TQ R/C & Hobbies

Coming from Serpent is the big bore shock absorber set for the Viper 977 1/8th on-road car. A standard feature on the recently introduced Evo-2 kit, the shocks will improve the overall traction and steering of the car while being easy to build, setup and maintain. The precision machined dampers come as pairs and they sport threaded alloy bodies, machined Delrin pistons, coated spring steel piston shafts, pre-oiled X-rings and included are both short and long ball ends to build either a pair of front or rear shock absorbers. Not included are the needed springs but these can be taken from the existing shock sets.

Italian company Capricorn have introduced the Xlight 2-speed gearbox kit for the ARC R8.0 on-road car. Utilising a lightweight 2-speed assembly the set also comes with a new layshaft, vented brake disc, brake disc cam and a new Kevlar belt pulley.

Trinity have introduced their new Monster Horsepower Spec brushless motor for 10.5T to 21.5T stock class racing. It features an aluminium based sensor board for true sensor alignment, 2mm copper solder tabs, a thermal stator coating for improved heat dissipation and a new rotor design that benefits both RPM and torque. A redesigned turbine-style vented nose pice and new high-temperature wire coating round out the features list. The motor is available in 10.5T, 13.5T, 17.5T and 21.5T specification with modified variants to follow soon.

Coming from Exotek is the RX2 LCG 190mm touring car bodyshell. Developed in cooperation with Golem, the body offers a design that promises aggressive and precise handling while also increasing corner speed due to an overall lower centre of gravity which was achieved by reducing the roof section thickness from 0.45mm down to 0.2mm. This makes for an overall lower weight without sacrificing the all important bumper and side skirt stiffness. As compensation for the more forward body position the body features larger and lower wing mounts to allow for a taller wing to be used while still complying with rule books. On top of this the wing mounts were reinforced for less flex and vibration and the default wing positions is 3mm further back for more effective downforce. The rear quarter panels have been narrowed as well for improved stability and to create less drag. The body is designed to meet IFMAR GBS rules and it comes unpainted, including rear anti-body tuck supports, wing, standard wing mounting hardware, stickers and window masks.

Seen for the first time in pre-production stages at the recent IFMAR 1/10th 200mm Nitro Touring Car World Championships, Mugen have now officially introduced their latest top-of-the-foodchain 200mm nitro touring car kit. The MTX-6R sports many improvements and refinements in the suspension and steering areas, starting with a new chassis that allows to easily mount two centre weights to improve stability. The chassis also has improved rigidity that makes the car precise while increasing rear traction. The kit is also outfitted with a new thickened bulkhead brace to help with rear-end stability. The new upper rear bulkhead allows to use a longer upper arm to improve stability and the new front and rear lower arms are made with a new material to improve steering response and durability. Also part of the package is a new front shock tower that is stronger for improved stability while corning. Last but not least comes a new front bumper that helps to adjust the weight balance of the vehicle.

Coming from Traxxas is the Bigfoot 1/10th scale 2WD ready-to-run monster truck. Named after the iconic Bigfoot full-scale monster truck the 1/10th scale variant captures the power and spirit of the original with its high ground clearance 2WD chassis, the officially licensed truck body – available in two colour variants – and authentic shaved monster truck tyres. The vehicle comes factory assembled and it features Traxxas’ proven Magnum 272 gearbox with slipper clutch, the suspension is equipped with oil-filled shock absorbers and the truck comes including a 12T 550-size brushed motor, the waterproof XL-5 speed controller and enclosed receiver compartment. Also included is the TQ 2.4GHz radio system, a Traxxas iD-equipped 7-cell NiMH battery pack and a 4-amp DC peak-detecting fast charger.

Coming from Max Power is the XP3.9 World Edition .12 nitro on-road engine. Built to the same specifications as used by the Max Power factory team at the recent IFMAR World Championships in Gubbio, the engine features a new crankcase with under head cut-outs to keeping compression more consistent, it comes with a new 3-port liner and CNC-machined piston for improved top speed and it utilises a dual tungsten-balanced and silicone-filled 11.9mm crankshaft. The specifications are rounded out by a US-made ceramic main bearing and a new 6-ribs silver-anodised cooling head.

Coming soon from Yokomo is the new YD-4MR mid-motor all-wheel drive drift car kit. Building on the proven YD-4 the MR kit features a mid-motor layout to add another weight bias variant which can be beneficial on a variety of track layouts and with different driving styles. The mid-motor gives different weight transfer characteristics while keeping a low centre of gravity design that improves the high speed snap/transition on high-grip surfaces such as carpet in contrast to the standard layout of the YD-4 which has excellent stability and high traction as standard. Designed for competition drifters the kit incorporates high-quality carbon fibre parts such as the chassis, upper deck and shock towers. The YD-4MR will be available as a full kit or as an optional upgrade package for existing YD-4 owners.