Red RC

August 13, 2013

Driving Sponsorship Forward

When I began racing in the late 1990’s, the racing scene was (as you’d expect!) very different from what it is today. One of the biggest differences I’ve seen has been the evolution of supported and sponsored drivers. Back then, I wasn’t aware of any “full time” drivers. There were a number who worked for a manufacturer or distributor, and sponsorship was something that drivers aspired to achieve. Outside of the top echelon of drivers, someone may have been fortunate to get a bit of money off with their local model shop, but that was usually the best you could hope for.

Continue reading Oli’s column here

August 13, 2013

HPI Nitro Start F3.5 V2 pullstart engine

New from HPI Racing comes the Nitro Star F3.5 V2 3.5cc pullstart engine. it features a new crankcase and heatsink design with larger heatsink fins for improved cooling. The new design makes the engine 22g lighter and 4mm taller compared to its predecessor. The updated pullstart utilises a one-way bearing encased in a large 14mm hex for increased durability. The race-legal .21-size engine features a true ABC construction, with a chrome-plated brass piston and cylinder surrounded by the lightweight aluminium case. Included with the engine comes a suitable air cleaner and R5 glow plug.

Click here to view the specifications and another photo

August 13, 2013

Team Magic Black Magic tool line

Team Magic introduce a new tool line called Black Magic. Available are several metric and imperial tool tip variants including Phillips, flathead and hex drivers all of which are made from HSS material for a long life and high precision. The grips are machined from aluminium, come black anodised and with lazer-etched size markings for easy identification while their design allows for easy tool tip changes if needed.

Source: Team Magic [teammagic.com.tw]

August 13, 2013

Tamiya FF-03 Evo FWD chassis kit

Available from end of August is Tamiya’s latest front-wheel drive kit called the FF-03 Evo. The high-end FWD touring car makes use of a gear transmission and features a new 2.5mm carbon main chassis and 2.0mm upper deck. The IFS front damper layout with inboard shock absorbers makes for a low centre of gravity and an optimised weight distribution while the new chassis has the drive battery mounted in-line of the left side with the servo and electronics being located on the opposite side of the chassis. Included with the kit come many option parts such as a heatsink motor plate, rear aluminium bulkhead, blue anodised turnbuckles and TRF shock absorbers.

Source: Tamiya [tamiya.com]

August 13, 2013

JQ THECar 2013 radio plate set

JQ Products introduce their 2013 radio plate set for the THECar 1/8th nitro buggy. Seen for the first time at this year’s European Championships the set offers an optimised weight distribution and includes redesigned battery and receiver boxes for a front or rear mounted receiver battery pack, a new CNC radio tray and on/off switch mounting tab. The parts are available as set or as separate items.

Source: JQ Products [jq-products.com]

August 13, 2013

Team Losi Racing 4WD buggy spotted

It has been rumoured for a long time and now LiveRC shot some exclusive photos of the mysterious ‘next generation’ Team Losi Racing 4WD buggy. Only one day after the ROAR 1/10th off-road nationals at the Silver Dollar Raceway TLR came there for their own version of a pre-worlds testing with what appears to be a XX-4 “2.0”. Looking at the pictures it appears that the designers kept most of the iconic XX-4’s design elements such as the suspension geometry, weight distribution and (3?) belt drivetrain. On some of the photos it looks like the 4WD prototype sports the same front motor/front main gear setup as Team Losi’s first 4WD buggy two decades ago. The now aluminium chassis is designed along the “4’s” outer shape and even the suspension geometry with the somewhat widely spaced shocks and the front ‘reverse’ steering knuckle/hub construction can be found in the new buggy but the suspension and bulkhead parts sport a modern look as known from the current 22 line of buggies and trucks. We do not have any other information on the car that is believed to make a first public appearance at the World in September but we keep you posted.

Click here to view more photos

August 12, 2013

HoBao H4E Pro touring car kit

CML Distribution today released first pictures of HoBao’s forthcoming H4E pro touring car kit. The vehicle is designed for high-end competition use and offers a conventional weight distribution but one or the other unconventional design element such as vertically spilt front and rear bulkheads, tough looking suspension mounts, sturdy steering bellkcranks and a rigid servo mount as well as solid A-arms. The front steering knuckle and hub construction is of a reversed design meaning the steering knuckle is C-shaped with an oval-design hub – pretty similar to the design many 4WD buggy use. Another feature worth mentioning are the short aluminium big bore shock absorbers with large diameter springs, the very narrow carbon fibre chassis design and the self-centring anti-roll bars. We have no information on a release date but we keep you posted.

Click here to view more photos

August 12, 2013

Mugen MBX7 aluminium wing shims

Made for the Mugen MBX7 buggy are these new wings shims made from hardened 7075 aluminium. They are designed to replace the kit’s plastic shims with more durable ones for a more secure and reliable wing fitting. The parts are available as type A and type B variant with the latter allowing the wing to be mounted in a forward or backward position.

Click here to view the other new parts