Chassis Focus – Atsushi Hara

Car: Mugen MRX-5
Engine: O.S. Speed
Fuel: Cosmo
Tires: Zac Project
Bodyshell: Protoform R18
Radio/Servos: Futaba

Two-time World Champion Atsushi Hara is running the Mugen MRX-5 here in Japan and apart from extra chassis weights and lightweight front wheel axles it is a standard car. Starting off using the same setup as Japanese National Champion Takaaki Shimo, Hara has changed little to the car, only deciding to run a blue front spring in place of the grey all round, something he says gives more steering when the traction is high but which doesn’t work in the low grip conditions found today. 2001 World Champion Kenji Osaka is Hara’s pitman for this race but not having driven 1/8th onroad for over 10 years Kenji had one run with the car prior to this event to get back the feeling for the class, something he says has changed a lot since he last raced.

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