October 8, 2013

Chassis Focus – Takaaki Shimo

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

Japanese National Champion Takaaki Shimo is running a standard Mugen MRX-5, the same car he won the Nationals/Worlds warmup race here in Kei Tune with some months ago. With the track not being sugar watered for this event, like it was previously, his setup has needed to be adjusted. Firstly the car was too loose on track and with some adjustments he stopped the rear from stepping out but then it had too much grip and not enough steering. The multiple Worlds podium finisher has reduced both the front and rear toe and this has given him the steering he wanted. To power his car Shimo is running the all new O.S. Speed 2101 R, which was only released 2 weeks ago.

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October 7, 2013

Chassis Focus – Andy Moore

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Car: HB R8
Engine: Maxima
Fuel: Maxima
Tires: Zac Project
Bodyshell: Protoform R18
Radio/Servos: Sanwa

Former Electric EP Touring car World Champion Andy Moore is one of four drivers here running the as yet unreleased HB. Having raced the car previously at the recent KM cup on the same track, he said conditions are different to the last time he ran here and so he has had to make some small tweaks to get more steering into the car as he says the rear end is now planted. The car is still undergoing final development with Andy receiving new harder rear suspension parts for this event but no date has yet been set for the release of the R8.

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October 7, 2013

Chassis Focus – Meen Vejrak

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Car: KM Racing K8
Engine: O.S. Speed
Fuel: Cosmo
Tires: Zac Project
Bodyshell: Protoform R18
Radio/Servo: Airtronics

The reigning 1/10th 200mm World Champion, Meen Vejrak is one of a number of top racers running KM Racing’s new K8 chassis. Having been one of the car’s development drivers he has done many laps of the Kei Tune track in preparation for this event. In terms of setup Meen says because the traction is slightly different to how it has been in the past, most probably due to the large number of drivers running on the track, he has made some shock oil and piston adjustments to try to get more steering in the car. The car is expected to be released to the public following the World Championships.

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September 29, 2013

Chassis Focus – Ryan Cavalieri

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Car: Associated B44.2
ESC: Orion
Motor: Orion 5.5T
Batteries: Orion
Radio/Servo: Airtronics

Defending 4wd World Champion Ryan Cavalieri is running the Associated B44.2 with a number of specific parts for the unique track conditions developed following the Nationals and Worlds warmup race. The most noticeable part is the one off aluminium chassis plate which was made to help dissipate heat but also add more weight to the car lower down to help combat the high grip conditions. Ryan is also running gear diffs on the car as well as updated drive cups from the centre drive spur gear as the track is very unforgiving on the cars drivetrain. RC is also running the newly released low friction ball cups and harder A-arms and on top he is using the latest B44 shell from JConcepts. In terms of setup he has worked on stiffening up the front end by running harder springs, stiffer oils and even trying a front anti-roll bar.

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September 28, 2013

Chassis Focus – Ryan Lutz

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Car: Team Durango DEX-410 V3
ESC: Tekin
Motor: Tekin
Batteries: Protek RC
Radio/Servo: Futaba

Ryan Lutz is now back running the standard DEX410 V3 having broken his prototype yesterday in practice. The main difference between the cars on track is that the prototype lands better, which he puts down to it having a longer chassis and different component layout as well as limited up travel. Ryan has now tried to limit the V3’s up travel which he says worked quite well on landing in Saturday’s final practice but now wants to tip over so he needs now to find a good compromise. The Durango is working well in practice setting the quickest lap time in controlled practice with the prototype in the hands of team mate Joern Neumann, with Lutz in 2nd with the current car.

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September 28, 2013

Chassis Focus – Naoto Matsukura

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Car: Yokomo B-Max4 III
Esc: Yokomo BLS-R3.1
Motor: Yokomo RP 6.5T
Batteries: Yokomo
Radio/Servo: Sanwa

Naoto is running the new B-Max4 III from Yokomo which is a mostly new platform over their previous chassis. The chassis is now made of aluminium with the car not utilizing a top deck it is still very stiff through the use of braces. The drivetrain is also new with Naoto choosing to use ball diffs, despite gear diffs coming in the car as standard. The suspension components are retained but there is new shock towers and floating steering servo mount. The new car seems to be running very well with Naoto setting some of the fastest lap times during practice.

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