Pro-Line are teasing the upcoming release of three new 1/8th scale buggy shells. The Axis line of buggy bodies has to this point only been available for 1/10th scale but that style will be crossing over to its bigger brother with Pro-Line set to release the new shell initially for the Mugen MBX8, TLR 8ight-X and Associated RC8B3.2. More information as we receive it.
View the TLR & Associated versions here
JConcepts has rolled out a sweet looking replacement motor plate for the Axial SMT10, AX10, SCX10 and Wraith vehicles, or similar models equipped with the AXI30491 motor plate. With the evolution of racetracks, high flying jumps are becoming the normal obstacle and it is inevitable that a driver will have a miscue and challenge the durability of the vehicle. Looking at the typical construction of the second operation processes on standard motor plates, it easy to see why bending is sometimes an issue. The design team at JConcepts has incorporated a honeycomb milling affect with placement more suited to surrounding geometry making the plate lightweight and very rigid in multiple directions. The honeycomb features add a 3D look featuring the natural aluminium while the rest is black anodised. Slight chamfering on the 3mm thickness material allows the rather beefy plate to look slim and trim.
Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]
A great upgrade for the Mini-T 2.0 from Losi is this soon to be released aluminium servo horn. With the servo horn transferring all the torque from the servo to the steering bell cranks, what better way to improve precision and durability in this area than by replacing your stock plastic servo saver with this beefy alloy servo horn.
Source: Losi [losi.com]
The latest SWorkz optional hex-cell shock bladders are designed especially for the BBS 2-way system shock caps. The hex-cell bladders will make your shocks work better and gives a smoother ride in bumpy and rough track conditions. They are available in 2 different compounds, soft or medium, and will keep your shocks responding and rebounding better.
The Losi Mini-T 2.0 is getting the MIP treatment as the US company releases a new range of upgrade parts for the 1/18th scale truck. First up is the MIP shiny CVD kit, made from high quality steel, they are built to last so you can make those crazy jumps and drive on those rough terrains with confidence knowing they will keep your car running. Next up is the race topshaft & idler gear set, designed to reduce the rotational mass of your car by 65% leading to quicker acceleration and better braking. Finally the slipper clutch kit includes high friction slipper pads for fine adjustment.
New for the Associated B6.2 comes this steel front bulkhead from JConcepts. A weighty item that is routinely punished is the front-bulkhead on the B6 line of vehicles. While brass material produces a lot of weight it tends to be a little soft as racers bump and grind pipes, jumps and obstacles during a normal outing. With encouragement from Paul Wynn, JConcepts has designed the all-steel front bulkhead to help maintain weight but also significantly improve durability. The steel design helps outlast the brass counterparts and packs the same reversible design for either 25 or 30 degrees of kick-up. The bulkhead has a marked weight (28 grams) and includes the 4 standard countersunk screw pockets and 3mm setscrew offering to pin the hinge pins into place.
Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]
Last weekend the EOCD club of Dielsdorf hosted Rd3 of the Swiss Nationals in 1/10th Offroad Buggy. The nicely prepared dirt-track demanded everything from the drivers in terms of setup. In the 2WD class it was Florian Schmid (Xray) that took the top spot ahead of Kay Frehner (Associated) in 2nd however in the mains the positions were reversed as Kay could get out in front and withstand the pressure of brothers Florian and Nico Schmid to take the overall win. In the 4wd class Kay Frehner (Associated) would secure pole position ahead of Florian Schmid (Xray) and could convert his TQ into a win by easily taking the first two mains. Fabian Widmer (Associated) would come through to win the final A-main to secure the runner up spot while Florian Schmid would have to settle for 3rd. In the Truck class, top qualifier Stefan Sidler (Associated) won the race to secure the Swiss title.
Last weekend saw the JConcepts Turf Nationals held at RC Madness in Enfield, Connecticut. Held on their very nicely presented astro turf track, the event attracted a quality field. Qualifying saw TLR/JConcepts driver Dakotah Phend take the top spot in both mod 4wd and 2wd, with the Team Associated pairing of Alex Kosciuszek and Dustin Evans completing the top 3 of the grid in 2wd, while in 4wd it was Alex K and TLR driver Aaaron Kothman. In the most popular class 17.5 2wd, Andrew Bishop came out on top from John Cravotta and Kaiden Voss, and in 13.5 4wd it was again Bishop on top, this time with Mike Rowley completing qualifying in 2nd and John Cravotta in 3rd. With the mod classes getting triple mains, Dakotah Phend was unchallenged and could take the overall win early with victories in both classes in the first 2 mains. In 2wd it was Alex K that took the runner up spot with Aaron Kothman completing the podium in 3rd, while in 2wd Kothman could go one better and get 2nd place behind his TLR team mate, with Dustin Evans in 3rd. The 17.5 2wd class was a single main that was won from 4th on the grid by Robert Smith, ahead of 9th placed starter Tom Bishop and 8th placed starter Aaron Rowley in 2nd and 3rd respectively as the top 3 starters ended the race in the final 3 positions. 4wd 13.5 was better for pole man Andrew Bishop as he won from Mike Rowley, with Brandon Campbell a man on the move to come from 6th to take 3rd at the flag.
