What models are best for non-customized racing?
Just to address "I have x, which is supposed to be fast but it's not even as fast as my y"...manufacturing quality on mass produced cars that cost $1, the same price as 40 years ago, aren't always that great. Expect wide variances in performance between identical cars. Just saying in case anyone is wondering. Known fast cars are faster than others on average, but not always.
As always, rolling efficiency (or lack of rolling resistance) at all four corners is king. No matter what the castings may be...if you rip open 2 cars, the car with the least amount of rolling resistance is probably going to win. After all, any die cast car will only roll as fast as it's slowest wheel will allow. That said, most cars will not perform to their potential when they're new. Some cars will improve significantly once they're 'broken-in'. But the main reason certain castings develop a winning reputation(like the cars we racers pursue relentlessly) lies within their general configuration(wheelbase, track width, wheel size) along with their specific balance dynamic (how the mass is proportioned on the car itself). Assuming that the car has maximum rolling efficiency, these secondary factors are what really define a competitive car.
Has anyone raced the Aquaman or Man of Steel Character Cars??? I feel like these will be quite fast. I am going to try out Aquaman at the Hot Wheels Convention in a couple weeks.