Kids' Formula 1 Racing Starter Set

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Formula 1 Grid Start set is true to its name - it's a great start to something bigger. The first experience with the set is its nice packaging. The box is recyclable cardboard with and easy open back panel. No knives or scissors required and a wonderful reprise from blister packaging. The set assembles very easily and rapidly as well. Nothing crazy to do or anything hard to follow. The set is supposed to serve as a launcher for the included F1 race cars, and it does that job very well. It works as designed and the cars rocket out of the launcher and down the track. However, this is where the problem with the set comes in. The launcher fires the cars with much more force than there is track in the package. The cars rocket down the track into the end stops and then fly off the track. This is also the only thing this set does - there is no alternate play mode or configuration. You place the cars and you launch them. As an individual item the set feels like it comes up short. Perhaps if it included more track or another way to configure things it would be more useful on its own. As it stands, it really requires you to have more track on hand to extend the raceway and make it more of a complete experience. The set does come with connectors to connect to other Hot Wheels sets, making this easy to do so long as you have the parts. In the end the set works as advertised and does its job well, but it needs additional pieces to truly shine.