Coming from 3DRC are these handy diff oil reminder plates for the Team Associated B6 platform. Ideal for drivers that lost their latest setup sheet the plates help to indicate the currently used diff oil viscosity as they are simply attached to the rear camber mount brace using the existing screws. The set includes ten plates for 1,000 to 10,000 fluids and it is available through 3DRC’s Shapeways store.
Source: 3DRC [shapeways.com]
Serpent have announced the signing of Felix Law to their Asian team. One of the friendliest and loudest in the pits, Felix, also known as “More Powa” will be driving both on-road and off-road classes throughout Asia. With the knowledge of multi-platform racing Felix will also support all Serpent customers and stage some race clinics too. Felix has the following to say about the deal:
After a long thinkover, I have finally decided to join Team Serpent for upcoming seasons and start this exciting adventure. I have to thank Serpent and Mr. Lau for giving me the chance to work with Team Serpent to expand all of their upcoming projects and ideas. For anyone out there, feel free I contact me on Facebook if you have any question, I will do my best to help.
Source: Serpent [serpent.com]
Coming through JConcepts’s Shapeways store is the laydown gear shield for the Team Associated B6. The part is a protection device that adds some protection to the spur gear while also shielding the body from unwanted scratches and rubs associated with normal driving use and wear and tear during a typical race outing. The 3D printed part slides directly on the Team Associated transmission case and aligns with the stock geometry. The motor plate installs just over the gear shield and is positioned as normal. The gear shield is protection for the spur gear itself but also protects the low-profile body designs such as the stock Team Associated body and JConcepts S2 body.
Coming from Shepherd and made for the Velox F1 formula car is a 1-piece aluminium servo mount. Designed to give optional chassis flex characteristics the part replaces the standard centre post and it also acts as a floating mount, improving the car’s balance or as a chassis brace, increasing overall stiffness on high-grip tracks. Successfully used by Germany’s Tim Benson at the recent ETS season opener in the Czech Republic, the CNC-machined part is made from high-quality 7075-T6 aluminium and is available in blue or black anodising.
View the black anodised part here
JConcept’s Strike 2 bodyshell is now also available for the Team Associated RC8B3e 1/8th E-buggy. The body samples elements from its famous relatives, the Finnisher and Silencer bodies, but packs a slightly refined image with the base enhancements to the design come from the added “finger” channelling on the front-pod, increasing mid-corner steering while a complete wicker section was added on the rear-pod to further plant the rear of the vehicle. The offset of the race-proven shell provides a compact fit for battery, motor and wiring assembly while on the battery side, the body has an added scoop which can be trimmed to release some hot air from the body. In addition, many pre-determined trim-lines have been added to allow extra flow behind the cab and also ream-able holes directly on the front of the side-pods to allow air straight into the body. The heavy channelling on the front windshield and upper cab keeps the Strike 2 aligned at high-speed while the side-pods have multiple hard-edge angles that spill off neatly into 90 degree side-panels. Just behind the cab, a large stabilizing fin and a sleek up-rising flows from the body like running water. The clear body set includes window templates and a decal sheet.
Following their departure from long-term sponsors Mugen and Modelix Racing, Bryan and Oscar Baldo have announced TLR and Horizon Hobby as their new home. The two Spanish 1/8th buggy specialists will use TLR’s 8ight buggies in their campaign and they have the following to say about the move:
We are very excited to collaborate with Horizon Hobby and we want to thank everyone who made it possible, Jerome Sartel, Kevin Gahan and Todd Hodge, besides the own company for this opportunity. After 8 years with minor changes in our brands, we face this new challenge very excited and looking forward to start the season to start racing with this great team.
Following first rumours French Tamiya distributors T2M have now officially announced the release of the 2017 Bigwig for January 2017. The 1/10th 4WD buggy was originally released back in 1986 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tamiya’s radio controlled car section and it will soon make a return to the store shelves, collector’s cabinets and racing tracks. As usual with Tamiya’s re-releases the kit will be a near 100 percent replica of the original model with the 2017 featuring some improvements and changes such as a GT-Tuned 25T brushed motor as well as slight moulding changes to the speed controller and battery compartment to better suit today’s electronic speed controllers and battery packs. Also included will be a new decal sheet with slight updates to the original sponsor logos. Full information along with images of the actual kit should become available shortly.
Source: Tamiya Blog [tamiyablog.com]
The latest addition to Tamiya’s M-chassis range is the M-05-based Mazda2 Demio. Resembling Japan’s car of the year 2014/15 the kit utilises a front-driven M-05 chassis and it includes the highly detailed 4th generation Mazda2 Demio bodyshell. A comprehensive decal sheet including grille, head and tail lights as well as window details is also included as are replica wheels and high-grip treated tyres. The kit will become available in Spring 2017.
Source: Tamiya [tamiya.com]
