Set Review ➟ 42103 Dragster
The LEGO Technic line-up for the first half of 2020 contains a total of 3 pull-back motor sets. The first of these is the 42103 Dragster.
Pull-back motors are a great way to create simple but engaging sets, provided the model is interesting enough. This year LEGO has upped its game with the pull back sets. Not only are the models quite a bit more attractive than last year’s.
But instead of proposing a combined alternate set each set comes with a complete B-model. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this review the B-models have not yet been released, but you can see how the dragster can be rebuilt into a hot rod on the back of the box:
Instructions for the alternate model will only be available for download from the website or through the LEGO Life app.
Dragsters are sprinting vehicles with a great power of acceleration. The large wheels at the back, together with the pull back motor provide just that kind of acceleration. With just 225 pieces, the model is a fairly quick build, but still quite entertaining. The stickers that are applied to all the wing panel elements really make the model look like it is ready for the race.
I particularly like the air-intakes at the front of the model:
The dragster has a nicely caged-in cockpit which includes controls.
A special feature of this model is the stabilising bar at the rear. Because of its power of acceleration, the dragster tends to lift its nose. That makes for a spectacular start, but if you want to win a race you will want to keep the nose down. The stabiliser bar at the rear of the vehicle can be positioned to allow the wheely or to make sure the nose of the model stays down.
To make the race more realistic, the set also includes a set of starting lights to count down the beginning of the race.
We now have 2 pull back motor models, so can we play with them together? Well, racing doesn’t make much sense. The larger wheels on the Dragster mean it will always win.
In addition, the finish line that comes with the Race Truck is too low to allow the dragster to pass:
I do like both models very much though and I find it hard to choose between them. The dragster is fast and can do a wheely. The Race truck is a more solid build and you can do target practice with it, trying to get it to pass through the arch from the furthest possible distance.
The dragster in turn is quite a bit longer than the race truck.
In the end, the best option is having both! :D
8650
