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.
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