Radio Control Car Racer - June 16

A NEW TYPE

OF RACER

1/14 R/C TEAM HAHN RACING MAN TGS Tamiya is delighted to announce an unusual, yet welcome addition to our R/C model line-up. The Team Hahn Racing MAN TGS truck will thrill racing fans across Europe! The 2016 European truck, weighing in at 5,400kg, is powered by a huge 1,100hp turbocharged diesel and is a magnificent sight to behold as it engages in thrilling races with other heavyweight rivals. In 2015, driver Joachim Hahn rode the truck to a commendable 3rd position in the Championship.

KEY FEATURES: • • • • • •

•

•

1/14 scale R/C model assembly kit. A 4-piece durable and lightweight polycarbonate body captures the MAN TGS racing version accurately. Sponsor livery stickers of the #3 Team Hahn Racing truck for the 2016 season are included. 70mm diameter radial tyres and newly designed wheels. Compatible with LEDs in separately-sold Tamiya LED Light Unit. The TT-01 Type-E chassis features shaft-driven 4WD system to offer easy handling and customisation. A wide range of option parts is available to tune the TT-01 Type-E chassis. Torque Tuned Motor

For more information from Tamiya visit www.hobb yco.net or twitter.com/TamiyaUK Tamiya, Inc. 3-7, Ondawara, Shizuoka-City, Japan Distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Ltd. Garforth Place, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PG

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Radio Control Car Racer - June 2016

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FEATURES YOUR INSIGHT INTO THE BEST OF RC CARS, PEOPLE AND TECHNIQUES.

REGULARS

80 SPASHETT MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW Newbury was the fourth BRCA 1:12 National Championship round of streak the season and saw David extend his winning to four meetings in aSpashett row.

NEWS, LETTERS, DATES, NEW PRODUCTS

AND OUR VIEWS. 84 EURO BRIDE Olly Jefferies heads to Slovakia for the annual Euros in 1:12-scale and finds himself challenging for the title once 14 DAN’S THE MAN 8 NEWS again with team mate Alex Hagberg. After this he heads to There is a huge choice of vintage 1:10 off-road cars out Jared Tebo takes sixth Neo title, Xray retains 1:12 Euros Austria for the ETS to race touring cars on carpet with the there, but the Yokomo models are becoming some of the championship win Alex Hagberg whilst Ollie Payne, Olly best in Europe. most sought after. And one that has an impressive Jefferies and David Spashett take domestic 1:12 titles. history is the YZ-10 93 WCS that belongs to Daniel Sanwa announces new Exzes ZZ radio along with changes Wooster who is lovingly restoring his to world distribution as Zen-Racing pick up the Destiny ex-team car. brand for the UK.

REVIEWS

44 BATTERY BANTER 18 INSIDE LINES LRP now offers a vast range or competition All the latest stuff including kits, accessories, option parts THE LATEST LiPo batteries as Jurgen Lautenbach and much more. THRASH TESTS. explains after releasing additional new 20 EDITORIAL style packs at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. As well as batteries, Jurgen also looks back22 LRP TWISTER 2 SC BL 20 WHO, WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE? upon the TITC that was held in Bangkok, Short course trucks have become a regular sight at model Three pictures from the past but who are they? Thailand. car tracks around the UK. In this competitive market LRP have taken their srcinal short course truck and injected 21 TIME WARP 46 EB EXC LUSIVE a good dose of brushless power to give the S10 TwisterWhat 2 was happening one, five and ten years ago. Elliott Boots is Kyosho’s number one driver SC BL increased performance, run time and grin factor. in the UK in the 1:8 off-road class so what 73 COMING UP would be better than getting our hands on his What you can expect to see in the next month’s issue of 32 BSR R ACING BZ-444 PR O new Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI4, and see what Just under £110 buys you this BSR Racing BZ-444 Pro Racer. the company has developed for this year’s world buggy. Pretty impressive really when you consider the championship. specification with a 4WD transmission, oil-filled shocks 79 DATES Plan your schedule for the next few months with our and some lovely anodised alloy components. 52 WILL LEE BE BEATEN? racing calendar. As double champion in 2015, Yokomo’s Lee Martin will be 56 XRAY XB4 2016 S PECS the man to beat this year at the 1:10 off-road nationals. 90 This is the buggy that gave Xray its first world title in the CLUB RACER We take a look at the leading teams. Driver and cars for Rug Racers from Ware and Schumacher Indoor Masters 1:10 off-road class when Portuguese driver Bruno Coelho 2016 ahead of the first round. from Worksop. took TQ and the win in Japan. And now it is available for the public to own and try and replicate the skills shown 64 TRAXXAS TAKES TO THE AIR 96 BUYERS GUIDE by Xray’s factory pilot. The Aton is the second Traxxas drone to be released but Where to shop in your area with Racer’s comprehensive the Aton is a lot different to the lower spec Alias first store guide. 74 FTX IBEX RTR scene. If you are thinking of giving drone flying a go, then the Aton is well worth a look with its three flying modes FTX enters the micro sector of the rock crawler market98 ALL OVER with their Ibex model, which features a specification like and proven Traxxas quality. The flight risk of Lithium batteries... nothing we have never seen before, all wrapped up in a Ready-To-Run format. How to get us: Tel: 01525 222573 Fax: 01525 222574 Subscription Hotline: 01525 222573 Racer Magazine, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX. E-mail: web@ rcracer.com

June 2016 - Radio Control Car Racer

7

INSIDE NEWS

Photography courtesy of www.neo-buggy.net

8


TEBO WINS SIXTH TITLE AT NEO16 Another packed quality entry took part in the Neo16 event at Telford in Shropshire over four days with titles up for grabs in nitro and Ebuggy. Come finals day, it was Jared Tebo once again who would add to his Neo tally

< Some 270 nitro racers

on occasion with better fuel and 60 E-buggy mileage, despite them both drivers from 29 countries running the same engine would participate in the and fuel brand. Come the 11th Neo race hosted at end though and Jared would the agricultural college in stretch his legs and take a Telford. Ryan Cavalieri lookedcomfortable victory, giving strong in qualifying with his the new Kyosho Inferno MP9 Team Associated chassis, but TKI4 its first major victory the event would run over and with its driver back on four days so it would be late Pro-Line rubber for 2016. on Monday when the big Ryan would take second from prizes would be handed out. Jared’s team mate Elliott This would mean there was Boots, who had set the early plenty of time for the top pace on Friday in practice. drivers to get their package Elliott actually looked like together for the main event he would get on the podium and the hour long final in but didn’t have the fuel the nitro buggy class. economy. Top junior at the The semi finals saw event was last year’s top offered a teaser of what young gun Davide Ongaro was to come as Jared Tebo from Italy. The Mugen driver (Kyosho) unleashing stunning took fifth overall behind pace up front that only Ryan Cody King, highlighting Cavalieri could live with. his potential and more In semi final B HB’s David recognition as a future star. Ronnefalk was dominant, In E-buggy, David but would end up just a Ronnefalk took a deserved few hundredths slower than victory in the Modeltune Ryan to line up third on the sponsored class. Starting grid behind Jared on pole and the RC8B3. As per the script, the first two in semi A continued where they left off by leading the way as soon as the main final started as David Ronnefalk fell by the wayside. The race became a two-horse race with Kyosho’s Cody King not far off the dicing duo. Out front, Jared would stretch his lead

third on the grid, he was able to get past Ryan Cavalieri and Ryan Lutz in the opening couple of laps of the ten-minute long final. At the end of the race though, first and second were split by under two seconds with Ryan Lutz a little way back in third. To highlight the speed of David and Ryan Cavalieri, Ryan Lutz’s best lap time was seven tenths slower...

RESULT – NEO16 NITRO BUGGY POS

DRIVER

NAT

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Jared Tebo Ryan Cavalieri Elliott Boots Cody King Davide Ongaro Kyle McBride Martin Wollanka Reno Savoya Jack Embling Lee Martin David Ronnefalk Marco Baruffolo Neil Cragg Martin Bayer Ryan Lutz

USA USA UK USA Italy Australia Austria France UK UK

CHASSIS

Kyosho Team Associated Kyosho Kyosho Mugen Team Associated Xray TLR Kyosho Mugen HB Italy TLR UK Team Associated Czech Republic Xray USA Tekno

ENGINE

T YRES

Mx Mx Reds Reds LRP Novarossi Fx RC Concept Reds RC Concepts Team Orion Picco LRP Fx Alpha

Pro-Line AKA Pro-Line Pro-Line ProCircuit Pro-Line Pro-Line JConcepts AKA Pro-Line AKA Hot Race Pro-Line Pro-Line AKA

FUEL

MOT OR

SPEED CONT ROL T YRES

Maxima Maxima Byron Byron Nitrolux Nitrolux Nitrolux Runner Time Byron Nitrolux Runner Time Runner Time LRP Sigma Byron

RESULT

90 laps 45m 20.3 89 laps 45m 06.1 89 laps 45m 14.8 89 laps 45m 28.7 88 laps 45m 16.5 88 laps 45m 29.9 87 laps 45m 18.6 86 laps 45m 11.6 85 laps 45m 00.5 82 laps 45m 22.4 80 laps 45m 12.2 77 laps 45m 07.2 77 laps 45m 07.2 38 laps 20m 23.5 7 laps 3m 28.6

RESULT – NEO16 E-BUGGY POS

DRIVER

1 2 3

David Ronnefalk Sweden Ryan Cavalieri USA Ryan Lutz USA

NAT

CHASSIS

HB Team Orion Team Orion Team Associated Team Orion Team Orion Tekno Tekin Tekin

AKA AKA AKA

RESULT

21 laps 10m 26.9 21 laps 10m 28.8 20 laps 10m 08.9

SANWA EXZES GOES ZZ Japanese radio giant announces update to their top of the range stick transmitter Sanwa has released details of its new Exzes ZZ 2.4GHz stick radio. Its performance is now very similar to that of the M12S steerwheel with the same high response and excellent linear movement. The Exzes ZZ 2.4GHz offers several new features that Sanwa claim to “increase the driving stability in the final races” like telemetry mixing, template, vibration, mode select, slow throttle function, LiFe-battery compatibility, a earphone jack, Ackerman steering settings, racing mode (Enhanced), timer/alarm (Enhanced) and telemetry assignment. The Exzes ZZ 2.4GHz will come with the latest telemetry capable RX-472 receiver. Racer hopes to get their hands on a sample for review of what is likely to be a very popular handset for racers who still demand a stick radio.

SANWA HEADS TO SCHUMACHER There is lots of news about Sanwa this month as Racer was informed that Schumacher Racing will now be distributing the brand in the UK. Sanwa equipment, which is sometimes branded as Airtronics in the USA is one of the most popular radios at present in high-end competition and is used by the likes of Bruno Coelho, Marc Rheinard, Naoto Matsukura and Lee Martin to name just a few. It appears that Sanwa are going through a huge restructuring of its business and worldwide distribution. Airtronics as a brand will no longer exist and distribution of Sanwa in the USA has moved from Global Hobby Distributors who chose to not continue and it has been picked up by Serpent USA.


9

INSIDE NEWS

DESTINY FOR ZEN-RACING Destiny is a new brand to the UK market and has been picked up by Zen-Racing. Already David Spashett and

XRAY MULTIPLE SUCCESS AT 1:12 EUROS

the two parties are looking to put a team together for this year’s Clubmans and National touring car championships. Look out for more Destiny news as we get it...

Wins for Swede Alex Hagberg and Austrian Hupo Hönigl ensured two more European Championships for Team Xray at the Hudy Racing Arena in Slovakia

< The 2016 EFRA

1:12 European Championships took place at the Hudy Racing Arena in Trencin, Slovakia with titles up for grabs in both modified and stock (13.5T blinky) categories. Alexander Hagberg was the driver who set the pace in modified by taking four of

and Xray’s Hupo Hönigl. with Marcus Mobers third. Eventually the German In the stock finals, second would pip the Austrian to on the grid Hupo Hönigl take TQ in the class on front showed great pace and was of Hupo and the French able to pass Markus Mobers driver Alex Laurent in third. who was on pole in A1 and Come Sunday and the A A2. Hupo’s pace was very finals, Alex demonstrated strong at the end of the run his superiority to take wins where he was able to catch in the first two legs to retain up and pass the CRC driver. the title allowing him to In the junior classes,

the six rounds of qualifying. sit out leg three. The 2016 Xray won the title in the Team make Olly Jefferies was title gave Alex his third modified category with a solid second place on the consecutive championship Matej Benda taking the win grid with a round TQ with in the class and he is from the Czech Republic. Dionys Stadler setting the proving to be the man to Ollie Payne would hold onto fastest time in R4 meaning beat in Europe, as well as be his stock junior title as the that Xray cars set all six TQs. one of the fastest 1:12 racers youngster from the UK took In the 13.5T blinky class, in the world. The third and the win with his Zen-Racing qualifying was a close affair final leg was won by Alex’s chassis and finished fourth between the two rivals team ate Olly that secured in the A final. of CRC’s Markus Mobers him the runners-up position

HNMC ANNOUNCE 2016 AKA GP The bank holiday weekend of 28-30 May 2016 willsee the AKA Grand Prix take place atHerts Nitro Model Club at Westmill Farm. Every entry will get afree T-shirt and competitors taking place in nitro and E-buggy will receive a complimentary set of AKA tyres. Inthe buggy classes only AKA Catapult tyres are allowed while in truggy any AKA tyres are allowed. More details are available at www.hnmc.co.uk and booking in will be via the www.rcracecontrol.com website.

RESULT – 2016 EFRA 1:12 MODIFIED EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Alexander Hagberg Olly Jefferies Markus Mobers Dionys Stadler Mark Stiles Dominic Vogl Daniel Sieber Juho Levänen Alexander Andersson Hubert Hönigl

Xray Xray CRC Xray Yokomo Black Art Black Art Team Associated Yokomo Xray

RESULT – 2016 EFRA 1:12 STOCK EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

10

POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Hubert Hönigl Markus Mobers Alexander Laurent Ollie Payne Martin Wollanka Vesa Yli Martin Wilfinger Torsten Müller Mark Jewitt Andrej Vnucko

Xray CRC Black Art Zen-Racing Xray Destiny Black Art Black Art Xray Xray


JIMMY MADDISON JOINS XRAY Xray has confirmed the signing of former national champion Jimmy Maddison to their factory team in the electric touring category. Jimmy won several international races including the DHI Cup and has recently been the main force together with Olly Jefferies in TC racing through the winter. Jimmy made the following statement: ‘‘Words cannot explain how this feels. A dream come true I guess. Joining the Xray factory team is such a great achievement and with the chance to continue driving the best quality cars on the market and constantly developed products will only allow me to grow from strength to strength. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this opportunity a reality, and I can’t wait to start working with my all new team around the world.”

PAYNE, JEFFERIES AND SPASHETT TAKE 1:12 NATIONAL TITLES The fifth and final BRCA 1:12 National round took place at MB Models’s impressive new facility and provided a fitting backdrop to the 2015-16 championship decider The 2015-16 1:12 National series went to MB Models in Leeds for the final meeting of the season. MB Models is a newly built permanent race venue run my Michael Ball. In 13.5T stock Matt Lax took the pole by a small margin of 0.254 seconds from Ollie Payne who was the favourite to take the championship title. In the A final Matt converted TQ into the win, just 0.22 seconds ahead of Ollie, which would be enough for the latter to take the 13.5T stock

OBITUARY HEINER MARTIN

The RC community lost a stalwart with the news that Heiner Martin passed away on 20 March 2016. Heiner was well known in RC throughout the world in most classes of racing. When he was 28, he turned his RC hobby into a profession and became a journalist for an RC car magazine. Two years later he became the editor in chief of this magazine. Heiner had for many years been an active person within the German Federation (DMC) and was the Secretary for this organisation at the time of his death. Heiner was also a former section chairman within IFMAR and a current section chairman within EFRA for many years. Heiner was a clever and wise man, which may not have been noticed by many, because he was also a quiet and modest man. His vast experience allowed him to be a pivotal person in the organisation of the sport of RC racing. Heiner’s total dedication to the sport, Soar Seiki have announced the successor to the 998 1:8 off-road buggy called the 998 TD1. The buggy together with his incredible memory, was competing at the recent Neo16 and was being raced by the team including Dani Bernabe from Spain, always resulted in him giving sound advice under the watchful eye of team boss Didian Ho. Soar Seiki made the following statement:whenever decisions were needed. A good friend that was totally committed to all that “With three years of trails at the market and experiences he embarked on and always had the best in racing, Soar Seiki constantly strive to improve our interests of the sport in mind. manufacturing process as well as in design and material. In the past three years, we developed 137 methods in Heiner Martin manufacturing and 52 new designs in components. Perfectly, 1950-2016 we will present the new generation 998 to buggy fans. We officially name this generation 998 TD1.” national championship by a single point from Mark Jewitt. Olly Jefferies would take FTD in 10.5T stock by a healthy margin from David Spashett and Chris Kerswell. The pole sitter would take the A final win from David Spashett and Adam Catchpole, wrapping up the class title after winning all three of the rounds that he attended. On Sunday it was sports modified and the 13.5T champ would take pole position by a healthy margin of over 3.9 seconds to Darren Lee with Tim Wood third. Entering the meeting, Tim was at the top of the championship tables with Ollie close behind. In the A final Aiden Ripley would take the win from Tim and Kieren Manders. As a result, Ollie and Tim are tied on points even after count back so it falls to qualifying positions from previous rounds. Ollie takes the championship by one single qualifying position from previous rounds! Alexander Hagberg would take FTD in open modified from Olly Jefferies by just under 0.8 of a second as Chris Kerswell lined up third. Before the start of the A final, Olly Jefferies struck problems and only just made it to the grid in time, but he would make the start and followed Alex at the front of the field. As Alex pulled a lead over Olly, the latter had to retire and this meant that David Spashett just had to finish to be crowned champion. Alex ended up lapping the entire field, taking the win rom Adam and Chris Kerswell, as David Spashett was crowned champion of the open modified class for 2015-16.

SOAR SEIKI 998 TD1 COMING SOON


11

INSIDE NEWS

CAVALIERI, PHEND AND RIVKIN WIN CACTUS CLASSIC 2016 <

The 30th annual Pro-Line Cactus Classic was held at Hobbytown/SRS in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona in the USA. This was its second year at the new indoor facility and with a combination of challenging surface and a supercross-inspired layout, it really tested the skills of some of the best racers from around the world. In the prestigious 2WD modified class it was the reigning World Champion’s Reedy-powered Team Associated B5M that was the class of the field. Starting on pole for the triple leg A finals, Spencer Rivkin gapped the field at the start and never looked back in both A1 and A2 to claim his first modified win at the Cactus Classic. In 4WD modified TLR’s Dakotah Phend had to go through to the third leg to secure the title after winning the opening A final and coming in fourth in A2. Carson Wernimont (Yokomo) would take the win in A2, but three second place finished of Jared Tebo (Kyosho) and a fourth and six place run would mean the third place overall for Carson behind Jared. Also getting a TQ and win with his Team Associated T5M was Ryan Cavalieri in 2WD modified truck. Ryan was able to take advantage of others errors and race his way to the wins in A1 and A2, securing the overall title.

12


MI6 WINS AT EWS Elliott Harper wraps up another title as the newSchumacher Mi6 prototype shows strong in the hands of Michal Orlowski too

< Schumacher’s Elliott Harper

taking an excellent second overall from wrapped up another championship Ronald Völker and ahead of team mate to cap off the winter season in fine Michal Orlowski. Unfortunately Elliott had style. At the last round of the popular to leave the race early to catch a plane EWS (Essex Winter Series), Elliott took a to get back for the EWS on Sunday, but comfortable TQ and win ahead of the managed to get second having missed chasing pack of Kyle Branson and Chris the last leg of the final! Grainger. This meant that Elliott added toElliott’s European tour was partly due to his BRCA Championship win last summer the fact that he, Michal and Paul Pinkney with winning Rug Racers and also now were all using a prototype of the new EWS. Mi6 – look out for more news as we get Elliott also travelled to the Mibosport it... Cup, which ran on a Friday and Saturday RESULT - EWS

RESULT - MIBOSPORT CUP

POS

DRIVER

POS

DRIVER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Elliott Harper Kyle Branson Chris Grainger Paul Pinkney Matthew White Jon Bowden Stef an Chodzynski Jimmy Maddison Alan Bickerstaf f Harley Eldridge

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ronald Völker Elliott Harper Michal Orlowski Patrick Gollner Martin Wollanka Zdenko Kunak Kuba Simurda Martin Hof er Mario Sowka Dominic Vogl

RACER INSIGHT ■What: Iconic RC Vintage Column

Restoration Special Daniel Wooster’s Yokomo YZ-10 93 WCS is a stunning vintage ride. Although it’s still work in progress with a few bits still to be sourced, it was hardly a reason not to feature it in this month’s column. John Weston takes up the story... I’ve seen some amazing examples of RC My parents pushed me to go along to the local chunky suspension arms. This one had both and < classics over the years. Collectors might club and have a go at racing it and the rest, as it looked in pretty decent shape so I contacted the break into that expensive new in the box vintage they say, is history. As a young teenager getting seller and a deal was done.” for the buzz of the build or they may decide into the h obby, I would ‘devour’ any reading to restore an old warhorse to its former glory. material related to the subject and in particular BACKGROUND Vintage restorations can be quite an adventure the magazines of the day. Yokomo’s 4WD buggies Whilst eagerly awaiting the car to arrive, Daniel as you scour the globe for parts. I know because of the 80s and 90s always seemed so exotic; the researched the different models to find out I’ve done it a few times now myself! Patience is real racer’s/connoisseur’s choice. My own racing which Yokomo he’d actually just bought. The the key and also self-control when a rare part was on a tight ‘pocket money’ budget so those seller had described it as a ‘prototype special’ becomes available but at an exorbitant price. cars were completely unobtainable. Seeing the and after having a good look around on the This month’s column is dedicated to once suchodd one or two racing at my local club was as Internet, it looked like it could be a rare Yokomo restoration. Racer reader and Iconic RC member,close as I ever got to them. YZ-10 93 World Championship Special. The very Daniel Wooster has painstakingly restored a Roll on to 2010 and my own racing career had knowledgeable members on the RC10 Talk forum Yokomo YZ-10 93 WCS. A tribute to Masami become more ‘casual’, but I was becoming ever confirmed this after Daniel posted up pictures of Hirosaka’s IFMAR 4WD World Championship victorymore interested in the older cars that we raced the car in a build thread. in Basildon i n 1993, Daniel Wooster’s Yokomo YZ-10 or dreamt about owning back in my younger The 93 WCS was a special kit that was released 93 WCS (WCS standing for World Championship years. I had already restored a RC10 Worlds and a by Yokomo after Masami Hirosaka won the 1993 Special) is a stunner. Tamiya Clod Buster when I spotted this old YZ-10 4WD 1:10 World Championship. The kit being a near advertised in the classifieds section on the Tamiyareplica of the car that Masami used, it featured DAN EXPLAINS Club website. I didn’t know much about Yokomo titanium and aluminium hardware, a true carbon “I started RC car racing in the late 80s after buggies, just that I particularly liked the look of fibre chassis - previous Yokomos used graphite receiving a Tamiya Hornet as a Christmas present.the cars with ‘squashed bug’ body shells and the - which featured a front kick-up, fine pitch (M2)

ICONIC LINKS ■Iconic RC: www.IconicRC.com ■YouTube: www.youtube.com/IconicRC ■Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/IconicRC ■R 14


belts and a super high rear shock tower, just like Masami’s car. It came with chunky suspension arms and a whole new front-end that would go on to be the standard design on the later ‘94 YZ-10 and 95 WCS ‘Pavidis Edition’ cars. These kits had to be reserved through selected retailers and were only available in very small numbers. According to Jason Varley at CML Distribution, only approximately 40 kits were allocated for the UK. The kits retailed for the equivalent of 53,000 Japanese Yen which was very expensive back in 1993; especially considering that the kit did not include tyres or even shock absorbers – you were expected to fit the Team Associated shocks. This special car represents the crossover from the earlier ‘Works’ (1991-92 and 1993) cars which were heavily based on the srcinal 870c ‘Super Dogfighter’ of the 80s, to the new generation of YZ-10 that were to dominate 4WD racing through the middle of the 90s. The 93 WCS shared parts from cars of both eras. Daniel’s car however, doesn’t appear to have been built from one of the kits. It shares some of the subtle differences that Masami’s own worlds-winning car had when compared with the later released kit built cars. The rear shock tower, for example, is a slightly different profile and it also has magnesium wheel hubs and top deck spacer posts. Those items being aluminium on the kit built cars. The car had been donated to the Southend Car Club and came to Daniel to raise funds for the club. (Southend was the club chosen to host the worlds event back in 93’, out of which the TEMAC organisation was formed and a whole new venue chosen and track built.) Daniel contacted the seller, Gary, to ask if he had any more information about the car and was told that the car was always spoken of as being something special. The previous owner apparently said that the car was one of the hand-finished prototype cars and had ac tually been driven by Masami before being gifted to him. With the connection to the Southend club, all of this sounds feasible! Daniel firmly believes that this was one of the cars brought over by the Yokomo team for the event. The team apparently did testing at the track whilst the UK team were away racing at the European Championship so it is quite likely that Masami or one of his Yokomo team mates at least, drove the car.

THE RESTORE The car was stripped down and all parts thoroughly inspected. The YZ-10 although in a dirty state was actually in quite good condition. Many of the parts only required a good clean up with warm soapy water and a scrub with an old toothbrush. However, a few odd sized screws in the front-end revealed that the car had, at some point, been involved in a heavy shunt. There was a crack in the chassis just after the kick-up. A stress fracture could also be seen on the top deck

vival 2016: revival.a1racingclub.com/ ■Iconic Events: www.facebook.com/groups/iconicrc/events/ June 2016 - Radio Control Car Racer

15

About Me Justin Noble and I founded Iconic RC in January 2011. Iconic is an RC reference website with a popular YouTube channel and a busy social media group on Facebook. We believe any RC is Iconic if the owner thinks it is but we’ve found that the main focus for our community has been vintage RC from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

moulded orange wing (an expensive part that came from Hong Kong) along with ribbed pink wheels with red Yokomo wheel dots applied and wearing Pro-Line Flat Stubbie tyres. A combination of black/white coloured shock parts were added along with some white nylon Losi nuts, just like Masami’s car. All topped off with the ‘flat bug’ body shell painted up in Masami’s trademark colours.

WHITE TO PINK Achieving the pink wheels was a particular challenge. Original pink versions of the 2.1” ribbed wheels are very rare, so whilst he managed to find a pair of fronts, he couldn’t find a pair of rears so set about dyeing a set of ‘new in packet’ white wheels using a mix of pink and orange Rit dyes. The first set ended up too dark compared with the srcinal wheels. Vintage RC legend, Cedric Devilliers from France was able to supply another set of white wheels which turned out much closer to the srcinal colour on attempt number two with the dye. The wheels were finished off with the wheel dot stickers, which were trimmed and carefully applied between the wheel ribs, just as Masami did.

ICONIC DATES: Here are some dates for your diary:

and the front bumper was missing altogether. Daniel managed to do a decent repair on the

out a new top deck but Daniel had to source and supply the correct FR4 material that matched the

chassis, but decided that a new one was required srcinal for them to cut it from. Outstanding work to do the rest of the car proud. from Daniel and from Fibrelyte! WCS parts, like the kits, are very hard to find! Early on into the project Daniel decided Dan immediately assumed that he would never to re-create the appearance of Masami’s find a new genuine chassis so set about getting worlds-winning car. At the time, fellow RC10 one made up. The difficult thing about getting Talk member, Reggie Hammer was also building the WCS chassis produced is the front kick-up, his own Masami replica to be accurate down to which means that the carbon needs to be speciallyevery minute detail. As Daniel’s car seemed so laid and cured on a mould. He made up his own srcinal and had some provenance in its own mould (folded steel bonded over an MDF base) right he felt that whilst he wanted to give the car and re-produced the chassis outline in Autocad. the ‘Masami look’ the rest of the car underneath From those, Fibrelyte were able to work their would basically be (apart from the new chassis magic and manufactured the beautiful chassis parts) as he received it. To achieve the appearance around which the car is built. Fibrelyte also cut of Masami’s winning car he added the correct

16


The Iconic Cup Round 1 West London Racing Centre, 8 May 2016 The Iconic Cup Round 2 Broxtowe Model Car Club, 12 June 2016 Buggython 2016 Robin Hood Raceway, 18-19 June 2016 Iconic Meet Eden Park Raceway, Sunday 3rd July 2016 Revival 2016 A1 Racing Club, 30-31 July 2016 Iconic Meet Robin Hood Raceway, 28 August 2016 Iconic Meet Stafford Radio Control Car Club, 18 September 2016 More details about these meetings can be found in the events section on the Iconic Facebook group or send an e-mail to [email protected]

RACER INSIGHT ■What: Iconic RC Vintage Column

LATE MODEL LEXAN

crucial in obtaining that authentic look. Most are and Dan would like to find the remaining electrics

Original new and unpainted shells are very rare genuine srcinal decals although there are a fewfor the car - a KO 40MHz receiver and PS-1001 and expensive. The body shell Dan used is one of reproductions. Probably the biggest breakthrough FET servo. There are also a couple of the missing ‘Mr Lexan’s’ excellent reproductions. It’s a reprowas finding the correct srcinal KO Propo decals decals he would like to source and is always of the later ‘Pavidis’ shell, which features a scoop on the lookout. Any help you can offer in this because with those applied the car really started to the left-hand side. This scoop is not present to onlook like Masami’s actual car. the srcinal car, which would have used the shell

area would be greatly appreciated – just drop the magazine a message via e-mail, Twitter or

from an earlier ‘Works’ model, but it was near PERIOD ELECTRICS

■ Facebook if you can!

enough for Dan when he weighed it up against The chassis is graced with an srcinal Novak 410 the wait and cost of an srcinal shell. He paintedHPC speed control, Sanyo 1700mAh SCRC saddle the body shell masking out the intricate design packs and a Reedy Mr Series motor, complete

Daniels’ Summary

with tape. Once painted, he was able to decorate with label onto which Mike Reedy’s signature was the shell with some of the many decals that he’d copied. These all being components that Masami collected. Sourcing the decals had presented

used in his worlds conquering car. The project, “This was one of my first vintage RC restoration projects and it

the biggest challenge for the project, but was like so many others, actually remains unfinishedreally opened my eyes to the wider community of people who share with me this mad obsession of building, restoring and racing the older RC cars. I have made many friends, worldwide, with people who were able to help me out, either with a particular part (often free of charge) or simply to share advice and encouragement. A big thanks to you all. You know who you are. That’s how I’d like to define this project; one where the journey was as (if not more) enjoyable than the actual end result.”

Summary I’d like to give Daniel a massive thank you for practically writing this month’s column for me and giving the readers and I the opportunity to learn about such a magnificent and important vintage buggy! It is a real piece of RC history and a wonderful restoration. Cheers Daniel!


17

Losi Ten-SCBE RTR

Spektrum AVC Technology Dynamite Tazer 3800Kv brushless motor Dynamite Tazer 130A brushless speed control The new Losi Ten-SCBE is based on the Ten-SCTE platform so you get the proven Aluminium adjustable oil-filled shock absorbers handling and durability. It features an open wheel design, roll-cage, and Spektrum DX2E 2.4GHz transmitter multi-panel body that hides a 4WD shaft-drive transmission with powerful four-pole, 3800Kv brushless motor. The Ten-SCBE includes Spektrum’s AVC LOS03007T1 Losi 1:10-Scale 4WD Brushless SCB - green technology so you can push the limits without fear of losing control. LOS03007T2 Losi 1:10-Scale 4WD Brushless SCB - orange Features: 4WD d rivetrain Roll cage with body panels and wing

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Horizon Hobby UK Available from: Website:www.horizonhobby.co.uk Contact:01279 641097

£389.99 £389.99

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT, THE FUTURE’S SERPENT www.serpentuk.com E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 07876 664422 (daytime)

!

YOUR SAY ■www.rcracer.com / E-mail:[email protected]

< EDITORIAL - GETTING INTO THE DRONE ZONE The magazine may be called Racer, but we have always dabbled in other sectors of RC –

boats, the odd tank and of course helicopters. Developments in the industry have made some areas a lot easier to get into and cheaper too. Ten years ago a “car racer” would have feared

flying a helicopter. But when the contra-rotating mini helicopters arrived from the likes of Blade, Walkera and others arrived, only a little knowledge and skill was required to get them up in the air and hovering. And soon you could see this in the high street as toyshops soon picked up on the trend and everywhere you went you could buy a helicopter. And now drones have become the new helicopters. With four or more props and super stability out of the box, arguably a drone is even more accessible than a helicopter! Traxxas never dabbled in the heli market, but they have been drawn into the world of drones. They first released the Alias which was a micro-sized model, but at the recent Toy Fair in Germany the US giant showed off the Aton model and this created a much stronger alliance between the brand that was made famous by the likes of the T-Maxx and Slash, and the new drone sector. This has filtered down through the chain as Racer readers will immediately identify with the Traxxas product – a company that excels in quality products and customer support. If one of my car friends wanted a drone, I would certainly point them in the direction of an Aton if that were the kind of thing that appealed. Even if you don’t thing drones are for you, I implore you to read our test session on page 64. The Aton is cool, very cool – and you may just change your mind! Elsewhere in this issue we have an exclusive on Elliott Boots’s new Reds-powered Kyosho TKI4, taken straight off the track after the Neo16 event where the newly engaged Italian resident took a fine podium spot behind team mate Jared Tebo and Team Associated’s Ryan Cavalieri. Check out our short report in the news if you want to read how the nitro and E-buggy finals went down. Naturally we also have lots of new products in Inside Lines, reviews from brands including ECX, Xray FTX and BSR Racing, all the usual features with the LRP Column, Olly Jefferies Diary, the Iconic RC vintage column and much more...

Matt Benfield Editor

WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN?

Three pictures from the past: Do you know who, what, when and where they are now? Answers on page 98.

2

1

3

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TIME WARP 1 YEAR AGO – JUNE 2015

Tweet of the Month Traxxas Slash 4x4 Goes Hydroplaning with pro wake surfer Traxxas posted this link on Twitter from their YouTube channel of a Slash 4x4 equipped with paddle tyres hitting the waves with a pro wake surfer at the AquaShop Indoor Surfing facility. We never condone this kind of test of your model’s durability and waterproofing but it just shows how capable the latest RC models are! Check out https://goo.gl/gcF9J2 to see the Slash 4x4 in action.

POST - OF THE MONTH

The tenth running (really? Where did those ten years go) of the Neo event in Telford had a familiar ring about the winner’s names – Ryan Cavalieri took the laurels in nitro as Ty Tessmann won the E-buggy class. This E-buggy class was gaining in popularity and now featured as a BRCA National Championship. Simon Reeves using a Tekin-powered Mugen won round one at Deerdale. As one top driver leaves Schumacher – Tom Cockerill – another arrives. Touring car and LMP12 driver, and all round nice guy Andy Murray joined the Engineering Department to develop new cars. After a stellar 2014, the Schumacher Cougar KF2 got the upgrades from that winning car to make it more difficult to beat in 2015.

5 YEARS AGO – JUNE 2011

A marshal at the recent Neo16 event being held at Telford became a bit of an internet sensation when he fell over trying to put a car back on its wheels. The race was being broadcast live by RC Racing TV and the incident was immediately out on social media to the point that the Daily Mail newspaper’s online coverage picked up on it! To read about it, albeit with some slight inaccuracies of course due to a lack of understanding of the RC industry by the Mail Online, check out http://goo.gl/MEs21F

Losi released their new TLR 22 2WD buggy to much acclaim. This radically low and compact car created a lot of interest. It could be built mid- or rear motored, but required some pretty compact radio gear to fit under that low body. HPI released their Switch front-wheel drive chassis clothed in one of the best Fiat 500 replica shells around. With Tamiya creating and dominating this corner of the market, we wait to see if HPI can corner a part of that market. Yokomo’s Ronald Volker won the 14th LRP Touring Car Masters as Andy Moore upheld British honour with a sixth place finish.

10 YEARS AGO – JUNE 2006

TOOL - OF THE MONTH With two useful sizes to choose from, these new spare part boxes from Fastrax allow you to maintain an organised workspace so you can concentrate on your RC racing. The larger of the boxes is 200x135mm and has 15 separate sections, and sells for £4.99 RRP. The walls of the sections can be removed or changed allowing you to customise your capacity for larger objects. The smaller version has five fixed compartments, retails for just £3.99 and measures up at 180x100mm. These boxes are marketed in the UK by CML Distribution and are available now from all good model shops.

Due to their overwhelming popularity, the BRCA Touring Car Nationals split into the stock (19T and 27T) and modified classes. The first races in this new format saw Wrexham host stock with wins for Stewart Noble (HB) in 27T and Colin Jackson (Schumacher) in 19T. Marc Rheinard, driving a Tamiya, won the Thailand International Touring Car (TITC – they could have thought that through better!) ahead of Atsushi Hara and our own Andy Moore. Lee Martin and Richard Taylor won the BRCA 1:10 Off-Road Indoor Finals at Batley in 2WD and 4WD respectively. Trinity released what was to be their last 1:12 car, the Black Widow – an apt title in view of the fact that this line of kits is no more.


21

THRASH TEST - LRP S10 TWISTER 2 SC BL ■Spec: 2wd moulded chassis ■Class: 1:10 off-road ■Cost: £236.99

“We fitted an LRP LiPo Hyper Pack 4800 that allows the SC to reach speeds of 55kph!” 22


SHORT CO URSE

S H O W T IM E !

Short course trucks have b ecome a regu UK. In this co lar sight at m mpetitive ma odel car trac rket LRP hav injected a go ks around the e taken their od dose of br original shor ushless powe t course truc r to give the k and S10 Twister 2 SC BL increas performance, ed run time and grin factor...

The S10 Twister 2 BL is based around

areas and there is plenty of room for the

chassis and these also help to support

a moulded composite plastic main

installed radio. To improve the centre of

the body, especially in the event of a side

chassis tub and along with upswept sides,

gravity and handling everything is mounted

impact and now two trucks can rub wheels

stiffening the platform and giving valuable

as low as possible in the chassis, setting the with little fear of being spat off the track.

ground clearance when the S10 is cornering

competition theme for the whole truck.

<

hard. The reduced surface area limits the

Rubbing is racing and in the case of

SECURING THE STICK PACK

amount of chassis slapping the ground

the full-sized short course trucks this is a

The centrally mounted battery compartment

after a big jump so less drag equals more

common event. To allow the same close

has a plastic upper clamp that holds the

speed! The chassis has moulded-in webs to

racing with the Twister 2 SC BL, LRP have

drive pack firmly in position; this is held in

give added strength in the most important

fitted some nerf bars on either side of the

place with two body clips. The battery


<

23


A full-size LRP servo is bolted down up front protected by a sprung-loaded saver

For maintenance and ease of use bullet connectors are used between the motor and speed control

Alloy rear suspension mount not ony adds some bling, but is stronger than a moulded version

The short course truck is powered by the popular Vector K7 8.5T 4300Kv brushless motor

To ensure the speed control runs cool it has a large fan blowing air onto the heatsink

The 2.4GHz resides in a waterproof moulding

The chassis follows the proven shape of a rear motor 2WD off-road truck

< compartment is also big enough to mount a seven-cell (8.4V NiMH) battery pack for that extra turn of speed; the compartment can also accommodate hard cased 7.4V LiPo packs. LRP includes a foam rubber block to take up the slack should you wish to use the smaller six-cell NiMH pack and by moving the foam block the battery pack can also be moved a total of 60mm back and forth within the chassis to aid tuning, this greatly affects both steering and rear end traction.

SPRING PROTECTED STEERING The steering assembly has two bell cranks that rotate on four bushes. On one side there is a sprung loaded cam-type servo saver installed to help protect the steering servo that is bolted securely to the chassis. A plastic steering plate (rack) connects the bell cranks together and this also rotates on bushes and is connected to the steering blocks by steel turnbuckles. Lastly, a plastic upper deck plate is fitted to increase frontal strength to give a strong and slop-free system.

A BIG SHOCK The front camber links are connected to a vertically mounted ball stud on the inside with three options for mounting to aid tuning and have the ability to be raised or lowered to adjust the roll centre, whilst there are also two outer

24


Replicating the full-size short course race trucks with front and rear bumpers and mud flaps

Long oil-filled shock absorbers to handle the big jumps

camber link mounting positions all connected by

absorbers. The inner and outer hinge pins are

steel turnbuckles. As for the rest of the front-end, the lower front wishbones are moulded in plastic with two options for the position of the shock

captured at one end with an under-sized hole and small button headed screws hold the pins in place at the other end.

Replica beadlock wheels are equipped with a smooth treaded tyre ideal for a range of surfaces

The box for the 2.4GHz features a rubber seal between the two halves

Wheel hexes are all standard sized so aftermarket items can be simply bolted on

An adjustable slipper clutch aids driveability and prevents gearbox damage

The front suspension features 100mm composite oil-filled shocks, whilst at the rear there are longer 105mm items that are mounted onto a beefy plastic shock tower using blue <

Turnbuckles all round add to the race potential of the brushless-powered RTR

LRP supply their own branded radio in the form of the B2-STX Pro 2.4GHz FHSS steerwheel


25

THRASH TEST - LRP S10 TWISTER 2 SC BL ■Spec: 2wd moulded chassis ■Class: 1:10 off-road ■Cost: £236.99 < medium rate springs put the bounce into the rear-end. A blue alloy rear hinge pin plate completes the rear-end nicely, and the whole suspension on the bench feels plush and should perform well.

GEAR REDUCTION

if you are planning to race your new truck. To finish the scale look and to protect the chassis SPECIFICATION and body, plastic tube-style bumpers have been Model: LRP S10 Twister 2 SC BL fitted at both ends. These are made to resemble Scale: 1:10 Class: Off-Road the welded tube-style bumpers on a full-sized Application: Fun/competition truck and we are sure they will do a great job of Format: RTR protecting the chassis. Finally rubber mud flaps Power: Electric Chassis: Moulded have been installed on the rear bumper and theseDrivetrain: 2WD Transmission: Gear have the LRP logo on them and another neat Differential: Gear detail on this scale replica. Shocks: Plastic oil-filled

The transmission features a tuneable gear diff using oil to change its characteristics, although arguably this will be of more interest to the Bearings/Bushes: Bearings seasoned racer as opposed to a back garden basher, but the durability of a gear diff is the GERMAN EQUIPMENT TECHNICAL DATA most important aspect. The whole gearbox rotatesNaturally LRP use their own branded equipment Length: 530mm 193 on rubber sealed ball races and is very smooth in the S10 Twister 2 SC BL starting with a 2.4GHz Height: Width: 292mm and quiet when running. To help protect the steerwheel transmitter. This features the standardWheelbase: 334mm transmission LRP have installed an adjustable dual trim adjustment on both steering and throttle, WHAT WE USED plate slipper clutch that smooths out the initial as well as and dual rate dial that can be used to Electric Kit: power snap and also protects the internals on tone down the total amount of steering travel Transmitter: LRP B2-STX Pro 2.4GHz FHSS heavy landings. A plastic cover protects the plasticto make the truck more controllable for the less steerwheel (kit) Receiver: LRP A3-RX Deluxe FHSS 2.4GHz (kit) spur gear with a removable centre that makes it experienced driver. Servo: LRP R-7104 waterproof (kit) quick and easy to accurately adjust the slipper A matching 2.4GHz two channel receiver Motor: LRP Vector K7 8.5T 4300Kv assembly. Carrying the power to the rear wheels collects the radio signal from the transmitter, brushless(kit) Speed Control: LRP Spin Pro RTR brushless (kit) are steel dogbones, with matching steel stub axles whilst the steering duties are carried out by a Battery: LRP LiPo Hyper Pack 4800mAh 7.4V that carry the wheels using 14mm plastic single servo, this has 4.5kg of torque which is a OPTIONAL PARTS hex drives. good amount of power and is up to the job for 124624 Carbon Steering Brace - S10 Twister SC bashing use. WHEELS TYRES AND BODY:A LRP Vector K7 8.5T 4300Kv brushless motor VERDICT LRP should be very proud with the body on the (splash-proof) is used to power the truck. This is S10 Twister 2 SC BL as it looks just like a scale a fully rebuildable motor and is a great inclusion version of a full-sized short course truck. The thick in this RTR package with all the refinements we allGreat spec out of the box Can be run in wet conditions Lexan shell comes pre-cut, painted and decaled, come to expect from LRP motors. Strong with a white, blue and grey scheme. There are To govern the power to the motor LRP has small number boards installed behind the driver installed their splash-proof Spin Pro RTR brushless and passenger doors that add to the overall look.speed control. This unit comes fully LiPo ready andTyres clogged easily during testing Carrying on from the scale looking body, at the push of a button will activate its voltage LRP have moulded the wheels in the form of cut off protection software when using a 2S 7.4V RACER RATING: ★★★★ authentic beadlock-style racing wheels. These LiPo battery. Other features of the speed control CONTACT are finished in gloss black and are wrapped in include 200amp continuous current loading, deep side walled tyres that are moulded in a reverse lock out, real time braking, 5V BEC and Spire Model Distribution Ltd Unit 12 Gisborne Close, Ireland Business Park soft rubber and have a scale short course tread thermal protection cut out. Chesterfield, S43 3JT pattern. They are supported with a foam insert Lastly to power the SC truck a six-cell 7.2V Tel: 01246 470900 and should produce good grip on most surfaces. battery pack is required. For the review we Email: [email protected] The tyres and wheels are the same specification used one of LRP’s LiPo Hyper Pack in 4800mAh Website: www.lrp.cc as other short course models and therefore allowsconfiguration that will undoubtedly give good run www.smddirect.co.uk for the fitment of different tyre - great news time and lots of power.

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27


Summary The S10 Twister 2 SC performance has well class promises close the newbie, but also

BL is without doubt a great truck. LRP’s attempt to blend truck appeal with modern high and truly paid off. With short course truck racing gaining momentum in the UK, this competitive racing with a big grin factor. The LRP S10 Twister 2 SC BL offers not only the potential racer the opportunity to race or bash at an economical price point.

On Test For the performance test we went to a BMX track as this was as close as we could get to a real short course track with a surface that was a mixture of loose chalk, light dirt and gravel. The power of the LRP motor was noticeable immediately and the S10 Twister 2 SC BL raced away from a standing start with dirt and gravel flying out from under the rubber mud flaps – this looked very cool! With a lack of traction it became obvious that the adjustable slipper clutch would come into play so we started to loosen it until the rear tyres could find a little more grip. The clutch responded beautifully to fine adjustment and gives the owner the opportunity to fine tune the rear traction for all surfaces. Once the slipper was set correctly wheelspin was kept to a minimum. The super smooth drivetrain seemed to maximise the available power and you could barely hear the transmission as the truck flew past. Running on the suggested 4800mAh LiPo the truck had great performance out of the box with a good top speed. We reckon that the truck was going well over 30mph, which supports LRP’s bold claims. The kit tyres were very good and worked surprisingly well on most surfaces although in the wet conditions the tyres became clogged with mud after some time. The truck felt right at home on the BMX t rack and it was a joy to drive, tracking smoothly across the undulating dirt track with ease. The body almost floats as the wheels cycle up and down with the suspension soaking up the bumps very well. With its long wheelbase the S10 Twister 2 SC BL’s stability is surefooted, but with the power of modern brushless electronics even the longer wheelbase cannot prevent the occasional wheelie after landing a jump. As the BMX track had some nice jumps including a big tabletop, triples and some kickers we could not resist trying them out. The truck was a pleasure to jump, partly due to the longer wheelbase and also due to the almost perfect weight balance. We could hit the 3-metre tabletop at almost full speed and simple ease off the throttle to let the nose drop onto the down ramp - perfect. We then moved over to the triples and again we were not disappointed. We could clear two, hit the down ramp for the second and then pop off the third. The kickers didn’t go as well, as hitting them too fast would fire the truck up into the air like a rocket, and at this point the body would catch some air under it like a big parachute. This all but stopped the truck in mid-air at which point it would fall to earth for some very funky rear-end landings. The S10 Twister 2 SC BL did still drive away from these, but it just didn’t look very pretty. If the S10 can handle some of the bone crunching crashes that we put it through and not break that’s extremely good in our book! The run time on the LRP pack was great at around 15 minutes; this was in no small part down to the combination of kit electronics and LRP LiPo power installed. ■

28


THRASH TEST - BSR RACING BZ-444 PRO ■spec: 4wd moulded chassis ■class: 1:10 off-road competition ■cost: £109.76

ressive really 4 Pro buggy. Pretty imp -44 BZ g cin Ra R BS s and some ou this Just under £110 bu ys y wi th a 4 WD transmission, oilfi lled shock tion ca fi eci sp when you consider the t more? Then read on ponents. Want to find ou lovely anodised alloy com visit a model kit had to go out and had wanted an RC car model Along time ago, anyone for many years. Any good been has and case and order < shop. This is no longer the nce, so you can view prese e onlin and l ysica th a ph ntly there has been shop nowadays has bo the shop is shut. Rece own leisure or when g. This company has kits and parts at your of which is HobbyKin one , tores s y onl e can buy RC kits a growing trend for onlin online site where you s and has a massive y have a large been around a few year ts and accessories. The onen comp as well as and Ready-To-Runs and t, replacement parts amount of componen range of RC cars, but hop-ups for their own ve there, as they ha a that doesn’t only stop es, helicopters, dron f o up lineve massi planes, and boats.

AR B ACK TO THE C

ty of re given the opportuni We we letion-spec reviewing their comp – a 4WD BSR Racing BZ-444 Pro -road electric 1:10-scale off el kit. This is in fact a mod ned and that has been desig C manufactured by Team e of Racing with a huge rang gear diffs, option parts such as motor an anodised aluminium heatsink, mount with integrated holders front aluminium hinge pin lutely superb and rear, and the abso ks included as Team C aluminium shoc option parts available standard. With more

32


<

“Other kits in and around this price point have nowhere near the same high spec” June 2016 - Radio Control Car Racer

33

part of the suspension is topped off with the gold wishbones have multiple mounting positions forpack layout, but maybe with some modifying it alloy hinge pin holders that are used to hold thethe shocks and roll centres to gain a great set-up would enable a shorty LiPo to be installed and wishbones in place.

for indoor or outdoor racing.

adopt the latest trend for the 4WD class.

The alloy shock absorbers are of a small bore

The motor mount uses a neat design that is

design and require filling with oil Therefore the THE POWER WITHIN

similar to other manufacturers with a cam system

first job is to take off the springs and remove the To complete the build, we installed a Team Orionto alter the mesh. The cam shaped piece bolts to caps. Again we used the included shock oil and servo, and a HobbyKing-supplied TrackStar 120A the motor and slots into the bottom of the mount refitted the standard springs. The shocks feel good GenII speed control with matching Stock Spec

and is held in place by an alloy top clamp. This is

and smooth and you can easily fit optional springs 17.5T brushless motor and a Nano-Tech Ultimate then protected from dirt and fingers by a moulded to change the rebound characteristics or go for 6.0 7.4V saddle LiPo. There is ample space in thecover. The saddle pack is held in place with two some big bore shocks. Big bores are the main stay of all the other manufacturers, and would help

chassis to install the largest of receiver and plastic battery straps and body clips for quick and speed control so we had no issues easy removal. Ideally some sticky back foam could with the equipment had.

be applied to stop sideways movement of the

this kit land over the bigger

This kit only enables it saddle pack, but you could use some servo tape to

jumps. The shock towers and

to be built as a saddle

take up the gap.

<

TrackStar motor is a popular choice for stock class racing

A full package of moror andTrackStar speed control courtesy of Hobbyking

Nano-Tech Ultimate 6.0 saddle 7.4V LiPo pack is rated at 6000mAh and 80C June 2016 - Radio Control Car Racer

35


Rear suspension detail including the 14mm gold anodised wheel hexes

Blue alloy caster blocks are standard issue as are the other blue and gold parts

Threaded bodies shocks come pre-built from the factory. We would recommend investing in some optional springs

We fitted some Pro-Line Pin Point tyres to the yellow wheels that come in the kit

The moulded chassis shows its heritage with the shaping to accept sub-C cells. Fortunately LiPo packs drop into place

lt-in saver on the To protect the servo there is a bui left steering post

36


nto the motor A small heatsink is incorporated i mount design

e to fit sub-C cells but Should you wish it is still possibl best perfromance we would recommend LiPo for the

ARRMA BLX MAXIMUM POWER MAXIMUM FUN!

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 SUPER-TOUGH COMPOSITE AND ULTRA-LIGHT ALUMINIUM PARTS FOR STRENGTH AND UNRIVALLED HIGH SPEED PERFORMANCE

 INCLUDES DBOOTS MULTI-TERRAIN, HIGH GRIP TYRES AS STANDARD

 ATX-100 2.4GHZ RADIO TRANSMITTER WITH RECEIVER FOR PRECISION CONTROL IN ALL CONDITIONS

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A AVAIL

HA HROUG BLE T

RC ST

O LL GO

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TS O C K IS


“The BZ-444 Pro offers a n impressive spec f or the price. It would make a great investment”

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On Test For the thrash test of the BSR Racing BZ-444 Pro we chose to run it at the first round of the BRCA South-East 4WD Regionals hosted by Eden Park Raceway, who will also be holding the third round of the national series in June. The weather indicated that the first round would be wet to damp, but on arrival the track was only damp in places. The sun was out and with some breeze in the air, so we selected some Schumacher silver compound Mini Spikes front and rear for a practice run first thing. On the initial run the c ar felt slow with the TrackStar Stock Spec 17.5T motor as we expected up against modified opposition, so we swapped this out for a 7.5T, but kept with the silvers on all four corners. The car felt stable and drivable, but a little soft with some understeer. For the first round we opted to change tyres to yellow compound - Mini Spikes at the rear and Cut Staggers on the front knowing that this should improve turn in. The car felt a lot more responsive and with more steering. This gave us confidence in the corners, whist the soft set-up helped on the jumps and bumps of the Astroturf track. Sadly we weren’t so lucky over the large jump to the left of the track as one landing too many on the nose meant a broken wishbone, but we had been pushing our luck on a tough section of track where the crashes are always big! After repairing the wishbone and then opting to change the front tyres to 2WD Slim Mini Spikes (very rarely do we use the wider 4WD front), we instantly found improvement again, and were able to improve our lap times a little. Upon reflection, we think the car would have felt better if we had some alterative springs, maybe something a little harder, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case... Overall the car was definitely fast enough, very drivable, stable and consistent - ideal for first time 4WD racer!

< Although you get hex yellow wheels in the box, there aren’t any inserts or tyres. The wheel hexes come in the same gold colour to complement the rest of the kit but are 14mm rather than 12mm that has become the industry standard. That said optional 12mm wheel hexes are available that will allow the use of other

manufacturer’s wheels. A clear Lexan body and rear wing are supplied, both with an overspray protective film. We choose to airbrush the shell in the style of a storm trooper from the resent re-boot of the latest Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens.■

SPECIFICATION

Model: BSR Racing BZ-444 Pro Scale: 1:10 Class: Off-Road Application: Competition Format: Kit Power: Electric Chassis: Moulded Drivetrain: 4WD Transmission: Shaft Differentials: Gear Shocks: Oil-filled/threaded bodies Bearings/Bushes: Bearings TECHNICAL DATA

Width:

245-250mm

Length: Wheelbase: Weight:

350mm 279-281mm 1650g

WHAT WE USED

Electric Kit Transmitter: Spektrum DX3S 2.4GHz steerwheel Receiver: Spektrum SR3500 DSM 2.4GHz three-channel micro Servo: Team Orion Vortex VDS2-HV 1605 High-Speed Speed Control: TrackStar 120A GenII Motor: TrackStar Stock Spec 17.5T V2 brushless Battery: Nano-Tech Ultimate 6.0 6000mAh 7.4V saddle LiPo OPTIONAL PARTS

Summary

The BSR Racing BZ-444 goes together extremely well and is very competitively priced. Other kits based around this price haven’t the same specs or anywhere near the set-up capabilities. This is ideal for any beginners who want to race a 4WD race kit.

Complete Spring Set (4) Optional Aluminium Front Arm Mount Set Optional Aluminium Rear Arm Mount Set Optional Aluminium C-Hub 10-degree (L/R) Optional Aluminium C-Hub 13-degree (L/R) Fibre-Reinforced Fan Mount Titanium Turnbuckle Set Optional Aluminium Steering Plate Anti-Roll Bar Set (1mm/1.1mm/1.2mm/1.3mm/1.4mm) VERDICT

Hugh spec/low price Alloy optional parts as standard Gear differentials

Standard diff seals CONTACT

HobbyKing Website: www.hobbyking.com


39

Pro-Line Light Bar Kits

Serpent Spyder SRX-4 With Aluminium Chassis Serpent has released an additional version of their belt-driven Serpent Spyder 4WD 1:10 buggy with a hard-coated lightened 7075 T6 aluminium chassis. The carbon chassis, which is standard on the current Spyder SRX-4 gives the car the extra flex, which works well on medium and lower grip surfaces, but with the hard coated aluminium chassis the car works better on medium to super high-grip tracks. The durable 7075 T6 aluminium chassis is stiffer than the carbon version, is machined to make it lighter and hard-coated for stiffness and durability. The new part numbers for the kits are as follows: 500010 500011

Serpent Spyder SRX-4 (carbon chassis) Serpent Spyder SRX-4 (aluminium chassis)

Serpent Off-Road Available from: Website:www.serpentuk.com Contact:[email protected]

UK

Pro-Line can now offer three light bars with real working LED lights. The lights are rated for 6V to 12V power, so you have the option to plug directly into a 3S LiPo power source. The LEDs are housed in a durable black nylon housing moulding with a P-L logo and includes the mounts and hardware you need to do a custom install on a rock Crawler, rock racer, 1:8 MT and 1:10 MT vehicle. 6276-00 Pro-Line 2” Super-Bright LED Light Bar Kit 6V-12V 6276-01 Pro-Line 4” Super-Bright LED Light Bar Kit 6V-12V 6276-02 Pro-Line 6” Super-Bright LED Light Bar Kit 6V-12V CML Distribution Available from: Website:www.cmldistribution.co.uk Contact:01527 575349

Xray XB2 Stainless Steel Battery Weight Xray have released this specially designed 50g stainless steel weight for placement beneath battery on their XB2 buggy. This keeps the weight as low as possible to make the car easier to drive and more forgiving. #326180

Xray Stainless Steel Battery Weight 50g RC Disco Available from: Website:www.rcdisco.com Contact:[email protected]

40


Protoform Chevrolet Corvette C7.R Clear Body Protoform brings Corvette Racing’s championship heritage to 1:8 GT class racing with their officially licensed Corvette C7.R race body. From the signature Corvette™ muscular stance and swept-back roofline, to the large front splitter and side vents, every detail of the 1:1 racecar is captured to add scale realism to the world of 1:8 GT. The extensive decal sheet lets you deck out your C7.R with Corvette branded windshield headers, “Jake” skull hood logo, number plates, and USA flags. Included with the body is an add-on rear wing, secured with three oversized nylon screws and featuring two trim-lines and spill-plate sizes: a lower line for sanctioned racing, and an upper line for low-grip club racing. This body fits 1:8 GT cars with the longer (GT2) wheelbase of 360mm, such as the Kyosho Inferno GT2. GT1 class racers. A shorter wheelbase version (328mm) of the C7.R is coming soon. 1546-40 Protoform Chevrolet Corvette C7.R body for 1:8 GT (long wheelbase) CML Distribution Available from: Website:www.cmldistribution.co.uk Contact:01527 575349

Protoform Classic Snapback Hat The new Protoform Classic Snapback hat comes with a heather grey crown and is contrasted by a black bill, eyelets, top button and plastic snapback. The Protoform wordmark sprawls across the front of the hat in 3D puff stitching, while a small PF is set on the back. The bill comes flat, but you can add as much or as little curve as you’d like. A classic green underbill completes this one-sizefits-most snapback hat.

Protoform Iconic Black Tri-Blend Shirt The new Iconic shirt puts features the PF logo front and centre in oversized form, slightly distressed to signify the tried-and-true reputation of Protoform race bodies, that has been printed on a super-soft black tri-blend crew neck shirt.

9816-00 Protoform Classic Snapback hat

9817 Protoform Iconic Black Tri-blend Shirt

CML Distribution Available from: Website:www.cmldistribution.co.uk Contact:01527 575349

CML Distribution Available from: Website:www.cmldistribution.co.uk Contact:01527 575349

March 2016 - Radio Control Car Racer

41

Xray XB2 Aluminium Front Rear Roll Centreand Holders These optional front and rear roll centre holders are CNC machined from high-quality Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium that have been designed to increase strength and make the handling more precise and more forgiving. These are suitable for very high-traction tracks. The front piece will fit both the Dirt and Carpet Edition whilst the rear is for the Carpet Edition only. #322041 Xray XB2 Roll Centre Holder #323041 Xray XB2 Roll Centre Holder

Aluminium Front - Swiss 7075 T6 Aluminium Rear - Swiss 7075 T6

RC Disco Available from: Website:www.rcdisco.com Contact:[email protected]

Pro-Line Predator Clear Body for TLR 22 3.0 Introducing the Pro-Line Predator Body for the TLR 22 3.0! The Predator design recently debuted on the B5M and has now been reshaped to fit perfectly on the new 22 3.0. The Predator takes design features from the Phantom and Type-R bodies to create a whole new look and balanced performance in any condition. Give your buggy the performance and style it needs to dominate the competition, get the Pro-Line Predator body today! 3467-00 Predator Clear Body for TLR 22 3.0 CML Distribution Available from: Website:www.cmldistribution.co.uk Contact:01527 575349

JConcepts Shock Components JConcepts have unveiled a raft of optional aluminium parts for the Team Associated 1:10-scale 12mm big bore shock absorbers. Their aluminium cap is precision machined with angular bleed hole for correct building procedure and maintenance. The cap features weight reducing holes positioned about the centre to reduce weight and add to the styling. The new caps are available in blue or black with an etched JC logo. for identification. Next up is the JConcepts shock collar that has a knurled exterior for extra grip and making quick adjustments. A notch has been added for location and identifying a trackside ride height change. The precise collar accepts the same inner O-ring as the kit standard and with a tiny drop of oil makes them easily adjustable from any position. Like the caps, these too are available in blue or black. The shock bottom end cap allows the racer a little extra grip during a closure of shock rebuild. The blue or black anodised piece fits nicely on the latest Team Associated shocks and also has the JConcepts.net etched logo. The spring cup is a finishing touch when it comes to a complete shock build and come with a 5mm off-set, which is the most popular setting on the B5M, T5M and SC5M. The aluminium material in either blue or black anodising provides a healthy footing for the hot new spring of choice or the trusty stock spring set. The cups feature a unique shock shaft path that helps lock the spring cup in position during hard crashes or collisions. Etched with offset identification and JConcepts.net logo the new spring cups are top-notch replacements. #2490-1 #2490-2 #2491-1 #2491-2 #2492-1

JConcepts JConcepts JConcepts JConcepts JConcepts

Fin 12mm V2 Shock Cap – blue (2) Fin 12mm V2 Shock Cap – black (2) Fin 12mm Shock Collar – blue (2) Fin 12mm Shock Collar – black (2) Fin VCS Shock Bottom Cap – blue (2)

#2492-2 JConcepts Fin VCS Shock Bottom Cap – black (2) #2493-1 JConcepts Fin Shock 5mm Offset Spring Cup – blue (2) #2493-2 JConcepts Fin Shock 5mm Offset Spring Cup – black (2) X-Factory UK Available from: Website:www.xfactoryrc.co.uk Contact:01923 816636

42


RACER INSIGHT - NEW PRODUCTS ■What: LRP Column

ALL SHAPES AND SIZES FOR SHORTY AND SADDLE In this column I want to talk in depth about our Competition Car Line batteries for 2016 and also quickly look back upon the TITC that was held in Bangkok, Thailand. Last year, our LiPo competitors. Now, we really can < Competition Car Line say, “You name it, we got it!” batteries really took off in the racing scene. We took this as CELL STACKING motivation to further improve The R&D team came up with the revolutionising HDS-6and develop our batteries, and to tune them even more for High-Density Stacking technology. racing competitions. These are This constitutes LRP’s exclusive purebred high-end competition cell stacking and electrolyte batteries – nothing more, nothing technology against swelling for less. Our R&D team was able to a longer cycle life. Furthermore broaden the range, ensuring these batteries exhibit our new that you always have the best P5 technology using 5mm gold possible configuration for your plated battery plugs for lowest needs and an advantage over your contact resistance and maximum

The new line-up covers 1:12, 1:10 and 1:8 applications, from super short to shorty and stick, saddle and LCG

44


power. To smooth over the change from 4mm to 5mm connectors, you will receive free 5mm Gold Works Team connectors with every 2016 Competition Car Line battery (excluding #430249) and also a free 5mm to 4mm Gold Works Team adapter. In my opinion, this should really push aside any hesitation on your side.

With the new designs you can move the LiPo around the battery compartment

FOUR OF THE BEST Now I want to take some time to introduce four noteworthy new batteries out of the whole

Connectors to suit 4mm and 5mm applications, with a 2mm for balancing

In 4WD cars like the Team Associated B44.3 shown above that adopt a saddle set-up, LRP’s new packs can be located towards the centre or outside

line. Firstly, there are the two saddle packs - the cornering speed while making the car easier coming in first. Ronald had to settle for third Shorty Saddle P5 (430242) and the Small Saddle to drive. place ahead of Alex Hagberg. The second leg saw P5 (430243) with 3900mAh capacity in each. Both Lastly, I am proud to announce our first Bruno having technical issues that led to him of them are a world premiere in 4WD Modified. Competition Car Line 4S battery, the LRP 6600 1:8 abandoning the final. Ronald was able to take The Shorty Saddle P5 hardcase enables you to 4S P5 LiPo battery (430246). This one is perfect for the lead and win leg two ahead of former World move your battery halves to the front or the rear E-buggies using a standard battery configuration.Champion Marc Rheinard and Alexander Hagberg. of your car to significantly influence the weight It is easy to use, tons of power and more than Leg three would decide the title between Bruno distribution of your car and therefore adjust enough capacity, giving you high and consistent and Ronald. Bruno kept the lead from the start front- and rear-end grip. This system has already power output. You just can’t go wrong with it. and won in a tight fight again ahead of Meen been used with shorty battery packs in 2WD As I already mentioned earlier, we have in second and Ronald back in third. This made off-road with great success, and are now it is extremely broadened the LiPo Competition Car Bruno Coelho the new 2016 Thailand International also available for cars using a saddle pack batteryLine within the last two years and can now truly Touring Car Champion. LRP team driver Ronald configuration. The Small Saddle P5 in contrast is aoffer the perfect battery for every RC racing Völker finished second on tiebreak ahead of special, narrower saddle pack hardcase, and theseapplication possible! Meen Vejrak, as Marc Rheinard came in fourth can be placed to the inside or the outside of the and Alexander Hagberg fifth. Congratulations to car greatly influencing the cornering and jump TITC BANGKOK all drivers and thanks to RedRC.net for the photo behaviour of your car. Manage the aggressiveness The 2016 edition of the Thailand International from this event.n of your car by moving the halves inside for Touring Car Championship, or better known as Jurgen Lautenbach more agility or moving them outside for greater the TITC was held once again at the RC Addict stability. This is a brand new tuning option for allracetrack in Bangkok with a total of 250 drivers CEO LRP Electronic saddle pack chassis layouts that has never been were in attendance. The conditions were extreme available before. in every way. Asphalt temperatures exceeding The new Real Shorty LCG P5 battery (430239) 60-degrees Celsius in combination with a bumpy with 4000mAh combines the benefit of our track created truly challenging conditions for the standard shorty pack with those of our shorty LCG drivers. In the modified touring car class, team pack. It therefore offers the best possible power/ driver Ronald Völker was representing LRP. After weight/height ratio of all of our off-road batteriesthe qualifying, reigning 4WD off-road World and is therefore of course the perfect battery to Champion Bruno Coelho had secured TQ with Meen start with. It features a lower hardcase design that Vejrak and our own Ronald Völker in second and will lower the centre of gravity while maintainingthird respectively. the high power output that you are used to The spectators saw a close fight in leg one of LRP team driver Ronald Völker took second in from our standard shorty pack enabling higher the A final between Bruno and Meen with Bruno the modified TC class


45

RACER INSIGHT ■What: Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI4 ■Additional photography: courtesy of www.neo-buggy.net

O I P M A H C HE

N “It may look familiar, but delve under the body a nd the TKI4 is packed with newly desig ned parts ” 46


RACER INSIGHT ■What: Kyosho Inferno MP9 TKI4 ■Additional photography: courtesy of www.neo-buggy.net

CLOSE-UP

As this is Elliott Boots’s own car, it features The new wing comes with a choice of bolt The abuse a 1:8 off-road chassis takes is The proven system of inserts is used on Pro-Line rubber and red wheel nuts on wickerbills immense as you can see here the rear mounting block

EC15 engine pays homeage to Elliott’s 2015 European Championship title

New alloy steering knuckles offer improved Ackerman

Updated pins make a more secure shock The adjusters now include a small absorber fixing marking to make more accurate changes

Kyosho blue springs all round is a popular Additional Lexan piece helps support the As a Sanwa sponsored driver Elliott uses Heat reflective tape and additional fuel set-up body their latest servos and radio equipment pipe security are just two personal touches <

on the roughest tracks with the biggest jumps. STRONGER WISHBONES A lightweight 13T vented clutch bell is now included standard in the TKI4 and this also

ALL ROUND The lower rear wishbones benefit from

reduces rotating mass that will help with faster significantly increased webbing around the acceleration and improved fuel economy. The

gussets. The wishbones have been reinforced in

clutch also benefits by reducing the heat in

the web area to make them especially stronger

the clutch shoes and springs, and by allowing

in line with the hinge pin, while still allowing

the clutch debris to escape from inside the

some necessary flex in the perpendicular axis

clutch bell.

to make shock set-up easier. Wishbones that are simply made super stiff in every direction

st two cars from ju hows the s eo16 Underside s State and N r e v l i S e h t races -

BEEF BALL ENDS

will make the car very difficult to tune properly

The ball ends used on the steering turnbuckles

because there’s such a small tuning window.

have been made stronger and now use a

The new MP9 arms add strength and durability

6.8mm-size set-up. The wall thickness of the ball ends is increased to keep the fit very tight

in the right areas, while still providing a car that’s easy to set-up for your conditions and

and strong to reduce wear and

driving preferences.

increase reliability.

Neo16 Set-Up Elliott raced his new TKI4 to an impressive third place overall at the Neo16 whilst Kyosho team mate Jared Tebo took a stunning sixth win at the event. As this was the second outing with the new car, Elliott’s TKI4 features a few items from the old car including steering knuckles, wing mounts and the lower rear suspension mount fitted to the front gearbox casing.

48


Like the rears, the front wishbones also

The revised alloy hubs feature eccentric inserts to alter the roll centre

The shock boots have reverted back to aT he wickerbil l bol ts in to place old design seen on the 777 model

T he T KI 4 ai r fi lter is a m uch bi gger item

The optional heavy-duty servo saver and A vented 13-tooth clutch bell sits in front The front and rear wishbones now featureElliott’s car has the TKI3 higher rear wing lightweight adjuster are standard of the flywheel increased webbing mounting system fitted

SPECIFICATION

Length: Width: Height: Wheelbase: Track: Internal Gear Ratio: Weight:

490mm 309mm 180mm 325mm 254mm 11.7:1 3300g (approx)

TECHNICAL DATA

Front Suspension Piston: Eight-hole1.3mm Oil: 600cst Spring: Blue Anti-Roll Bar: 2.5mm Camber: 1-degree negative Ride Height: 26mm Rear Suspension Piston: Eight-hole1.3mm Oil: 400cst Spring: Blue Anti-Roll Bar: 2.5mm Camber: 2-degrees negative Ride Height: 28mm Toe-In: 3-degrees Diff Oils Front: Centre: Rear:

6000wt 6000wt 3000wt

Engine: Exhaust: Gearing: Plug:

Reds R7 EC Reds EFRA 2104 13/46 #5

Clutch Springs: Shoes: Fuel:

0.95mm Two alloy, one carbon Byron

Body: Wing: Tyres: Insert: Wheel:

Kyosho TKI4 Kyosho TKI4 – 8mm gurney Pro-Line Suburbs MC (used in qualifying) Pro-Line Pro-Line

CONTACT

Kyosho Europe (UK dept FDL Ltd) Room 7, The Old Building Bishops College, Churchgate, Cheshunt, Herts, EN8 9XB Tel: 01992 893339 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kyoshoeurope.com www.kyosho.com

The car benefits from a more secure mounting for the air filter

The Sanwa receiver is further protected LRP provide the LiPo battery pack to by a balloon power the on-board rado

benefit from all the reinforcing the new wheels will ideally fit all to make them stronger. The front the most current racing tyres, and wishbones are also 2mm longer they’ve even been modified to in than the TKI3 front arms, which include a rougher surface that will allows the use of the 93mm make the glue bead much stronger. driveshafts that feature all round for simplicity. The longer wishbones also WIDER AND LOWER bring the front suspension out closer Extensions visible on the outside of to maximum width as regulated by world and national organisations. The new wider stance offers improved cornering for the TKI4.

LONGER LINKS There are new steering knuckles for improved Ackerman and these are complimented by longer steering turnbuckles with updated shock pins that hold the shock absorber in the wishbone. At the wheel end you will get gunmetal anodised locking wheel nuts. Talking of wheels, the Kyosho ones come in a variety of colours, but they’ve been retooled to be lighter and the match the dimensions of the most popular tyres. That means

the wing mounts helps to support the standard TKI4 rear wing that is now much lighter than before. The wing mount is also lower, which keeps the wing at the proper height in relation to the new body, and by keep it lower, it also reduces the possibility of damage in a crash. ■

As Racer w ent to pres s, Elliott ha his TKI4 to d just drive a national c n ham pionsh win at Deer i p round dale on Ast ro


49

JARED TEBO

NEO16

Photography courtesy of www.neo-buggy.net

RACER PREVIEW - BRCA 1:10 OFF-ROAD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016

TOP STEP PREDICTIONS There have been many driver and team moves over the winter as the top racers aim to knock Lee Martin off his perch after winning both 2WD and 4WD classes in 2015. Whilst Lee has changed electrics sponsor for this year, will this have any effect on his dominance shown in 2015?

through the regional events as well

Martin is the reigning champ in

is first up at a venue that has

tracks to light up with racing as nationals, and even if you don't

both classes, but he was pushed

been in use for over 20 years. The current track is multi-surface with

from some of the best drivers the

want to race it's great to pop along

all the way by Neil Cragg (Team

UK has to offer. The electric buggy

and see the top drivers going head

Associated) last year with these two very compact sizing, it does offer a

scene in Britain started way back in to head in an enjoyable friendly

proving to be that bit quicker than

the early '80s and has always been

the rest of the field for the majority so local knowledge helps but isn't

atmosphere.

strong, with this year set to be

of the season. The other drivers will that important. It is also a track

A WEEKEND AWAY

no different... The national series is open

certainly be doing their best to close known for being very difficult in the

The national meetings are held over that gap, so let's take a look at what wet due the slippery nature of the

to any BRCA member that wants

a weekend with Saturday for 2WD

to race, with priority given to

cars and Sunday for 4WD. There are

higher-level formula drivers.

six events in the year with a driver’s TRACKS FOR 2016

Formula ratings can be earned

best four to count. Yokomo’s Lee

Kidderminster in the midlands hosts round one

in store this year.

brick paving sections. Robin Hood Raceway (RHR) is next up and fresh from a very

Kidderminster in the West Midlands successful European Championships

RHR Dirt held the Euros in 2015, Eden Park has become a familiarThe Astro of Telford will host theTORCH on the south coast wraps but it’s Astro for R2 of the nats sight to the BRCA racers fifth round up the 2016 natonal series

Boughton gets their first full national after successfully hosting an end of season last year

52

multitude of different layout options


Even if you aren’t competing, the BRCA National Championship is a great event to watch with racing all day from Saturday morning through to Sunday night. And of course it is an opportunity to meet the top off-road stars as they do battle for 2WD and 4WD honours

in 2015 on their dirt track, it will be and bumps to challenge them. Keep series, there are two end of year

drastically so there is no stead-fast

back to their permanent Astroturf

an eye out as this meeting could

finals. The Junior/Veteran event is

rule on what is fast, but as the cars

track for the national. With some

throw up a surprise or two.

to be hosted by the Bury Metro club are developed and set ups tweaked

interesting elevation changes and

Telford return again for 2016 with and the F2/F3/F4/F5 finals this year

testing camber angles RHR is usually their ever-evolving track. Whilst it

things will become clearer.

go to Stotfold as they step back from

There have also been changes in

one of the most challenging tracks

remains another all-Astroturf track, the nationals for a year to give other 4WD where a shaft-drive layout with

we visit.

it offers a slightly lower grip level

tracks a chance.

Eden Park Raceway in south

than some other venues, and the

London is another track with a rich

club are always looking at ways to

history and despite a few dormant

tweak the layout to make it better. There are many ways of making

years it has risen from the ashes

The final round is at TORCH

saddle pack batteries has been the norm, drivers now prefer the lighter

TEAMS FOR 2016

weight shorty batteries and with them different weight distribution.

a fast car, and with the influx of

Combined with one of the major manufacturers in Yokomo going back to belt drive for 2016 it will no doubt

to host national events. The club members are some of the most

(Titchfield), near the south coast between Portsmouth and

manufacturers into this class in the last few years the innovation

willing helpers around with the

Southampton. The work the

has been great to see. It took years be a very interesting year.

track being predominantly Astroturf members have put in to improve

for racers to accept the mid-motor

but also combining some paved and their site is immense and it's

design for 2WD buggies and once

concrete sections.

that happened designs have quickly Starting with the defending

Boughton in Norfolk is a new

almost unrecognisable from a few

YOKOMO

years ago. The Astroturf area offers progressed from four-gear mid

champions, they might have won

venue for the national series

infinite layout options with various

both British titles last year with Lee,

this year following their very

3D features to test the drivers along four-gear laydown and now for the

but they haven't sat on their laurels

successful hosting of the F3/F4/

with the very high grip surface.

with two new cars for 2016. Their

F5 end of season finals in 2015. An

motor to three-gear mid m otor, to ultimate in high grip performance

manufacturers are trying three-gear trend-setting YZ-2 2WD buggy has

all-Astroturf track awaits the drivers END OF SEASON

laydown gearboxes. Of course

moved from a four-gear laydown

with some quite aggressive jumps

with racing outside, grip can vary

to a three-gear laydown gearbox

As well as the six event national


53

RACER PREVIEW - BRCA 1:10 OFF-ROAD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016 The Serpent SRX-4 belonging to UK team manager/distributor Tony Evdoka

BRCA RACE DATES Here is a rundown of the national championship dates for the 1:10 off-road section as well as the European Championships that in 2016 are hosted by Spain at Valladolid. BRCA National Round One 16-17 April - Kidderminster BRCA National Round Two 14-15 May - RHR (Astro) EFRA European Championships warm-up 27-29 May - Valladolid, Spain BRCA National Round Three 11-12 June - Eden Park Raceway EFRA Grand Prix 1-3 July - Kampenhout, Belgium BRCA National Round Four 2-3 July - Boughton BRCA National Round Five 16-17 July - Telford EFRA European Championships 25-30 July - Valladolid, Spain BRCA National Round Six 13-14 August - TORCH BRCA Juniors/Veterans/F2s 20-21 August - Bury Metro BRCA F345s 10-11 September - Stotfold

The HB D216 in the USA, but will we see it in the UK in 2016?

Tom Yardy will be the lead driver for the Schumacher team

The Champions Edition of the B5M is the latest production Team Associated model

whilst the rest of the car remains

Workshop from France. These are a strong team of drivers containing

unchanged as they concentrate

straight fit onto the B5M platform, Tom Yardy, Greg Williams, Nathan

on high grip surfaces. The YZ-4

but only really needed for those

4WD car is all-new and features a

wishing to compete at the highest amongst others.

twin belt design, but with geared

level. Team Associated's 4WD

Waters, Danny McGee, Lloyd Storey

gearboxes front and rear, allowing platform has been a pace setter

TLR

for very small differentials to lower for many years and rumours are it

Like Team Associated, TLR has

the rotating mass. Lee heads the

will also be getting an overhaul/

historically concentrated on the US

driving line up and is once again

replaced with a new design in the scene, but they are also adjusting

joined by fellow national winners

near future. As the team take stock to the importance of the high

Tom Cockerill and Simon Moss.

with their latest designs on the

grip European market. Their 22 3.0

horizon it is once again Neil Cragg version kit now has a stand-up

TEAM ASSOCIATED

who will lead the team.

This brand has won more World Championship titles than any

three-gear box, but they have also released an optional laydown

SCHUMACHER

other manufacturer and they did it The sole British manufacturer

gearbox for the car so expect to see that on most of the TLR's in the

again last year in Japan in the 2WD in this market. Their KF2 is very UK. For 4WD the triple belt 22-4 class. Using a prototype three-gear popular and is the only 2WD aroundcontinues with some adjustments Some changes to the TLR 22-4 allows it to run a shorty LiPo

laydown box on their B5M platform that uses a belt-drive transmission,by the team, primarily to allow the the car had amazing pace.

with options for three different

use of shorty cells. TLR stalwart Ellis

Unfortunately it's not available yet weight distribution layouts to

Stafford heads the team with an

as the design gurus at AE's Area 51 suit different conditions. New for

expanded regional crew of drivers

have decided to do more than just 2016 is the K2 4WD car that is an

looking to make their national

update the gearbox before releasingevolution of the Euros-winning K1. breakthrough.

Tom Cockerill and the Yokomo team have the new YZ-4 at their disposal for 2016

54


to market, so many drivers have

With similar suspension geometry

chosen to purchase one of the 3D

the belt-drive layout has received PR RACING

printed boxes being made by RC

some tweaks and is expected

The newest team on the UK block,

design enthusiasts such as Red

to show well in the hands of a

PR Racing is a company that has

The Schumacher line-up is not only one of the biggest teams in the pits...

...but also one of the strongest with Tom The 2015 2WD top three saw Lee Martin Who will take the fight to the 4WD Yardy adding to the roster on top from Neil Cragg and Tom Cockerill champions in 2016?

been around a few years and

have to wait and see if they up their having their first 2WD car ready to

new car out for a couple of years,

has worked very quickly to refine their designs into c ompetitive

game for the UK market as Elliott Boots and Jack Embling are the

but continue to have good dealer backing in the UK so could be an

machinery. For their S1 V3 2WDcar

most likely front-runners for Kyosho, uncertainty.

PR have skipped the four-gear

although they may concentrate on

laydown layout and gone straight

their more usual 1:8 off-road class.

for a three-gear laydown box, which should go well on high grip surfaces. Their SB401 4WD is shaft-drive and follows the trends set by other manufacturers. Inside Line Models head honcho Kevin Lee leads the driving line-up and will no doubt be expanding the team.

TEAM C The team has been actively been recruiting drivers for 2016 from all formula and are making a strong

SERPENT The Dutch brand stepped up their involvement over the last 12 months with the signing of international star Jörn Neumann, and UK team manager Tony Evdoka continues to have boundless energy so as the cars make progress they could well prove to be a dark horse.

go, a tumultuous past few months leaves a UK race team a major

outsider if conditions are right.

TEAM DURANGO

TAMIYA

The Hobbico-owned brand made

One of the biggest names in the

the decision last year to tone down industry is Tamiya and they continue their team support for drivers so

to make fast cars, but unfortunately

despite new 2WD and 4WD cars

the lack of a race team and supply

being released recently they will

issues means they are unlikely to be

probably be thin on the ground

seen trackside.

with Paul Robinson their main hope with the possibility of former EURO STARS European Champion Chris Doughty

With the World Championships

making an appearance.

being held bi-annually (and held in

SWORKZ Arguably better known for 1:8

Japan last October), 2016 will see the CARISMA drivers concentrate on the European The brand represented in the UK by Championships as the main

push. Their TM4 and TM2 V2 cars remain similar to last year with

off-road, 2016 sees their new laydown gearbox 2WD and the

CML Distribution released their first international event with Valladolid 4WD competition buggy last year to in Spain hosting this year's event.

the 2WD being one of the only

latest evolution of their 4WD cars

much acclaim (the 4XS buggy), but

Keep an eye out in forthcoming

hybrid-style cars in production now. gaining popularity with it's unique

again their lack of depth in drivers Racer editions as we bring you all

The super c onsistent Craig Collinson (in the 1:10 market) pivot ball front

will show up with micro class stars the news and results from what is

heads the driver line up joined by

suspension. It will be interesting to Phil Sleigh and Craig Harris leading possibly the most h otly contested

fellow A finalist Richard Lowe, and

see if they can make the step into

the charge, although that might

keep an eye out for up and coming

this competitive market.

change with a 2WD rumoured to be

driver Paul Compton.

XRAY The Slovakian company took what

class in the UK.■

in development.

HB The HB brand has some great international drivers and despite

X-FACTORY The American team hasn't had a

many saw as a surprise world title in the 4WD class last year with their XB4 driven by touring car star Bruno Coelho. Helped by the Astro track surface (rather than dirt) it played to Xray's strengths and with a revised 4WD and new laydown 2WD car out the team will continue to show strongly at European meetings, but they struggle for top line drivers elsewhere so are not expected to show so well in the UK this year.

KYOSHO The Japanese giant has a great design pedigree with the RB6 and xyxyx xyx xyx xxyxx yx xyxxyxyx xyxy xyx the ZX-6, not forgetting the latest xyxxyyx xxy hybrid RZ6 also announced. We'll

The DB pl atform set a precedent for ot hers to foll ow

The TORCH venue is always stunningil y presented


55

THRASH TEST - XRAY XB4 2016 SPECS ■spec: 4wd alloy chassis ■class: 1:10 off-road competition ■cost: £389.99

ofile servo, but You don’t have to install a low-pr e had to hand we fitted a KO Propo model that w

a KR411FH We used KO equipment including 2.4GHz receiver

n front of the G-Force 120A speed control sits i motor of the same brand

clutch is ad justable and uses a nty of power A G-Force 6.5T motor provided ple when we tested the car at SHRCC

Following current trends the 2016 Specs adopts a shorty LiPo battery set-up

S pepr dtuaanldpaardd sselitp-u

< rear diff. The instructions detail the amount of oil to be used by weight. Our scales weren’t accurate enough to be certain, but the rule of thumb is to just cover the central cross pin that the satellite gears attach to. Once the diffs are complete the assembly of the drivetrain commences. The differentials are mounted into the gearboxes on the chassis and connected by the centre driveshafts - all very simple, and clearly documented in the instructions. This was the only area where we made a slight error in our build. We used threadlock as recommended on the screw that holds the bevel drive gear onto the centre shaft, but we used the red (strong) threadlock and when

The chassis on the 2016 Specs is actually shorter than its predecessor, the srcinal XB4 model

58


we attempted to take the gear off later in the build the screw stripped due to the strength of the threadlock. So we recommend using some lower strength Tamiya Blue type. The instructions also don’t recommend any grease on the gears, so we assume they will be fine without. The shock mounts attached to the assembled gearboxes and once completed the build of the suspension starts.

SUSPENSION The build of the suspension is one of the areas where the legendary Xray quality really shines through, with everything fitting perfectly and all wishbones dropping freely under their own weight without any tweaking. We again used Bruno’s setting for the wishbone pivot positions, with zero track width front and rear, a high roll-centre at the rear and low roll centre at the front. Essentially this will allow the car to roll more at the front, calming the speed of the turn-in and giving great mid-corner grip. The anti-roll bars mount onto the wishbones, and the only thing to ensure is that when you tighten the grub screws you don’t stop the free movement of the anti-roll bar as this will dramatically affect the suspension’s performance. The driveshafts on the XB4 are a design that is new to us (although not to the XB4 series), the universal joints are built in the standard way – a barrel with a pin through allows the axle and driveshaft to articulate through a full range of movement. In most cases the pin is held in place by a grub screw, which needs threadlock applied. In many cases if the threadlock runs into the joint it restricts the movement. The XB4 uses a safety collar that goes over the joint and stops the pin escaping. This is a simple solution that removes the need for a fiddly grub screw. The kit comes supplied with 9-degree caster blocks, and the position of the steering block within the caster block can be adjusted by switching the position of spacers. We again followed Bruno and went for a higher roll centre, which we are guessing is used to offset the lower inner pin position. Once the driveshafts are in place the turnbuckles complete the suspension. The manual has the initial lengths, it is worth noting these drawings aren’t to scale, so make sure you measure them prior to attaching them to the car. The wheel hexes supplied with the kit are now 14mm so bear that in mind as many other

The servo saver was ad justed to the best of our ability

<

Some 50g of stick on weight wa s added to the right-hand side to perfectly bal ance the chassis

Carbon fibre is used for the fron t and rear shock towers, cut in house at Xray

The big bore shocks use an emulsion design with an O-ring upper seal


59


r indicates the Laser etching on the anti-roll ba stiffness - no stickers here!

r 12mm aftermarket wheels are the smalle hex onto size. The screws that clamp the to strip, so the driveshaft are small and easy up. take care when tightening these <

I ON CH ASSI S CON STRU CT mounted The front and rear assemblies are to to the chassis at this point. Prior guards and attaching the gearboxes the side attached. backbone of the car need to be n of The backbone of the car has a selectio screws screws, and this means that certain lex on can be removed to allow more f lower grip tracks. We chose to build the resulting car with all the screws inserted, gearboxes in the stiffest set-up. Once the

60


point for the hub You can change the outer pivot by moving the hinge pin position

assembly is are on the chassis the steering instructions attached and by following the The only area a bind free action is achieved. of the that needs special care is the setting end a servo saver. The instructions recomm

g point, preload of 3mm to 4mm as a startin compress but the spring we had wouldn’t of that far and we started with preload links in the 2mm. We mounted the steering with the kit position, which again is in line . world championship-winning set-up are The front and rear differentials to a connected via driveshafts that link d this central slipper clutch assembly, anfor various means the drive can be adjusted can be grip surfaces and the drivetrain

e chance of one Extra deep spring cups reduce th coming off in a crash

driving. protected from impacts during clutch Again the construction of the slipper needs care is simple and the only thing that spring in the is avoiding over-tightening the needed slipper clutch, but the compression is clearly shown in the instructions.

PERFE CT SH OCK S? are the The shock absorbers on the XB4 most popular big bore design, and like on design modern buggies are the emulsi the shock where an O-ring is used to seal to mix and allow a small amount of air type of with the oil. The advantage of this shock is that the initial movement is very agm shocks smooth in comparison to diaphr

Surprisingly Xray use a moulded shock cap on their shocks

so the car will ride small bumps better. The shocks feature a small bleed screw on the shock cap, which allows the rebound within the shock to be adjusted – these shocks are the easiest to build we have come across. The only things to remember are that on initial filling of the shock

Xray mould all their own compo nents including the caster blocks and steering arms

A small grub screw on the unde rside of the rear hub retains the outer hinge pin

The front suspension uses the sa me design from the original model

LRP kindly supplied a 4500mAh shorty LiPo for our review

make sure you give time for all the air bubbles to escape, and when putting the cap on fully compress the shock and then tighten the cap. The shock will have a reasonable amoun t of rebound on initial tightening, but this can be reduced by undoing the bleed screw. Just make sure you

Inserts a allowing rfeoruesaesdyingeth oe maeltlroyycshuasnpgeenssion holders

Schumacher yellow compound t yres were fitted front and rear...

To keep rotating mass down, the diff outdrives are machined to remove unnecessar y material

don’t extend the shock withou t the screw in place as this will pull air into the shock. We again followed the championship winning set-up for oil and piston s, which was 750wt front and 550wt rear oil, with two-hole 1.6mm pistons in the front and 1.7mm two-hole

<

Hudy’s famous Spring Steel is used for th e driveshafts and turnbuckles

Cut Staggers up fromt and Mini S pike rears on to white Xray wheels with a 12mm hex fitting

One clip and the battery strap ca n pivot out of the way easily for quick access


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SPECIFICATION

Model: Scale: Class: Application: Format: Power: Chassis: Drivetrain: Transmission: Differentials: Shocks: Bearings/Bushes:

Xray XB4 2016 Specs 1:10 Off-Road Competition Kit Electric Alloy 4WD Shaft Gear Oil-filled/threaded bodies Bearings

Summary Xray have produced an incredibly well made and competitive kit with the XB4 2016 Specs. The kit is the product of all the testing and refinement the team have put in over the last three years, and as a result this should allow drivers to compete at any level to the best of their ability. The car is a proven winner on high grip carpet and Astro tracks and this has to make it ideal for the British market. As a starting point we can’t see there being a more complete or better made kit on the market.

TECHNICAL DATA

Width: Length: Wheelbase: Weight:

245-250mm 350mm 279-281mm 1650g

WHAT WE USED

Electric Kit Transmitter: ECX 2.4GHz steerwheel (kit) Receiver: 2.4GHz integrated (kit) Speed Control: ECX 13006 20A brushed integrated (kit) Servo: Spektrum S607 (KIT) Motor: Dynamite 20T brushed (kit) Battery: Dynamite Speedpack 1800mAh 7.2V NiMH (kit) OPTIONAL PARTS

Graphite Rear Lower Brace 2mm Composite Chassis Side Guards – medium Composite C-Hub 6-degree Anti-Roll Bars (1mm/1.1mm/1.4mm/1.6mm/2mm) Steering Brace 2mm Graphite Graphite Composite Wishbones Off-Set Wheel Hexes (-.75mm/+.75/+1.5mm) Aluminium Driveshaft Safety Collar Independent Floating Servo Mount – set VERDICT

Extremely high build quality Performs very well out of the box

Not so popular 14mm hexes RACER RATING:

★★★★★

CONTACT

RC Disco Unit 14, The Derwent Business Centre Clarke Street, Derby. DE1 2BU Tel: 01332 344052 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rcdisco.com www.teamxray.com

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On Test We took our XB4 to the Surrey and Hants RCC track just outside Farnborough, Hampshire for its initial test. The track is a great little facility with a selection of jumps that tests both the driver and car set-up. The Astroturf track is relatively high grip and needs a precise and agile set-up to post fast lap times. The trade-off has always been getting enough steering whilst ensuring the car doesn’t roll with quick steering inputs. We started on our normal tyre set-up for this track, which was Schumacher Yellow Mini Spikes on the rear and Slim Mini Spikes on the front. We cut the outside set of spikes off the front tyre to take away some of the initial turn in. From the off it was immediately evident that the shaft-drive transmission made the car feel really alive on the throttle compared to the previous belt-drive car we ran at the venue. The XB4 had a very flat stance on the track and this translated into a very agile car that reacted to steering inputs well. For the first race we went up slightly on the front anti-roll bar to give a little more steering, allowing us to push harder into the corner. The car felt really good to drive and was easy to place around the tight SHRCC track. As the night progressed we left the set-up alone and concentrated on learning to drive without mistakes, and by the final felt like we were lapping faster than we had with our old car at the same venue. The car did the whole evening with numerous crashes and required virtually no maintenance, which was fantastic.■

< pistons in the rear. Xray provide a range of control, 6T motor and KO Propo 413FH 2.4GHz pistons in the kit and we simply re-drilled the receiver. We chose to run a shorty LiPo, in our two-hole options with a piston drill from Core RC. case an LRP 4500 7.4V example, in our kit, which Xray reference their spring tensions by dot rating meant the servo was placed on the front left, the and the kit comes with three dots on the front speed control on the front right, motor behind the (second hardest) and two dots on the rear (again speed control and LiPo behind the servo. We added second hardest type). 30-grams of weight behind the motor to balance the chassis. FINAL TOUCHES We cut the wing to the middle set of holes and The last thing before you can drive the car is to were very lucky to have the kit shell sprayed by install the electrics and paint a shell. We chose to Richard Thorpe of Rich Paint. The new shell is still use a slim line KO Propo servo in our car and this a cab forward design, but is now a little lower and

fitted easily within the standard servo mounts. Alongside this we installed a G-Force 120A speed

has a fin down the centre of the body. It looks fast so that has to be a good starting point. ■


63

TEST SESSION ■What: Traxxas Aton

“The Aton really is just a lovely t hing to fl y”

When the Traxxas Aton came into our < offices at ADH, I was adamant that I wanted to do the review on it. My colleagues were of course making quips about letting me ‘drone on again’ when I did the write up, but of course I ignored them, knowing my dynamic style would be just want our readers want (in addition to reviewers who aren’t big-headed? - Ed.) The truth is, as well as a car nut who can fly, or a flier who also likes RC cars, I’m a big tech head and have been into computers and gadgets pretty much forever. So when a product comes in with a techy element, the editors always give me a nod. Or more accurately, I get on their cases as soon as I know about the product and plead to review it. Hopefully, what that means for the reader is that you get a guy

prise a big sur was still t th e i t m u o b r f , e s r o uct as thi arket bef d o m r p g... e n n d i o e r r o p l d p ell-develo ore in the es out ex bbled bef tive and w at and go i a t h d e g p e n i v m y a o l f h c ns his Traxxas ee such a Stacey do sudden s exas. Tom to all of a folks in T 64


who’s well qualified to work with a product like waterproof electrics, and 3S LiPo-capable brushless name Aton, is that it’s a really odd word! I this and has a true passion for flight and tech. RTR vehicles. Traxxas get making products fast, honestly thought it was ‘Atom’ when I first saw reliable and accessible, and they’re also a great it, and I’ve also heard plenty of people call it TRAXXAS BACKGROUND company to work with here at the magazines, andthat too. A quick search on Wikipedia reveals that When it comes to innovation in the hobby, this for retailers. They are however, a fairly new nameAton is in fact an Egyptian Sun God, so there is a might sound a bit contrived, but one name alwaysto drones and flying things, certainly compared tokind of link to the name there possibly? Traxxas’s stands out, and that name for me is Traxxas. someone like Horizon Hobby (owners of Losi), andprevious drone product as called the Alias, so These guys pretty much started the whole RTR this is an ambitious product to launch. there is a link there too. It certainly looks like a concept for one. Beyond that, they were the first Traxxas product, both in the flesh, and also in its large-scale manufacturer to offer a lifetime engine INTRODUCING THE ATON packaging and branding. It is also surprisingly big warranty, on-board electric start for nitro engines, The first thing you think of when you hear the when you get it out of the box and add on the<


65


< legs that fit below the frame (to give clearanceunless they thought they could do something and expert - more on those later), very agile and for the camera mount). It seems big in comparison a little bit different from everyone else, and as sporty performance and return to home and air to previous drones that have been offered by ‘car’you’d expect, so this product does offer some brake system as standard. As you probably worked manufacturers and Traxxas themselves, but when fairly unique features and some of that famous out from the flight modes, in air filming is one you take it in the context of something like the easy-to-use Traxxas tech. It also integrates reallyof the things Traxxas are pushing, with a fixed Parrot Bebop, it is comparable size wise, but a bitwell with mobile devices such as tablets and and two-axis gimbal camera mount available as smaller than say a DJI Phantom. smartphones, hence why I wanted to play with it.an option. The camera mounts are only for GoPro In terms of headline stuff, Traxxas are selling the cameras at the moment, and FPV isn’t currently FEATURES AND BENEFITS Aton on the fact it has GPS and app support out ofsupported (but may be in the future). Again, as Of course, Traxxas wouldn’t enter this market the box, a three-mode flying set-up (film, sport you’d expect from Traxxas, everything comes in

The latest Traxxas connector incorporates The included charger offers a fixed 3A rate for the 3S 11.V We always recommend charging at 1C and for safety so do Traxxas with the balancing lead LiPo battery that comes with the Aton a 3A rate for the 3000mAh pack

Pop open the cover to access the compartment and connector for the battery

66


You need this neat allen key to install the optional legs should you fit a camera

the box, Ready-To-Fly (RTF), and it’s beautifully presented. By beautifully, I mean best in the business - it really is so well made and thought out that it wouldn’t be out of place sold in an Apple Store. An iD chip in the battery means the charger knows the spec and can deal with it accordingly

Plug the Traxxas battery into the charger and it starts the process straight away

AUTO TAKE-OFF, GPS AND VISUAL INDICATORS The Aton is undoubtedly meant as a

step up from the smaller, £100 or less beginner drones that have attracted so many RC car fans to try them out. It features some great functions that really add to its ease of use compared to these simpler, perhaps more ‘throwaway’ quads. The first of these is the auto take-off (and land) functionality. You can simply put the throttle to 50 per cent and the Aton will take-off and <

iD is a great system created by Traxxas and one thatThe Aton comes with a 3000mAh pack although there is an Aton Plus that more manufacturers should adopt does come with a higher capacity pack

The standard mount only accepts a GoPro HERO shaped camera June 2016 - Radio Control Car Racer

67


< hover at a height of about 2.5-metres. Whilst trying to understand obscure patterns of (at speed!) then you hit the air brakes and the it is taking off, it will record its home position flashing LEDs. craft will come to a complete stop and hover in using GPS sensors, and so if you ever lose your place. Another interesting thing that this product STOP - NOW! drone, you can press one hardware button on uses, and has come from Traxxas’s car line, is the transmitter and it will return back to where itPerhaps one other really nice feature is the air the battery and charger iD system. This replaces took off. A set of visual LED indicators on the craftbrakes button. Essentially, these are there as balance plugs and leads on LiPo batteries and and transmitter also let you know the exact statusa failsafe/panic button so that if your Aton is also the need to select the type of battery you’re of the GPS (and other functions) c learly, without flying off in a direction you didn’t think it would using with an all in one, charging, balance and

The camera mount doesnt have to be fitted and it clips on and off without the need for any tools

Traxxas include four AA batteries for the PlayStation-esque transmitter

68


A connector in the side allows for updates to be made toA coloured light under each symbol lights up when the Coloured props, motor housings and LEDs all help to the Aton’s on-board controller function is correctly activated indicate the positioning of the Aton in flight

identification connector called iD. It’s compatible with the older TRX-style battery connector (in non-intelligent mode), so whilst it’s proprietary, it is fairly idiot-proof and does use decent, high current connectors. No doubt third parties will be offering compatible packs for it soon too. Speaking of ease of use again, the Aton comes with really bright LED lights that help with orientation and also allow you to fly at night (well, I was only brave enough to try dusk!), even though many drones come with orientation lights, few are as bright as these and it does make a big difference I think. Also, this quad comes with balanced blades as standard, so you don’t need to worry

For comfort there is a choice of ends for the transmitter sticks

You only get one set of these coloured props in the Aton kit

about them being out of balance and causing juddery flight and unwanted vibrations. All in all,rotor blades (or propellers) also come in the box of landing legs, which make it look like something this is a product that has some really nice little and perhaps my favourite little touch is a set of from War of the Worlds, and these are of course features that perhaps you might not notice at first, thumb pads that you can use rather than sticks forto create clearance for the other part, which is a and when comparing to other competitors, but the transmitter’s joysticks! Digging a little furtherfixed camera mount for a GoPro or similar size/ when you start to live with it, you realise what a reveals a Traxxas ID compatible LiPo charger, with shape camera. Now, some of you may sniff at a a 240V input and UK plug. This charger is fixed at fixed mount, as they can produce some rather well-polished and thought out thing it is. 3A (or 1C for the stock battery), if you are planningjuddery footage, but to be included for free isn’t WHAT YOU GET on purchasing the optional 5000mAh battery, then too bad and it will allow those new to aerial When looking in the box, you of course get one, be aware it will take longer to charge, most likely filming something to play with while they explore pre-built and very solid feeling quadcopter. On getting on for two hours. An allen key is included their new drone. For those looking to take more top of it are two fairly thick printed handbooks for repairs, but most hobbyists will likely have a professional looking films, then a two-axis and - one is a quick start guide, the other a more full set of hex drivers in their stock anyway. The in the future, three-axis gimbal mount can be in-depth user manual. A complete set of spare two other interesting things in the box are a set purchased as an option from Traxxas.

A button on the top of the transmitter controls the Air Brakes and Return-ToHome actions

Information is relayed on the transmitter by the four symbols and a small screen


69


CONTROLLING THE ATON 1985 handheld toy to me) and well, doesn’t feel as are also very accurate and smooth indeed, and The final part of the puzzle is the controller, or much of a quality item as the drone itself. It’s the you can change the types of sticks to joypad-esque transmitter to let you control the machine’s mainsort of thing that I’d expect with an RTF a quarter pads (like an Xbox controller). The other thing is, functions. Now, when I first took it out of the box, of the price if I’m honest. All that said, after using as an older, adult modeller, I like and am used to I have to admit being a bit underwhelmed by it for some time, I have grown to like it more. a bigger transmitter, but younger hands can really initially... It is quite small, plastic (which is fine,Firstly, it does do a lot, including telemetry links struggle holding them, and so they’ll find these but it’s that kind of shiny black ABS plastic that says back to report battery status et cetera, the sticks size and layout controllers more comfortable. ■

On Test If it sounds like I’m pretty keen on this product so far, then I couldn’t wait to get it going out at the field! A slight admission will have to be made at this stage though. You see, I was SPECIFICATION so keen, I didn’t read the manual before trying to fly it... Luckily I had brought it with me, which Blade Circle: 580mm was good, because after switching it all on and trying to get it to take off with the sticks it Rotor Diameter: 210mm Rotor Centre Distance Diagonal: 370mm wouldn’t go anywhere. I was then advised by my co-reviewer that perhaps we should crack Rotor Hub Distance Vertical: 262mm open the flask of tea and read it before going any further! The secret of course, being anWidth: 472mm arm/disarm button on the transmitter, which once pressed allowed the drone to take off. Overall I Height: 94mm really would say at this stage, please do read the quick start guide as it contains a lot ofOverall Height with Landing Gear: 218mm useful info in addition to how to make it fly! Ground Clearance: 3mm The Aton has three flying modes. The first one is called Film, but should probably be Ground Clearance with Landing Gear: 124mm called beginner really as calms down the responses and automatically applies the brakesOverall Flight Weight (with battery): 860g Flight System: Auto-levelling six-axis and resolves to a hover as soon as you let the sticks go. Sport is next, which unlocks Radio System: 2.4GHz six-channel multi-mode more stunts and speed, and the final is Expert, which as you’d expect, accesses the full Main Frame Structure/Material: Moulded composite flight envelope and requires you to be familiar with the way the Aton flies before you try Battery Type: 11.1V 3S Lithium Polymer (LiPo) it. All three were tried of course, and probably the most comfortable is Sport, as it gives Battery Voltage: 11.1V Battery Discharge Rating: 20C manoeuvrability, but is still stable enough for doing some filming. AC Battery Charger Rate: 3A Motor Type: Sensorless brushless outrunner Once gotmotors the Aton in the air,powerful, it really is a lovely fly.whilst It is rock solid stableyou’ve and the areup really very sojust it feels lightthing in thetoair, being able RRP:to£399.99 get a fair old lick of speed on should you want to do a spot of drone racing! It’s as stable in CONTACT a crosswind as the similarly sized Parrot Bebop 2 (which was pretty good), with good climb out rates, and it’s also not too loud as many drones oddly. The balanced blades definitely Logic RC mean it’s very smooth on spin up and in flight and the return to home function works 12-14 Hartham Lane, Hertford, SG14 1QN smoothly and quickly which is reassuring. As part of our more brief test for Racer we didn’t Tel: 01992 558226 manage to do any filming, but be sure to check out our sister publication Drone Zone if you Website: www.logicrc.com want to read more, or are generally interested in these types of machines. But certainly, if www.traxxas.com you’re normally a car guy and fancy dabbling in the world of flying things, the Traxxas Aton should definitely be on your list. ■

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Kyosho Inferno Neo ST Race Spec 2.0 The Inferno Neo ST Race Spec 2.0 ReadySet (RTR) is a factoryassembled, nitro-powered racing truck that’s got world and national championship srcins. The channelled aluminium chassis is made from stronger, more durable alloy, supported at the front and rear bulkheads by moulded chassis braces. The bulkheads and Xray XB2 Ball Diff wishbones are taken right from the ST-RR Evo racing kit as is the three-differential drivetrain. The front, centre and rear differentials The XB2 ball differential is recommended for all XB2 configurations when used on transfer power to the wheels via a strong shaft drive system with very low to medium-traction dirt or clay surfaces to increase traction. The externally ultra-smooth front universal driveshafts. A double disc brake system adjustable ball differential is machined from Hudy Spring Steel and is additionally provides ample stopping power, and it’s adjustable to your liking if hardened for extra durability and long lifespan. A high-quality carbide thrust bearing you decide to experiment. and carbide balls are included for ultra-smooth operation. The ball differential Moulded composite big bore shocks are fitted with bronze anodised shock caps and threaded spring pre-load adjusters. The aluminium comes factory pre-assembled. shock towers are fitted with steel upper shock mounts, and the lower ends of the shocks mount directly to the suspension. Front #32500 Xray XB2 Ball Adjustable Differential and rear anti-roll bars are also standard, as are turnbuckle tie-rods and upper suspension links. RC Disco Available from: The truck is powered by Kyosho’s own KE25 engine, that now Website:www.rcdisco.com features a stronger conrod and new pull start internals for more Contact:[email protected] reliability and easy starting, complete with a three-shoe aluminium clutch. The engine is fed by a racing-truck-legal 150cc flip top fuel tank, which facilitates quick on-the-fly refuelling. The radio gear is new to the Neo ST 2.0, featuring the KT-331P 2.4GHz radio with an LCD display and full range of menu driven adjustments. Metal gear KS-5031-09MW waterproof servos are fitted for throttle and steering. The layout of the radio gear in the NEO ST 2.0 is also significantly different, using the IGW051 “Battery Forward Conversion Set,” the receiver battery and radio gear is moved as far forward as possible for more forward weight bias to enhance steering response. Last but not least, the Neo ST 2.0 sports a new livery featuring the Unique Energy Drink logos on a striking silver, black and bright red paint scheme. 33002T1B Kyosho Inferno Neo ST Race Spec 2.0 Kyosho UK Available from: Website:www.kyoshoeurope.com Contact:01992 893339

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Coming Up

VOLUME 20 ISSUE 2 JUNE 2016 ISSN 1366-6916 EDITORIAL:

On Sale: 2 June 2016

Publisher:Alan Harman Editor:Matt Benfield Contributing Editor: Marcus Nicholls Office Manager: Paula Gray Administration Manager: Hannah McLaurie Administration Assistant: Julie Lane Contributing Editor: Joe Brown Tom Stacey Technical Editor: On-Road Technical Editor: Stephen Coyle Features Editor: Peter Winton Advertising Manager: Sean Leslie On-Line Editor: Matt Benfield Photography:Ian Peckett

< HoBao

Next month we will be printing our review of the nitro version that comes

ART:

with a Hyper 30 engine, Savox servos and 2.4GHz radio. The new Hyper

Design:Peter Hutchinson Website Design: Justin Noble

VS features a new chassis design, with manymore updates including modifications to the front and rear towers, wishbones, hubsand much more. As a result the car is very stable and easy to drive, that HoBao

ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRIBUTIONS: Stef and Mandy Godfree, Ade Pitman, Stephen Coyle, Luke Burley, Simon Reeves, Adrian Jefferies, Ellis Stafford, Keith Robertson, Ross Whitelock, Scott Smart, Phil Mortstedt, Andy Carter, Shaun and Hayden Taylor , Ian Knight, Alex Brayshaw, Old Time Racer, Marcus Askell, Ken Block, Greefy, Neil Mead,Mark Stiles, Steven Brooke, Andy North, Ian Peckett, John Weston, Dave Holmes, Kane Wood , Terry Atkinson, Olly Jefferies, Justin Noble, Donut and She Who Must Be Obeyed...

EDITORIAL, ADVERTISEMENT AND CIRCULATION: ADH Publishing, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX Tel:01525 222573 Fax:01525 222574 E-mail: [email protected]

Hyper VS RTR – HoBao has released their new line VS

models that come in both nitro- and electric-powered versions.

claim is “the ideal step up for RC fans looking for a little more from their 1:8 buggy.” Read all our thoughts in next month’s issue. RC4WD 1:18 Gelande II RTR RC4WD – have released a new

1:18-scale version of their popular Gelande II model as< an

RTR complete with a D90 body set. The truck comes Ready-To-Run right out of the box with a high quality 2-in-1 micro speed control/ receiver and the all-new XR2 micro radio system installed. Other highlights of the RTR are the new 1:24-scale Yota II axles and R5 mini cast transmission. Joe Brown puts the mini-sized scaler to the test, after experiencing the srcinal bigger GII previously.

CIRCULATION TRADE ENQUIRIES: DISTRIBUTOR: Seymour Distribution 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT Tel: 020 7429 4000

< PR

laydown three-gear mid-motor transmission to keep the centre of gravity low.

NEWSTRADE: Select Publisher Services 3 East Avenue, Bournemouth BH3 7BW Tel: 01202 586848 E-mail: [email protected]

The brand has also designed the battery compartment so that it can accepts a shorty LiPo in a number of configurations to suit track conditions and driver demands. With great support from the UK distributor Inside Line Racing and

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

lead driver Kevin Lee, we will bring you our thoughts on the build, as well as

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Racing S1 V3 –The V3 is PR Racing’s new 2WD buggy platform

that is based on their previous V2 design. The new V3 comes with their

our experience from behind the wheel in the June issue of Racer. Hagberg the Third – The EFRA 1:12 European Championships

<

took place at the Hudy Racing Arena in Slovakia and attracted the crème of on-road racers to do battle for honours in the modified and stock classes. Racer’s own Luke Burley not only competed at the event but was also there to report on all the goings on from the track at one of the best indoor facilities in the world. To find out more than just who won, pick up a copy of the July issue, on sale 2 June.

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< Kidderminster

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Kicks Off A– brand new BRCA 1:10

Off-Road National Championship begins at Kidderminster

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in the West Midlands and the first of six rounds. Racer will be in attendance to get the low down. Will Yokomo’s Lee Martin continue to be the benchmark, or will Neil Cragg be the man to beat with the

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latest Team Associated B5M Champions Edition in2WD. For sure there will be some surprises and we wont miss a thing!

Radio Control Car Racer is published monthly by ADH Publishing, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX. Entire Contents © 2016ADH Publishing. Reproduction in part or whole of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. While due care is taken to ensure the contents of RC Car Racer is accurate, the publishers and printers cannot accept liability for errors and omissions. Advertisements are accepted for publication in Racer only upon ADH Publishing’s standard terms of acceptance of advertising, copies of which are available Although we try hard to ensure that these articles will appear in the next issue, there are instances where this is beyond our control. from the advertising sales department of Racer.

Also in the July 2016 issue, we bring you the latest RC news from around the world, the most up to date kits, hop-ups and spares available, as well as reports from around the country of club and regional action from race series and local competitions.

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THRASH TEST - FTX IBEX RTR ■spec: 4wd moulded chassis ■class: 1:24 rock crawler ■cost: £79.99

“The USP on the Ibex has to be the four-wheel steering – something to keep the driver entertained throughout the duration of the battery ” 74


FOUR FTX enter

ro s s the mic

he rock e c t or of t

crawler m

h their I arket wit

The FTX brand, represented by CML CHASSIS AND TRANSMISSION < Distribution in the UK has an ever-growing Many more expensive and higher specification line-up of models. From smaller 1:12-scales models in the rock crawling sector are based through to 1:8 models, FTX offer electric- and around a Twin Vertical Plate (TVP) chassis and the nitro-powered options to cater for all tastes. UntilIbex is no different. This sees the transmission recently, the 1:10 Spyder was the only rock crawlerand electrics mouldings sandwiched by an alloy in the range, until they announced the 1:24-scale side plate on either side, and provide a basis for Ibex. Available in a choice of colours, the Ibex is the four-link suspension. The electrical package a low cost RTR micro crawler that offers some veryof speed control, receiver and battery is housed cool features that makes it stand out from all in one moulded box, and this provides the its competition. filling between the aluminium sides. The multiple link suspension design allows for incredible articulation, which is only possible using the included telescopic sliding driveshafts. These moulded driveshafts are simple in design, but hugely effective for the demands expected. At one end the telescopic driveshafts are fitted to the direct drive central gearbox that is focussed around providing torque, rather than outright speed to the wheels. At the other ends there are locked axles so the Ibex retains all-wheel drive, all of the time. There is no slipper clutch or centre diff so all that drive permanently goes to the four wheels.

THE FRICTION FACTOR Controlling the suspension action of each corner is a moulded shock absorber and spring arrangement. To prevent a bouncy set-up of just a spring, the shock absorber relies on friction to dampen the action rather than the more expensive oil set-up. This is more than adequate due to the light weight and speed of the Ibex.

STEERING ALL FOUR With a flick of a switch on the transmitter, you can activate different steering modes <

HEEL STE

atures a , which fe e x m od e l

s

ER

a Readyped up in , all wrap e r o f e b n never see we have e nothing k i l n o i t a pecific

rmat... To-Run fo


75


<

with four-wheel steering available to add

to the fun as well as increases the Ibex’s ability to negotiate challenging terrain. For this two servos are required for operation. Weighing in at just 9g each, there is a servo rated at 1.1kg of torque at each end. Signals to the servos come from an integrated speed control/receiver unit that operates on the latest 2.4GHz frequency so owners’ benefit from this technology that is very similar to those found in the competition vehicles. The transmitter is an RTR de-rigueur steerwheel design with all the steering option controls located on the top panel. This allows you to choose from four-wheel steering, rear wheel steering only, crab steer left and right, and front wheel steering. Speed comes from a specially geared motor that wont set the world alight for its performance, but will offer reasonable run time from the Ehe tiny FTX uses a proven four-link suspension arrangement as found on bigger crawlers

low-capacity battery. For the record, this is a 500mAh 6.4V Li-Ion pack that is charged through a socket in the rear of the integrated speed

<

As the mains charger has no automatic cut off, only have it turned on for an hour at most

Three AA batteries power the 2.4GHz transmitter

The FTX transmitter allows the four-wheel steering settings to be changed by simply pressing a button

76


A steering servo is located on top of the front and rear axle

The handset is fairly small in size so this will help suit younger drivers

V-tread tyres come installed on to silver finished wheels complete with beadlock rings

The silver coloured brushed motor sits on the underside of the chassis

...or the same way by scrolling through the options on the transmitter

The 4WS can be set so that the wheels turn in opposite directions...

The shocks rely on friction for damping

The 2.4GHz receiver and speed control are integrated into one piece


77


SPECIFICATION

Model: Scale: Class: Application: Format: Power: Chassis: Drivetrain: Transmission: Differential: Shocks: Bearings/Bushes:

FTX Ibex RTR 1:24 Off-Road Fun RTR Electric Alloy 4WD Shaft Locked Moulded friction Bushes

TECHNICAL DATA

length width height wheelbase front track rear track

190mm 125mm 105mm 135mm 128mm 128mm

< control/receiver unit by a mains plug in chargerlook. . There aren't any inserts in the rubber tyres, To complete the Ibex and get it up and running, but we feel that this won’t be detrimental to you will need three AA batteries to power the performance. transmitter BODY OPTIONS WHEELS AND TYRES There is a choice of body colours available with the Making sure that the power from the motor gets Ibex – choose from green and black as seen in this through to the road or whatever surface the Ibex review, or a grey and black option. The body comes is on, each corner is graced with a V-tread crawler with the main decals applied, but there are some

spec soft tyre fitted to a moulded wheel with aluminium beadlock rings for an authentic cool

additional ones included that can be applied as you choose.■

WHAT WE USED

Electric Kit Transmitter: FTX 2.4GHz steerwheel (kit) Receiver: 2.4GHz integrated (kit) Servos: 1.1kg torque-rated (kit) Speed Control: integrated (kit) Motor: brushed (kit) Battery: 6.4V 500mAh Li-Ion (kit) VERDICT

Four-wheel steer options Great value for money

Short runtime RACER RATING:

★★★★

CONTACT

CML Distribution Ltd Saxon House, Saxon Business Park Hanbury Road, Bromsgrove Worcestershire, B60 4AD Tel: 01527 575349 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cmldistribution.co.uk www.ftx-rc.com

On Test The first job abefore can get is to charge into up the battery located inspeed the Ibex and install three intoswitch, the transmitter . The package comes with mainsyou charger thatgoing simply connects theLi-Ion rear of the integrated control/receiver nextAAs to the But as this is aRTR simple mains unit, it gives a constant 0.6A charge so make sure that you only leave this connected and powered up for an hour at the most. Once charged, the Ibex is a breeze to use and will suit those with little or no RC experience. One of our enthusiastic testers was a ten-year-old with quite a lot of ex perience but nothing overly fast so this was the perfect kind of vehicle to keep him entertained. The options on the steering set-up is really useful especially as it can be altered by scrolling through the buttons below a diagram on the FTX 2.4GHz steerwheel transmitter. Without this we feel that the Ibex would simply be another micro rock crawler on the market without a unique selling point. But luckily it does have this and we messed about with all the options that a low speed means you can really see the pros and cons of one over another. For manoeuvrability the traditional four-wheel steering (front and rear wheels turn in different directions) has to be the best, but t hen at faster speed the crabbing arrangement (wheels point in the same direction) is weird to see. Overall we were a little disappointed by the limited run time and lack of top speed, but the vehicle only has a 500mAh capacity battery and the electrical items are all drawing on that especially when working the four-wheel steer hard. As a crawler its very cable as it has permanent four-wheel drive and a motor designed to pull hard so you can really challenge your driving and course set-up in and around your home or garden, as long as you keep things to scale! On the whole it is incredibly easy to use and lots of fun, and it will have some appeal to long-term RC fans with its four-wheel steer■options...

78


DATE-A-BASE

Summary Overall the FTX Ibex RTR is a neat little package with everything you need to get up and running, minus a few pounds for some AA batteries. We found that the included four-wheel steering options were a great addition and adds another dimension and challenge to driving. It also makes the Ibex more flexible and manoverable when it comes to negotiating tricky surfaces or obstacles. Whilst the micro-sized crawler is most at happy indoors, the it also can runtime handle outside conditions although limited will mean that the charger and mains power needs to be readily available...

E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE:WWW.RCRACER.COM

MAY 2016 DATE

CLASS

LOCATION

13-15 7–13 8 8 8 13-15 14-15 15 21-22 27-29 29 29 29-30

TLR Cup Primrose Model Week Iconic Cup Summer Series 1:8 off-road EFRA European Championship warm-up BRCA 1:10 Off-Road National Summer Series BRCA 1:8 Off-Road National EFRA 1:10 Off-Road European Championships warm-up Schumacher BTCC Summer Series AKA GP

Noex-Les-Mines,France Filey, Scarborough West London Brookland Kent Spain RHR (Astro) Kidderminster Kent Valladolid,Spain Adur Brookland Herts

DATE

CLASS

LOCATION

5 5 10-12 11-12 11-12 12 12 17-19 18-19 19 19 25-26

BRCA 1:8 Off-Road Truggy/E-BuggyNational 1:8 off-road EFRA European B Championship BRCA 1:10 Off-Road National Xray X-Race UK Iconic Cup Schumacher BTCC Euro Contest Buggython Summer Series 1:8 off-road BRCA 1:8 Off-Road National

Herts Kent Portugal Eden Park Raceway Cotswold Broxtowe Bedworth Italy Robin Hood Raceway Brookland Kent Herts

DATE

CLASS

LOCATION

1-3 2-3 3 3 5-10 10 16-17 17 24 25-30 30-31 31 31 31

EFRA Grand Prix BRCA 1:10 Off-Road National Schumacher BTCC 1:8 off-road EFRA European Championship Summer Series BRCA 1:10 Off-Road National BRCA 1:8 Off-Road Truggy/E-BuggyNational 1:8 off-road EFRA 1:10 Off-Road European Championships Iconic RC Revival Schumacher BTCC Summer Series Summer Series

JUNE 2016

JULY 2016 Kampenhout, Belgium Boughton Halifax Kent Spain Brookland Telford Pembrey Kent Valladolid,Spain A1 Racing Club Mendip Brookland Kidderminster

AUGUST 2016 DATE

CLASS

LOCATION

3-14 6-7 6-7 6-7 14 14 20-21 21 21 21 28

BRCA 1:10 Off-Road National Full Throttle Summer Weekender BRCA 1:8 Off-Road National Scottish GP BRCA 1:8 Off-Road Truggy/E-BuggyNational 1:8 off-road BRCA Juniors/Veterans/F2s Summer Series Schumacher BTCC Summer Series Iconic Meet

TORCH Stotfold Pembrey/Swansea Stonehaven Slough Kent Bury Metro Brookland Stafford Kidderminster Robin Hood Raceway

SEPTEMBER 2016 DATE

CLASS

LOCATION

3-4 4 4 10-11 11 11 17-18 18 23-25 24-25 25 25

BRCA 1:8 Off-Road National Schumacher BTCC 1:8 off-road BRCA F345s Summer Series Summer Series BRCA 1:8 Off-Road National reserve date Iconic Meet EFRA European Championship Over 40s MicroX 1:8 off-road Schumacher Indoor Off-Road Masters

Slough West London Kent Stotfold Brookland Kidderminster TBC Stafford Croatia Midlands Raceway Kent Worksop


79

RACE REPORT ■bwhat: brca national ■where:

newbury ■class: 1:12 on-road

SPASHETT MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW

Newbury was the fourth national of the season and saw David Spashett extend his winning streak to four meetings in a row
sports hall with the pitting being

compound rear tyre to tyres that hadseason, with a layout that was

in a room upstairs that overlooked

lower rubber content. These tyres

round of the 2015-16 BRCA LMP12

the track. For the second meeting

seemed to give more consistent grip and chicanes, and demanded a

national championship. The series

in a row the track was laid on

and didn’t let go as quickly as pinks.very measured approach to avoid

had taken a two month break with

the black ETS-style carpet. This

Many manufacturers make this tyre, costly crashes. Most drivers seemed

February saw the fourth

filled with tight 180-degree turns

the January meeting being replaced carpet is very different to the more

but many chose JFT C foams, Contact to relish the challenge of the track

by the Reedy International. The

commonly used GT-style rug, and

white wheel pinks, Mob Gums

layout, with the only issue being

Newbury venue was new to most

with the knowledge gained on the

Browns or CRC greens.

that if any driver made a mistake it

racers, with the club having last

same carpet at the Reedy Race most

was almost impossible for the driver

run a national in 2009 at their old racers looked far more comfortable location. The new venue was at the at Newbury. It was also interesting

THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGE

sports hall at the Newbury College.

to see that many racers moved

The track for the event was without row Olly Jefferies was on touring car

Racing took place in a very well-lit

away from the conventional pink

doubt the most technical of the

behind to avoid the accident. For the second national in a duty, and David Spashett needed

The pits at Newbury with Peter Winton facing and Ollie Payne in front of him. Look out for a feature on Ollie’s cars in a future issue of Racer

80


The winning Zen-Racing car of David Spashett

Matt Lax’s Team Powers-equipped CRC chassis

This CRC belongs to Horizon Hobby UK’s Nigel Hale’s Team Associated Mick Farrell

The Newbury club provided the racers with the most technical layout of the season so far

a win in both classes to ensure a

seemed to be able to stick with Ollie six minutes and at seven minutes

championship showdown with Olly

for the first two minutes, but as theirits spur gear stripped. This allowed half a lap from Mark Stiles and Adam

at the final meeting. There were a

motors got hot Ollie simply drove

whole raft of drivers that would hopeaway due to his superior corner to be able to stop David and these

Mark’s Xray to cruise to second and Walker Catchpole, who were in turn a rather fortunate Paul Jenkinson to half a lap up on Chris Kerswell and

speed. In the end Ollie was the only pick up the final podium position

included Mark Stiles, Chris Kerswell, one to achieve 40 laps, and was half in third.

(Sunday) classes Ollie Payne would hope to build on his Reedy Race

in third. The final turned into a bit of a

winning pace to stamp his authority demonstration drive for Ollie. Matt on both championships.

Lax and Mark Jewitt got together at the first corner, and although Matt

Mick Farrell. Worth of note were Darren Lee and Daniel Bancroft who

Andy Murray and Mick Farrell. In the a lap up on Matt Lax’s CRC in second 13.5T (Saturday) and sports modified and a full lap up on Mark Jewitt

end David cruised to the TQ by almost

both made their first national A RESULT - 13.5T POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

MOTOR

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ollie Payne Mark Jewitt Paul Jenkinson Elliott Cummings Mark Barford David Sedgwick Jason Butterfield Peter Craig Matt Lax Gavin Clinch

Zen-Racing G-Force Xray Trinity Xray Reedy Roche G-Force Roche G-Force Team Associated Reedy Zen-Racing Trinity Xray Reedy CRC Team Powers Zen-Racing Trinity

finals at Newbury. In the end David used his experience and incredibly smooth driving style to pull well clear of the entire field. Therefore it was left to Mark Stiles (Yokomo), Chris Kerswell

13.5T The slowest class of the weekend

managed to hang on to Ollie for the

(Roche), and Mick Farrell (CRC) to

first three minutes, as Ollie started 10.5T

provide the entertainment. After a

normally sees the very equally paced cars very close together.

to pull away Matt pushed and made The tight and technical track seemed bad start for Mark, Mick was a clear mistakes. As the pressure came off to really suit David Spashett’s second, and looked to be cruising

But this weekend nobody seemed

Ollie went on to lap the entire field. smooth and neat driving style. His

to have told Ollie Payne this. His

Mark Jewitt was the driver on the

to his best result of the year. At five

Zen-Racing chassis looked totally at minutes Mick’s CRC touched a piece

G-Force powered Zen-Racing looked move and pulled through the field

home on the track and although a

incredibly comfortable on the track after his first corner contact with

few drivers could match him over an fired him into the wall at the end

and carried great corner speed. Matt Matt. Unfortunately Matt Lax’s car

individual lap, none were even close of the straight ending his final. This

Lax, Mark Jewitt and Peter Craig

of tape that had lifted and this

started to make bad noises at aroundover a full eight-minute run. In the allowed Chris Kerswell’s Roche into a


81

RACE REPORT ■bwhat: brca national ■where: newbury ■class: 1:12 on-road

DESTINY – A NEW CAR IN THE CLASS The number of manufacturers who are competing in the 1:12 class is about to grow with a new manufacturer. At the Reedy Race, Teru the owner of Xenon brought over the prototype of the new chassis his company is manufacturing from Japan. The chassis will be marketed under the name of Destiny and was designed by Vesa Yli, the man behind V-Dezign. The car features the Xenon front-end used on the Zen-Racing and Roche cars, but also has some novel features. The car uses mini damper tubes on the front- and rear-end, has options for long or short shock positions, inline or transverse battery and a relatively simple pod that uses plastic inserts rather than spacers. The car should be released in April and is sure to find favour in the UK as its being supported by Zen-Racin g.

clear second. Mark fought back and class seemed to continue at

Mick put together a perfect run and

from six minutes onwards put the

Newbury, with Mick Farrell being

this netted him one of only two 42

pressure on Chris, who eventually

the latest mover to the sports class lappers, with Ollie lining up second

crashed and allowed Mark to cruise on Sunday. Mick mentioned that

four seconds back on Mick. Therest

to second nearly a lap down on

he wanted to attend the Reedy

of the A final were covered by less

David. Chris ended the final third

Race and compete in the modified than a lap, but it was Tim Wood

from Tim Wood’s Serpent, Adam

Invitational class and was then

who sneaked third in the final

Walker Catchpole’s Zen-Racing and committed to moving to his more

round from Darren Lee and

Luke Burley’s Xray getting his best

favoured 10.5T class for the rest of

Eugene Galley.

result of the year in sixth.

the season. In the end 51 drivers competed in the sports class and

The final started with controversy as behind Mick, who

RESULT - 10.5T

82


POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

MOTOR

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

David Spashett Mark Stiles Chris Kerswell Tim Wood Adam Catchpole Luke Burley Daniel Bancroft Darren Lee Mick Farrell Kellyann Bligh

Zen-Racing Yokomo Roche Serpent Zen-Racing Xray Zen-Racing Roche CRC Zen-Racing

Trinity Reedy Trinity Reedy Reedy Trinity Trinity Reedy Reedy Reedy

ten started modified with only eightgot a clean start, Ollie Payne was completing the day! fired across the track by a very In the sports modified class

hopeful move from Tim Wood. In

qualifying was a battle between

all the excitement Ollie’s car was

young star Ollie Payne and past

replaced on the wrong part of

champion Mick Farrell. To most it

the track and Tim got away with

looked like Ollie had a tad more

the move unpunished. Such was

SPORTS MODIFIED

pace, but Mick was stringing slightlyOllie’s pace that he managed to

The decline of the open modified

cleaner runs together. In the end

pull through the field to reclaim

David Spashett modified classeswon both 10.5T and

Tw oPayn es !Ol l iea ndMar k

Saturday’s winners in 13.5T and 10.5T TeaOllie mPay ne-fa th era ndso nS t evean d respectively

The top three in the 10.5T class on Saturday

Saturday’s 13.5T podium

Mick Farrell’s Reedy-powered winning CRC chassis

Chris Kerswell third in the 10.5T class

Second in 13.5T was Mark Jewitt

The winner in sports modified,Paul Jenkinson was third in Mick Farrell 13.5T

Ollie took pole and the win in 13.5T for Zen-Racing

David Spashett’s car sits on pole once again

second from his first corner nemesis to the average racer, and the ten

Craig, who was in turn almost two

RESULT – OPEN MODIFIED

Tim Wood. Mick drove a flawlessday driver field at Newbury was the

laps faster than the rest of the

POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

MOTOR

and was a well-deserved winner,

lowest attendance the class has

top ten!

but once again Ollie Payne showed

seen. With massive horsepower,

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

David Spashett Adam Catchpole Andy Murray Chris Kerswell Mark Stiles Elliott Cummings Peter Craig Patrick Bandiera

Zen-Racing Zen-Racing Xray Roche Yokomo Roche Xray Serpent

Trinity Reedy Reedy Reedy Reedy G-Force Reedy Orca

The A final saw Chris Kerswell

why he must be the favourite for the technical tracks and the ETS-style

jump int o the lead from t he off,

championship in both the 13.5T and carpet, the cars of even the top

and then struggle to control what

sports modified classes.

three looked a nightmare to drive. looked like an evil car. In the end

RESULT - SPORTS MODIFIED POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mick Farrell Ollie Payne Tim Wood Jim Spencer Matt Lax Eugene Galley Kellyann Bligh Nigel Hale Luke Burley Darren Lee

CRC Reedy Zen-Racing G-Force Serpent Reedy Team Associated Reedy CRC Team Powers CRC Nosram Zen-Racing Reedy Team Associated Reedy Xray Trinity Roche Reedy

MOTOR

The last meeting of the 2015-16

In the end qualifying and the final

David and Adam got by Chris after

National Championship will take

came down to who would make

mistakes. After this the final was a place at MB Models’s new permanent

least mistakes, highlighted by Mick case of the steady tortoise - David track in Leeds. With five rounds of Farrell would have qualified fifth

Spashett - and the faster but

the championship complete all four

in this class with his 10.5T time! unreliable hare - Adam Walker David Spashett managed the chaos Catchpole. David spent the eight

championships are still up for grabs. In 10.5T and open modified we have

best and drove his Zen-Racing to

minutes watching Adam edge in

David Spashett and Olly Jefferies

pole position by just over half a

on him, crash and then start the

battling for the win. In 13.5T we have

OPEN MODIFIED

lap from Chris Kerswell. These two

process again. David took the

Mark Jewitt and Ollie Payne clear of

To your reporter, the open

were the only two to achieve 43

win by three seconds from Adam,

the rest and separated by a single

modified category looked like a

laps. Next up were Andy Murray,

who ended just in front of Andy

point, and in sports modified we

class in crisis at Newbury. The

Adam Walker Catchpole and Mark

Murray in third and Chris Kerswell

have Tim Wood with a narrow lead

past year has seen the class

Stiles, all on 42 laps. Two laps

in fourth.

over Ollie Payne. So a dramatic final

become less and less accessible

further back in sixth was Peter

xyxyx xyx xyx xxyxx yx xyxxyxyx xyxy xyx xyxxyyx xxy

■ meeting is guaranteed.


83

RACER INSIGHT - OLLY JEFFERIES DIARY

CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR IN SLOVAKIA

After a busy winter of racing it finally ended with the EFRA 1:12 European Championships in Slovakia and the third round of the Euro Touring Series in Austria
Championships were once

again held in the amazing Hudy

hosted the previous year’s event

Photography Hudy Racing Arena and Isabella Katrine Kjeldbjerg

the race. I had also managed to

to ten, which was a nice number,

that everyone enjoyed and with the take another national championship but as with anything you always added knowledge of running a Euros in the class (stock) and if not for

want more. We had some new parts

Racing Arena, the home of Xray. The this was down to be even better!

an electrical fault should of won

that worked great in testing that we

track is based next to the factory

the open modified class too. This

planned to use at the event so the

in Slovakia and the venue had

Having had a solid winter with

the 1:12 car I felt good heading into brought my tally of national titles

team were confident.

“If it’s important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse”

84


O l l y c h a n g e s t h e f r o n t s pr i n g o n h i s X 1 2 2 0 1 6 S p e c s

O l l y d i sc us se s s et - ups w i t h To m Kra ge sf sk i

As mentioned in previous columns, my team mate Alexander

C ar s go in g t h rou gh sc ut i ne er in g

O l l y c l o s e s t t o c a m e r a w i t h Ma r k S t i l e s a n d t h e n H u p o H o i g l

hotel for some dinner and an

me and starting fresh again in

so close, but I felt I had really closed

early night.

the morning.

the gap to him.

Hagberg has recently moved to the

Saturday would see us complete

PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING

the remaining five qualifying rounds,FINALS

and I feel it’s helped raise my game a little having him as a reference

Friday saw the schedule with four

I opened the day with a steady

up, Alex lined up on pole with me in

point and also to watch how he

practice runs followed by one

run that gave me second in round,

second, and an Xray one-two at the

UK. It’s been great having him here

with the best three from six to count.After the points had all been added

goes about certain aspects of set-up qualifying round in the evening.

before going one better in Q3 to take factory was a great start. I knew the

and driving. My pace has been

the fastest time in the round. Duringfinals were going to be tough - Alex

Practice went well - Alex had an

good in comparison to him, so I felt edge, but was within striking

Q4, Alex made a mistake that left

is a World and the current European

confident I could give him a much

distance. Q1 started well and I was

the door open for another TQ run,

Champion in this category and a

better run this year at the Euros.

running in second for the early part but unfortunately I wasn’t able to

professional driver, but I wanted to

of the race and felt I was starting

win. I knew he still had an edge over

We arrived on the Thursday, I travelled with my team mate

capitalise due to making an errors

to close in on Alex. Then just at the myself. Round five was one of my

me so it wasn’t going to be a case of

Marcus ‘Q Ball’ Askell, which always point where I felt I could be close

favourite runs across the weekend as just driving up to him and sticking

makes the journey more enjoyable.

to the lead or in front, I had an

Alex and myself ran ‘nose to the tail’ a move on him so I had to push

Although we want to do our very

electrical failure that meant I wasn’t for the entire run, the lead swappingfrom the start. I managed to win the

best and take it very seriously, it’s able to complete the run. This was a constantly. My car felt good, the practice final after he made some important to always have fun either disappointing start as it’s always nicebest it had been in the whole event.mistakes at the start so this was a at the track or away from it. After

to start the event with a solid first

We finished the run less than one

some small prep work to the car on run. I couldn’t do anything about it second apart with Alex taking the

good start to Sunday. In the finals I tried all could, I’m not one for just

Thursday afternoon we headed to theso it was a case of putting it behind win in round. It was annoying to be settling for second so pushed hard


85

RACER INSIGHT - OLLY JEFFERIES DIARY

Xray o w ne r J u raj H u dy c o ng rat u la t es O l l y o n h i s s ec on d p l ac e

Xray not only took first and se cond but were well represented in th e modified A f inal

N e w U K r e s i d e n t A l e x H a g b e r g w o n t h e t i t l e f r o m O l l y a n d M a rc u s M o b e r s

The British team performed well and and brought home a juni or title for Ol lie Payne

at the start. Unfortunately this led tocannot do magic. So as with anyone a race like this doesn’t start a few

up just outside top ten on what

some small mistakes allowing Alex

he is beatable if you do not give up. weeks before the event, it starts the was a very close field. A one second

to run away with it. Alex took the

I got home pretty late Sunday night, day after you finished the last one

improvement over five minutes

overall win with myself in second,

but as soon as I was awake Monday trying to improve yourself let alone

could take you from 15th to fifth.

and I managed to win in the final

I was trying to think of ways to get

the car, set-up or equipment. Its

After qualifying had ended I was

365 days and counting to improve

15th - not the best but only a few

leg of the three finals, which was a better and what I could of done

nice way to end the weekend. A big differently. I really enjoy the idea ofone position, easy right?

points off the making the A final.

thanks to my pitman Marcus who

trying to improve myself, it’s easy to

My car wasn’t 100 per cent, but just

always looks after me during an

say someone has a better car, better THREE-DAY REST

a few clips of some corner markers

event and this is a huge help...

batteries, pro driver et cetera, but After the Euros I had just three days losing me half a second here and you will never improve thinking this at home before heading back to

there was the main factor. Still an

difficult, second at a European

To sum up the weekend is

way. The difference between first

enjoyable event and lots of

Championship is a good result, but

and second on the outside is tiny - round three of the ETS in Austria.

it’s still second, first of the losers,

a slightly bigger trophy, higher step This is amazing series and although

Gatwick Airport and flying out to

things learnt. So my carpet season is over now

no glory of winning, no buzz inside on podium, a few more photos here you don’t get loads of track time it’s - not a perfect winter, but a very that you get when you win a race. and there and maybe a few more pretty much a world championship good one. II feel I’m much better

86

I love winning and hate losing,

handshakes, but the feeling inside

simple. I didn’t get outworked or

is massive. I want to win, and next limited as I wasn’t able to run TC

forward to trying to win back the

lacked effort. Alex was just a little

year I will go back and try again,

BRCA TC National Championship. The

better on the day. He was the

again, again and again. I believe in event due to focusing on 1:12, but

first round is at Cotswold, a track I

favourite heading into the event

the idea that if you simply do not

still felt I could do a good job on

know well...

and delivered, but he is human,

give up eventually you will succeed

the day.

has the same equipment and

in whatever you do. Preparation for


every round. My preparation was for three or four weeks before the

Practice started well as I ended

than I was 12 months ago and look

OJ

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87

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Club Racer the latest news:

• Regional news • National news • BRCA news • Club news

RUG RACERS

Report Martin Southall Photography Emma Conyers

Wodson Park/7 February 2016/GT12, WGT, TC/Open < Rug Racers round four and

the microphone in the absence of

and Lee Juniper hanging around to

Remo “MoodyFools” Casadei was

Malc “Slim” Hall.

try and break his hold at the top.

keeping pace just behind with

where those in contention had the opportunity to extend their

QUALIFYING

Heat five saw Mark Trinder at the top with Ian Nicholson and young

championship leader Martin Southall suffering electrical and mechanical

championship advantages or leave

First up was GT12 and heat one

Jak Sansom staying in the mix. Heat breakdowns in three rounds.

them scattered to the winds, which

featured eight drivers all under

six was a close run thing with Owen

were certainly aplenty outside. For

the age of 13, (most under ten)

Carter, Spencer Jones, Gary Jones and open modified qualifiers as Billy

the penultimate round,

Heat nine was the first of the

everyone else lots of fun as we take improving each round as they gain

Rob Brighton only being separated

Fletcher, Doug Campbell and Max

to what we do on a Sunday - have

more confidence. No surprise to

by a few seconds. Matt Worton and

Guerola kept themselves in the top

fun enjoying our hobby. Once in,

see Darcie Smith at the top of the

Mason Weston took two wins each

three all keeping pace on 26 laps.

on heat seven with Nigel Shaw in

Heat ten went to Chris Grainger who

the beeping sounds of the chargers time sheets as she continues to

began as everyone readied their cars improve and impress with her pure amongst them.

took two of the rounds and being

for one round of controlled practice, speed. Heat two saw Lance Walker

the only driver to break into 27 laps

which would begin bang on time of and Snippy swapping the top two 09:00. Once completed and the obligatory heat re-seed had been

WGT saw Tom Hampson a class

apart with the every impressive Owenwith Scott Booth, Paul Pinkney and

spots with Richard White seemingly Smith (he is only 12) showing what

Matthew White a little further back

the bridesmaid. Heat three and

a fantastic driver he is becoming,

but close enough to cause concern

Tim Hancock took three of the four

seemingly the only one to get near

later on in the finals.

sorted, drivers briefing got underwayrounds with Chris Wilkinson and Scottmatching the pace of Hampo. I am

Once the heats were concluded

with the affable cash extractor Alan Morton keeping him honest.

not sure what they have in the waterwe moved onto the raffle again

“Snippy” Chipolina and his sidekick

in Nazeing or what Glen Smith feeds delivered by Snippy with his

The 17.5T blinky TC heats started

Glen “Silver Badger” Smith taking on with Greg Roberts leading the charge his kids, but it is certainly working. interesting flair for wit andsarcasm

90


The Club Racer section of Racer magazine is for everything that goes on in the UK to do with clubs, racing and events. We want to give all clubs and races the chance to get into print and we need your help to get the reports onto the pages of Racer.

her dad Mark Young have a fleeting look at the track in front of him. Dani deciding that was enough of putting him first and took the position away from him as Tom Garnham came home third. Leg two and Dani was not feeling quite as charitable this time around. While Mark circled his Tim Hancock won GT12 from Chris Wilkinson and Scott Morton

The 17.5T blinky B final of Rob Brighton, Gary Jones and Alex Mortimer

Mason Weston took the 17.5T blinky A final from Chris Page and Michael Redshaw prey, he was unable to make any

move stick and Dani drove it home with Jason Coe in third. Overall Dani Young took the win from Mark Young and Jason Coe. Chris Grainger took the first leg of the A final with a comfortable ‘lights to flag’ victory from Matthew White who had made his way up

First in the modified TC B final was Dani First in WGT was Martin Southall from Tom Young from Mark Young and Jason Coe Hampson and Owen Smith

Chris Grainger won the A final in mod fromfrom sixth to second with Scott Booth Paul Pinkney and Scott Booth capitalising to take third. U17driver

17.5T BLINKY TC what is basically pulling out numbersFINALS

fierce affair with Hampo streaking offon the grid to finish a few seconds like a scolded cat with Owen Smith

off the top three. The second leg was

seem somewhat more amusing

The first leg of the D final went to

in tow (Owen is quick BTW) leaving

controlled from the front by Chris

that it is. Again a fantastic display

Ben Powles with Lee Juniper taking a tight battle for third between

Grainger keeping Paul Pinkney close

of prizes from all our many superb

leg two. The overall was Lee Juniper, Remo “MoodyFools” Casadei to

behind, but just out of reach. The

Terry Yarranton took fifth from eighth being blended together to make

sponsors to make entry into the raffleBen Powles and Raymond Cockman. take place over a number of laps.

top four were able to open up a gap

worthwhile.

Ian Nicholson took both legs of the C final that saw the overall

This allowed the front two to drop Remo and Martin like a bad habit.

after a midfield incident shuffled the order as Chris took the win from

GT12 FINALS

of Ian, Peter Covell and Adam

Martin was able to force the mistake Paul and Max Guerola. The top three

First up would be the C final and

Southgate.

and start pushing to close the gap

leg one saw a clear win for Nigel Philpott with Pete Lyons taking leg

Both legs of the B final saw went dragging Remo along with him. Up to Rob Brighton from second on the front Hampo was not getting it his

overall were Chris Grainger, Paul Pinkney and Scott Booth. As round four came to a close,

two leaving a top three of Pete Lyons,grid with the pole man Gary Jones Nigel Philpott and Graham Parker. In the B final, leg one went to

settling for second. Up from eighth in both legs was Alex Mortimer to round

pole man Alex Carter with a ‘lights

out the top three of Rob Brighton,

to flag’ run with Andrew Simpson

Gary Jones and Alex.

and Stan Booty close behind. Leg two belonged to Alex Carter as well

Leg one of the A final saw a win for Mason Weston after briefly

in similar fashion with a top three of dropping to second, he fought back Alex, Stan and Andrew. Legs one and two of the A final

to take the win from Chris Page and Jamie Hickin. Leg two was a ‘lights

surprisingly ended with all five

to flag’ victory for Mason with Chris

cars finishing in the same position

Page again taking second from

Richard Thorpe of Rich Paint working on his Awesomatix chassis they started in Tim Hancock driving Michael Redshaw with less than a to victory in both legs. The only second separating them at the line.

real drama came in leg two when

own way with Owen close enough to we look forward to the final round

Chris Wilkinson had to recover from

WGT A FINAL

smell the additive, but time ran out where all the champions will be

fifth back up to second. Again we

Martin Southall took the victory

and Hampo took the win. Overall it

will mention Owen Smith in fifth

from fourth in leg one although this was Martin Southall, Tom Hampson

you to all our sponsors, team

and showing his superb turns of

was only half the story as with Tom and Owen Smith.

members and you the drivers for

speed - surely a future champion.

“Hampo” Hampson out in front, the

coming along and taking part.

Ben Vincent championship leader

battle seemed to be for second with OPEN MODIFIED TC

coming into this round would have

Owen Smith until a broken car saw

to settle for fourth overall behind TimHampo forced to retire and Martin

decided. So from us all a big thank

For all the photos and any videos

FINALS

please head over to our Facebook

Dani Young led the first leg of the

page “UK Rug Racers” and our

Hancock, Chris Wilkinson and

able to capitalise on the mistake to B final and almost took a ‘lights to

website www.rugracers.co.uk for

Scott Morton.

take the win. Leg two was a more

further information.

flag’ victory, but not before letting


91



SCHUMACHER INDOOR MASTERS Worksop/13 March 2016/1:10 Off-Road/Open < The 13 March saw the sixth and final round of the fantastic

it was all happening, cars changing were fairly close so it was going to beon offer and many thanks to TKR positions in the early laps and some an exciting final.

Graphics. The 2WD championship top

Worksop series take place. With no great close racing. let up in drivers wanting a race entry It was a surprise to everybody

There was no change in the A final and Greg carried on where

to this hugely popular series, it was

and I am sure he won’t mind me

he left off in qualifying, taking the

a full line up of 15 heats, with eight

saying as he was also surprised, in

victory in the 4WD class. Behind him

heats of 2WD and seven of 4WD. As

second place it was the ‘old pro’

James Helliwell was into second and

three were: RESULT – 2WD CHAMPIONSHIP POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

1 2 3

Craig Collinson Danny McGee Richard Lowe

Team C Schumacher Team C

always round by round qualifying wasKarl Marsden coming through from

doing what he could, trying to put

The podium positions in the 4WD

the racing format, with the best two sixth on the grid with some great

pressure on Greg. All the way up to

championship were:

results from four rounds ofqualifying overtakes and good driving, while

third place after now getting his car

counting towards the final position. others were making mistakes ‘Mr

as he liked it, Danny McGee would

Some championship contenders were Consistent’ Marsden was holding his round out the top three in the class unable to make this race, therefore it own and managed to finish a great

for Schumacher.

meant that no overall championship second just ahead of a hard charging positions were yet decided and all

Craig Collinson towards the end of

A special mention has to go to

points at this event were vital for some drivers. In 2WD it was a very close fought battle with four different drivers all setting TQ in each round and leaving things extremely close, therefore

DRIVER

CHASSIS

1 2 3

Craig Collinson Greg Williams Danny McGee

Team C Schumacher Schumacher

Next up was the famous end organised with Schumacher Racing

doing so, but finishing in a brilliant and also some prizes were kindly RESULT – POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Danny McGee Karl Marsden Craig Collinson Greg Williams Fabian Simonini Steven Pierce Richard Lowe James Helliwell Eugene Galley Paul Crompton

Schumacher Kyosho Team C Schumacher Team Durango Yokomo Team C Schumacher Schumacher Team C

their second best result was key to a top qualifying spot.

POS

young Edward Callan, making his firstof series raffle, which the club had

was still to play for in the top ten in the race. The A final 2WD result was: ever Worksop A final and not only both championships, therefore the

RESULT – 2WD CHAMPIONSHIP

In 4WD it was a totally different

Danny McGee had a ‘flag to flag’ story as Schumacher’s Greg Williams victory in the final, driving a brilliantwas on top form and set TQ in all

fifth place too. Maybe a young star ofdonated by Alex at Moss Models. the future to watch out for! The 4WD Many thanks to Alex for having A final result was:

the shop at each round. So that

RESULT – POS

DRIVER

CHASSIS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Greg Williams James Helliwell Danny McGee Craig Collinson Edward Callan Mitchell Fiddling Ben Jemison James Hart Steven Pierce Andy Pearson

Schumacher Schumacher Schumacher Team C Xray Schumacher Schumacher Schumacher Xray Kyosho

concludes another fantastic race series at Worksop. As always a massive thank you to the Worksop crew for all of their hard work, it’s been one of the biggest and best yet. And of course to you the racers for attending the series

controlled race and never looking

four rounds of qualifying, therefore

behind him. Driving off into the

lining up on pole position. He was

and having a great time.

distance Danny managed to finish

in fantastic form and his Schumacherwas onto the presentation for the

series starting in September, the entry

eight seconds ahead of the rest of

CAT K2 was handling awesome.

series top ten in each class. Some

form will be online and available in

the field. However, behind Danny

Behind Greg the rest of the drivers

superb pit boards was the prizes

the near future. Hope to see you there.

Craig Collinson driving for Team C took first overall in the 2WD series

Danny McGee was the 2WD series runner Second in the 4WD series was up for Schumacher Schumacher’s Greg Williams

So after the racing was over it

We shall be back with another

Third in 2WD went to Rich Lowe with his Team C

The top three in 2WD at the final round saw Danny McGee Greg Williams won the A final in 4WD from James Schumacher sponsored the series and put up some great win from Karl Marsden and Craig Collinson Helliwell and Danny McGee for a Schumacher clean sweep championship prizes

92



RUG RACERS Wodson Park/6 March 2016/GT12, WGT, TC/Open < The final round of the

the kids was their parents. This

all very honest and Daniel Robins.

his own with all four qualifiers at a

series beckons those that

one featured Alan (Snip) and Shane

were fortunate enough to get a

Chipolina, James and Jake Vincent,

end of GT12. Tim Hancock was showing looking on from behind.

pass out for the day. With some

Michael (Marmite) and Holly Cook,

his intentions as champion elect with

championships still to be decided

Graham, Martin and Ethan Southall three of the four rounds banked aheadshow’ as he was the first driver to

others were still down to settling

(that’s grandad, dad and son) and

of Scott Morton with Owen Smith and blast onto 28 laps and decimate all

the remaining places, but we all

the ever so small Preston Eldridge

Heat three and the now business

blistering pace with Michael Redshaw WGT was renamed the ‘Owen Smith

Leyton Foster sharing third

behind him. Martin Southall and Remo

know why they are here for the now with his dad Graham perched just famous or rather infamous lollipop below him handing out the advice.

place about. 17.5T TC and in heat four Gareth

“MoodyFools” Casadei were looking on from afar.

throwing ceremony at the end of

How was racing? Well honestly who

Coates was getting through his

the day.

knows they were having so much fun workload for all four rounds, equally Dale Blur and Dani Young light the

Open modified and heat nine saw

it didn’t really matter. This is why weso for Ben Pedersen in heat five with way for others to follow with Andrew

QUALIFYING

do this and our future stars of racing,Paul Isaacs making position two his

Walters just behind. Heat ten and the

So the racing and has been the

more on that later.

business end. We have been fortunate

custom this year, up first was the

Heat two was a fierce affair with

own. Heat six was the ‘Wes Roper

show’ and easily up to the A final withto have some of the best TC drivers

GT12 heat one. This is the generation the Peter White making the most of it Rob Brighton and Andy Lees pushing in the country showing us all how to heat, featuring the youngsters and

with the Bradley Dilworth and Michael hard as well. Heat seven with Jimmy

the not so young, but this one

Vale for company, not to detract from

drive a really fast car really well, none

Maddison starting at number three, hemore so of course than the current

looked different as racing alongside the young Darcie Smith keeping them would soon be making number one

UK touring car champion Elliott


<

93



With racing over it was time for the series awards, and the raffle of course

Traditional end of season photo. One that clearly highlights the popularity of Rug Racers

Harper who may be fast on track, but Michael Vale taking leg two. A special Mark Trinder. A clean getaway in the A final saw OPEN MODIFIED TC

also showed his quickness on the

mention for Darcie Smith (aged nine)

scrutineering table as well. He will

who took a third and fourth place

know what I mean after he went at

narrowly missing out on the top three first leg win with Ricky Copsey and

Jimmy Maddison take a stroll to the

Mark Young took leg one of the B final with Andrew Walters taking leg

the ride height checker with a Vernier overall that was Michael Vale, James

Mason Weston fighting over second,

after someone passed comment to himVincent and Bradley Dilworth.

which Ricky just edged. Leg two saw a though? Ah that’s because she also

that it was marginal, and he proved

restart after a first corner pile up and out qualified her dad and was in

it wasn’t. Then of course we come

The A final saw Tim Hancock take the win in the first leg with Scott

onto another of the young stars Harley Morton taking the second with a

it was Ricky who led them home to

two, but no mention of Dani Young

the A final. The overall was Andrew

victory ahead of Mason and Malc Hall Walters, Mark Young and Rhys Foster.

Eldridge, who made second her own. ‘lights to flag’ victory. Overall Scott with the champion down in fourth Dad Brian Eldridge did nab second in Morton took the win from Tim Hancock after some uncharacteristic errors.

Elliott Harper took leg one of the A final with a track record of 29 laps

round three, but Harley still went one and Leyton Foster.

Ricky Copsey took the overall win from and two seconds faster than when it

better by going first in round.

Jimmy Maddison and Mason Weston. was last used at round two. The only

GT12 FINALS

17.5T BLINKY TC FINALS

One of the youngest drivers Shane

Paul Isaacs taking the first leg of the In both legs, 12-year-old Owen Smithwould take second lace in this leg

Chipolina took the win in leg one of C final with a win from pole ahead

time his car went above an 11 second

WGT FINAL

lap was his first and last. Ashley Wiffen

was the star of the show leaving

from Andrew Carter. In leg two Elliott

the C final with Jake Vincent taking of Owen Carter who went on to win all in his wake taking legs one and flirted with second and third places the win in leg two The oldest driver the second leg. Overall it was Owen two legs comfortably, while setting Carter, from Paul Isaacs and Daryll

the fastest lap of the day of anyone the win ahead of Brian Eldridge and

third to leave the overall as Shane

Roberts.

at 10.340 seconds. Tom Hampson

Ashley Wiffen giving an overall of

got within three seconds, but that

Elliott Harper, Ashley Wiffen and Brian

Chipolina, Jake Vincent and Graham Southall.

In the B final Dominic Baker took the first leg with Mark Trinder taking

The B final was up next and James the second to leave the overall as Vincent from pole took leg one with

Dominic Baker, Nick Upton and

was not enough so it was a podium Eldridge. of Owen Smith, Tom Hampson and Martin Southall.

The future of R C is h ere and Rug Racers have w orked hard to n urture th eir junior racers

94

a few times before recovering to take

Graham Southall (sorry dad) taking


Holly a nd Michael Cook

So with the racing concluded everyone headed over to the

Darcie, Glen and Owen S mith


Martin, Graham and Ethan Southall

Shane and Alan Chipolina

Graham and Preston Eldridge

The top three in 17.5T blinky. Ricky Copsey, Jimmy Maddison and Mason Weston

Owen Smith won WGT from Tom Hampson and Martin Southall

Its nice to see so many competitive femaleThe GT12 A final went to Scott Morton racers at Rug Racers from Tim Hancock and Leyton Foster

The Xray drivers had a successful 2015-16 series

Team Crash and Burn

The Yokomo drivers

presentation ceremony or lolly parade also finished fifth overall in GT12 and a future at HRCC and Rug Racers with to dish out the pots to the series winners. As is customary now the lollies were aerially dispensed to all the

continues to get better every week. The most improved driver was

racers like Harley, Owen, Darcie, Shane, Holly, Ethan, Jake, Preston, Stan,

awarded to Darcie Smith for despite

Frazier and Jak the future is bright and

being only nine has shown many a

once again we thank you and hope

racers and crowd with a gentle finesse,driver how it is done and so often

you would have been proud.

a good few seem to get launched back with a smile - another one to watch at the distributor with a little more vigour, by a little I mean with the

for the future.

As always a massive, huge, enormous thanks and a hug for all

And finally the highest award that of our sponsors this year. You have

Elliott Harper won modified TC from Ashley Wiffen and Brian Eldridge

force of a paintball. So the pots were we can give out the Jonathan Fletcher helped make this series what it was distributed to the series top threes

Courtesy Cup that was awarded to

without your support we cannot

LINKS

as follows:

Harley Eldridge. Like a lot of young

put it all together and of course the

Active Scale Models - www.activescalemodels.co.uk

RESULT - GT12 CHAMPIONSHIP POS

DRIVER

1 2 3

Tim Hancock Ben Vincent Scott Morton

RESULT - WGT CHAMPIONSHIP POS

DRIVER

1 2 3

Tom Hampson Owen Smith Martin Southall

RESULT - 17.5T BLINKY TC CHAMPIONSHIP

drivers she has continued to grow and team that makes this happen the

Mardave - mardave.co.uk

shine in her discipline as one of the

Schumacher - www.racing-cars.com

Rug Racers team. With new faces on

fastest drivers about with the element board this year it has been the most

CML Distribution - www.cmldistribution.co.uk

of humour that she kept beating her successful to date and we look forward dad as well. to improving next year. Finally a big

HPI Racing - www.hpiracing.co.uk Tonisport - www.fast-webshop.com/tonisport

For us this year has seen a transformation of a series that has

thanks to all the racers that have

Logic RC - www.logicrc.com

supported us this year over 150 of you

RC Racing UK - www.rcracinguk.com

traditionally been about fun and morewithout you all we have nothing. We

MoodyFools - moodyfools.com

POS

DRIVER

importantly than that youth. The serieslook forward to seeing you all again

Muchmore Racing UK - www.muchmoreracing.com

1 2 3

Jimmy Maddison Matthew Worton Malc Hall

started with Rug Racers Reloaded

Propel RC - www.propelrc.co.uk

RESULT - OPEN MODIFIED TC CHAMPIONSHIP POS

DRIVER

1 2 3

Elliott Harper Harley Eldridge Ashley Wiffen

The top U13 junior prize went to

next year.

that gave us a chance to show what

All the photos of winners collecting

we had done for this year, but more

their trophies and more can be found

than that with the Martin Laxton

on our Facebook group at www.

Cup. Martin was there from the start

facebook.com/groups/rugracers/

and was passionate about bringing

Racer Magazine - www.rcracer.com The RC Racer - www.thercracer.com

Full results from round five and the final championship results can be found at http://goo.gl/HJ6dOQ

the superbly talented Owen Smith whoyoungsters into the sport and giving us


95

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They Think It’s all Over... THE LAST WORD IN EVERYTHING RC!

The Cost of Lithium SEND A LIPO BATTERY TO SOMEONE WITHOUT THE CORRECT SERVICE AND YOU ARE ASKING FOR IT TO BE DESTROYED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE WHEN THEY SCAN THE PARCEL. AND SADLY WITH NEW RULES BEING INTRODUCED WITH REGARD TO SUCH PRODUCTS MEANS THINGS AREN’T LOOKING MUCH BETTER FOR THE CUSTOMER EITHER...

<

THE GOING GETS TOUGH

volume of Lithium-equipped products that is

In recent years it has become more creating the fear. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras and many more items are sent around and more difficult to send RC related items in the world each day and often the shipper has no the post, and meant that sellers, distributors knowledge of what’s inside the normal looking and manufacturers have to use an approved courier company that has the right protocols in brown box. And maybe the financial implication place to carry such products. It may sound over to the sender or recipient is not big enough for sensitive, but aerosol paints, spray cleaners and them to worry... The Royal Mail are Lithium-based batteries are all on this list. Having getting tough on to use a courier for small items has seen the costsTHE BIGGER PICTURE customers sending dangerous goods increase for all involved parties, but at the end ofOn the other hand, if you are a manufacture or the day it is the customer at the end of the chaindistributor, then there is much more at stake. implemented. Due to this new status additional And the rules just got tougher! It was recently who must inevitably absorb the increase. fees across the board are to be expected. announced that as of 1 April this year, new Aerosols can be dangerous when they are In addition revised packaging, labelling and not used correctly and when you have a can of regulations and controls on lithium batteries increased paperwork, as well as additional fees electrical cleaner that is highly flammable then shipped by air would be introduced by the on every shipment as UPS, DHL, Fedex or any you can understand the concern, But generally International Air Transport Association. Basically all LiPo batteries come from Asia so every brand will other courier will now be adding a DG surcharge. these items, if shipped in suitable packaging Not only will these fees be linked to international be affected in these higher costs. should not cause any issues. Where the real shipping, but domestic too. And what we also LiPo batteries shipped by air will be treated concern lies is with Lithium-based batteries. wonder is how racers traveling to events by plane When you bear in mind the kind of products as “dangerous goods” (DG) and this is effective will be affected. now, so there is no chance to build up stock that we use day-to-day that incorporate this Will we see increased prices for LiPos as the technology it does seem that its more about the or supplies before the new controls are costs are filtered down? We hope not, but one thing is clear, the airlines are clearly taking the potential risk more seriously than ever. In RC we have known about the negatives of Lithium-based cells since they introduced, and have always made this clear to our readers. But now the manufacturers and distributors will have added responsibility, rather than the customer... ■

Li Po b at teries are c lassed as dangerous g oods...

1

2

3

.. .and we all k now t he p otenti al risk o f a L iPo in cident

I t i s Now!

ANSWERS TO WHO, WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE. P20

Ashby hosted the final round of the BRCA Nationals in 2001 for super touring (now TC). Although it was the likes of Andrew Moore and Craig Drescher who were battling it out for the win in modified, the driver pictured is Jimmy Maddison who was making himself a name in the on-road scene. Now, some fifteen years on Jimmy is back in the news as he has signed for the Xray factory race team. 1.

Action from round four of the 2004 Tamiya Eurocup series took place at Wrexham and it was Darren McHarg photographed here in action who would dominate the stock A final from pole position. In the superstock A final it was Marcus Askell taking the win from second on the grid. Although we believe that Darren is no longer competing, Marcus can still be found at the 1:12 nationals and big TC events running for the Xray team. 2.

In 2003, Neil Cragg could be found running a Team Associated TC3, an on-road chassis-based car in the 1:10 off-road nationals. This is his car photographed when the series hit Tiverton and he managed to convert his second place on the grid to the overall win, beating pole sitter Richard Taylor with his Losi XXX-4. Neil’s car, called the TC3 ‘O’ was a handmade conversion from the USA that helped him out during his time without a dedicated deal with a 4WD manufacture due to long-term primary sponsor Team Associated not making a buggy at the time. 3.

98


TAMIYA SUBARU IMPREZA MONTE-CARLO 99 - TT-02 (58631) This TT-02 kit features the Subaru Impreza rally car thatKEY FEATURES: took part in the Monte Carlo Rally of the 1999 World Rally Torque-tuned motor is included! Championship (WRC) season with British World Champion The classic form of the car is recreated in Richard Burns at the wheel. polycarbonate, with separately moulded side The TT-02 chassis line-up is Tamiya’s entry-level 4WD platform. mirror and rear wing parts. It allows you an easy gateway into the world of on-road running due to its easy construction, balanced performance and high High ground clearance at the front and rear for aftermarket “Hop-Up Option” support. For this kit the chassisrally specifications. • •

•

can be completed in Rally Spec which allows higher ground Stickers are included to recreate the markings clearance than with normal on road cars in order to replicateon the car, as are window-masking stickers for the performance of the real subject on different surfaces. use when painting. The TT-02 chassis incorporates many features that makes it 16-spoke gold colour moulded wheels are easy to assemble. The TT-02 chassis performs extremely well, paired with rally block tyres (Item 50476). both cornering and overall speed has been vastly improved! In addition to the TT-02 being an ideal chassis to start from, Includes a Tamiya TBLE-02S ESC and Torque you can upgrade this kit by adding many of the “Hop-Up Tuned motor. ESC features brushless motor mode Options” available if you want to increase the car’s speedfor easy expandability. and performance. •

•

•

REQUIRES CARSON REFLEX RADIO, BATTERY & ANSMANN CHARGER. TAMIYA POLYCARBONATE PAINT 86016 PS-16 METALLIC BLUE REQUIRED FOR BODY SHELL.

For more information from Tamiya visit www.hobb yco.net or twitter.com/TamiyaUK Follow us on Facebook Tamiya UK

Tamiya is distributed in the UK by; The Hobby Company Limited, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PG SEE YOUR UK TAMIYA DEALER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION www.hobbyco.net

Radio Control Car Racer - June 16

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