New from Xray, for the T2’009, T2‘008 or T2R Pro, is this strong rear shock tower, which is CNC-machined from premium extra-thick 3.5mm high-grade graphite to minimize breakage. It features the same shock and roll centre positions as the stock shock tower but has increased strength and reliability for high-competition racing or extreme racing conditions.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
SpeedMerchant have shown some photos of their new line of LiPo friendly chassis’. Cars getting the LiPo treatment will be their current Formula Rev5 and their 200mm World GT in both 3.7V and a 7.4V saddle pack version as well. They will also have a 7.4V 235mm car for the European market, or anyone who wants to go really fast across a parking lot. The Rev5 and World GT cars will be available as conversions for those racers who already own the car and all of them will be available as complete kits, with part numbers and pricing coming in April.
To celebrate the 1/12th scale World title of Japanese driver Naoto Matsukura, Yokomo have released a World Champion Edition of the Associated RC12R5. The car is essentially the same basic car from Associated but with extra tuning parts from the Japanese company that were used by Naoto to take his World title. The rear end gets most of the attention with new rear blocks, differential hub and central body post mount plate holder, all machined from aluminium and anodised blue. The new parts help stiffen the rear of the car and improve stability as well as improve rear grip.
Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]
Designed by Josh Cyrul, the all new TOP Racing chassis will be called the Photon. Designed to be suitable for both asphalt and carpet racing, the car has a super low centre of gravity thanks to the fact that most structural components lay on the main chassis, which minimizes material volume and mass above the main chassis. The shock towers are also mounted directly to the bulkhead without the use of a bulkhead cover, eliminating unnecessary parts and lowering the cars CofG.
Last Saturday, Broendby Racing Club in Denmark organised the 6th round of the Danish championships, which took place in the middle of a big shopping centre, just outside Copenhagen. There were 50 drivers in attendance in both SuperStock and Modified 1:10 Touring Car Classes. The venue was right in the middle of the center, and with all the shops open, there were a lot of spectators throughout the day making it a a perfect showcase for the sport.
Top German female racer Sabrina Lechner has confirmed her move to Serpent for the 2009 season. Previously racing the Shepherd Velox, she will now run the new 966 1/8th scale in races this year, and has confirmed that she will continue with the Picco made IDM engines, as well as ATS tires. Sabrina will be running a busy racing schedule this year, competing in the European B Championships, German Nationals, EFRA GPs, World Championships in Lostallo as well as running 1/10th scale too.
Source: Fun & Drive [scuderia-fun-and-drive.com]
Full Throttle Motorsport, makers of the FTR 12 1/12th scale chassis, have released the first production shots of their new World GT chassis, the FTR 10. Based heavily on their previous car, this T-bar chassis is designed around the use of brushless motors, with a centered pod and optimized battery location. The chassis has been made from 2.5mm thick carbon fibre with well positioned flex points for better traction on low bite tracks and it shares its rear pod with the FTR 10. Expect the car to be released after this weeks ROAR Nationals.
The 3rd round of the Japanese F1 RCGP series was held last weekend at the famous 1/8th GP track, KeiTuen Racing Speedway in Chiba. The unique part of the F1 RCGP is that the race will start in rain or even snowy weather conditions and there was no exceptions for this round. Track conditions was semi wet for the first round and most of the drivers started with rubber tires but apparently sponge tires were a better choice. Heavy rain started falling after lunch break and some drivers spread glue on the sponge tires surface which works pretty well. To win this round not only driving technique but right tire choice is extremely important. In the F1 GP class it was Miura Masayuki starting from 2nd who was in a different league managing to have a safe lead over 2nd placed Ishikawa Mamoru, who never got a chance to put any pressure on the leader. Yashima Sadaaki beat National off road champion Kimura Shinya to secure his 3rd place.
