Chassis Focus – Elliott Harper

Chassis – Durango DETC410
Motor – Orca RX3 4.5T
ESC – Orca VX3
Battery – Orca 6200mAh
Radio/Servos – Sanwa
Body – Protoform LTC-R
Remarks – Former Worlds podium finisher Elliott Harper is running the Durango DETC410 here in Kissimmee, which is pretty standard apart from new harder uprights, steering blocks and A-arms. The new parts make the front end more steering and makes the car overall more consistent. In terms of set-up the car is being run slightly softer compared to how he runs it at home with split suspension mounts up front and he is using the optional centre flex mount. For electrics he is using the new VX3 speedo and RX3 motor from Orca, which we will write more about later.

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Chassis Focus – Freddy Sudhoff

Chassis – Awesomatix A700 Evo
Motor – LRP X20 4.5T
ESC – LRP Flow
Battery – LRP 6000mAh
Radio/Servos – Sanwa
Body – Protoform Speed 6
Remarks – Freddy Sudhoff is running some prototype parts on his A700 Evo from Awesomatix here in Florida. The car features new 3d printed front and rear c-hubs which feature a pin in the bottom compared to a pivot ball so when used with the car’s new arm sweep option means the uprights will not remain in their set position under suspension compression but instead also change with the arm sweep while on the front it will now have bump steer. There are also new shorter aluminium A-arms, a thicker main shaft for less vibrations and a bigger centre line stiffener for more flex options. There is also a new floating motor mount which brings it in line for the other cars on the market, something that is harder to achieve with an inline motor. In terms of setup Freddy is trying to find more mid corner steering and has changed to a stiffer shock setting and flex setting as well as going for heavier diff oil.

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New in the pits – Tamiya TRF419

Tamiya’s large factory team here in Kissimmee are running the recently announced TRF419, the latest in a long line of World Championship winning touring car chassis from the Japanese manufacturer. Only some very small detail changes over the TRF 418, the new car has the motor mounted slightly further back, meaning new belts, and sports an all new rear gear differential. The diff has updated internals with a bigger pitch crown gears that make the car more stable and help improve the car’s corner speed.

Like the other new cars it has a one piece motor mount and included flex options thanks to multiple mounting holes in the chassis and block. There are slightly larger bore shocks and the lower suspension mounts have pins for locating them and preventing them from shifting in a crash. The mounts also have differently positioned mounting holes, in an L configuration instead of straight accross the mount, which helps increase flex in this area. The car is expected to be released in early December.

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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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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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