World Championship Top Qualifier – HB D812

Chassis Focus – Lee Martin

Chassis – Mugen MBX7R
Engine – Beat BT7
Tyres – Pro-Line Suburbs X1
Fuel – Nitrolux
Radio/Servos – Sanwa/Xpert
Body – Kit
Remarks – Lee Martin is running the new MBX7R here in Italy having driven only some parts of the new car back in the Euros such as the shocks and driveshafts. Also being run at their first major race is Lee Martin’s own signature series all black Xpert servos. In terms of setup he hasn’t changed much away from his regular setup, lowering the car 2mm and stiffening up the anti-roll bars to 2.8mm thick versions front and rear. Trying a number of different tires since arriving he, like the other PL drivers, have decided on Suburbs in X1 compound.

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Chassis Focus – Joern Neumann

Chassis – Durango DNX8
Engine – FX 5K
Tyres – Pro-Line Suburbs X1
Fuel – Maxima
Radio/Servos – Futaba
Body – Kit
Remarks – Joern Neumann is running the same car and configuration that he used at the recent Euros in Germany. Having tried many changes to his setup during practice he went back to his basic setup and only hardened the shock and diff oils a little. For the hot weather here the car is now sporting a double rear brace, the single brace getting too soft in the high temperatures. Testing many different tire combos he has settled on the Pro-Line suburb in X1 compound but will switch to the Fugitive for the longer finals.

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New in the Pits – AKA

AKA have some new non tire related products here in Sicily beginning with a sweet aluminium wheel nut wrench. Anodised black and red, the hex drive part of the tool sporting machined grooves for reduced weight and cool looks. Also new from the US company is a backpack that can take up to a 1/8th scale without wheels as well as your other possessions such as a laptop and various other items with its abundance of pockets. Matching their mule bag, it is embroidered with the AKA logo and comes supplied with a Cinch sack for transporting your dirty buggy in your back pack. Both items will be available in October.

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Chassis Focus – Renaud Savoya

Chassis – Xray XB8 14
Engine – Team Orion RS
Tyres – Sweep Micro Contacts red
Fuel – Runner Time
Radio/Servos – Futaba
Body – Kit
Remarks – 3-time European Champion Renaud Savoya is running his Xray XB8 14 here in Sicily. A pretty stock chassis, apart from the rear brace, he is running it in pretty much the same configuration as at the Euros with the exception of the front shock tower which is a lower version to that used in Germany and the standard softer front upper arms. His team mate Martin Bayer continues to use the taller tower as well as the harder front upper arms. In terms of setup he has left his shock setup pretty close to what he normally uses but has changed to stiffer diffs and anti-roll bars.

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Chassis Focus – Mike Truhe

Chassis – Serpent S811 Cobra 2.1
Engine – TOP Plus 4C
Tyres – Pro-Line Suburbs X1
Fuel – Byron
Radio/Servos – Futaba
Body – Kit
Remarks – Mike Truhe is running the latest 2.1 version of the Serpent Cobra S811 buggy with some readily available options. Going harder in setup, and 1mm lower in ride height, the biggest change is to the diffs while the shock oils is only a small amount thicker than he normally runs. Lowering the inner camber links on the rear it has helped the car carry more speed through the corners, something required here at this high speed track.

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