Serpent have released a line of PTFE coated pivot balls. Made from aerospace super light aluminium they are very smooth and the range of types allows you to replace the steel versions that come as standard on the S120, S100, 733, 966 and others. The different versions include 5.8mm double straight, 5.8mm, 5.8mm long, anti-roll bar ball 3.0mm and uni 4.5mm.
View the other pivot balls here
Serpent are close to release their 1/8th GT car with Billy Easton performing the last few tests with the pre-production Cobra GT. The car is based on the Cobra buggy platform and shares many parts and is aimed at the Japan, USA and Central and South America markets which have seen growth. We can expect more details within the coming week.
Daniele Ielasi has won the “Classic” edition of the Winter Trophy in Lucca, Toscana. It was the first race in Europe for the former World Champion with the Velox V10 for more than one year. With Dario Balestri another international top driver was attending and both worked hard for the victory with a small advantage on Balestri’s side as Lucca is his home track. In qualifying Ielasi was placed second behind Balestri but the fastest laps were nearly on the same level. At the start of the final both pulled away and stayed within 2 seconds for the next 10 minutes. After the second pit stop Balestri was hit by technical problems and the way was free for an easy victory for Ielasi.
Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]
New from Serpent for the S411 is this optional V2 steering rack. It is ballraced like the original, but offers the option to change the Ackermann by placing the right amount of shims below the pivot-balls. The steering rack comes supplied with shims, bearings and ball studs.
Source: Serpent [serpent.com]
Hot Race tires have announced the continuation of cooperation with the Italian driver Mario Spiniello for 2012. The Xray/Max power driver took 3rd place at last years 1/10th 200mm Expert National Championship and in 2012 will participate once more in the national series as well as European championship in Cassino and the World championships in Banghok.
Source: Hot Race tires [hotracerc.com]
After a wet start the organisers took the time to get the track back into top condition for the first round of the Nitro On Road series in Barceloneta. This championship is made up of 6 races and in qualifying it was Xray driver José Martínez that took the TQ honors in the Sedan Class with 14 laps in 5:08. In the main it was Xray driver Juan Rodriguez who took the lead of the 40 minutes main, but with 8 minutes to go Juan started to have tire problems and it was Andy Báez who took the lead and would eventually win the race with his MTX5.
Continue reading the report here
At this year Novarossi Challenge, there a new class called Street Buggy. It’s 1/8th Off-road buggies running on the asphalt with a chicane on the straightaway in order to keep the engine from over working. It was a big hit since 1/8th nitro buggy are the current biggest class in FL. The “body roll” made this class the most entertaining race for the weekend. During the A main event, the race was a great battle between Alfredo Arrieta and Joaquin Desoto Sr. The 2 drivers using Hot Bodies Pink Megabite tires were never more than a few seconds apart the whole race. With the same pit strategy, it all came down to the driver. Alfredo was able to take the win, with Joaquin close behind. The TQ Ricardo Jordao suffered from the wrong tire choice, but he was still able finish the race on the lead lap. All three, running Novarossi powered Serpents, were separated by only 10 seconds after 30 minutes of intense battle.
Source: Hobby Crap [hobbycrap.com]
New for the H-K1, KM have released this 2mm carbon front swing upper deck set. The Set included steel front swing mount, flange bearing and two alumiminum screw spacers and makes it easy to setup the front swing function. Suitable to use with the H-K1 waist twister system it will also work with the side battery version or current bottom battery version. The set helps remove understeer when the front swing function is on. For use with the short wheel base chassis version.
Source: KM [km-rc.com]
