Red RC

September 26, 2014

Zen Racing Zen-RS Gen2.1 conversion kit

After listening to the demands of racers and putting their traditional spin on things UK company Zen Racing have come up with the Zen-RS Gen2.1 chassis conversion for the Team Associated R5. The kit offers the option of inboard side spring locations on the cross braces and the lower pod plate. Having this option reduces the amount of side spring rate change giving a more linear feel. As a result this then allows the driver to use stiffer side springs with more adjustability and a wider tuning window. The Gen2.1 does not allow the use of the Zen bellcrank steering system but instead gives the user the choice between in-line and side LiPo battery placement thanks to two different cross braces. Due to the nature of the chassis layout there is also an option for shock location direct to the chassis or via chassis post and plate, both positions are tried and tested to provide a balanced on-off power driving feel.

Source: Zen Racing [zen-racing.co.uk]

September 26, 2014

HPI Savage XL Octane GTXL-1 bodyshell

HPI Racing have a new bodyshell for the Savage XL Octane gas monster truck available. The GTXL-1 body is tailor-made to fit the long wheelbase Savage XL chassis and its shape gives enough clearance for the large roll cage and cooling head of HPI’s gas-powered Octane truck. The body is moulded from thick 0.040″ polycarbonate, it comes clear and including windows masks and a pre-cut decal sheet.

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September 26, 2014

RDRP Ultra Torque Wrench hex head tools

Revolution Design Racing Products introduce the new Ultra Torque Wrench series. Constructed from Revolution Design Racing Product’s renown black anodised aluminium and high-quality spring steel to make them ultra sturdy and ultra durable the wrenches are available with 2.0mm, 2.5mm and 3.0mm tips. The compact design with a short blade and the butterfly handle allow to apply more torque on a screw during wrenching – ideal for those rotted engine screws or when screwing fasteners into fibre reinforced parts.

Source: RDRP [revolution-rc.com]

September 26, 2014

Kyosho working on updated TF6 touring car

While Tamiya officially announce a new electric touring car kit at this week’s All Japan Hobby Show, competitor Kyosho are currently a bit under the radar with a follow-up model of their ageing TF6 platform. The car on show in Tokyo sports a new shape chassis, updated front and rear bulkheads, a new motor and layshaft mount as well as what appears to be a floating battery mount that prevents the battery pack from affecting chassis torsion during cornering. Like the now-standard floating servo mounts the battery “floats” above the chassis, hanging in a carbon fibre brace that is connected to a sturdy aluminium piece which is mounted on the roll axis of the chassis. Also visible in the image is Kyosho’s idea of a reactive rear suspension that allows to adjust the rear toe-in gain or loss during cornering. We try to get more information on the car in question as we understand that the vehicle will be in use during the forthcoming IFMAR Electric On-road World Championships.

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September 26, 2014

First TRF419 images from All Japan Hobby Show

During this week’s All Japan Hobby Show Tamiya introduce their latest electric touring car contender, the TRF419. With the previous TRF418 said to being a bit “edgy” for many racers, Tamiya focussed on bringing the platform to the next level by tweaking and optimising several areas of the car starting with a redesigned chassis with a new upper deck, newly designed front and rear bulkheads, a new motor mount and new front and rear shock towers. The proven TRF shocks received a make-over as did the gear differential. Other new parts include the steel centre layshaft, the front and rear belts as well as the aluminium suspension mounts. The only part taken over from the 418 are the front and rear suspension parts from what is understood. Full details on all new or updated parts will become available ahead of the release which is expected this Fall/Winter. For now you can find more images over at Kentech Blog.

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September 26, 2014

Bjorn Ivar Haug wins RB Challenge Norway

The 6th and final round of the Norwegian RB Challenge was held at the mustitRC Raceway in changing weather conditions. The largest racing series in Norway gathered a total of 114 drivers over the season with the fight for the top spots being on between Bjorn Ivar Haug (Xray), Daniel Kobbevik (Team Associated), and Oyvind Fast Olsen (Mugen Seiki). Bjorn Ivar Haug had already secured the overall win coming into the final round but the race was still on for the 2nd place between 9 years old Daniel Kobbevik and Oyvind Fast Olsen. Daniel early marked his ambitions as he was the only driver who managed to score 10 laps in the qualifiers which handing him the top qualifier position while Oyvind started from 2nd on the grid. With the changing weather conditions the final would become interesting as none of the drivers had a clue what setup to run.

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September 26, 2014

Radtec T4 aluminium centre steering mount

Coming from Radtec for Xray’s T4 touring car is an aluminium centre steering mount. The brace connects the steering system and the carbon fibre upper deck to adjust the front chassis flex and thus the steering feeling. The part is CNC-machined from 7075-T6 aluminium and comes orange anodised to match the chassis’s other alloy parts.

Source: Radtec [radtec-rc.com]

September 25, 2014

Tessmann claims deserved Worlds TQ

After dominating early qualifying, Ty Tessmann finally got to claim the overall TQ at the 1:8 Offroad World Championships in Sicily. Topping the opening three qualifiers but suffering in rain effected Rounds 4 & 5, the HB driver posted the fourth fastest time in the final qualifier to top the final classification over Ryan Maifield, Lee Martin and Jared Tebo. Having been the only one to challenge Tessmann before rain turned the form on its head, Maifield finally got to put his TLR top of the time sheets taking Q6 by 2.1-seconds over Martin with Elliott Boots third, a result which puts the 2012 Top Qualifier 6th overall. Retiring from the final qualifier with a broken radio receiver, defending champion Robert Batlle will start his title defence from 6th on the grid in his Semi having qualified a lower than expected 11th. Joining him in the same Semi final having just made the cut will be European Champion David Ronnefalk, the Swede having struggled to translate his practice pace into good qualifying runs.

Read the full report here or our complete coverage here.