With the 1/12th Worlds now over, focus has now switched to touring car and on today’s preperation day we sat down with Team Associated who gave us the scoop on their new TC6 chassis, that is making its international debut at this race. Retaining the same lower front and rear wishbones, C-hubs and rear uprights from the TC5, the rest of the car is different. A focus on LiPo and brushless the most noticable change is to the chassis which is very narrow and no longer sports battery slots. Mounted on top of the chassis is new bulkheads, which set closer together allow the track width to be made narrower. The spur gear has been set lower and the motor is now positioned 13mm closer to the centre line, which in turns means the LiPo sits further to the outside which means that the car is perfectly balanced down the centre line straight out of the box.

The new top deck is now longer and narrower but stays at the same height as on the TC5. It acts as the top mount for the steering bell crank, which sports an adjustable bell crank arm which can be swapped out for a 2nd version which gives the driver 6 positions of Ackermann, which when then combined with the 2 mounting points on the steering arm and the second mounting position for the centre pivot of the bell crank give a huge number of Ackermann adjustments. The input lever on the bell crank has also been updated, giving it more linear and therefore slightly slower reacting steering.

Other changes include extra positions on the shock towers giving you 6 options on the front and 7 on the rear. And although not seen on this car as it wasn’t ready in time, there will be all new shock absorbers that feature a bottom mounted assembly with increased stroke length, which gives 2mm more up travel at the wheel. The front bumper has also been updated, lowering the entire construction something they believe gives the car more steering by reducing the air flow under the car and it also now integrates a transponder mount. Revised lower suspension arm mount screw positions allow you to get at the screws easily as the head is now positioned on the outside. A neat feature is the use of universal parts on the car, meaning that all 4 front and rear bulkheads are interchangeable meaning you can cut down on the amount of spare parts needed for the car. These prototype TC6 cars are only in use by team drivers for now, but we are told to expect an October release.

Hot Bodies TCX

Having previously shown you the first images of this new car, Hot Bodies have released full details on their all new TCX electric touring car kit. The new narrow bulkhead design coupled with an elongated upper camber link centralizes the weight allowing the chassis to flex and improve handling.  Chassis weight distribution is 50/50 keeping racers from having to add weights to balance the car. Less weight equals greater acceleration and reduces breaking distance. The end result is a car that carries maximum corner speed.

Features:
- 50/50 centralized chassis weight distribution optimizes chassis balance and improves handling
- Centralized motor position optimizes lateral weight distribution and improves handling
- LiPo/Life ready chassis layout optimizes electronic mounting locations for better weight distribution
- Narrow bulkheads improve overall traction and cornering performance
- 20T center pulley improves acceleration and maximizes drive-train efficiency
- Dual link steering system gives a more linear steering response
- One piece upper deck optimizes chassis rigidity for improved corner speed
- Variable front and rear shock mounting positions provide numerous tuning options
- Long front aluminum universal driveshafts improve chassis stability and increase traction
- Narrow main chassis maximizes traction and cornering performance
- 3mm Ceramic diff balls deliver super smooth and efficient diff performance

Kyosho TF6 Touring car

Having followed the car through its development stages, Kyosho Germany have announced that the TF6 touring car kit has just arrived in Europe and will be available in the next days. Developed by Kyosho Japan masterminds Shin Adachi and Kazuhiro Miyazaki and race proven by German international team driver Christopher Krapp, the TF6 is ready to hit the tracks worldwide. Equipped with a 2 belt drive train and a special ball outdrive system at the front and rear swing shafts, the car claims to set a new benchmark for on-road electric touring cars. Ready for the maximum power of the latest brushless motors and speed controllers, the chassis is able to handle both LiPo and classic NiMH batteries and shows the lowest possible CG for the best performance at the track. With podium finishes at the recent TITC race by Shin Adachi and A-Main attendance at the 2009 European Championships as well as winning the outdoorGerman National Championship by Christopher Krapp, this car will be a serious competitor for the world championship this year.

better shocks new  t312 touring car tc rc onroad 4wd kit race touring new

T3’12 New Features:

• NEW chassis designs
• NEW redesigned top deck
• NEW front shock tower
• NEW rear shock tower
• NEW upper bulkheads
• NEW gear differential
• NEW steering blocks
• NEW servo saver
• NEW ball joints
• NEW servo position
• NEW optimized shock positions
• NEW optimized chassis flex
• NEW roll center positions
• Improved steering characteristics
• Increased traction
• Improved chassis balance

Main Features:

• Based on the T3 platform, fully compatible with majority of spare parts and option parts
• Chassis specifically designed for LiPo batteries
• Centrally-positioned dual steering system
• Steering is independent from chassis flex, ensuring tweak-independent steering for super precise and constant steering characteristics
• Narrow chassis layout, together with horizontal servo placement, creates centralized weight positioning
• Top deck for dual steering system was specially shaped to create more traction, stability and steering
• LiPo-specific composite battery holders prevent batteries from moving in crashes
• Low-profile shock absorber membranes for easier shock dampening adjustment
• Suspension holder system allows suspension arms to be mounted independently from diff bulkheads
• Direct independent suspension alu holders mounted directly to the chassis, allowing for elongated chassis flex to generate more traction
• Changeable suspension holders : 2-piece holders for more flex and more traction (recommended for asphalt), or solid 1-piece holder for better durability (recommended for high-traction carpet)
• Independent suspension holders allow for more precise and fine set-up adjustments via different-thickness shims
• Motor mount purpose-designed for brushless motors, placing the motor 3mm more towards the centerline
• Rear suspension holders positioned towards the centerline results in narrower rear track-width and more rear traction
• Rear aluminum rear suspension holders feature integrated toe-in
• 1-piece top deck features layshaft composite holders to allow the top deck to be mounted to the rear bulkheads independently from the central layshaft bulkheads
• Motor holder connects the motor mount bulkhead to the center of the chassis, thus transferring the flex effect of the motor mount into the absolute centerline of the chassis
• Layshaft bulkheads are independently mounted from the top deck for better flex adjustment
• 38/20T (1.9) internal gearing for improved drivetrain efficiency and performance
• Eccentric front and rear roll center holders with more inner camber link positions for better balance and handling
• Updated, harder front steering blocks increases steering ease while decreasing front tire overheating in high-traction conditions

• Lightweight black-anodized Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum turnbuckles
• Super-lightweight Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum rear drive shafts, hard-anodized, color-coated and laser-engraved, 38% lighter than standard drive shafts
• Super-light drive axles with 35% less rotating mass
• Orange-anodized aluminum parts for stylish and distinctive look
• Reduced sensitivity to changing track conditions, giving super-consistent performance during runs
• Super-smooth, super-light maintenance-free composite gear differential
• Centered layshaft and split bulkheads provide optimum balance due to perfect weight distribution of the motor towards centerline, giving quicker left-right transitions
• Ultra-light bulkheads CNC-machined from premium Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum
• Motor mount bulkhead features the lowest possible motor position, compatible with stock / modified / brushless motors
• Super-light composite front Solid Axle with XRAY’s own smart quick-change outdrive system for easy outdrive exchange; no servicing or replacement of drive shaft blades needed, translates into reduced servicing costs
• Specially-optimized drive shaft lengths for rubber-tire racing conditions ; longer 52mm front/rear CVD drive shafts positioned more towards centerline in diff/solid axle outdrives generate more overall traction and make the car easier to drive on low-traction tracks
• Independent front and rear diff height adjustment; belt tension adjustment in both front and rear bulkheads
• Long front & rear suspension arms for improved traction and easier handling feature optimized shock mounting positions
• Suspension arms feature integrated anti-roll bar mounts; rear arms feature 3 different anti-roll bar mounts for super-fine adjustment of the rear anti-roll bar
• Includes both front and rear anti-roll bars (front 1.4mm & rear 1.2mm)
• C-hubs with large openings for quick and easy assembly/disassembly of the CVDs; prevents collision of CVD with C hub in serious crashes (compatible for the ECS drive shafts)
• C-hubs available in standard caster angles (2°, 4°, 6°); available in two hardnesses (M – medium, H – hard)
• Rear uprights with integrated 0° toe-in prevent suspension geometry changes in serious crashes; available in two hardnesses (M – medium, H – hard)
• Steering blocks available in two hardnesses (M – medium, H - hard)
• Front & rear shock towers machined from premium 3.0mm graphite material with optimized shock absorber positions
• C2.6 and C3.0 racing springs
• 84T 48P spur gear – extra-hard material, wobble-free design
• EFRA, ROAR, FEMCA spec compliant for modified and stock racing

New Chassis

The T3’12 features an all-new chassis specifically designed for LiPo batteries. Among all the chassis available in the current market, the T3’12 chassis has all the electronics placed along the centerline to make the T3’12 the best-balanced electric touring car. The chassis is 94mm wide and features pre-drilled holes for optional chassis weights. The chassis is CNC-machined from premium-grade 2.5mm graphite material.

The all-new chassis of the T3`12 is specifically designed to get more rear traction while at the same time improve on-power steering. The new chassis gives maximum stability and makes the car easy to drive in all conditions on both carpet and asphalt tracks.

New Top Deck

The top deck has been completely redesigned. The shape of the top deck has been specifically designed to achieve maximum steering, traction, and cornering speed. The top deck is machined from premium-grade 2.0mm graphite. An optional belt tensioner can be mounted to the top deck.

New Gear Differential

The T3`12 features a composite gear differential which includes a composite case and cover with pulley. Differential gears are made from tough composite material, precision-molded composite gears combined with light aluminum drive shafts, which create a lighter and super-smooth gear differential. The biggest advantage of the gear diff is that it is maintanance-free. When the diff is correctly built, there is no need for maintenance for a very long time… no need for frequent oil changes, and no leakage due to the superior sealing system. The gear diff increases on-power steering which is needed on almost all types of tracks, and works great on both carpet and asphalt tracks.

New Front and Rear Shock Towers

 The T3`12 features newly-redesigned shock towers, as the Quick Roll Center™ is no longer used. The upper holes from both shock towers were removed as they were deemed unnecessary, and one extra bottom hole was added. By this extra holes, shock positions were optimized for increased on-power steering and improved high-traction handling. 

• Developed by T.O.P Racing, Principal Engineer Josh Cyrul

• Chassis Flex Isolation (CFI), Chassis Flex can be adjusted independently in 3 areas, front/rear/centre.

• Low Centre of Gracity (CG)

• Strong and Super Light Weigh Chassis

• All structural components lay mostly on main chassis to minimise material and volume mass above the main chassis whilst at the same time optimising the overall rigity without relying on the upper chassis to create strength.

• Shock Towers are mounted directly on the bulkhead eliminating bulkhead covers and lowering the CG.

• Isotropic and Anisotropic Flex Material (IFM & AFM), the Photon uses anisotropic flex material for rubber racing and isotropic flex material for foam racing. This optimises the required directional flex for both rubber and foam tyre racing. Different chassis materials for rubber and foam versions are not ofter offered by other manufacturers • common practice has been to use the same material and simply make it thicker for higher bite applications!! • Unique LiPo Mounting System (LiPoMS) allows the racer to fine tune the LiPo mounting position without aftermarket LiPo trays.

• LiPoMS provides a unique location which allows racers to balance the car left and right with minimal total amount of added weight. This allows the weight required to meet regulations to be placed near the centre line to make the CG as narrow as possible. Optional brass balancing weights are available!

• Low Friction Light Weight Diff. Pulleys • Diff Ball slots use unique 3 point triangular pulley slots (TPS). This minimises weight and friction and at the same time allows reservoirs for diff. grease to spin out gradually and lubricate the diff. balls by centrifugal force.

• Snap-on Diff. dust covers also serve as air vents and allow air to exhaust when the drive belt presses on the pulley.

• Ball Diff. can be adjusted externally.

• Ball Diff. tension linearity can be adjusted.

• Low Friction, Light Weight, Strengthened, Composite Front Spool with air vents to minimise friction.

• Diff. height and belt tension adjustability (19 steps).

• Improved Symmetric Centre Pulley (iSCP) • retained from the Scythe and ARP, the Photon improves on this concept by allowing the bearing to be placed in the centre pulley to allow easy maintenance and height adjustability.

• Front and Rear Diff/Spool removal by unfastening just 4 screws!

• Centre pulley removal by unfastening just 2 screws!

• Motor Mount Geometry accomodates brushless motors and a wider range of spur gears.

• Unique Rear Hub/Suspension Design to improve impact resistance.

• Reversible Suspension Arms to allow fine tuning of shock position • designed with strength, durability, adjustability and performance.

• Suspension Pin Guard avoids excess pressure on suspension pins and set screws whilst securely locking the suspension pins in place.

• Off-Centre Suspension Mount Inserts allow the racer to adjust suspension mount height, tread width and toe angles with the least amount of time and parts. The alloy suspension inserts can be rotated 180deg. to allow further fine tuning. Coupled with 3 different suspension mounts, the racer has an option of 6 hinge pin height locations at 0.5mm increments.

• Sway Bar link height can be adjusted without removing the sway ball link.

• Controlled Turbulence Shock Piston (CTSP) • In most shocks, it is difficult to assemble them all with identical rebound. Photon's unique piston design controls turbulence and maximises the amount of shock oil to flow through the poston holes instead of around the piston edge minimising 'blow by'.

• Linear Ackerman (LA) • Photon steering crank allows 3 forward/rearward adjustment positions for the steering pivot balls.

• Radial Ackerman (RA) • Photon also allows radial adjustment of the pivot ball positions by using easily removable inserts. A total of 4 positions are available from 9mm to 12mm apart in 1mm increments. Linear and Radial ackerman gives a total of 12 steering geometried from the steering crank alone. It also allows the change of ackerman without changing the seervo leverage so steering speed and response stay constant.

• 5.3mm Ball Studs and Ball Cups used throughout included threaded ball studs to optimise weight/strength.

• The ball stud and through-hole ball cup design with 3.0mm hex slot allows easy removal of shocks, steering and camber links without wearing out tapping holes on plastics and without snapping off ball cups!!

• Larger diameter ball stud and cup result in smoother operating ball/socket joints.

• 30mm tie rods throughout reduce the amount of spares needed.

• All 4 bulkheads are identical to minimise spare parts.

• All suspension parts including suspension arms, castor blocks, universals, sterring/rear hubs and shocks are backward compatible with TOP ARP and CFP cars.

Competition level 1/10th scale 190mm electric touring car chassis. The S411 is a very clean, narrow and sleek design with focus on easy handling, ease of set-up and maintenance. The 411 will put you into the winners circle in no-time.

S411 introduction

Serpent enters the competitive electric touring car market with the S411, which like all our previous cars, has been designed to win straight out of the box. Featuring an ultra low centre of gravity, optimized weight distribution, high performance geometry and top quality materials throughout, the S411 should see you in the winner’s circle in no time. In fact everything associated with this car is of the highest quality, from the packaging and supplied manuals, right through to the product and race support.

Anti-roll bars

The S411 is supplied with coded anti-roll bars front and rear with alu centering bracket. The anti-roll bars are available in a number of thicknesses and are connected to the wishbones using short adjustable track rods, connected with a pivot ball to the lower wishbones

C-hub front

A standard system on all high-end touring cars, the S411 features a front C-hub system, which is a lighter alternative to a pivot ball steering system. The car comes standard with a 4-degree caster block but is also supplied with a pair of 2 and 6-degree blocks. The C-hub is large enough to take out the drive-shaft assembly without dis-assembling the c-hubs.

Front suspension / rear suspension

Similar to the rear suspension in configuration, the front suspension sports a lower composite wishbone while the upper camber adjustment is handled using a track rod which is solid, lightweight and can easily handle impacts.

Gear differential

The kit version of the S411 comes supplied with a lightweight and smooth rear gear-differential. This supersmall differential can handle all the power of BL motors. Gear-diff can also be used on the front.

The newly designed ball-diff is optional

Rear section

The rear end of the S411 features strong 1-piece lower wishbones and composite. As with all the wishbones on the car, the lower wishbones can be used on both the left and right sides, minimizing the number of spare parts needed to bring to the track. The rear upright features a pivot pin mounting point on the bottom and 2 upper camber link mounting holes for fine-tuning camber rise.

Indentical

The front and rear end of the Serpent S411 are fully indentical and been designed for high performance and ease of maintenance. The rear bearing blocks have been designed in 2 pieces which allows the topside to be simply removed with 4 screws, giving you easy access to the differential for maintenance or adjustment. All the parts have been machined from aluminium and have anodized in gun metal grey.

Central section

The motorbracket is seperated fully from the aluminium mid-shaft brackets to isolate motor-vibrations better. The seperate machined brackets hold the light alumnium middle shaft/ 19T pulley. The holders feature seperate alu bearingholders, which give the best possible support to the mid-shaft section.

Shocks

The RCCX shock absorbers are very smooth and come pre-assembled. Machined from aluminium and unique in that the shock bodies only open on the bottom half, they are really simple to (re)assemble. The result is an ultra-smooth and air-free shock absorber thanks to the self-bleeding system incorporated into the design. The special X-shaped o-rings create a very smooth seal. The shocks are supplied with 4 different shock pistons. High quality race-springs included with color coding, grinded flat for even load.

Spool

The car comes supplied with a front spool which has been made from hard anodised aluminium while its shape has been optimised to ensure that the part is as light as possible without compromising strength. The drive is provided through the attached pulley into the lightened steel drive cups, which are held in place using steel pins.

Shocktowers

The Serpent S411 features 2.5mm thick carbon fibre shock towers on the front and rear of the car. Each tower sports many holes for adjustment of the shock absorber angle while the rear tower also acts as the mount for the rear body posts and the front tower accommodates a 3rd front body post.

Steering assembly

The Serpent S411 utilises a centrally mounted ballraced dual pivot steering assembly-rack in aluminium. The steering assembly allows for very precise steering and great control.

Packing

The S411 kit comes without tyres/wheel/spurgear and electronics. 

The S411 is packed in a very small strong box with nice graphics, which can be re-used as parts or tyre box lateron. 

The box contains bags which are numbered in same sequence as steps in the manual.

Schumacher MI4CX Pro Carbon Fibre - LiPo -

The NEW Schumacher Mi4CX is the ultimate high performance electric touring car.

It is developed from Chris Grainger’s 2010 British championship winning Schumacher Mi4LP and incorporates the latest innovations from Schumacher’s multiple championship winning engineering team.

The Mi4CX is fast! With an efficient transmission and ultra precise CNC machined components, it handles like a dream. The superb suspension and pro shocks enable the Mi4CX to carry fantastic speed through the corners, helping you to reduce your lap times. The Mi4CX is a pleasure to work on with a range of easy adjustments and option parts. If you are serious about winning, it’s time to get serious with the Schumacher Mi4CX.

Full Speed Secret Options available.

• New - Ultra lightweight front spool with plastic 'sliders'. Improved durability.
• New - Dedicated front & rear, reverse cup, high tensile steel, CVD driveshafts. Improves all round traction. Incorporating larger pins and joints, improves strength and durability.
• New - Differential and spool plastic inserts “sliders”. Offer a lightweight, efficient driveshaft interface.
• New - Ultra lightweight Black 7075-T6 transmission housings.
• New - Ultra lightweight eccentrics and differential posts.
• Clamp motor mount to adjust side to side weight distribution. The car can be perfectly balanced with lipo batteries.
• Split rear transmission housing with options to adjust the chassis stiffness.
• Quick release layshaft design for ease of maintenance.
• Carbon fibre upper link design with options to adjust roll centres.
• Centre point steering with forward facing balls to fine tune geometry. Fully adjustable Velocity Ratio, Ackermann Angle and Ackerman Rate.
• Anti roll bar mounts with precise vernier adjustment to minimise play.
• Wide offset O ring retained wheel hexes.
• Lightweight moulded pivot blocks. Optional twin pivot block system allows infinite adjustment of roll centres, toe-in, anti-squat, and track width on front and rear.
• Fully adjustable, suspension geometry, wheelbase, caster, camber, roll centre, track width, ackerman, droop, anti dive, anti squat, front toe in/out, ride height and much more.
• 2mm Aerospace carbon fibre chassis and long top deck with optimised flex.
• Efficient transmission with twin Kevlar belts and precision CNC pulleys.
• Alloy eccentric adjusters for optimum belt tension. Easy diff height adjustment to allow changes in drive shaft plunge. This can be used to increase or decrease traction.
• Quick release diffs – Just 2 screws!!
• Super easy to work on design.
• Symmetrical chassis layout with few screws minimises tweak.
• Ultra smooth Nickel-Teflon plated threaded alloy shock absorbers for extreme smoothness and durability.
• Stiff 3mm shock towers with optimised shock positions.
• Lightweight machined diff pulley, Ceramic diff balls, aerospace thrust bearing.
• Narrow efficient thin back belts.
• Ultra Low Anti roll bars.
• Lightweight foam bumper.
• High tensile spring steel pins.
• Purple alloy M3 nuts.
• Battery fixing with tape or optional battery strap.
• Carbon Fibre wishbones for less weight and improved stiffness.
• Speed secret parts available to fine tune to all track conditions.

Tamiya 42162 TRF416X Touring car chassis kit

New for 2010

The TRF 416X was developed using race data recorded by our worldwide team drivers. The TRF 416 has won numerous races around the world and has become a very popular championship-winning machine. As a result, the worldwide demand for the TRF416 lead Tamiya to produce two additional production runs of the product, which sold out instantly. The new and improved TRF 416X will be a strong candidate at the 2010 IFMAR world championship.

 Specs & Features

• Motor position has been shifted 1mm to center for optimum chassis balance.
• Rear ball differential has been shifted 1.8mm towards the rear to improve rear traction and acceleration.
• Wider front bulkhead attachment screw positions and a new lower deck shape enhance the chassis' front rigidity.
• Features new carbon 2.25mm lower and 2mm upper decks.
• Front pulley features a direct coupling while the center pulley also features a direct drive setup.
• Newly designed parts such as lower and upper decks, rear drive belt, front and rear lower bulkhead, motor mount, center bulkhead, and motor mount support included.
• Requires body, R/C unit, battery, motor, pinion gear, tires, and wheels (sold separately).

Significant Race Results

• 2008 IFMAR ISTC World Championship (Winner)
• 2008 EFRA ETC Euro Championship (Winner)
• 2008 DHI Cup (Winner)
• 2008 LRP Touring Car Masters (Winner)
• EURO Touring Series 08/09 (Overall Winner)
• 2009 DHI Cup (Winner)
• 2009 LRP Touring Car Masters (Winner)
• 2009 EFRA ETC Euro Championship (Winner)

                                                                                                                   Donny Racing created by James Rowney