March 26, 2014

SkyRC infrared thermometer

SkyRC infrared thermometer

The SkyRC infrared thermometer helps to measure the temperature of nitro and gas engines, electric motors, speed controllers, battery packs and many more. The handy device offers 3-button operation and features a large, back-lit LCD screen to display temperatures from -40°C up to 380°C as well as the respective °F range. Offering four modes including a quick and scan mode the thermometer also stores the highest and lowest temperature and it is housed in a sturdy and ergonomically shaped plastic case.

Source: SkyRC [skyrc.com]


March 26, 2014

Roger Seim wins 4WD at PNW Showdown Series

Roger Seim wins 4WD at PNW Showdown Series

The 2013/14 Pacific North-West Showdown Series hosted their final round this past weekend at 4-Seasons R/C Raceway in Olympia, WA. This 5 race series would hit the best indoor off-road tracks that the North-West has to offer in the past five months. Three races would be held in Washington and two races in Oregon. Each driver’s four best finishes out of the five races would count towards the overall championship. Kyosho/Team Orion driver Roger Seim would go into Olympia and finish off the series with a great result to lock up the overall 4WD Modified Buggy championship. Finishing 2nd overall for the series was Kyosho/Peak’s Tanner Day while Kyosho/Team Orion’s Thomas Tran who would complete the Kyosho ZX-5 SP podium sweep in 3rd.

Thanks to Joe Pillars for the report.


March 26, 2014

T.O.P. Sabre S4 soft carbon fibre upper deck

T.O.P. Sabre S4 soft carbon fibre upper deck

Successfully tested during the 2014 TITC race and available now is T.O.P. Racing’s soft carbon fibre upper deck for the Sabre S4 touring car. The optional top deck makes for an overall softer chassis setup and is helpful especially in high speed and high traction conditions.

Source: T.O.P. [top-racing.jp]


March 26, 2014

Vision Racing SCTE ball-raced drag links

Vision Racing SCTE ball-raced drag links

Vision Racing now have ball-raced drag links for the TLR Ten-SCTE available. Made from 2.5mm quasi-isotropic carbon fibre the two separate length links are used to adjust the Ackermann angle of the front tyres in order to fine tune steering characteristics. All necessary mounting hardware is included and the links can be ordered as a set or separately.

Source: Vision Racing [vision-racing.net]


March 25, 2014

On the Grapevine – Trencin & Scottsdale

On the Grapevine – Trencin & Scottsdale

July of last year I opened my first report from the Euro Touring Series Finale with ‘The greatest R/C venue in the World’, that venue being the Hudy Arena. My first time to visit this track and the Xray factory, which are both part of the one facility, on returning to Slovakia 8-months later for the Euro Offroad Series’ first trip to the Hudy Arena I was still just as impressed by the place. This time round I would be working alongside my good Italian friend Ricky Acciari who would be looking after photography and on the 2 hour drive from Vienna to Trencin there was an air of excitement in the rental car. As it was Ricky’s first visit he was super excited about seeing the place in the flesh but I was even more excited about showing him around as if I actually had in someway had something to do with the creation of the place!! I didn’t but so impressive is the place I was proud our sport could boast such a facility. Asking EOS drivers their thoughts on the place all were nothing but impressed. Although I had taken the Xray factory tour on my previous visit Ricky was a damn good excuse for me to take it again and my appreciation for the work that goes into the production there grew even more as I picked up on things I missed the last time – like that each of the teeth on a XB8 diff crown gear are individually cut in a process that per unit takes 20-minutes!!!

Continue reading On the Grapevine here


March 25, 2014

KO Propo Advantage Capacitor A board

KO Propo Advantage Capacitor A board

KO Propo introduce the Advantage Capacitor A power capacitor board for brushless speed controllers. Designed to improve the speedo’s performance in the second half of the run the board also makes for improved efficiency and controller protection. The capacitor is usable with virtually every 1S and 2S ESC.

Source: KO Propo [kopropo.co.jp]


March 25, 2014

Updated GRP 1/8th GT & Rally tyres

Updated GRP 1/8th GT & Rally tyres

Italian company GRP have a new 1/8th scale GT and Rally tyre available. The tyre mounts on a new yellow colour rim and features an updated profile with increased radius for increased lateral grip while the lower profile improves stability and steering precision. The tyres come in a total of five different compounds ranging from super-soft to medium and also include a special rain tyre.

Source: GRP [grpgandini.it]


March 25, 2014

Mugen MBX-7T 1/8th nitro & electric truggy kits

Mugen MBX-7T 1/8th nitro & electric truggy kits

Following a handful of leaked images Mugen Seiki now have official images of the forthcoming MBX-7T nitro and MBX7-T Eco electric truggy kits available. The follow-up models of the popular MBX6-T line of race trucks build on the World Championship winning MBX-7 and feature a pivot ball front suspension while the rear design sports conventional hubs. The kits come with aluminium suspension mounts with composite inserts to adjust the kick-up, anti-squat and toe angles and a 3mm hard-anodised aluminium chassis builds a tough base for the lightened drivetrain with machined gears. The radio tray and receiver boxes received a make-over compared to the MBX-6T with the MBX-7T now featuring a new radio tray with front mounted receiver battery. The electric-powered MBX-7T Eco comes with a class-standard front battery mount while the motor and speed controller are located behind the centre differential. Other parts included in the kits are heavy duty aluminium shock towers, aluminium big bore shock absorbers and newly designed low-profile cab forward bodyshells. Both kits are set for a release in May.

Click here to view more photos