.

I have now obtained a standard version of this car and with the help of Bruce Patterson of Patto's Place who modified one of his decal sheets especially for me I have now created this car. The decals were designed for Bruce's vacumn formed MG Lola body and are not quite the same size as Scalextrics tampos but with a little cutting they fit and look right. The decals do not include the driver names so I have left car 33's on. The writing is very small and not easy to read so the error will not easily be noticed. Besides adding the numbers I have painted the windscreen bright green and fitted the tow hook into the front grill.

Decals are provided to stick on the vacumn body for the headlamps. With a little cutting I have fitted them inside the body which I think is a great improvement to the front view.

The driver figures have been tidied up with the MG logo added to the front of thier jackets, although this is mostly hidden by the seat belts. Other sponsers patches have been added and the helmets painted to represent Warren Hughes and Mark Brundell.