November 22, 2019

Chassis Focus – Bruno Coelho

Chassis – Xray T4 2020
Motor – Hobbywing G3 4.5T
ESC – Hobbywing Xerun XR10 Pro
Battery – Sunpadow 5200mAh Slim
Tires (handout) – Sweep
Radio/Servos – Sanwa/Bruno T4WC
Body – Xtreme Twister Lightweight

Remarks – World Champion Bruno Coelho is making his asphalt debut with the all new T4 2020 platform here in China. Home of the Sunpadow brand, he is running the all new slim pack from the Xiamen based brand. 10mm narrower than a regular pack and only 245 grams, the smaller width allows it to be placed closer to the centre of the car. Produced by Sunpadow following requests by the team, it will be part of the new top of the line Platin range, with Stock packs coming in the future. Submitted for homologation, it has been tested both indoor and outdoor and those team drivers have been very satisfied with the result. In regards the car, the WC has had to put a brass plate under the battery to bring it up to minimum weight and is using a 35 gram brass weight under the receiver to aid with the balance. Other options include steel spool outdrives, aluminium axle eccenters, a rear T-bar plate for additional stiffness and a set of Hiro Seiko Bruno aluminium screws.

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November 21, 2019

Chassis Focus – Merlin Depta

Chassis – Serpent 989
Engine – OS Speed R2103 Euro Klaus Lechner
Fuel – Maxima
Tires (handout) – Matrix
Radio/Servos – Sanwa/Savox
Body – Xtreme Super Diablo

Remarks – Merlin Depta is having his first outing with the new Serpent 989 and he has equipped it with a number of interesting option parts. First up is the thicker 2.5mm radio plate for more consistent handling, then there is the prototype hard coated 2-speed gearbox carrier, while up front there is prototype steering arm levers for improved steering. From his McFly brand there is a side mounted carbon plate with tungsten weight to better balance the car as he uses low profile servos and he is also using a carbon throttle lever that he produced. In terms of setup he said the basis is ok andhe is playing around with springs and trying different things alongside team mate Jeff Hamon to more quickly find out the best direction for setup.

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November 2, 2019

Chassis Focus – Dominic Greiner

Chassis – Serpent 989
Engine – OS Speed R2104
Fuel (handout) – VP Racing
Tires (handout) – Hotrace
Radio/Servos – Sanwa M17/Sanwa
Body – Xtreme Super Diablo

Remarks – Winning his Semi Final to book his spot in the main event here in California, Dominic is running Serpent’s new 989 with the car featuring just a few modifications for the high traction at Steel City RC Raceway.  The car’s uprights have been modified to allow weights to be mounted to them, extra weight the order of the week.  To stiffen up the car, a thicker 2.5mm radio tray has been fitted to the car.  Another common feature throughout the pits, the car has a carbon brace across the front of the radio tray. 

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November 2, 2019

Chassis Focus – Simon Kurzbuch

Chassis – Shepherd Velox V8.2
Engine – Novarossi Mephisto
Fuel (handout) – VP Racing
Tires (handout) – Hotrace
Radio/Servos – Futaba T7PX/Futaba
Body – Xtreme Super Diablo

Remarks – Running Shepherd’s Velox V8.2, Simon’s car is fitted with their brand new advanced weight system which allows fast balance (front-rear) changes in the pits. The car also has a new optional narrow front shock tower, eccentric inserts in front uprights, Shepherd low friction belts. It also features a prototype test version of additional front weights made by Simon’s dad who has also ‘hand tuned’ the front bumper.  

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November 2, 2019

Chassis Focus – Naoto Matsukura

Chassis – Infinity IF18
Engine – OS Speed R2104
Fuel (handout) – VP Pro
Tires (handout) – Hotrace
Radio/Servo – Sanwa M12S/Sanwa
Body – Xtreme Diablo

Remarks – Describing his IF18 as ‘a standard’ car, Super Pole winner Naoto said the only differences to the car as to how he would normally run it are a front brace on the radio tray, weights in the car and on the front bumper and the use of a brass battery holder to help balance the car on the high traction conditions.

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