JConcepts have introduced the Finnisher body design specifically for 1/10th truck racing. The TLR 22-T Finnisher body is a drop fit for the popular vehicle and bears a stunning look with its massive front headlight and grill coverage. Increased windshield angle provides a steady force upfront during mid-flight wind gusts on large jumps. Forward cab placement changes performance / visible bias which helps steering rotation in low traction corners. The side body panels have a strong and chiseled look, including a recessed area in the center that extends forward, ending near the front wheel well. The front hood has been simplified removing unwanted changes in height to neutralize the at-speed handling. The chassis side-guard to body fit has been tightened up by way of a bendable flap. Where applicable, the flap touches off against the side-guard which helps eliminate large empty voids that contribute to mid-flight directional changes.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

Pro-Line are present at the Hoeco stand and have on display their new Bulldog body shells for the Durango DEX210 and DEX410. Used by factory driver Hupo Honigl at the recent Reedy Invitational race, the cab forward design offers racers a stylish and high performance new body option for both cars. Also seen on the Hoeco stand is the Volksmotor that we wrote about last week, a 9 port Novarossi on road .21 engine with a sub 200 euro price.

On the Associated booth Reedy have their all new 1/8th scale BL motor the 1512 Sonic, which comes in 1800kv and 2100kv and it will be available in April. Associated were also showing their just recently announced SC10 4×4 factory team kit with the new battery mount configuration and mounting plate as well as carbon chassis stiffener and other factory team options as standard.

Traxxas gave us a rolling road demo of their awesome XO-1 RTR car with its impressive design, power, 100mph top speed and awesome ground effect aerodynamics, but even more awesome than that is the Traxxas Link system. This system which is installed on your iPhone or iPod touch and plugged into the Traxxas TQi radio system gives real time telemetry from the car which can be replayed back after the run showing speed, temperature, rpm, volts and more. You can also set some cut offs which prevent the car from overheating or the battery voltage going too low which can warn you or shut off. You can also adjust all the trim, end points etc from the touch screen as well as assign a knob on the transmitter to adjust any of those settings on the fly.

Horizon Hobby were showing off their new line up of Losi Mini rally and Mini SCT 1/24th scale brushless cars which now also come with 2.4Ghz transmitters. On the competition side there is the new TLR22T, the 2wd competition truck based on the ROAR Nationals winning TLR22 buggy. There is also a Losi branded 22T RTR which comes supplied with Losi electronics and a Spektrum radio. Staying with the RTRs there is a new XXX SCT 4×4 RTR now available with the version we were shown coming with a pre painted #33 Stephensen replica shell.

Image Gallery

Losi have introduced their updated 1/24th Scale RTR 4WD Short Course Truck and 4WD rally car. With their 8750Kv brushless system, both cars are super fast and you can run it practically anywhere, inside or out. And when running it with friends, you won’t run into interference problems as the newly included Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM radio system offers a bulletproof interference free link.

4wd Rally car features
- Two-in-one brushless ESC/2.4GHz DSM receiver combo unit
- Powerful 8750Kv brushless micro motor
- Adjustable composite coil-over shocks
- Durable, molded composite 4WD chassis
- Shaft-driven transmission gear differential
- Micro all-terrain rally car tyres
- Simple bottom-load battery compartment
- Threaded axles (no E-clips required)
- Euro-style rally wheels
- Micro steering servo
- Side nerf bars for collision protection
- 4.8V 220mAh rechargeable battery pack and charger

4wd Rally car specifications
Length: 163mm (6.42 in)
Width: 94.5mm (3.72 in)
Wheelbase: 99mm (3.9 in)
Weight: 165 g (5.3 oz)
Chassis: Extended composite tub
Suspension: Independent 4-wheel
Radio System: Pistol-style 2.4GHz DSM
Speed Control: Brushed/brushless, LiPo compatible
Battery: 4.8V 220mAh NiMH (included)
Charger: Peak wall charger (included)

Short Course Truck features
- 4.8V 220mAh battery pack and charger
- 2-in-1 brushless ESC/2.4GHz DSM receiver combo unit
- Powerful 8750Kv brushless micro motor
- Adjustable composite , oil-filled, coil-over shocks
- Durable, molded composite chassis
- Shaft-driven transmission gear differential
- Micro all-terrain short course tires
- Simple bottom-load battery compartment
- Threaded axles (no e-clips required)
- Beadlock-style Short Course wheels
- Micro steering servo
- Side nerf bars for collision protection
- Realistic front and rear bumper with skid plates

Short Course Truck specifications

Length: 6.42 in (163mm)
Width: 3.72 in (94.5mm)
Wheelbase: 3.9 in (99mm)
Weight: 5.3 oz (165 g) 
Chassis: Extended composite tub
Suspension: Independent 4-wheel
Radio System: Pistol-style 2.4GHz DSM
Speed Control: Brushed/brushless, LiPo compatible
Battery: 4.8V 220mAh NiMH (included)
Charger: Peak wall charger (included)

Source: Horizon Hobby UK [horizonhobby.co.uk]

Horizon Hobby UK have announced the signing of Stu Wood to their Horizon UK/TLR Race team. He will be concentrating on 1/10th off-road 2wd and 4wd in the UK National Series and the North West Regional Series and lots of testing around the Country. David Spashett said “Stu brings with him a wealth of experience and is a tremendous asset to any team and so we are obviously very pleased and excited that he wanted to be a part of our team and plans.  He is a fierce some competitor but is also able to find the time to help out and support anyone who needs it which is hugely important for us and all TLR/Spektrum owners.” Stu himself had this to say about the deal:

“I would first like to say a very big Thank You to Horizon Hobby and David Spashett for giving me this opportunity. This is something I have wanted for a long time now and I hope my 22 years of experience can help in any way. I am over the moon with all the Horizon products and there was only one Team I wanted to be apart of. I will be using all of the Horizon products so if anyone sees me at any of the tracks around the UK please come and ask any questions you wish. I will be concentrating on 1/10th Off Road 2wd and 4wd in the UK National Series and the North West Regional Series and lots of testing around the Country. All I want to do now is get on the track and put the cars through some laps. I can’t wait for this coming season! Thanks again Horizon Hobby and David for this wonderful opportunity.”

Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.co.uk]

TLR has released a new rear motor brass weight system for the TLR line of 22 vehicles. The new brass weight system allows racers to add a total of 14 grams of weight, in 7 gram increments, to the top of the transmission. It comes with two 16mm button head screws to secure the two 7 gram brass weights plates and the brass plates are laser etched with the weight of the brass weight and the TLR logo. The added weight to the rear of the vehicle provides more forward traction when exiting a turn. TLR has found that less weight is needed when mounted on top of the transmission compared to mounting the weight between the bulkhead and transmission case. The location of the weights also allows for easy access for quick tuning.

Source: TLR [tlracing.com]

Click here to view the embedded video.

TLR have produced this video to introduce us to their latest gas offroad team member, non other than ROAR EP Offroad National Champion Dustin Evans. In the video, which was shot during a test at JerryLand Ranch, Dustin confirms that he will run Team Orion engines and JConcepts tires in his 8ight buggy and will make his competitive debut at next month’s Dirt Nitro Challenge at the Fear Farm in Phoenix.

Source: TLR [tlracing.com]

Losi have introduced their new 1/10 22T 2wd RTR truck. The 22T is ready to run and ready to tear up the track with a 13.5 sensored brushless system. It’s based on the Team Losi Racing 22T Truck Race Kit and comes with a Spektrum DX3E transmitter and SR300 receiver. This truck is equipped with everything you need to race through the neighborhood, bash in your back yard or dominate the track, including an extra high-torque servo that gives the 22T a precise steering response.

Spektrum DX3E and SR300
The 22T RTR comes ready-to-run with a Spektrum DX3E radio system with 2.4GHz DSM technology. Packed with features, the DX3E, paired with the installed SR300 receiver, gives you everything you need to take complete control of the 22T RTR. It’s tough to beat this easy-to-use radio with modern Spektrum styling and interference-free reliability. The DX3E comes with added features, including battery voltage, indicator LEDs and steering dual rates adjustment controls.

Features
- 2.5mm low-centre-of-gravity Aluminium chassis
- Losi® 13.5T sensored brushless motor
- Losi programmable, sensored ESC with LiPo cutoff
- Ultra low resistance, high-power EC3™ connectors
- Spektrum SR300 receiver with 2.4GHz DSM® technology
- 12mm threaded Aluminium, oil-filled, coil-over shocks
- Losi extra high-torque steering servo
- Sealed viscous gear differential
- Adjustable dual-disk slipper clutch
- Full ball bearing equipped
- Gull wing suspension arm design (front)
- Pre-mounted race-compound tyres (BK-Bar)
- Secure battery straps
- 3.5mm heavy-duty turnbuckles
- Innovative steering rack design

Specifications
Length: 15.75 in (400mm)
Width: 12.99 in (330mm)
Wheelbase: 11.3–11.41 in (286–290mm)
Height: 5.63 in (143mm)
Weight: 66.6 oz (1890 g)
Motor: 13.5T sensored brushless motor
Speed Control: Programmable, sensored brushless
Radio: Spektrum DX3E with 2.4GHz DSM technology
Receiver: Spektrum SR300
Shock Type: Aluminium, threaded, oil-filled
Body: Custom decorated, available in two colors (White or Black)
Tyre: BK Bar (front and rear)
Ball Bearings: Complete

Source: Horizon Hobby UK [horizonhobby.co.uk]

More TLR news with Team Losi Racing announcing the signing of Ronda Drake for 2012. Ronda will be racing both nitro and electric for TLR and will also be using Nitrotane fuel. Ronda is very excited to be back with TLR as she was a team driver for them many years ago and had this to say:

I would like to thank Kris Moore and Robbie Collins from Mugen as well as Bobbi Jo Clausen from Byron’s for the great support over the past seven years. I’m really looking forward to being back with TLR and running the same vehicles as my husband. The team of people and products from TLR are amazing See you at the races!

Source: TLR [tlracing.com]

Team Losi Racing have announced the signing of Miguel Matias for the 2012 racing season. Miguel is an 8x Portuguese National Champion, former European Champion and multiple European and World Championship podium finisher. The former JQ Products driver will be racing both nitro and electric for TLR and will also be using the Spektrum DX3R Pro Radio. Miguel will attend local races, as well as major races worldwide, concentrating on the Nitro and Electric Euro’s and the IFMAR 1/8th World Championship in 2012.

Source: TLR [tlracing.com]

MIP have released this line of aftermarket CVDs for the TLR 22 2wd buggy. Made from high quality steel for excellent wear resistance and toughness, they are a direct replacement for the stock drives, and require no modifications to fit them.

Source: MIP [miponline.com]