February 5, 2024

Dim3nsion by JP Centering Tool

Dim3nsion by JP has released a number of new variants of its popular Centering Tool.  The 3D printed part supports the user during setup to always hit the exact centre of the steering.  Simply plug it in and the centre is found.  The Centering Toll is now available for the Capricorn C804 SL/R, Xray RX8 and for the Xray NT1 24 with other models will follow.  Dim3nsion by JP is operated by brothers Christian and Jean-Pierre Rönicke who can both draw on almost 36 years of RC car experience that includes having worked as pitmen in the past for Dominic Greiner and Thilo Diekmann.

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January 31, 2024

ARC R8.4LCG

ARC has released its latest 1:8 Onroad Nitro kit, the R8.4LCG.  Based on their R8.4 with low centre gravity chassis design, the front and rear upper arm base are all new parts, lower arms and steering block become hard composite parts to increase overall traction and corner speed.  The new LCG chassis R842026 becomes standard parts on the R8.4LCG, with the R822025 LCG engine mount the engine height becomes 2mm lower compared with R8.4, the LCG chassis not only lower engine mount but also increases flexibility in the rear end of the chassis, it helps to increase the steering of the car.  Also new in the kit are the front steering block and lower arms which are all produced in Hard compound.  As well as being harder the arms are also lighter than standard arms, and the harder arms give more ground traction and consistent handling in all conditions, The R8.4LCG corner speed is improved a lot with these hard compound suspension parts.  The front upper arm holder of R8.4LCG is 1.2mm higher compared with R8.4, it changes the roll centre in the front end and makes the car have quicker response handling and less exit steering, it can avoid over steering especially when applying throttle.  Finally, the rear upper arm plate also becomes a new one, the horizontal plate has 3 positions to adjust, more inside gives more rear traction and more stable handling, and more outside position will give a quicker response to follow the front end.

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January 31, 2024

Smokem XQ11 top decks

Smokem has release a set of new top decks options for the XQ11 1:10 competition Touring Car from Xpress.  The main 2mm RS Top Deck draws from Smokem’s experience with previous RS designs, they set out to optimise the flex characteristics of the XQ11 to yield superior lap speed over a wider range of conditions.  A major benefit of the RS design is to allow the XQ11 to accept a large range of pinion gears which is particular useful for 21.5T or higher blinky classes where big pinions are a must.  For the 2mm RS-W Split Front Top Deck is RS Split Rear Top Deck they have refined the shape of the top deck with a thinner cutout for more consistent flex characteristics.  For the front they added a thinner W-shaped cross brace to control the flex to give improved steering feel.  This cross brace can be cut to further smoothen out the steering if required.  For the rear added their trademark V-shaped cross brace for slightly more flex than the stock split top deck for improved corner speed.

View front & rear top decks here


January 31, 2024

Team Bomber Australia 1:12 Ball differential for asphalt

Melbourne based Team Bomber Australia has announced details of its upcoming 1:12 ball diff for racing on asphalt.  Compatible with cars from Team Bomber, Bezerk Katana, Roche, CRC, Destiny, Schumacher, Yokomo and Xray, prototype versions of the parts were recently used to great effect at last weekends TFTR Masters event, taking the title in 1:12 Modified and 2nd & 3rd places in 1:12 Stock.  Team Bomber Australia have designed and manufactured two parts.  Titanium Ball differential rings are cut from gr5 certified titanium and machine lapped for precision parallel flatness and mirror polished.  They are also processed in two coating options.  TiN – gold finish, coating with superior wear resistance / hardness and ultra smooth surface. The second option is TiCN – gun metal finish, coating with ultimate wear resistance and hardness, also yields a very low coefficient of friction for smooth operation of the differential  They are available in 3 outer diameter sizes to suit spur gear range 74t – 92t.

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January 30, 2024

Pepe Group ‘Running-In Oil’

Pepe Group, the producers of well known Italian nitro fuel brand Energy, has released a new specific oil that helps in the running-in phase of RC nitro engines.  The ‘Running-In Oil’ is compatible with all types of fuel where there is no specific running-in fuel and comes in a bottle intended for a fuel content of 4 litres with a graduated band for per litre dosage.

Source: Pepe Group [pepegroup.net]


January 30, 2024

Tamiya TRF421

While not to the same level as the past for high profile new competition car unveils, Tamiya has used the opening day of the Nuremberg Toy Fair for a much anticipated high profile racing product release by publicly showing its new TRF421.  One of the few remaining RC car manufacturers who exhibit at the German show, which is still a huge event for international toy buyers, Tamiya’s new competition 1:10 electric touring car has been widely rumoured.  With our friends Blog Kentech having their finger on the pulse with all things Tamiya, they have gathered together a collective of images and information on the TRF421 from various sources which they are sharing on their site.  While the Tamiya Racing Factory race team was disbanded at the end of 2016 ending the iconic Japanese brands reign at the top of international touring car competition and ending the Marc Rheinard/Tamiya era, they still have a hugely loyal following and their latest release will be popular not just with Tamiya fans but touring cars fans world wide.  With it rumoured Kenneth Södergård knows more about Tamiya products than Tamiya themselves, you can follow his Blog Kentech Tamiya updates from the show here

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January 30, 2024

Hobbywing XeRun XR10 Justock G3S

Hobbywing has just released its latest ‘Blinky’ speed controller, the XeRun XR10 Justock G3S.  The ESC offers more precise control and powerful performance and is suitable for 1:10 onroad and offroad zero-timing competitions.  The parameters have also been optimised, the number of which has been increased to 15 and are more in more in line with competition needs.  With wireless connection for data recording and analysis once connected to the OTA Bluetooth module you can connect to the ESC through the HW Link mobile app and turn on the real-time data recording function allowing you to view data such as throttle, voltage, current, temperature, speed, etc. in real time.  Another feature of the XR10 Justock G3S is Freewheeling.  When turned on the ESC temperature is lower, the vehicle decelerates faster when the throttle input is off and it has better controllability around the corners.  With Multi RPM limit, you can select one of 79 RPM Limits (10000-88000RPM).  It can be programmed through the LCD programming box or OTA module making it is simple and convenient to meet  the RPM limit requirements of various competitions in the world.  Another feature is the Fan intelligent start and stop function.  When the ESC temperature is low, the fan does not activate, when the ESC temperature reaches the preset value, the fan automatically turns on.  This function of  the fan not only reduces noise, saves power, but also ensures that the ESC works in a good temperature range.

View specs & more images here


January 29, 2024

Mackie wins TFTR Masters

Attracting over 80 drivers the TFTR Masters took place at Templestowe Flat Track Racers in Melbourne, Australia, where it was Awesomatix’ Jeffrey Mackie who took the big win.   The host circuit for the Australian National Championships later this year,  the always well supported event saw the entry bolstered even further as it was also the official Nationals Warm-up Race.  In qualifying Mackie, who made the switch to Awesomatix from ARC for 2024, would secure the pole topped 2 of the 4 qualifiers to secure the TQ ahead of the Xray of Jordan Isergin.   In Sunday’s four rounds of finals, Mackie would convert his TQ into victory after withstanding some huge pressure from the Yokomo of reigning National Champion Simon Nicholson to win the opening three legs.   Winning the fourth & final A-Main, Isergin would claim second overall with Nicholson completing the podium.

Source: RC Maker [Facebook]