Coming from Capricorn and made for the LAB P12 1/12th scale pan car is the X-hard carbon fibre main chassis. The bottom plate features smaller cutouts and a different shape which results in increased torsional flex compared to the standard chassis and thus improved handling characteristics and higher corner speeds on high to very high bite surfaces.
Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]
JConcepts have introduced the new 1984 Ford F-250 MT body shell for 1/10th solid axle monster trucks. Considered to be the last of the “classic” Ford trucks, the 1984 model screams 80’s style and features a Ford oval placed in the center of the grille. The square body trucks from this generation are just plain mean and with the single cab design, long bed and flat body panels, tradition was an important part to the JConcepts design team. The Ford bloodline runs deep with the hard body lines running horizontally top and bottom which helps to create a rigid panel. The front windshield is large and in charge and offers the scale driver a clear view of the road ahead. The JConcepts manufactured body measures 7.25”/184mm width and built for a 13”/330mm wheelbase truck. The body is carved with traditional rectangle arched wheel wells but can be trimmed larger for jumbo tires such as the Renegades and Firestorms, found on the typical RC monster truck. The set includes a clear body shell, paint mask for all windows and detailed Ford and JConcepts logo decal sheet.
Round 5 of the South Swedish Indoor Cup was held at the Vislanda track this weekend. In the Touring Modified class it was Xray’s Markus Hellquist who lead the proceedings and after coming out fastest after the practice rounds he would also take the overall TQ and thus pole position for the triple mains. With wins in A1 and A2 Markus would seal the day’s win with one leg to spare, taking the day’s win from Team Associated’s Daniel Carlsson on the runner-up spot and 3rd placed Erik Ström (Xray).
Image: Markus Hellquist
Akio Sobue has claimed the biggest win of his career with one of the smallest margins possible, the Infinity driver winning A3 by 0.003 of a second from Alexander Hagberg to be crowned champion of the 16th running of the TITC. With a win a piece, it was Sobue and Hagberg along with Marc Rheinard who went into the final race with a chance of the title after reigning champion Bruno Coelho crashed out of title contention in A2. Hagberg needed the win, Sobue having the advantage of the faster winning time. Starting second behind his Xray team-mate Coelho, the Top Qualifier quickly opened the door to put Hagberg where he needed to be. With Naoto Matsukura and Coelho clashing at the next corner, Sobue and Rheinard made up the Top 3, the stage set for the 3-way showdown. After an initial challenge on Hagberg, Sobue dropped back with Hagberg looking like Xray would retain the title but over the final 3-laps the race came alive again as the Japanese driver reeled in the leader. On the last run through the sweeper, Sobue went for a pass getting out of shape in the process before attempting a pass on the inside of the Swede and there was contact, both cars spinning out. With Hagberg resuming in the lead, with a bigger gap than before the contact, it looked as the race was decided with three turns to go but Sobue wasn’t conceding that easily and launching his car at the finish line he managed the perfect line to snatch a win that left everyone in amazement. Behind Meen Vejrak crossed the line third securing the Bangkok driver the final step on the podium ahead of Marc Rheinard.
Continue reading this report here or view our complete event coverage here.
The 2018 Batam Challenge was held this past weekend at the Banana RC track in Batam, Indonesia. The track is accessible from Singapore by ferry in only 40 minutes and it is host for the 2018 FEMCA event in April. A total of 34 drivers from Singapore, Jakarta, Bandung, Banjarmasin, Pontianak as well as local drivers attended the event and after four rounds of 10-minutes qualifying it was Xray’s Jason Nugroho with the overall TQ. Jason then also went on to win the 45-minute main final from HB Racing’s Stanley Wangsanegara 2nd and Kyosho’s John Agus 3rd.
Coming from Xray and made for the XB8 series of 1/8th buggies are new long travel shock shafts. The front 58.5mm and rear 67.5mm shaft are 2mm longer than the standard kit parts for increased suspension droop which can be beneficial in a range of track conditions. The piston rods are available as separate pairs for the front or the rear of the buggy, they are made of high-tensile steel material and are hand-ground for a super-smooth finish.
View the rear shock shafts here
Novarossi have introduced two new conical manifolds for .12 nitro on-road engines that help to fine-tune the engine’s performance for different track layouts. The long 41613-L manifold offers increased acceleration for shorter, more technical tracks while the short 41613-S manifold raises the top speed for fast and flowing circuits. Both however are meant to improve mileage for better fuel economy and they are available now.
Coming from Helix Designs is the new HD body cutout kit for 1/10th touring cars. The easy to use tool helps to accurately mark wheel wells and lower cut lines to prevent body rub and self induced body tucks. Included are two self-centring 65mm wheel disks, that are simply slid under the wheels, to create a perfectly sized wheel well and a cube with four different ride height settings from 10mm to 13mm for the lower body line. Also part of the package is a fine tip marker to fit the ride height cube.
