Inside scoop

Losi Goes Mini

Team Losi mini triple-XT

We can't divulge how we obtained this picture, but we can tell you that this is a spy pic of Team Losi's prototype mini Triple-XT. Look closely at the photograph, and you'll easily discern the size of the mini as it sits alongside its full-size counterpart. Judging by the looks of the little critter, we'd say it is right around 1/18 scale and looks much like the full-size truck (at least, its suspension design is similar). Let's hope this spurs a whole new category; we're sure Losi wouldn't mind. We can see it now ... a slew of new race trucks taking over the race scene. Pretty cool stuff! Stay tuned. Team Losi; distributed by Horizon Hobby Inc. (909) 390-9534; teamlosi.com.

Mighty Mini

XRAY t1 Mini

XRAY is getting ready to release a mini version of its successful T1 touring car. The new T1 Mini has scaled-down versions of all the popular features of the T1 touring car family, including a graphite chassis and top deck, front and rear shock towers, a battery holder, upper links and a narrowed, double-wishbone suspension, shortened drive shafts and shorter front drive belt. The T1 Mini is approximately 1/12 scale and is designed to accommodate a 4-cell battery pack, and it accepts all the standard-option and spare parts available for the entire T1 family.

Some of the T1 Mini's hot features

* Fully ball-bearing equipped (22 ball bearings).

* CNC-machined lightweight graphite chassis, upper deck, shock towers, battery strap.

* CNC-machined T6 Duraluminum bulkheads with built-in belt tensioner.

* Ball-bearing-supported center-point steering with built-in dual Ackerman servo-saver.

* 4-step externally adjustable XRAY racing shocks with adjustable and non-adjustable keyed pistons.

* Lightweight, externally adjustable, long-wear ball differentials (heat-treated and hard-coated) with Labyrinth Dust Covers.

* Rebuildable universal drive shafts with low-friction drive clips and integrated ultra-true hex hubs (heat-treated and hard-coated).

* Handmade, high-tensile spring-steel transmission parts.

* Simplified C-hub suspension.

* Axial ball bearings for differential (with larger balls for smoother diff operation).

* Starburst plastic-composite wheels.

XRAY; distributed by Serpent USA (305) 639-9665; teamxray.com.

Heavy-metal cells! Trinity Epic Monster Metal 3300 Plus Ultra Voltage Batteries

Looking for some of the baddest batteries around? These new Epic Monster Metals will definitely interest you. Epic has teamed with GP to produce its own custom-made, hand-picked cells, that, according to Epic, boast the highest voltage and capacity in RC today. The new Monster Metal 3300s are made with the latest NiMH technology and tweaked for maximum RC performance. They're available in a variety of trims, from the top-of-the-line Team "VIS-matched" packs to the more cost-conscious Race Matched cells (that feature the same run time as the Team cells but have lower voltage).

Trinity Products Inc. (732) 635-1600; teamtrinity.com.

Enter the Matrix CEN Racing Matrix and Genesis prototypes

No, these aren't Keanu Reeves' new RC cars! We're talking about CEN's prototype Matrix 1/8. scale buggy and the new nitro-powered Genesis monster truck. Here's the scoop so far (don't lock these specs in yet; final production specifications may vary).

Genesis

Some of the Genesis' main features are: aluminum main chassis plate; 4-wheel steering; 4-disc-brake system; .21 big-block racing engine (may even be .26 or .30); racing tuned pipe with high-flow manifold; huge, 7.5-inch-tall tires; full ball bearings; hardened-alloy drive train; light-metal telescoping drive shafts and center shafts; hard-anodized Teflon-coated aluminum threaded shocks; 12 oil-filled, adjustable shocks with reservoirs (eight main shocks with four aftershocks); three sealed, low-CG diffs (front, rear and center as on an 1/8-scale buggy); electric starting system; transmitter-controlled reverse; 2-speed automatic transmission with adjustable shift point; adjustable toe/camber (front and rear); large, 210cc fuel tank; high-impact front and rear bumpers; protected radio box; titanium turnbuckles.

Matrix

The new Matrix XRB ready-to-run 1/8-scale off-road buggy will come with 7075 T6 aluminum chassis plates and shock towers; fully enclosed receiver/battery compartment; high-volume coil-over, Teflon-coated oil-filled shocks; 3.5mm shock shafts; silicone-oil-filled differentials; four 2mm vented brake discs; fuel brake splashguard, adjustable front and rear brake bias; 3-shoe aluminum clutch system; CVS drive shafts with protective boots; full set of high-quality stainless-steel ball bearings; high-impact side guards; front and rear swaybars. When we get our hands on one, you'll be the first to know!

CEN/Genka Trading Corp. (714) 792-1923; cenracing.com.

smokin' side pipe

Tsais Custom Side Pipe Pro

This pipe is just too cool-looking. And it isn't just for show-it actually works! The new Tsais Custom Side Pipe Pro for the HPI Racing Savage .21 is a true, dual-chamber, aluminum tuned pipe. Currently, it's available only for the Savage (it also fits other .21-equipped monster trucks), but a Traxxas T-Maxx 2.5 version should be available soon.

Tsais; distributed by RC Hub (816) 224-2070; rchub.com.

Sweet-z

HPI Racing Nissan 350Z Super Nitro RS4

HPI is set to release a Nissan 350Z version of its popular RTR Super Nitro RS4. The Nissan 350Z is one of the hottest road cars going today, and this version should prove to be very popular! The new RTR Super Nitro RS4 also includes the improved Nitro Star 15FE engine.

HPI Racing (949) 753-1099; hpiracing.com.

In F1, It's All About The Tires

RC Factory

Michelin Tamiya F201 tires

If you race a Tamiya F201, it goes without saying that you're probably a big F1 fan. Check out these officially licensed Michelin F1 tires from RC Factory. Specifically designed for the F201, they come in soft and hard compounds. The only question is, what happens when you put them on Schumacher's Bridgestone Tamiya Ferrari?

RC Factory; distributed by RC Hub (816) 224-2070; rchub.com.

Dream machine

Nightmare Rustler racing chassis

The Traxxas Rustler is for those who are looking to get their feet wet in the off-road scene. And while a few aftermarket parts are available for the truck, it isn't exactly a true "race truck." For those who want to transform the truck into more of a racer, Nightmare comes to the rescue with a chassis kit for the popular off-roader. It includes all aluminum chassis components; all stainless-steel nuts and bolts for assembly; a new antenna mount, tube and cap; battery hold-down cushion; two insulating plastic strips and double-sided tape to install your electronics.

Nightmare (866) 331-7744; nightmarechassis.com.

HPI Racing savage ss souped-up savage!

If you're one of the many monster-truck fans wishing you could build your own machine rather than settle for an RTR, HPI has you covered with a new kit version of its popular Savage truck. HPI spec'd out the new kit with its brand-new Nitro Star S-25 engine that has 20 percent more displacement, a ribbed-aluminum tuned pipe and adjusted gearing to maximize the new-found power. HPI provides two sets of gears with the truck: one for hard acceleration and another for the speed freaks (above 40mph). Also included are a set of chrome, heavy-duty dogbones, stiff purple shock springs, a clear Nitro GT-1 body (replaces the prepainted one in the RTR version) and adjustable upper arms with thick steel turnbuckles for extra durability.

HPI Racing (949) 753-1099; hpiracing.com.

Return of The Z Tamiya RTR 350Z

How's this for a sweet deal? Start with Tamiya's newest touring-car chassis-the TT-01-fully assembled and ready to go. Add a fully painted and decaled 1/10-scale body of the newest competitor on Japan's GT championship circuit-the Nissan 350Z done up in factory show-car colors. Round out the deal by including the motor, ESC and radio-also rigged and ready to go! That's the idea behind Tamiya's XB Pro Series 350Z racecar. The TT-01 chassis is a step up for an RTR, with its shaft-driven 4WD, fully sealed gearbox and diffs and double-wishbone suspension at all four corners. The tub chassis sports impressive rigidity and efficient packaging, and the motor is mounted longitudinally and down low for improved handling. Looks good, drives great, easy on the wallet, and no building-what's not to like?

Tamiya America Inc. (800) 826-4922; tamiyausa.com.

Big bad big-block

Team Orion Wasp.26

Team Orion is set to give your big nitro truck a boost! Made in Italy, this new rear-exhaust Wasp .26 engine was designed specifically for Associated's new Monster GT, HPI's Savage and other vehicles that require .21-size engines. It comes with an SG-style crankshaft, an 8mm slide carb and a standard plug. Team Orion's specs claim that it produces a whopping 2.7hp at 37,ooorpm!

Team Orion (714) 694-2812; teamorion.com.

flaming fangs

Venom Racing

Fireball modified

Venom Racing recently launched its new line of modified motors-the new Fireball series, designed with low cost in mind without compromising performance. The motors are totally rebuildable and feature epoxy-balanced comms that have been diamond-trued to help ensure smooth running. Other included features are dual ball bearings, prewired bullet plugs and factory-installed capacitors. Venom installed its own Hi-Power brushes. The Fireball mod motors are available in four doublewind configurations-15, 17, 19 and 21 turns.

Venom Racing (208) 762-0620; venom-racing.com.

Nitro Powerhouse

HPI Racing Nitro Star Pro 12R XS

HPI's new engine is a powerhouse! The Nitro Star Pro 12R XS is HPI's first rear-exhaust engine that "promises to be a top performer with all expert-level racers." Its aggressive 3-port design and claimed 1.35hp on tap will undoubtedly get the attention of most racers. Some other noteworthy features are ABC construction, machined-aluminum head, composite slide carb and included dual-element, pre-oiled filter.

HPI Racing (949) 753-1099; hpiracing.com.

Bulk up those arms

Impact Performance Products TTRS Rear H-Arm conversion kit

IPP's new TTRS Rear H-Arm conversion kit for the Traxxas Maxx line of trucks is pretty beefy. The arms will work on any stock Maxx as well as on OFNA's Dominator (when using Pro-Line's T-Maxx bulkheads), Hardcore Racing's Maxx, JT Racing's Maxx and just about any vehicle that uses the Pro-Line or WideMaxx suspension kits. The TTRS is designed with 1 degree toe-in. The arms are universal (they fit either side), and you can run either one or two shocks. The shock position can be changed in either direction, and best of all, there is no turnbuckle to adjust or ball cups and axle carrier arms to break. Available in molded composite plastic and also 6061 aluminum.

IPP (661) 663-0894; impactperformanceproducts.com.

American CNC Machining Inc.

The skeleton

American CNC Machining's new Skeleton chassis kit for the T-Maxx is made of a combination of 6061 T6 aluminum and stainless-steel hardware. The Skeleton's aluminum parts for front and rear are: bumper set (including bumper mounts and bulkhead braces), bulkheads (including stainless-steel pins) and skidplates. The center skidplate, complete sets of suspension arms and chassis braces, drive hex hubs (with 0-rings) and an extra-large, single-piece cooling head (for the 2.5 T-Maxx) are also aluminum. Steel socket-head and flat-head screws bolt all abovementioned parts together.

American CNC Machining Inc. (864) 638-2500; acncm.com.

Heavy-Duty Bones

Copyright Air Age Publishing Oct 2003
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