September 29, 2023

Xray X4 ’24

Xray has just presented its latest 1:10 Electric Touring Car, the X4’24.  With factory drivers Bruno Coelho and Alexander Hagberg officially debuting the new car at the Monaco RC Race Of Champions at Luca in Italy this weekend, the kit features new suspension arms with relocated shock positions improve lower arm flex and reduce twist under load.  Inner shock locations improve weight distribution with the shocks closer to the vehicle midline.  Lower arms use under arm anti-roll bar mounting and reduce shock height by 4.5mm for ultra-low CG while the upper arms are shaped for clearance around the new shock position while maintaining proper suspension geometry and rigidity.  The front and rear shock holders use shims to adjust shock positions in finer increments with 3 different shock holder mounting options provide chassis flex alternatives to tune responsiveness and grip while active or fixed rear shock holder configurations provide two dampening alternatives in one mount.  A simplified shock absorber installation uses a fixed set screw to secure the threaded shock mount stud and prevent movement in the mount during maintenance.  The car gets front steering plates with improved Ackermann positions integrate with the new arms and shock positions.  Rear ARS plates move the link forward for improved rotation.  An improved ECS drive shaft case uses a C-clip to secure a new aluminium sleeve that captures the coupler pins without the use of set screws for improved reliability and easy assembly.  A narrower chassis design reduces cornering drag, while additional material in the central motor area improves durability and reduces chassis fatigue.  Updated chassis layout matches the new lower arms, shock holders and motor mount attachment points, while also moving the battery holder mounting points closer to the centreline to reduce chassis width 3mm centering pins and an additional forward motor mount attachment point improve durability and expand flex adjustments to provide improved stability on high grip black carpet tracks.  Additional motor mount clearance for ESC wiring allows cleaner electronics installation.  Bulkhead anti-roll bar locations are moved lower, along with a new ARS link position on the rear bulkheads, to match the improved suspension geometry.  Rear graphite body post holder improves durability and stability, and offers 8 adjustment steps for even more precise horizontal body mount positioning.

View the full X4’24 presentation here


September 29, 2023

Axon 351mm Precision Drive Belt

New from Japanese electric touring car chassis manufacturer Axon is this 351mm Precision Drive Belt.  Not only for use on their own TC10 but also across a variety of other car brands due to the belts standard 1:10 Electric Touring Car belt size, it is designed to reduce drive friction while improving durability.

Source: Axon [team-axon.com]


September 28, 2023

Baruffolo joins WIRC (formerly WRC)

As was widely mooted following his departure from Tekno last week, it has been officially announced that Marco Baruffolo has joined with WIRC, the new name of Italian manufacturer WRC Racing.   The Italian will get straight down to business when he makes his race debut with the team this weekend at Buggyland in Spain where he will face a strong international field.  A major signing for WIRC, who just 10-months ago shocked many with their signing of high profile US racer Ryan Cavalieri, reacting to the announcement Baruffolo posted on his social media, ‘Super excited to join WIRC Professional RC cars.  Thanks to Franco Ghiotto for this amazing opportunity, I will do my best.
See you at Buggyland in a few hours.’

Source: WRC Racing [wrc-racing.com]


September 28, 2023

Blitz TCN-S 1:10 Touring Car Body

Blitz has released a new 1:10 Touring Car body shell, the TCN-S.  Based on the Blitz TCN, the TCN-S future an overall smaller size and improved details for better steering response, corner speed and reduced overall down force.  The first TCN was designed to work on the low traction track or car with modified power with the new TCN-S focused on improving the handling on the high traction tracks with open boost power and stock 13.5T class.  Compared to the TCN, the TCN-S has better low speed steering and corner speed with the high speed stability on par with the TCN.  The TCN-S standard is made from 0.7mm high quality clear polycarbonate with the light weight version 0.5mm.  Each body comes with pre cut window mask, decal and wing screws.

BView more images here


September 28, 2023

Team Powers XPS Sport V4BT & XPS Pro V4B ESCs

Team Powers has announced the upcoming release of two new speedo controllers, the XPS Sport V4BT & the XPS Pro V4B.  Based on the previous XPS V3 Series, the improvements offered by the V4 include built-in Bluetooth device for advanced programming and firmware update through the Mobile APPS which will be available on both IOS and Android.  Real Time Data Analysis through Mobile APPS reads current Input &  Output Throttle, Temperature, RPM, Adv. Timing, Voltage and min. voltage, Max Temperature, RPM & Adv. Timing.  Housed in a light weight plastic casing with a built-in one touch On/Off switch, the ESC changes to a 32-bit MCU with ultra-smooth, faster response with precise throttle and braking control. It also offers more top end power with the same item function setup.  A new PCB layout and new internal hardware design increase the heat dissipation and should be around 10’C lower than XPS V3 series working on the same condition. You can also change to 30mm fan with fan mount enclosed for better heat dissipating capacity and reliability.

Source: Team Powers [team-powers.com]


September 27, 2023

Willspeed bi-material RF3 rear shock tower

New from Willspeed is this new bi-material rear shock tower for the Willspeed RF3 1:10 Buggy conversion.  The new rear shock tower is made from T6 aluminium with a 3mm carbon inlay creating a strong yet light shock tower.  This new rear tower fits both the Losi and Team Associated WS RF3 conversion kits.

View more images here


September 27, 2023

Serpent SRX8GTE LWB ‘23 1:8 EP

Following the release of the SRX8GTE ‘23 in July, Serpent has now added a long wheel base version kit to its electric 1:8 GT chassis line-up.  On the new SRX8GTE LWB ‘23 model, which shares all the developments seen on the SRX8GTE ‘23,  they have extended the chassis an additional 29mm for use with all true to scale related RC Bodies.  This places the wheel base at 259mm +/- 2.5mm.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]


September 26, 2023

Woods heads Shepherd British Championship 1-2

Team Shepherd claimed a 1-2 in the 2023 British 1:8 Nitro Onroad National Championship headed by Tim Wood, the former champion taking a convincing win over team-mate Karl Dransfield at the season finale over the weekend.  Racing at the Cotswold circuit, where the 6 round championship kicked off back in April, qualifying would see Wood secure his fifth TQ of the campaign before going on to take his fourth win of the season.  Winner of the penultimate round in Adur last month, Dransfield’s second place would at Round 6 would see him finish runner-up in the overall championship.  Having taken over Shepherd Micro Racing earlier this year through his company Zen Racing, David Spashett was on hand to share the championship success in what is now the new home of the long time onroad nitro manufacturer.

Image: Shepherd Micro Racing [Facebook]


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