Red RC - RC Car News

Italian company Bittydesign has introduced its all-new Venom GT body shell for 190mm touring cars. Developed to combine both stunning looks and maximum performance the body was tested in cooperation with Bittydesign’s US team in order to achieve the best of both worlds – aesthetics and performance. The result is a body with a low front section for crisp corner entry steering and exceptional rear grip and stability thanks to the special shape of the cabin – all while offering cool looks. The body is made of genuine 0.75mm Lexan polycarbonate, ti comes with lightweight wing mounting hardware, a decal sheet and window masks. The body meets the specifications of USGT and pretty much all other GT classes world wide and it fits most 1/10th 190mm touring car chassis.

Source: Bittydesign [bittydesign.net]

Following a first teaser Xray have introduced the 2019 variant of their IFMAR World Championship winning T4 electric touring car kit. The ’19 car features subtle changes to the ultra-successful platform with the first being the updated main chassis plate that now features a machined window to accommodate a new front chassis brace. The front brace can be easily attached to the chassis to eliminate side flex at the chassis front, thus improving steering response and making the car more predictable. The brace is best used in low to medium grip conditions as it provides improved in-corner steering.

Next up is an updated lower bumper plate whose beveled design prevents the plate from touching the ground when the car is rolling while the new foam bumper is of an updated design to accommodate another new-for-2019 feature: the Body Position Adjustment front body posts. The front body posts sport an eccentric design that allows them to be positioned in two different ways – shifting the body forth or back to fine-tune its position for different track conditions while also allowing for a standard, centre position. The redesigned rear body posts feature graphite spacers to adjust their mounting positions on the rear shock tower. To maximise the benefit of the BPA system Xray, in collaboration with Mon-Tech, have prepared a pre-cut and pre-drilled variant of the popular Racer body shell that is available exclusively through Mon-Tech Racing.

Next up are new front and rear bulkhead upper clamps that are of a lightened design added while steel pins ensure perfectly aligned front and rear shock towers after building, setup, maintenance or crashes. In addition the clamps offer updated, and fewer, roll centre positions for a simplified car setup. The included ULP ultra-low profile shock towers were redesigned to match with the new bulkhead clamps as are the optional and slightly taller SLP shock towers.

Also new for 2019 are an updated motor mount as well as the layshaft mount as both now accommodate smaller ball bearings that sit lower for improved top deck clearance in the soft-medium chassis flex setting. Another update is the new centre battery backstops that ensurs the battery pack will stay in place even in harsh crashes. One backstop is attached too the inner servo mount while a rear carbon fibre brace, attached to the layshaft mount, ensures further guidance. Other small details come into play with the 2019 variant such as an updated steering plate with factory-assembled bearings that significantly reduce play, the steering bellcranks now use crunch tubes between the ball races for reduced slop and the bulkheads as well as the suspension mounts now feature stylish chamfered edges for improved looks.

2019 features:
– All-new chassis to accommodate new front chassis brace
– All-new removable front chassis brace for improved steering response
– All-new Xray’s unique BPA system – Body Position Adjustment
– All-new front adjustable body mounts with eccentric mounting for Body Position Adjustment
– All-new redesigned rear body mounts with removable graphite shims for Body Position Adjustment
– All-new front lower & upper bumper and foam bumper redesigned to use the BPA system
– All-new redesigned upper clamps feature centre pins for precise & strong shock tower installation
– All-new front & rear shock towers redesigned to accommodate centre mounting pins
– All-new layshaft & motor mount bulkheads redesigned to fit smaller ball-bearings to eliminate interference with the top deck and improved flex characteristics
– All-new front & rear battery backstops prevent battery movement in crashes
– All-new aluminium steering plate with pressed-in ball-bearings to reduce play
– All-new play-eliminating bushings for steering arms

View the full presentation here.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

Schumacher Racing have welcomed UK legend, Ellis Stafford to their team. Ellis’ past achievements are second to none including; multiple BRCA national Champion, off-road, on-road and trucks, multiple European Champion and most BRCA top 10 results on record. Ellis’ depth of knowledge will be a great asset for Schumacher as they head into another busy racing season. Ellis has the following to say about the deal:

Joining Schumacher Racing again is a surreal experience with them being my first manufacturer sponsor when I started out at top flight racing back when Cecil Schumacher ran the team. Now a generation on with Robin at the helm I’m back and looking forward to working not only with the factory but also the rest of the team to try and bring some good results for Schumacher and myself.

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]

Horizon Hobby have introduced the new Spektrum Smart 30A power supply. The switching DC power supply offers up to 30A of current while a temperature controlled cooling fan delivers on-demand operation to make the unit as quiet as possible. Owners also get protection against over temperature, over loading and short circuits. Current status and adjustable output voltage are easily viewed on a large LCD display. The power supply runs on 120V to 240V and it features dual power outputs and dual 5V/1A USB ports to power mobile devices, pit lamps, speakers and more.

Features:
– Dual main output ports power any DC charger
– Delivers up-to 30A of robust, clean power
– All-metal design promotes rapid cooling and overall long-life
– Two standard 5.0V, 1000mA (total) USB ports
– Large LCD display clearly indicates output voltage and current
– Adjustable power output from 12–18 volts DC 0.5V
– Smart protection from heat, high-current and short circuits
– Smart ventilation fan with on-demand cooling sensor technology

Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.com]

Coming from Merlin Depta’s Merlin McFly brand is the new Whole Day Pipe Protection for on-road and off-road nitro exhausts. A small drop of the product will be applied in the morning of a race of practice day and in the evening it will be wiped off with all of the collected dust and grime. The result is a like-new looking exhaust that will keep its shiny appearance and flawless function for a very long time. The product comes in 75g tubes and it is available now.

Source: Merlin McFly [facebook.com]

Yokomo have announced the soon release of their all-new BD9 electric competition touring car kit. The latest incarnation of Yokomo’s double IFMAR World Championship winning BD platform is a complete redesign with 90 percent of the car’s components being redesigned – including the drivetrain and suspension areas. Made using new materials and offering updated shapes the prototype underwent extensive tests to create best possible performance and reliability while ensuring the car is easy to handle for both club level drivers and pro racers. Part of the kit specifications are also new big bore ultra short shock absorbers that are produced in collaboration with Axon. Detailed information and images will become available in time for the release.

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]

Made for Xpress’ new Execute XM1 M-sized 1/10th on-road kit is an optional carbon fibre front shock tower with body post holder that allows to use body shells with short front overhang. Machined from 3.0mm carbon fibre the shock stay offers mounting positions for the included body posts that are necessary for bodies such as a Mini Cooper as the standard, bumper-mounted posts extent too far from the chassis. The set includes the front shock tower and a pair of body posts.

Source: Xpress [rc-xpress.com]

Vaterra have introduced their new 1972 Chevy Suburban Ascender-S 4WD RTR truck. The ready-to-run rig brings the full-scale SUV’s long-held reputation of being brash, commanding, and powerful to 1/10-scale RC enthusiasts. At the core of its scale off-road performance is the Ascender chassis. The platform takes scaler technology to new heights with features like stamped-steel ladder frames, an adjustable wheelbase, locked differentials, and one of the most capable off-road suspensions available. The trucks comes equipped with waterproof electronics, a pre-painted body shell and grippy tyres as well as a Spektrum STX2 radio system.

– Key features:
– Ascender stamped-steel ladder-frame chassis
– Licensed 1972 Chevy Suburban body with injection-moulded grille and bumpers
– Revised rear link geometry
– LED headlights and amber running lights
– New battery tray that accepts “full size” battery packs
– Dynamite brushed 35T 540 motor
– 60 Amp LiPo-compatible waterproof ESC
– 9kg-cm waterproof metal gear servo
– Oil-filled, threaded shocks
– Spektrum STX2 radio system

Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.com]

Coming from SMJ are the new Masayuki Miura optimised 21XB2 Power and Eco Spec engines. The long-stroke engines offer a wide power range and high torque values with the Power Spec variant being ideal for high speed off-road tracks and 1/8th GT cars while the Eco Spec power plant is best suited for low-grip or bumpy tracks. Also the Power variant makes use of a 7mm venturi carburettor while the Eco relies on a 6mm variant. Both come with a DLC-coated and tungsten-balanced crankshaft, they feature ceramic rear bearings and come pre broken-in and with a new-style low-profile cooling head.

Source: SMJ [smj-rc.com]

SMJ have introduced their new Stealthline springs for 1/10th electric touring cars. Softer than the current Silverline springs the 20mm offerings are ideal for all cars with low-profile shocks and they offer a less rigid suspension feel while ensuring exceptional traction and corner speed. They are available as separate pairs in 2.7, 2.9 and 3.1 hardness and also as complete 3-pair set.

Source: SMJ [smj-rc.com]