October 10, 2014

New in the pits – Kyosho TF7

Kyosho are making their debut with their new touring car platform, the as yet unnamed chassis (TF7?) sports a number of neat new features. Said to be 85% new the most notable feature is the floating battery mount which is mounted to the centre line by 2 screws which like the popular floating servo mount stops the battery from interfering with the chassis’ flex. A single piece motor mount and central axle mount ensures that there is equal flex left and right and offers mounting holes on the chassis plate to adjust the cars flex in this area. The motor has been mounted 8mm further forward and the belts have been changed to cater for the new larger diff and spool.

Other new updates include a one-piece anti-roll bar mount, a new carbon steering brace as well as lower shock towers and slightly larger bore shocks. Finally there are new shorter suspension arms to help the car turn better and the option to install their active rear suspension system. The car should be available at the beginning of next year.

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October 9, 2014

First images – HB Pro 5 Touring car

Team HB are making their race debut here in Kissimmee with their all new Pro 5 platform. As to be expected it is somewhat of a conventional layout and configuration but as with almost all touring cars on the market it is the details that matter. With only the rear uprights and the front driveshafts carried over from its predecessor the car has been completely revamped. Up front the steering knuckles have keyed carbon levers for adjusting the Ackermann, the floating steering servo mount features an integrated antenna holder and battery stop.

The motor mount has been lowered and integrated with the centre pulley mount and through its three top deck mounts can be used to adjust the flex of the car. Probably the most unique feature on the car is its infinitely adjustable inner camber link mount. Completing the changes are big bore shocks, guided lower suspension blocks and bigger pulleys. Factory team drivers Andy Moore and JJ Wang, who are using the new car here, have been extremely positive about the Pro 5’s performance in pre event testing and even with limited practice here in Florida are already very pleased with their new ride.

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October 8, 2014

Chassis Focus – Naoto Matsukura

Chassis – Yokomo R12 C3.1
Motor – Yokomo RP 3.5T
ESC – Yokomo BL Pro 3
Battery – Yokomo 6900mAh
Tires – Yokomo
Radio/Servos – Sanwa
Body – Protoform AMR 12
Remarks – 3-time back to back World Champion Naoto Matsukura is running this R12 C3.1 with a prototype rear pod. The new rear end is stronger, lighter and has a lower centre of gravity than the part that comes with the standard C3.1 and moves the centre shock more forward, these parts developed specifically for this event. Availability has not been decided on but it may be released as an option for the car in the future. In terms of setup they were running their basic setup from Japan with just a softer front spring which they believe now may have been quick for qualifying but perhaps not the best option for the final. The Yokomo team were also cutting the ribs from their rear rims in order to make them softer which helps with traction.

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October 8, 2014

Chassis Focus – Donny Lia

Chassis – TOP Rebel 12
Motor – Trinity D3.5
ESC – LRP Flow
Battery – Revtech 7100mAh
Tires – BSR Blue front & rear
Radio/Servos – KO Propo
Body – Protoform AMR 12
Remarks – The only US driver to make the main here in Florida, Donny Lia is running the TOP Rebel 12 with a prototype chassis plate. Featuring no holes, the thinner chassis plate gives the car more traction due to it flexing more. In terms of setup Lia changed to harder front springs and more rear pod droop to stop the car from pushing but he has continued to play with the car’s camber and caster throughout the event. Like all the other drivers his main focus has been on tire treatment and how long to apply the handout sauce.

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October 8, 2014

Chassis Focus – Marc Rheinard

Chassis – CRC Prototype 6B
Motor – Muchmore Fleta ZX 3.5T
ESC – Muchmore Fleta 1S
Battery – Thunder Power 6800mAh 65C
Tires – CRC
Radio/Servos – Sanwa
Body – Protoform AMR 12
Remarks – Marc Rheinard is running a prototype CRC chassis, nicknamed the 6B, because of the 6 bolts that mount the separate front plate, that holds the front geometry, to the main chassis. Also featuring a wider chassis than its predecessor the new front end system adds stiffness to the front of the car but it can also be used to adjust the car’s flex in this area through the use of less or more mounting screws. In terms of setup Marc has only made a change to softer side dampers and a stiffer centre spring to help give the car more traction. The 3-time TC World Champion is also running the new Fleta 1A speed from Muchmore but more details on that later.

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October 8, 2014

Chassis Focus – Olly Jefferies

Chassis – Xray X12’15
Motor – Reedy Sonic 3.5T
ESC – LRP Flow
Battery – Reedy 7000mAh
Tires – CRC Green rear Magenta front
Radio/Servos – Sanwa
Body – Protoform AMR 12
Remarks – British National Champion Olly Jefferies is used to running his X12 on high grip surfaces back in the UK and so has had to adapt the setup of his new 2015 Xray for the low grip conditions. The changes include using the centre shock extension and a stiffer centre spring, stiffer side tubes and giving the car more tube droop. With the conditions on track changing every run, Olly says he has to continually fine tune the car prior to going out for each run.

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