Shepherd have announced a number of small updates for the Velox F1 for the 16/17 winter season. From now on the front lower wishbones will be machined from a stiffer carbon material for a more direct feeling of the car while the geometry of the upper wishbone mount has been updated to ensure freer movement of the wishbones.
Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]
Xray have released a first teaser for their forthcoming X1 2017 Formula kit. No details are available yet but expect photos, information and the successor to the 2015/16 Euro Touring Series winning kit itself to surface shortly.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
Team Associated have announced the release of the TC7.1 Factory Team, the latest in their line of 1:10th scale 4WD electric touring car kits. An evolution of its successful predecessor, the TC7 FT, the primary focus for the TC7.1 FT was to allow for a lower center of mass to take advantage of the higher grip levels. Starting with the ultra-smooth short FOX shocks with Genuine Kashima Coat mounted low on the chassis, and rounding out with DCV drive shafts for the front end, no corners were left untouched to make the smoothest power delivery and optimal load transfer. Other key features include a narrow chassis with optimized flex characteristics, one-piece motor mount, floating servo mount, and rear gear diff for maximum performance and minimal maintenance.
View more details & images here
Danish company Gizmo is finally ready with their GZ1 touring car. The company’s first platform, problems in the production meant it was delayed by several months but the company is finally ready to take preorders by April 1st with expected product shipment from 1st May 2016. Featuring a revolutionary 2 spur gear design, it allows the motor to be mounted centrally in the centre line of the chassis for perfect weight balance. For the newly develop drivetrain, the kit relies on a standard 2-belt design with spool in the front and gear differential in the rear. The drivetrain also sits exactly in the centre line of the chassis for equal left-to-right flex characteristics, as is the floating servo mount and the centre mounted weight, which comes as standard in the kit. Front double-joints driveshaft comes standard as well.
View more details & images here
Teamsaxo have released this new V2 version of their F1-200 upgrade car kit which transforms the F1-200 into having a 199mm wide track width and a 266mm wheelbase. Along with the new lightweight chassis plate, this V2 version includes a new ackermann servo saver as well as servo mount together with a new upper pod plate and rear battery mount for different battery layout configurations.
Bruno Coelho has won the fifth round of the Yokomo Euro Touring Series in Luxembourg, a fourth place in the final A-Main enough for the A2 winner to secure his first overall win in the world famous electric touring car championship. An event that would see four drivers go into A3 with a chance of the overall win, the new star of touring cars Coelho would become only the 11th different winner of the ETS’ premiere class helped by Xray team-mate Alexander Hagberg taking the win ahead of Marc Rheinard. Again briefly taking the lead only to again roll his HB Jilles Groskamp would complete the podium at the unique Mini Circuit “Ville de Luxembourg” track. For reigning champion Ronald Volker his chance to secure a fifth consecutive title will have to wait until the season finale at the Hudy Arena after he put his Yokomo on the grass while leading, leaving him to end the event 5th overall. Rheinard’s second today means the Tamiya driver still has a very slim chance of the title.
Continue reading this report here or our full event coverage here.
Mugen have announced that they will release an all new nitro & electric on road GT racing car called the MGT7. While designed to compete at the highest level of GT racing, competing at next week’s Winter National (Fort Myers) as well as the On Road fuel National in Kissimmee FL later in the year, the platform is suitable for all levels and a wide range of usage scenarios from on the track to bashing outside your house. More information and images coming soon.
Source: Mugen [mugenracing.com]
Following input from team drivers Eric Dankel and Kyle Branson Capricorn have update the suspension on their electric touring car and will soon release the results, called the TE03. The suspension mounts are no longer mounted to the chassis plate but instead to the differential mount, while still utilising the same bushing system as in its predecessor. The new system uses shims to adjust the front and rear track width, rear toe and the opening of the arms on the front. This new configuration allows the chassis to flex more freely and works with the new floating steering design that can be adjusted for different flex characteristics. Other new items include new upper front tie rod mounts and lower front bumper and bumper plate.
View more images of the TE03 here
