In my review of the Minichamps model (https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/2019/06/143-model-review-1999-arrows-a20.html), I dwelt mainly on the negatives. Sure it was slow, yes it was embroiled in a controversy (which by the way, if you don't know anything about t-minus and the so-called Nigerian prince, then I'd suggest you check out the saga https://youtu.be/DQPNfDC0_Vw?feature=shared)
So what about the positives. It scored a point, back in the day when points were only awarded to the six. Admittedly, it was at the first race.
It was based on the beautiful A19, designed originally by John Barnard and Mike Coughlan, but the former star designed had since left and Coughlan and Eghbal Hamidy were tasked to develop the car with minimal funding.
It had in-house built engines, kind of. Tom Walkinshaw had injected funds into Brian Hart's engine company, but an ownership dispute ensued and Hart departed from the project.
Though both drivers were 'pay-drivers', de la Rosa would go on to prove to be a talented racer, and he is also the one responsible for bringing Repsol as a sponsor to the team. This resulted in the first orange Arrows of that short era, the front half of the car decked in Repsol colours.
As mentioned earlier, with investments from a Nigerian prince, the building blocks for a good little team was brought together. But sadly, with the funds not arriving, the departures of Hart and Barnard, meant the team were underfunded and underpowered.
Still, despite being such a slow car, it did beat BAR in the Constructors' Championship.
Around this time, 2 seater cars were kind of a thing, with Arrows building a 2-seateer and also the Arrows AX3 (3-seater car) was based on this A20.
On my side, I really enjoyed working on this car, I think it's quite a nice shape, and the sidepods are quite unique and a different challenge to making other cars.
I hope you enjoy it.
