Spark Models has once again delighted collectors and motorsport enthusiasts alike with their latest announcement of exquisitely detailed 1:18 scale models due for release later this year. This impressive lineup spans decades of racing heritage, from the glamour of Formula One to the gruelling challenges of endurance racing. Let's take a closer look at these miniature masterpieces and the fascinating stories behind the real-life machines they represent.
Le Mans: The Ultimate Test of Man and Machine
The 24 Hours of Le Mans stands as motorsport's greatest endurance challenge, a race where speed must be balanced with reliability and efficiency. Spark's upcoming releases pay homage to several iconic Le Mans competitors across different eras.
The Porsche 935, with its distinctive "slant nose" design and fearsome turbocharged flat-six engine, became a dominant force in late 1970s sports car racing. Spark has captured two significant 935 entries: the JMS Racing car that secured an impressive 3rd place finish in 1977, and the colourful ASA Cachia/Team Pace entry from the following year's race. These models perfectly encapsulate the raw, muscular aesthetic of this legendary Porsche, a machine that helped cement the marque's reputation at Circuit de la Sarthe.
Fast-forward to 1995, and we find perhaps the most remarkable Le Mans story of the modern era. The McLaren F1 GTR, essentially a racing version of what was then the world's fastest road car, achieved an astonishing overall victory against purpose-built prototypes. Spark's attention to detail is evident in their recreation of both the Giroix Racing Team car and the pre-qualifying livery of the Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing entry, which would go on to win the race with drivers Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya, and JJ Lehto. The latter model offers collectors a fascinating glimpse of racing history in the making, showcasing the car before its date with destiny.
Daytona: America's Endurance Classic
Across the Atlantic, the 24 Hours of Daytona represents America's answer to Le Mans, combining the high banks of the famous speedway with a challenging infield road course. Spark's upcoming releases celebrate Dyson Racing's dominance in the late 1990s with their Riley & Scott MKIII Ford.
The team's victories in both 1997 and 1999 showcase American engineering excellence at its finest. The 1997 winning car is particularly notable for its remarkable driver lineup, featuring seven talented wheelmen including team owner Rob Dyson, sports car racing legend Andy Wallace, and the versatile John Paul Jr. These models capture the purposeful, prototype design of these machines, which represented the pinnacle of American sports car racing technology during this period.
Spa: The Ardennes Challenge
The 24 Hours of Spa, held at the magnificent Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, completes our trio of legendary endurance events. Spark's recreation of the BMW 3.0 CSL that triumphed in 1973 is a particular treat for fans of touring car racing.
Affectionately nicknamed the "Batmobile" due to its dramatic aerodynamic appendages, the 3.0 CSL established BMW Motorsport as a serious racing operation. The distinctive white livery with the now-iconic blue and red stripes represents the birth of BMW's racing colours, which continue to adorn their competition machines to this day. This model captures a pivotal moment in motorsport history, when BMW began building the competition pedigree that would lead to countless successes across multiple racing disciplines.
The Glamour of Monaco
No Formula One season is complete without the Monaco Grand Prix, the crown jewel of the calendar that tests drivers' precision and concentration like no other circuit. Spark's upcoming Tyrrell 003, as driven to victory by Sir Jackie Stewart in 1971, represents one of the Scotsman's finest moments.
The distinctive blue Tyrrell, with its period-correct Elf sponsorship, captures the elegant simplicity of early 1970s Formula One machinery. Stewart's masterful drive through the streets of Monte Carlo that year helped cement his reputation as one of the sport's all-time greats, en route to his second World Championship. This model will surely be a centrepiece in any collection of significant Formula One cars.
French Flair
The French Grand Prix holds the distinction of being the oldest Grand Prix event, dating back to 1906. Spark's model of René Arnoux's Renault RS12 from the 1979 race celebrates both French engineering and driving talent.
Arnoux's third-place finish delighted the home crowd and represented Renault's pioneering efforts with turbocharged engines—technology that would revolutionise Formula One in the years to come. The distinctive yellow livery with black accents makes this model a visual standout, while also representing an important technological milestone in Grand Prix history.
Brazilian Brilliance
Completing our Formula One collection is Nelson Piquet's Williams FW11, winner of the 1986 Brazilian Grand Prix. This victory on home soil was particularly sweet for the Brazilian driver, who would go on to secure his third World Championship the following year.
The Williams team was at the height of its technical prowess during this period, with the FW11 featuring innovative aerodynamics and the powerful Honda turbo engine. The distinctive blue, white, and yellow livery, adorned with Canon and Mobil sponsorship, epitomises the colourful aesthetic of 1980s Formula One, a golden era for many enthusiasts.
Directly To Your Door
Each of these upcoming models are now available to pre-order, within guaranteed stock available for all orders placed before the 27th June 2025. After this date, we will be bringing a few pieces in for immediate stock availability. However, as with all Spark releases, once they're sold, it's unlikely they'll return any time soon.
All preorders are available with a 10% discount, no need to sign up or use a voucher code. This means that they're all available for £152.99 (list price, £169.99) and all available with free UK delivery on a Royal Mail Tracked & Signed 24 Hour delivery service.
You can view all upcoming releases, included these pieces here.
