Chassis Focus – David Ronnefalk

Chassis: Kyosho MP9 TKI III
Engine: Orion RS
Tires: AKA
Radio/Servos: KO Propo
Remarks – The reigning European Champion kicked off qualifying here at the DNC with a very convincing third using his stock setup. The only changes he has done to his buggy since arriving at the Fear Farm have been to use thicker shock oil to deal with the different temperatures and 1.3mm front piston holes instead of the usual 1.2mm. For Q2 he will try a softer clutch that is intended to help smoothen the engine powerband in the slippery conditions.

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New in the Pits

Made by Pro-Line and designed by Ty Tessmann, the new HB D8’12 1/8th scale body is similar to that made by the US company for the HB D4’13. A scaled up version of the Type-R, it has been adjusted to take into consideration elements like the cooling head and the throw of the larger 1/8th tires, which have changed the cab position as well as the distinctive side under tuck of the body which has had to be reduced. In terms of the performance the shell offers more rear downforce compared to the Bulldog that Ty ran previously thanks to the cab not being so far forward and the scoops towards the rear of the body which generate downforce by themselves but also direct more air to the rear wing.

AKA are debuting their new Catapult tire designed for hard packed blue groove surfaces that have a coating of dust. Used by David Ronnefalk among others they are considered a longer wear pattern and fit in the line between the enduro and the impact. Featuring a more open thread pattern they sport a C design which helps it get through the dust and when available in a few weeks will come in soft and super soft compound.

Agama are running new parts on their A8 Evo for 2014 which includes new higher aluminum towers, which make the car easier to setup for every conditions, as well as these new wishbones. The same geometry but with a better fit for shocks and pins, they are able to be mounted with inserts. These will be available in carbon fibre and aluminium which both help to improve the stiffness of the part in high grip and warm conditions with the carbon plate the stiffer of the pair.

Associated are making their US debut of their soon to be released RC8 follow up. An all new platform, the prototype is currently under wraps but having been shown the car I can tell you that it sports some nice features in terms of transmission and ease of maintenance. With the engine mounted close to the centre line and a compact radio and electronics layout, it can have a very narrow chassis. With the car still using a lot of proto parts here, and with only 3 cars currently in existence, look, fit and finish will change as the car gets closer to release which we understand should be around May.

Team Orion are running their new 3-port RS engine, with Jared Tebo, Ryan Cavlieri and David Ronnefalk, among others, using the newly released power plant. The new motor sports a revised piston and liner with wider exhaust and side ports for more linear power delivery. Internally you can get the engine with a choice of two crankshafts with Ronnefalk using the CRF high revolution crankshaft while Tebo is running the standard CRF version. There is also a new larger diameter cooling head, which when purchased from teamorionshop.com as part of a team pack comes personalised with your name.

Also new from Team Orion, and being used by their team drivers in the eBuggy class is the latest Vortex R8 speed control and motor. The new speedo can handle up to 6 cells, up from 4 cells of its predecessor while the 690 motors, which will come available in 1900, 2100 and 2500kv, are based on the smaller 540 size World Championship winning VST2. Available in April.

View our event image gallery here.

Chassis Focus – Darren Bloomfield

Chassis: Agama A8 Evo FR (with 2014 parts)
Engine: Bullitt B219
Tires: Beta
Radio/Servo: Sanwa/Spektrum
Remarks – The latest addition to the Nemo team, 2012 European Champion Darren Bloomfield is running an updated version of the Agama A8 buggy that features some new for 2014 parts, such as higher shock towers (and new longer shocks) and new wishbones, that can incorporate stiffeners that will be available in graphite or aluminium. The aim of the update is to make the car easier to use on any surface and allow the use of similar settings in every condition. In terms of setup, after the first rounds of practice Darren decided to follow the American part of the team working mostly on shocks, putting them more upright.

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Chassis Focus – Jared Tebo

Chassis: Kyosho ST-RR Evo
Engine: Orion
Tires: AKA
Radio/Servo: KO Propo
Remarks – Apart from some Lunsford titanium bits such as the turnbuckles, the reigning 1/10th scale 2wd World Champion is running a stock version of the Japanese truck. Able to TQ the second round of qualifications here at the DNC a change of shocks and camber link positions on the front helped to get rid of the understeer that Jared was suffering from in the first round and according to his own words ‘adjusting the front and centre differential oil concluded the chase to the perfect setup’. A lighter oil in the front and a thicker oil in the centre gave him the speed he needed in the centre of the corner and allowed him to put in a fast and clean run.

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Chassis Focus – Mike Truhe

Chassis: Serpent Cobra-T 2.0
Engine: Top Plus 7C
Tires: Proline
Radio/Servos: Futaba
Remarks – New Serpent signing Mike Truhe is making his big race debut running his new sponsor’s gas cars and having focussed on the company’s mid motor car in the passed weeks he is playing catch up. Compared to his standard setup he has been playing around with the rear shock angles, as well as the front, laying them down more to help make the car less reactive. Running some already available option parts he is also using a lot of weight in the back of the car to bring the standard truggy up to legal weight, all of which is mounted near the rear of the car.

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Chassis Focus – Adam Drake

Chassis: TLR 8ight 3.0
Engine: Novarossi Keep Off 21-4
Tires: Pro-Line
Radio/Servos: Spektrum/Hitec
Remarks – TLR factory driver Adam Drake is running a pretty stock version of the latest 8ight here at the DNC. New for this race is the bodyshell, expected to be released in the coming days, sporting new sides that according to the Drake drastically change the airflow over the car. The cab has also been modified, now a bit wider and more vertical, and which has been moved further towards the front of the buggy. Finally to finish off the body there is the option of running a rear fin mounted behind the engine which doubles as a body clip washer. Satisfied with the behaviour of his 8ight, the current ROAR national champion told us he has decided to stick with his standard setup allowing him to better read the track changes and proceed with small adjustments from one run to next.

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