Japanese brand Modify have introduced their new centre balance weight for the Xray T4 2015 and 2016 kits. Weighing in at 20g the weight is fastened along the battery and electronics compartment using already existing holes in the chassis plates of both cars, allowing to easily install or remove the part in seconds. Sitting on two low-profile pods the weight also only has minimal influence on chassis tweak and it comes in a stealthy black finish.
New from T-Works come several hardware sets for the Xray RX8’16 1/8th on-road car. First up is the 64 titanium turnbuckle and anti-roll bar ball end set. Included are two steering and two rear camber link turnbuckles as well as four anti-roll bar ball ends, all made from high-quality titanium and designed to replace the standard steel parts. The set makes for an overall lower weight and added “bling”. Included is also a suitable 4mm turnbuckle wrench. Also new and made for the RX8’16 is a 140-piece 64 titanium screws set and a 100-piece gold-plated steel M3 screw kit. The titanium kit will significantly lower the overall weight while the gold-plated screw add visual impact while retaining weight.
Following the conclusion of the onroad section of the Chinese Nationals, the attention then moved to the action taking place on the offroad track at the ARC International Raceway in Xiamen. With the weather calling for extreme heat and humidity, unlike during the onroad action there was no rain allowing the race to be run without interruption. After 2 days of intense competition, we had 4 new National champions crowned.
Continue reading the race report here
Round four of the Benelux Buggy and Truggy Masters was held at the astro track in Appingedam in the north of the Netherlands. Due to a rainy week before the race, the track was in pretty beat up condition as it was dirty, slippery and soaked, meaning on Saturday only limited practice was possible. But come Sunday morning the track conditions were ok to race and the opening qualifier was held in slippery but dry conditions. Unfortunately after heat 1 it started raining again, making the remainder of the day the wheeled equivalent of boat racing. The TQ in the worse conditions was taken by Jarno Pijpers ahead of Jordy Velder and Bart Mullink.
Continue reading the report here
Hobbico have introduced the Onyx 255 dual output AC/DC balancing charger. It can peak charge a 15-cell NiCd at the same time it’s balance charging a 6S LiPo with push-button menu operation and 10-battery charging routines. Two reverse-backlit LCDs makes reading the eight types of pack/cell data and safety alerts a breeze even when lighting conditions are at their worst. Two independent 60W power supplies make for up to 6A of charge current per channel and the package is rounded out by an assortment of charge adapters.
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MIP have introduced the popular Pucks 17.5 drive system for the Team Associated B6 buggy. Shaving off nearly 50 percent of rotating mass compared to the standard diff-and-driveshafts assembly as well as including all necessary diff components, except the diff gear, the kit is the ultimate 17.5 kit for the B6, B6D, and also the older B5M. Included are high-quality tungsten carbide diff balls, lightweight outdrives and multi-piece dogbones, diff rings, bearings and small parts such as MIP’s rebuildable diff locknut.
Source: MIP [miponline.com]
Defending Champion Elliot Boots controlled the tempo on the opening day of the 1:8 Offroad European Championship in Spain, the Kyosho driver fastest at the end of the day’s four rounds of free practice. Posting the fastest time in FP3, Boots would end the day 1.2-seconds faster than Robert Batlle who despite windy conditions posted his best 3-laps of the day in the final practice. Similar to Boots, Darren Bloomfield would fail to improve on his FP3 time dropping a place to end the day 3rd quickest. Having opened the day with the fastest time but unable to improve in the next two, Bryan Baldo would post the second fastest time of FP4 behind Batlle which would leave the race host 4th fastest. Bryan’s younger brother would also end the day strongly with his best run promoting him to P6 behind Warm-up Race winner David Ronnefalk.
Continue reading this report here or view our complete event coverage here.
Italian company Bittydesign have introduced their new Force bodyshell for TLR’s 8ight 4.0. Purpose-designed to fit onto TLR’s latest incarnation of the 8ight buggy, the body is of a steering-enhancing cab forward design, it features a rear flap section for an overall increased downforce and a roof-top shark fin feature adds stability on high-speed straights. On top of this a side scoop makes way for the throttle and brake linkage, ensuring free movement. Also incorporated into the design is a stronger nose section, a point where the original body has a weak spot and that was addressed by Bittydesign by making it a 2-piece offering with separate nose piece. The body is made from 1mm high-quality Lexan material, it comes clear, and including window masks and a decal sheet.
