New in the Pits – Part 3

More new items in the pits, with Corally debuting their prototype RDX Phi here this weekend. The new car being used by their factory team sports a narrower LiPo only chassis, as well as now separate rear bearing blocks and motor mount, which was a single unit in the previous car. A longer top deck connects the front and rear of the car with flex options in the form of additional mounting screws front and rear which can be removed for soft or left in for a stiff setting. The tops of the bearing holders now hold the pivot ball for the upper camber links, removing them from them their original place on the shock towers. The car doesn’t yet have a name and depending on its performance here, may or may not go into production.

Serpent are also debuting their new touring car chassis, the S401. All new down the middle, the car retains its wishbones, uprights and steering blocks but that’s about it. A new super narrow chassis is the backbone of this car, with new blocks front and rear enclosing the 2 gear differentials. The motor mounting block is also new, mounted only to the chassis plate and the anti roll bars are mounted higher, pivoting at both extremes of the car. The car is in the final prototyping stages and is seen here not in its final guise.

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New in the Pits – Part 2

Lots of new releases in the big pit tent here in Burgdorf at the ISTC Worlds, starting with the new Futaba 4PK Super. This updated version of the very popular transmitter and corresponding receiver, features faster response times over the previous version as well as a new multi direction menu controller which is highlighted with an awesome ring of red light. Another feature of this new radio is the ability to control rear wheel steering, something of interest for rock crawlers. Due for release in a month or so.

KO Propo have their new RSX servo, which will come in 4 versions. Coming with either a plastic or metal casing, each type is available in high torque or high speed versions and are suitable for either touring or 1/8th buggy. Expect them to be in the shops in a few months.

We bumped into Shin Adachi who was carrying around his TF6 with an all new prototype LiPo chassis plate, which like others in the pits have the battery slots removed for a clean look and more even flex. No word on when it will be released.

Schumacher have some new parts for their Mi4LP in the shape of a new rear shock tower that has 2 additional shock mounting holes allowing for a more lay down angle. They also have new rear upper link mounting plates which offer a new mounting position, one of plates also sports an additional hole at the rear that allows the anti-roll bar to be mounted higher in the car and pointing towards the front of the car, with the connecting rods mounted to the front of the wishbone.

Much More are here testing their new prototype electronic speed controller. Its so new it doesn’t even have a name and we know very little about it it other than it has a gold anodised metal casing, is very low and comes supplied with a cooling fan, which in this case is mounted next to the ESC, not on top as in most other speedos.

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New in the Pits – Associated TC6

With the 1/12th Worlds now over, focus has now switched to touring car and on today’s preparation day we sat down with Team Associated who gave us the scoop on their new TC6 chassis, that is making its international debut at this race. Retaining the same lower front and rear wishbones, C-hubs and rear uprights from the TC5, the rest of the car is different. A focus on LiPo and brushless the most noticeable change is to the chassis which is very narrow and no longer sports battery slots. Mounted on top of the chassis is new bulkheads, which set closer together allow the track width to be made narrower. The spur gear has been set lower and the motor is now positioned 13mm closer to the centre line, which in turns means the LiPo sits further to the outside which means that the car is perfectly balanced down the centre line straight out of the box.

The new top deck is now longer and narrower but stays at the same height as on the TC5. It acts as the top mount for the steering bell crank, which sports an adjustable bell crank arm which can be swapped out for a 2nd version which gives the driver 6 positions of Ackermann, which when then combined with the 2 mounting points on the steering arm and the second mounting position for the centre pivot of the bell crank give a huge number of Ackermann adjustments. The input lever on the bell crank has also been updated, giving it more linear and therefore slightly slower reacting steering.

Other changes include extra positions on the shock towers giving you 6 options on the front and 7 on the rear. And although not seen on this car as it wasn’t ready in time, there will be all new shock absorbers that feature a bottom mounted assembly with increased stroke length, which gives 2mm more up travel at the wheel. The front bumper has also been updated, lowering the entire construction something they believe gives the car more steering by reducing the air flow under the car and it also now integrates a transponder mount. Revised lower suspension arm mount screw positions allow you to get at the screws easily as the head is now positioned on the outside. A neat feature is the use of universal parts on the car, meaning that all 4 front and rear bulkheads are interchangeable meaning you can cut down on the amount of spare parts needed for the car. These prototype TC6 cars are only in use by team drivers for now, but we are told to expect an October release.

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