New in the Pits – Yokomo YZ4

Debuted at the opening round of the EOS in Germany 2 weeks ago where it won in the hands of Lee Martin, the new YZ4 from Yokomo has been designed by Shin Adachi and is a big departure from the previous model. Featuring a dual belt design, replacing the previous shaft drive version, both belts drive a 2wd style 3 gear transmission at either end of the car. This allows the use of small gear driven differentials, the size of the diffs being the basis of the new car, but with small belt pulleys prone to slip this gearbox idea was developed. The result is a car that is easier to drive in the way the power is delivered .

The new configuration sees the motor centrally mounted under the top deck and allows for multiple battery mounting positions for adjusting the weight distribution in the car and can even accept saddle packs in both orientations. Developed on Astro and carpet, but set to work very well also on dirt, it sports an aluminium chassis with a 15 degree kick up with very little overhang so that it can clear jumps without catching at the front. The top deck has touring car inspired flex adjustment and apart from the uprights, c-hubs and shocks is a completely new car. Expect it to be released in November.

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Chassis Focus – Billy Easton

Chassis – Serpent SRX-2 MH
Motor – LRP 6.5
ESC – LRP Flow
Battery – ProtekRc 4250
Radio/Servos – Airtronics/ProtekRc
Body – Kit body

Remarks – Serpent Offroad head designer Billy Easton is running a prototype version of their upcoming 2WD buggy called the SRX-2 MH. The car features a low profile transmission, although a standard transmission version of the car will also be made available. Both the low profile and standard transmissions will be produced in 3 and 4 gears versions, the choice on which will come standard in the kit is still to be decided. Up front the kick-up plate has machined from aluminium, while the chassis on Billy’s car here in Japan is carbon but as it is still a pre production car it may still come with an aluminium chassis in the kit. Finally the car will be supplied with two different pairs of side guards to allow for different LiPo orientation.

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New in the Pits – Red Workshop & JTPRC

Being used by the Team Associated B team here in Japan, the Factory team using a pre production unit directly from the factory, the Red Workshop Low Rider transmission is a 3 gear low profile transmission for the Associated B5M. 3d printed, it comes as a set which includes the gearbox case, motor plate, chassis brace and the rear uprights. The set is ideal for high grip surfaces such as carpet and astro due to its low centre of gravity and reversed motor position, which offers improvements over a 4 gear version. The rear uprights give the car a higher rear roll centre which further improves the handling characteristics. Available directly from Red Workshop.

New from Jared Tebo’s own JTPRC product line are these new carbon parts for the Kyosho range of EP buggies. Being used by the American to TQ the 2wd World Championships in Japan on his RZ6, first up is the updated front shock tower for the RB6 which has an additional brace for improved strength, while retaining the same mounting holes of the previous iteration which are higher than the kit part. The rear shock tower, for the ZX6 has the same shock holes as the stock part but the wing mount is higher than stock. Finally there is a chassis mounted stiffening brace for the 4wd vehicle and a 3mm thick battery brace. The towers are made from 4mm thick carbon fibre while the stiffener has been made from 5mm thick carbon plate. Available after the Worlds.

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Chassis Focus – Craig Collinson

Chassis – Team C TM2 V2
Motor – ORCA 6.5
ESC – Absima CTS10
Battery – ORCA 4800
Radio/Servos – Sanwa/Absima
Body – Kit body

Remarks – British driver Craig Collinson is the top Team C driver here in Japan, being seeded in the 2nd fastest heat. He is running the V2 version of the Team C TM2 with a modified chassis plate that has allowed him to extend the wheelbase of the car by 6mm. In terms of setup he is running something similar to what they use at home, the surface in Japan much smoother than in the UK, but with the rear shocks more layed down to get the rear to roll more in the corners.

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New in the Pits – JConcepts Part 2

JConcepts have introduced the all new Warrior bodyshell for the standard Associated B5M with the 3 or 4 gear transmission. Inspired by the Mad Max movie, JC wanted to give something different to the customer, with its split front window design and roll cage design cues, the pockets of which can be cut out for a unique look but due to the design will remain strong despite the removed material. With its tall side pods and scoops in the rear to benefit the motor and slipper by allowing extra cooling in that area JConcepts have plans for this body further down the road which are a little unusual but more info on that in the future.

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Chassis Focus – Travis Amezcua

Chassis – Durango DEX210F
Motor – Speedpassion 5.5
ESC – Viper VTX10R
Battery – Intellect 5000
Radio/Servos – Futaba/Xpert
Body – Kit body

Remarks – US driver Travis Amezcua is running the new DEX210F from Durango, another car that combines the rear end of a 4wd and the front end of a 2wd buggy to create a astro/carpet specific chassis. Using the parts from both the companies buggy platforms it is a new chassis that brings them together and we are told that the complete kit will be released by the end of the year. Having never raced on Astro prior to this race, Travis has had to seek the help of the British Durango team for set-up and adjustment help as he originally battled with push, but is no struggling with off power oversteer.

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