New in the Pits – HB D2’16

On display for the first time at this week’s IFMAR World Championships at the Yatabe Arena is the unique D2’16 from HB. Designed to be a versatile platform it is particularly good on loose surfaces on which it has done most of its development work and testing. While not the final chassis, the configuration is set and it allows for 8 different battery positions, 4 inline and 4 sideways positions. Massively adjustable it has 9 kick up options, 5 caster positions, 5 trailing arm positions as well as adjustable arm sweep, all without using additional parts.

The transmission is unique in that unlike the other ‘Worlds specific’ cars that are here, the motor is fixed closer to the rear axle and the spur gear is fixed above that. Speaking with Gord Tessmann, he said that the car is made for a multitude of surfaces, not just astro/carpet although he didn’t rule out an optional lower transmission to come in the future. Another unique part of the car is that it has been designed to have the ESC mounted far back in the car on the opposite side of the transmission to the motor, making it perfectly balanced from left to right. In production the car is expected to be released by the end of the year.

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Video – 2wd Free Practice Rd3

Chassis Focus – Michal Orlowski

Chassis –Schumacher KF2 Low grip conversion
Motor – Speedpassion 6.5
ESC – LRP Flow 3.8
Battery – LRP LCG 2900
Radio/Servos – Sanwa/KO
Body – Kit body

Remarks – Newly crowned European Champion and EOS race winner Michal Orlowski from Poland is running a pretty standard Schumacher KF2 mounted with the low grip conversion. The conversion which he used at the Worlds warmup race replaces the kit standard carbon chassis plate with an aluminium version and has been designed for use on astro turf. Also using the new LRP LCG battery, its low weight and small size gives them the opportunity to place a brass plate underneath, helping to further lower the car’s centre of gravity.

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Chassis Focus – Lee Martin

Chassis –Yokomo YZ2
Motor – Much More 6.5
ESC – Much More Fleta Pro
Battery – Protek 4250
Radio/Servos – Sanwa/Xpert
Body – Lightweight kit body

Remarks – Reigning EOS Champion and title favourite Lee Martin is running his same Yokomo YZ2 as used to win the opening round of the EOS 2 weeks ago in Germany. The car is fitted with the same setup he used at the Worlds warm-up race back in June and is using new aluminium caster hubs which are more stiff than the regular plastic versions. Using a lightweight version of the kit body, the new super lightweight rear wing from LMR is being used with a carbon stiffener resulting in wing package that is lighter than a regular thickness lexan rear wing.

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Chassis Focus – Ryan Maifield

Chassis –TLR 22 Development car
Motor – Orion 6.5
ESC – Orion R10.1
Battery – Orion 4000
Radio/Servos – Airtronics/Spektrum
Body – JConcepts SC2

Remarks – Current Reedy Race Champion Ryan Maifield is running an all new 22 development car made specifically for carpet racing. Like others, the new chassis is wider to allow the battery to be mounted sideways which allows the motor to be move significantly further forward. Along with the new lower 3 gear transmission there is the new front and rear wishbones. Finishing off the car, Ryan is running the all new SC2 body from JConcepts for use with the new lower transmission car.

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Chassis Focus – Naoto Matsukura

Chassis –Kyosho Ultima RB6 WC
Motor – Much More 6.5
ESC – Much More Fleta Pro
Battery – Much More 4500
Radio/Servos – Sanwa/Xpert 3402
Body – X-Gear Prototype

Remarks – Home track favourite Naoto Matsukura is running an updated WC version of the Ultima RB6 from Kyosho. Featuring a wider chassis that allows the battery to now also be mounted sideways to allow for different mounting position options. The motor has been mont 12mm further forward and the car has a much lower rear drive train, ideal for high traction carpet conditions. The rear upper camber link mount has now also been made from aluminium which replaces the weaker kit plastic version. Finally, the 4-time onroad World Champion is using a prototype body shell and front winglet from sponsor X-Gear.

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