1/12 Honda RC211V 2003 Valencia

The stunning retro paint job on Rossi's RC211V in the Valencia Grand Prix was the result of a contest held by a Spanish magazine, whose readers competed to design a new paint scheme for Rossi's bike; Rossi himself took part in the judging of the winner, and this flamboyant design was introduced at Valencia. Not only the paint job was changed, however; Honda redesigned the RC211V with a triple-exit exhaust layout with silencers removed. Tamiya's kit reproduces this bike (Rossi's last ride on the Honda, as he switched to ride for Yamaha after Valencia) to perfection, with working suspension, detachable cowling (attached with precision screws; a screwdriver is included with the kit), and a metal clutch cover. Rossi rode this machine to an easy win -- Tamiya's kit is definitely worthy of first place!