I didn't realize these sets used the new greys! I always took Bricklink at its word that these were released in 2003, but props to you for actually getting to the bottom of it! I always learn something new when I watch one of your videos. 😊

Something about this set speaks to me, which is funny because I owned this set in my childhood and didn't think much of the name back then... Long after taking apart this set, I would periodically come across it's stickered and printed pieces in bins and forgot they went to this racer. Some cool designs all around. But my grip is the use of the antenna bar element inside a modified plate with hole on each side; I had a bad history of bar elements getting stuck from time to time, needing brute force (and dentistry) to pry them apart. There's a Dino Attack buggy set that reminds me of this as well with a lightsaber blade bar piece. While sturdy and technically a legal connection, I would opt for something less rigid like a plate with horizontal clip on the end, or a looser bar varying on the age of the pieces.

I remember a similar thing occurred with the final wave of ninjago... well the what was planned final wave in 2013. The sets released in November of 2012, same time the show was airing. But everything lists them as 2013 sets. Same thing happened wit the rebooted wave with the first wave coming out in 2013 November but listed as 2014. I think its similar to what Bandai America would do for power ranger where the new products would release in November to cash in on any holiday hype but they would be mainly for the next year.