Nuclear R/C Japan have released a first image of the ASM brand .21 competition nitro on-road engine. ASM will have two 3.5cc engines available at the beginning with more to come in the future such as an engine break-in service and more. All information and more images of the engines will become available in time for the release.
Source: Nuclear R/C [nuclear.ne.jp]
Serpent have introduced the Viper 977-e Evo2 1/8th electric on-road kit. The latest incarnation of the 977-e platform utilises many features of the 977 Evo2 nitro car such as the narrow pivot rear end with long lower A-arms that make for improved traction. The car is based on a 5mm aluminium main chassis plate with 2.5mm carbon fibre top plate, its battery mount takes most 2S and 3S standard-dimension LiPo battery packs and the kit also comes with a 2-belt drivetrain with large belt pulleys for an efficient power transfer. Also part of the package are low-profile shock absorbers, and a sturdy 7075-T6 aluminium motor mount with aluminium fan holder. The kit will hit the stores by the end of February.
View the features and more images here
Coming from Factory RC is the ROAR motor tech plate. This go/no go tech plate allows for quick inspection of any ROAR-approved motor for physical dimension requirements. The plate is machined from 2.25mm carbon look plate to the maximum tolerances allowed by ROAR. This allows the individual inspecting motors for legality to use a non magnetic tool to inspect the rotor and can for dimensions to assure legal racing. The rotor can be inspected using the length and diameter slot which also inspects for the 7.00mm internal OD shaft. There is also a pass through hole for the rotor body as well. Notches help to inspect the can diameter and length, as well as the 14.5mm “plug” go/no go gauge for the can/stack. This leaves only the stack length for inspection with a pair of digital callipers to finalise inspection which is easy to do since the stack is not magnetic. All measurements are clearly marked and the plate has so far been successfully used at various races.
Source: Factory RC [factory-rc.com]
175RC.com have introduced a range of under LiPo weights for shorty battery packs. Made from heavy brass material and coming in four different designs the weights allow not only to up the overall weight of the vehicle but also to simply adjust the weight distribution. Type A is a plain weight available as 18g or 36g variant while Type B, available as 12g and 23g versions, is very versatile. It can be run in 2WD buggies and flipping the plate forth and back allows to adjust the front to rear weight bias while in 4WD buggies it can be used to bring more weight to the inside or outside. The Type C weight, with outer cut outs, makes for a more centralised weight balance while Type D put more weight to the outer sections. The latter two are available as 12g or 23g versions.
View the Type B, C and D weight here
UK Team Corally distributors X-Factory UK have released first official information on the forthcoming SSX8R and SSX8S 1/8th electric on-road kits. The SSX8 series utilises a simple rigid suspension design that does away with complicated adjustments without sacrificing on-track performance. The 4WD cars were designed for the use with 4S LiPo battery packs, they feature a ball-type front suspension, adjustable pivot damping, adjustable caster and camber settings, hardened steel driveshafts and delrin 32dp main gears. The difference between the SS8R and the SSX8S are the bulkhead, chassis and suspension materials with the SS8R coming with carbon fibre chassis and suspension parts beside a bunch of aluminium goodies while the SSX8S utilises a carbon fibre and G10 fibre glass chassis, G1o arms as well as composite plastic bulkheads. Both kits come without electronics, tyres or bodies but 1/8th nitro wheels and bodyshells are a direct fit on both the R and S variant.
View the features and more images here
Xray have released a first teaser image of their forthcoming NT1 2017 1/10th 200mm nitro on-road kit. As usual official details will not become available until the release that is scheduled for March and thus just in time for the new outdoor season.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
Coming from Reedy is the Sonic 540-M3 25.5T ROAR spec brushless motor. Built to meet ROAR’s unique guidelines for 25.5 turn motors used in Formula and VTA racing classes, the motor’s resistance measures at the minimum legal value and it shares the same features list as the rest of the 540-M3 line. The M3 series utilises CNC-machined 3-piece cans, aluminium end caps, low-resistance, silver-plated solder tabs, optimised air cooling and dual precision ball bearings.
Fenix have introduced new aluminium chassis for the Team Associated TC7.1 and Xray X1 cars. Starting with the touring car chassis, the lower main plate is machined from 2mm 7075-T6 material and it offers extensive machining for a low weight and optimised torsional flex characteristics. 85mm wide the part is about 2mm slimmer than the standard carbon fibre chassis for less chassis scrub during hard cornering and weighing in at 82g the part also significantly lowers the overall centre of gravity.
