Serpent Viper 989 40th Anniversary kit

Coming from Serpent is their new Viper 989 40th Anniversary 1/8th nitro on-road kit. The car is issued to celebrate Serpent’s 40th Anniversary and it builds on the proven Viper 989, however it includes many of the parts the team used at the 2019 IFMAR World Championship in California. The base of the car is an ultra-narrow main chassis that offers improved flex characteristics with the main plate being milled down in less load-stressed areas to make it as light as possible while still retaining stiffness in areas needed. The chassis can be loaded with optional balance weights who are attached using a rubber-damped carbon weight bridge that reduces vibrations. On top of this Serpent have incorporated the possibility to add a sliding weight right in the front, also mounted on a carbon bridge. It helps a great deal in avoiding traction rolling and in order to fine-tune the handling of the car.

The mid shaft assembly features a new block which was designed to move the shaft slightly forward in order to use a shorter 210mm belt which will allow to use only a single belt tensioner which in turn makes for less drag and a more efficient drivetrain. The rear arms feature carbon inserts as used by the team at the Worlds with the front arms being the open style arms of the 977 which sport added mounts for the heave brackets. At the worlds the team also preferred a different bumper that offers less steering than the 989 part but provides a more consistent feeling. In case more steering at high speeds is needed, it is possible to use the standard 989 bumper. Another feature of the kit are the Option 2 steering levers. These feature a different Ackermann geometry for a smother, more linear feeling on the steering. Also included are new front shock springs that are of a different spring rate and progressiveness. New for the 40th Anniversary edition is also a 2.5mm thick carbon fibre radio plate that offers a little bit less steering but more consistency under high grip circumstances. The kit is rounded out by a new, additional bracket on top of the servo saver that allows to adjust front chassis flex. The kit will hit the stores this June.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]