German Sanwa distributors LRP have introduced the new ERS-963 high-torque digital servo. With a torque of 20.3kg-cm at a standard 6.0V input the servo is ideal for all 1/8th scale applications such as buggies, truggies and monster trucks. It features an aluminium middle heatsink case, a coreless motor, strong metal gears and its IPX4 makes it ideal even for demanding racing conditions.
View the specifications and features here
Tamiya is currently working on a new club-level touring car platform, the TA07 Pro. A first rendering shows what appears to be a belt-driven 4WD car with an exoskeleton that makes up the upper deck. The front and rear shock towers are composite plastic parts to which standard length shock absorbers attach. Other features visible include a floating servo mount, a composite motor/sensor port cover and a possible quick release battery mount. More information and images should become available in time for the forthcoming Shizuoka Hobby Show in mid-May where is TA07 Pro is believed to make a first public appearance.
Source: RC Monkey [rcmonkey.jp]
New from Exotek and made for the HPI Racing RS4 Sport 3 club level racer are front and rear carbon fibre shock towers. Available separately the parts are cut from 3mm high-quality carbon material, they match the stock suspension geometry and improve suspension efficiency due to being much stiffer than the standard towers. Included with the shock towers, that use the stock hardware and shock ball ends, come M3 locknuts for the shock balls.
Round one of the French 200mm Nitro Touring Championships was held at the AMCC track. Capricorn’s Quentin Leroux took the TQ after the qualifiers and he would continue to be on top of things in the main final as he took the day’s win from Nicolas Bougnoteau (Mugen) and Thomas Guillon (Capricorn) in second and third respectively. Basile Concialdi (Shepherd) and on-road newcomer Ahmed Kerfati (KM) would round out the top 5 result.
Alessio Mazzeo got his GT season off to a perfect start, TQing and winning the first round of Italian GT8 Nationals on the Cassino track. Alessio’s team mate Michele Baruzzi finished second behind Alessio while Riccardo Scanziani rounded out the podium.
Source: PepeGroup [pepegroup.net]
VBC Racing have introduced the latest evolution of the Lightning 12 pan car platform, the 12M. The “M” stands for “Middle” and was the main driving force behind the car’s design that features a transverse battery configuration, adjustable floating servo mount, and an adjustable steering bell crank system. In addition to these features the car also sports a newly designed lightweight aluminium rear bulkhead and axle assembly, multiple side spring positions, and a highly tuneable front end. All plastic parts are made from VBC ultra-strong V2 composite while the alloy parts are machined from black anodised 7075 aluminium. New features also include an adjustable front chassis brace, direct or bellcrank steering setup, new rear axle mount with ride height spacers, as well as a rear axle brace that also acts as a dust cover for the ball bearings.
View the features and more images here
Following the respective modified variants Team Corally have now introduced the Dynospeed 3.0 Spec racing brushless motors. They utilise a machined T6 aluminium can with airflow openings, high-purity copper windings, heavy-duty solder tabs and sintered neodymium magnets. An improved stator design makes for high efficiency and the motors also sport dual sensor ports, adjustable timing and they comply with IFMAR, EFRA, BRCA and ROAR rules. The Spec motors are available in the four stock specific variants of 10.5T, 13.5T, 17.5T and 21.5T.
View the features and another photo here
Round one of the Portuguese On-road Nationals was held at the Coimbra track in rainy weather conditions. After a rained out qualification the weather seemed to turn to the better around lunch break and come the start of the main final the weather situation was open and unclear if it would start to rain again or not. Carlos Manual, who had some mixed qualifiers, opted to go for rain tyres shortly before the start and at the tone he just waited for the other drivers to take off to see how his car would behave. To his surprise his Xray was very drivable and after gaining confidence he managed to make up the lost time and by lap 8 he was in front of the pack and from there he was able to control the gap and to bring home the win from Franco Vilarinho (Mugen) in second and Tiago Afonso (KM) in third.
