THE WORLD'S LEADING R/C CAR MAGAZINE January 1996 -I H TESTED XiVjjj y^i • Improve your driving with radio know-how m. Make opening doors • Tune your touring car 6 Editorial MfiflB 8 Letters D E P A R T M E N TS 10 Readers' Rides 16 Inside Scoop by Chris Chianelli M*6 Co/hfoo 19 What's New 220 Grassroots Racing VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1 'JANUARY 1996 248 National Organizations 264 Index of 40 Inside the Worlds' Winners Manufacturers A look at Matt Francis' and Mark Pavidis' winning setups by George M. Gonzalez 265 Classifieds 68 Reader's Ride of the Year 266 Chris's Back Lot by Chris Chianelli Randy Coolbaugh's awesome spy/assault vehicle • by Frank Masi - ; 78 Fifth Annual Car I C O L U M NS | Action/Kyosho gas Off- Road World Challenge 20 Troubleshooting by George M. Gonzalez 160 nitro burners take the motor city by Frank Masi 26 Pit Tips 115 ROAR On-Road Nats by Jim Newman Racers shine through despite the weather by Rick Schwartz 32 R/C Doctor by Doug Mertes 124 How To: Make Opening Doors 36 Getting Started Adding hinges to your ABS plastic bodies by Brian Leslie by Kevin Hetmanski 198 Tech Head 132 New for'96 by Frank Masi Preview all the hot products for the coming year by John Howell, Chris Chianelli and George M. Gonzalez | T H R A SH T E S TS 144 Project Formula 1, Part 1 Building a bodacious Benetton • by Mike Ogle 46 Tamiya Chevy S-10 A desert truck that's "like 164 How To: Touring Car Tuning a rock" Techniques by Jeff Bartlett Set up your sedan for the best ride possible by Doug Mertes 52 A Tale of Two Opels Testing Tamiya's Opel 192 Equal Opportunity Racing Calibra V6 DTM and Accommodating the physically challenged Kyosho's Opel Calibra V6 at your local track • by Mike Ogle by Stacey Granelli and Derek Buono 256 How To: Make Your Own Racing Log 60 BoLink Super-T Keep an accurate record Putting this budget of your r$ace semtups NASTRUCK through by Garth Finley its paces by Kevin Holmlund ON THE COVER: Tamiya's Chevy S-10 walks the wasteland (photo by John Howell). E D I T O R I AL Who's Really Group Publisher LOUIS V. DeFRANCESCO JR. Steering This Ship? Publishers DR. LOUIS V. DeFRANCESCO YVONNE M. DeFRANCESCO Associate Publisher GARY DOLZALL i t's hard to believe, but another year has gone by. Group Editor-in-Chief TOM ATWOOD That's 12 months of "Thrash Tests," product Executive Editor FRANK MASI reviews, columns, interesting tidbits and mind-bog Senior Editor CHRIS CHIANELLI gling features—all in your number-one R/C car magazine. Editor JOHN HOWELL As is customary in every January issue, we've taken on Associate Editor GEORGE M. GONZALEZ the enormous and difficult task of choosing the Reader's Ride Editorial Assistant STACEY GRANELLI of the Year. But how did we pick just one from the more than Copy Director LYNNE SEWELL 100 that have appeared in the past year of Car Action? Senior Copy Editor KATHERINE TOLLIVER ^aj I II tell you, it was a close race, but in the end, no one Assistant Copy Editors ANNETTE PARKER MARTIN ^mtr could dispute that Randy Coolbaugh's awesome T3 KATHLEEN J. DOHERTY spy/assault vehicle was the most impressive in both Managing Art Director ALAN J. PALERMO design and execution. You'll see more on Randy's ride in Art Director BETTY K. NERO this issue. Assistant Art Director ANGELA A. CARPENTER On to the big question: who's responsible for the contents of Graphic Artist MICHAEL BOUSE this magazine? It's you! We're just your humble editorial ser Staff Photographer WALTER SIDAS vants. It's you who tell us, through letters, faxes, e-mails and, Image Technician CHRISTOPHER HOFFMASTER yes, even "Readers' Rides," what should be on these pages. Systems Manager GORDON OPPENHEIMER You see, without a link to you, deciding what goes into the Director of Marketing GARY DOLZALL magazine every month would be a guessing game that would undoubtedly result in a mediocre magazine, at best. So if you're Circulation Manager ARLENEA. DELGIUDICE hesitant to write to us because you think, "Aww, these guys get Circulation/Marketing JENNIFER KELSEY Coordinator so much mail, I bet they'll never read my Production Manager MARY REID McELWEE letter," think again. We read every let Production Assistant ARLENE MELKO ter, fax and postcard that comes through our hallowed mail slot. Advertising Manager SHARON WARNER Believe it! Advertising Account JILL ELLEN MOLINARO Executives JENNIFER IZZO HILARY BURKE REICHHELM New People Advertising Traffic ELISE SILKOWSKI Administrator and New Products Advertising Coordinator ANN T. WIEBER I'm extremely pleased to wel Air come George Gonzalez on board as a full-time, dyed-in- PUBLISHING ' the-wool associate editor. If the name sounds familiar, SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: U.S. & Possessions (including APO & FPO): 1 year (12 issues), it's because George has been a contributing writer for more than $34.95; 2 years (24 issues), $59.95. Canada: 1 year, $51.31; 2 years, $91.97 (includes G.S.T.). Elsewhere: 1 year, $47.95; 2 four years. He has always impressed us with the quality of his years, $85.95. Payment in U.S. funds. Single-copy prices: $4.95 (USA); $5.95 (Canada). Canadian G.S.T. number R130754872. work and his knowledge of the hobby. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 0609153. For his first assignment (and to see whether he could RADIO CONTROL CAR ACTION (ISSN 0886-1609, USPS take the pressures of an editor's life), George helped 001-087) is published monthly by Air Age, Inc., 251 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897, USA. Connecticut Editorial and Chris Chianelli and John Howell to compile this Business Office, 251 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897. Phone: issue's mammoth "New for '96" epic saga. It 2E0x3ec-8u3ti4ve-2 O90ff0ic. erF; AYX.P: .2 J0o3h-n7s6o2n-,9 8P0re3s. idMeincth; aGel. EF. . DDeoFyrlaen, cCeshcieof, highlights new goodies from all the major players Vice President; L.V. DeFrancesco, Secretary; Yvonne M. DeFrancesco, Treasurer. Second Class Postage Permit paid at in the R/C car industry, and you'll see it all here first. Wilton, Connecticut, and additional Mailing Offices. Copyright 1995 by Air Age, Inc. All rights reserved. ••% I'll spare you the gory details about how we get this type of CONTRIBUTIONS: All materials published in Radio Control top-secret information, but, suffice it to say, this project Car Action become the exclusive property of Air Age, Inc., unless prior arrangement is made in writing with the Publisher. * involved hundreds of phone calls and lots of Jimmy Olsen- The Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materi al. Only material accompanied by a SASE will be returned. type cub reporting. As expected, George came through ADVERTISING: Advertising rates available on request. Please unscathed—Chris and John, on the other hand.... send advertising materials, insertion orders, etc., to Radio Control Car Action, Advertising Dept., Air Age, Inc., 251 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897. Phone: 203- 834-2900. FAX: 203-762-9803. - * S T —- CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Don't miss any issues! Send your new address to Radio Control Car Action, Subscription Dept., P.O. Box 427, Mount Morris, IL 61054, six weeks before you Frank Masi, Executive Editor move. Include the address label from a recent issue, or print the information exactly as shown on the label. The Post Office will not forward copies unless you provide extra postage. Duplicate issues cannot be sent. POSTMASTER: Please send Form 3579 to Radio Control Car We want to hear from yOU: Write, fax, or e-mail us over the Internet: Car Action, P.O. Box 427, Mount Morris, IL 61054. Action, Air Age Publishing, 251 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897; fax: (203) 762-9803; e-mail: Chris Chianelli—[email protected]; John Howell (Doog)—[email protected]; Frank Masi— ^ [email protected]; George Gonzalez—[email protected]. Stacey Granelli: Member Audit Bureau of Circulations [email protected] PRINTED IN THE USA 6 RADIO CONTROL CAR ACTION L E T T E RS QUIT YER GRIPIN '! seem to forget that we about the track; you'll When it's time to rebuild After reading your are racing off-road and become a better driver your shocks, Andrew, October '95 "Editorial" not on dirty concrete. If when you learn to race your best bet is to buy a about racing, I started it is the same for every on slippery, adverse con direct-replacement thinking about racing in body why should any ditions. shock cartridge. It's the general. It's unfortunate body care about the con KHAL DAGHESTANI easiest and least compli that more of the people dition of the track? Last, Skokie, IL cated way to rebuild involved in R/C cars do under no circumstances, shocks. Inspect the shock not get involved in rac should an argument Well, Khal, I couldn't shafts closely for dam ing. They don't know develop. Most track have said it any better age (scratches and what they're missing! I owners make very little myself! I totally agree nicks), or you'll be was recently at a race profit off the race entries with everything you replacing that shock car where the track was on and will soon tire of rac say—especially the part tridge again sooner than the rough side. A few of ers' complaints about an about everyone being you might want to. the racers decided that it off-road track being, equally matched on a As for your other wasn't suitable for racing actually, off-road with rough track. That's so question: no one yet and complained to the bumps, moguls and true! Frank and I offers a 4WD conversion race directors. It was 103 inconsistencies. received a phenomenal kit for the Losi Double-X. degrees outside, but the Many racetrack own number of responses to As far as I know, MIP argument got even hot ers have probably given that Editorial. It was was the only company ter. It was horrible; rac up business because of pretty funny—some peo that made a 4WD con ing is supposed to be impolite, unappreciative ple took everything we version kit for a 2WD fun! Furthermore, racers racers. Racers of the said to heart; others buggy, and it was should not argue with world, have fun and let knew we were being sar designed for an the race director. People the race director worry castic and were joking. I Associated RC10. If have also been to tracks you're interested in at which the racers were 4WD, I recommend that thrashin' on the track you check out the ^•ipilJ§iP mmmmi W>*~~3 '^ i | : owner because, in their Kyosho Lazer ZX-R, the , I \ '—! I '" I opinion, conditions were Yokomo YZ-10, or the not "perfect." Fine, then; Schumacher Cat 2000 if you don't like it, go E.C.S. Doogie make your own "per ENDURANCE LIMITED EDITION CAST STATUES fect" track and race on Limited to only 5000 pieces world wide, these hand that. I'd like to see how painted cold cast porcelin statues are a thing of beauty. 8" tall on a wooden base with engraved plaque. Each quickly all those whining statue depicts one of the best Formula 1 drivers in the racers shut up when WRITE TO US! We wel world in ac lassic pose. List Price Your price! nflt they hear the track come your photos, draw DD2000 Nigel Mansell $129.00 $99.99 owner say that his track ings, comments and sug DD2001 A. Senna (pictured) $139.00 $109.99 is closing down and gestions. Letters should be DD2002 Michael Schumacher $129.00 $99.99 addressed to "Letters," they'll have to find DD2003 Jimmy Clark $129.00 $99.99 Radio Control Car Action, DD2004 Graham Hill $129.00 $99.99 jfo-.m another place to race. 251Danbury Rd., Wilton, DD2005 Alan Prost $129.00 $99.99 M • 4sfc You have the right atti CT 06897-3035. Letters may DD2006 Niki Lauda $129.00 $99.99 •'---•-','" tude, Khal. Thanks for be edited for clarity and your input. Doogie brevity, and each must 1/43 SCALE DIORAMA DISPLAY BASES include a full name and address or telephone num You'll never display your F-1, Indy or Touring car DOUBLE collection on a dusty, boring shelf again. New ber so that the identity of Microworld race track dioramas add that X PLANATION! the sender can be verified. missing action and excitement to your 1 /43rd You are the best in R/C We regret that, owing to race car collection. cars, so maybe you can the tremendous number of List Price Your price! DD1003 answer two questions I letters we receive, we DD1000 Single Car Display $24.99 $20.99 have. On the Losi can't respond to every one. DD1001 Chicane $29.99 $25.99 StIoncdky cbaars easn d Double-X buggy, the DD1002 Wet Track $59.99 $55.99 coming soon! shock-cartridge body INTERNET ADDRESSES: DD1003 Tamburella Curve $61.99 $57.99 comes assembled with Frank Masi: OUARTZO STOCK CARS-ONXY F1 AND INDY the O-rings inside. Do [email protected] WE HAVE THE LOWEST PRICES! the O-rings have to be John Howell: johnh@airage. com. Speed Metal™ changed? If so, how do I Chris Chi an ell i: get them out? 1901 E. Linden Ave #8 chrisc@airage. com. Dealer Linden, N.J. 07036 VISA Also, is there a 4WD Stacey Granelli: conversion for the [email protected] inquiries Ph: 908-862-1705 MASTER Double-X buggy? George Gonzalez: Invited FX: 908-862-6875 AMEX ANDREW MILLER [email protected]. Union, KY 8 RADIO CONTROL CAR ACTION Fa R E AD BLAZIN INFERNO David Feltner of Toledo, OH, sent us this shot of his Kyosho Turbo Inferno. It's equipped with Futaba radio gear, a Kyosho fuel warning light, full rubber sealed bearings and turnbuckles. On race days, it's powered by a Paris Racing modified Picco p5 buggy engine. But for photos, David prefers the OFNA Super Force 6 port, the red head of which matches his candy-red to candy-purple, three-tone-fade paint job. Now that's a stylin' wardrobe! WATCH OUT FOR THAT R/C T-REX! It looks as if Dr. Grant took a wrong turn and ended up in Mike Rinck's backyard in The Dalles, OR. Actually, this is a Tamiya jeep Wrangler made up like a Jurassic Park Jeep. What? You say you already knew that? Mike's Jeep has a Novak Rooster ESC, a Futaba 4NBL radio, a 20-tooth pinion gear, a Trinity EX Tech 16-turn double modified motor, and working headlights and fog lights. As a finishing touch, Mike added tires and wheels from Tamiya's Mitsubishi Pajero kit. Mike brush-painted the body and made the decals out of a poster. Now all you need are some R/C dinosaurs to com plete the scene, Mike! JEFF'S GEM This killer ride comes from Jeff Johnson of West Fargo, ND. His Losi Double-X has been modified with the following goodies: MIP "Readers' Rides " is our way CVDs, Tecnacraft titanium turn- of recognizing the unique, buckles, a lightweight Losi motor innovative—and sometimes plate and a lightweight Losi alu bizarre!—vehicles that our minum top shaft in the gearbox. readers have created. Send us Jeff has been painting bodies for a sharp, uncluttered, well- exposed color photo of your almost 10 years, and this Dahm's car or truck (no Polaroids, Tiger X body sports his latest please!), along with a brief design. description, to Readers' Rides, R/C Car Action, 251 Danbury Rd, Wilton, CT 06897. If we choose your photo, you'll receive a 6-month subscription GO, CO STREET RACER to Car Action, or an extension of your existing subscription. After thrashing monster trucks for 9 You'll also be eligible for the years, Kevin Hunt of East Leroy, Ml, fifth annual "Reader's Ride of decided to join the street-racing crowd. the Year Contest" in the fall of Except for the Trinity Green Machine 1996. Write your address and motor, his Tamiya Alfa Romeo 155 V6 is phone number on your letter entirely stock. He painted the body and on the back of each photo with some guidance from R/C Car you send, in case we need to Action, and he says that now he can go contact you. racing in style. Have a blast, Kevin. 10 RADIO CONTROL CAR ACTION R E A D E RS A PAIR OF PULLERS wMtirtitpf^yy*?*^^ The husband and wife team of Dave and Carol Queen of Dearborn Heights, Ml, runs these identical trucks in the dual-motor modified class at local pulling events. The "Wild Thing" and the "Twilight Zone" feature scratch- built chassis, two Pullmaster 4 motors, 14 Stage III matched cells and Futaba radio gear. These trucks can pull up to 450 pounds. BP^ twmtr • 4^ _<ftli H HHHKHHHHH LUCKY #7 GODZILLA This cool-lookin' Legend comes to us from Dee Dutro of Felix Leung of Surrey, B.C., Canada, decided that it was Zanesville, OH. Dee's ride is set up with a Futaba radio system time for an overhaul and facelift for his Tamiya Clod and ESC, a 6-cell battery pack and a closed-endbell Mabuchi Buster. He added: a Tamiya ball-bearing kit; long, yellow 540 motor. Dee's husband, Fritz, and her son, Mike, also race shocks; flashing headlights; an ESP aluminum lower chassis identically equipped Legends in an informal group that runs brace, suspension stabilizers and lift kit; homemade front weekly at a variety of tracks where they say it's common to and rear aluminum lower bumper protectors and skid have eight to 10 cars on the track at a time. Run times are 20 plates; aluminum, side, body guards; and a polished to 25 minutes, and the races they attend have gone 150 laps. aluminum wing. The beast is powered by six, Sanyo, 4400mAh D-cells and controlled by KO radio gear. A Parma Hemi engine rests under the Parma Clod Buster Lexan body. Felix says it took him 1V2 months to design and paint the body. Nice job Felix! It's a hot ride! SUPREME SAND RAIL Is this a wild-lookin' machine or what? Dale Badger of Phoenix, AZ, sent us this photo of his completely scratch-built V10- scale sand rail. The rail has seats, pedals, a functional steering wheel, a gear stick (which is actually the on/off switch for the Futaba radio gear), lights and an O.S. .21 engine. The roll bar is made of mig-welded, chrome-plated Vfe-inch piano wire. Dale told us that he has received quite a few comments from a ton of people—understandably so! It's a nice-lookin' rig. Maybe we'll pass along another look to our readers in a future 14 RADIO CONTROL CAR ACTION In search of fun and glory, 'cause life's too short by Chris Chianelli • to be a sheep "Scoop's" 10 Predictions H EY, YOU, yeah, you! for the Mew Year Pay attention! You product hounds who regularly turn to my pages 1. Pro-Line will make a tire that will enable you to drive your R/C car on the ceiling. for all the latest-breaking info on the really cool 3. Tekin will produce an ESC that will not only give you 30 extra seconds of run time, stuff that's just hitting but it will also help you with your calculus homework. the market, turn to our of the 10 cars in the A-Main has to run the track backwards without hitting any of the other cars! "New for '96" article in 5. A future space-shuttle mission will consist of launching an issue of CAR ACTION this issue. We've featured into deep space in the hope of spreading ultimate coolness throughout the galaxy. all the coolest stuff that 6. All Associated RCIOGTs will be required to meet California emissions standards. will be coming out in the new year. Those of you who I^^!TH^TBI rv«THnHTnrHKiini need to see some off-the- day late for the '96 Off-Road ROAR Nats. wall, out-of-the-ordinary 9. Chris Chianelli will join the cast of "Friends." stuff, stick around. 10. We will meet all of our deadlines! /\l\\N\/l\/MVM PURPLE SCREW SETS PURPLE SCREWS AND NUTS TRINITY EV0142 Evolution 10, On-road $19.99 D1052 4-40x3/8 Cap Head Screws, 12pc $4.99 EV0157 Evolution 10, SS or LSD $19.99 D1053 4-40x3/8 Flat Head Screws, 12pc $4.99 RE1027 Revolver 12, On-road or SS $13.50 D1054 8-32x7/8 Flat Head Screws, 8pc $2.99 D1055 4-40x11A Cap Head Screws, 12pc $4.99 ASSOCIATED EV0150 2-56x1/4 Button Head Screw, 12pc $5.99 EV0146 10L, On-road or LSO $11.99 EV0151 8-32x5/8 Flat Head Screw, 12pc $4.99 EV0156 12L, On-road $11.99 EV0152 4-40x1 /2 Socket Head Screw, 12pc $5.99 EV0147 RC10 Buggies, All Styles $14.99 EV0153 4-40x1/2 Flat Head Screw, 12pc $4.99 Free Sticker in EV0148 RC1OT Trucks, All Styles $18.99 EV0154 4-40x3/4 Socket Head Screw, 12pc $4.99 Each Package! EV0143 4-40 Mini Lock Nuts, 8pc $3.50 BOLINK EV4054 8-32 Nuts, 8pc $3.99 EV0158 Bolink, On-road or SS $12.99 TRNTY TEAM LOSI EV0149 Losi XX Buggy $12.99 1901 E. Linden Ave #8, Linden, NJ 07036 EV0155 Losi XX Truck $12.99 it & PH: 908-862-1705, FX: 908-862-6875 NEWS ^T BRIEFS 9 s a, C hosn reXe F,y AjtacK ofthe Killer Apache A New Losi Team helicopter, and it sure looks great. The Apache has the We always like to hear good news same features as the original about good people, and this is Hyper Fly that I previewed in one of those times! We just the March '95 "Scoop." For received word from the folks over those of you who missed it, at Team Losi that Gil Losi Jr. got here it is again: the Apache married! Junior and his longtime ....^g^^^—.. Hyper Fly is an affordable, girlfriend, Julie Rodgers, were entry-level electric helicopter married at his parents' house on that has a basic, easy-to-under- September 16. Congratulations, stand gear train (the entire drive Gil, we all wish you and Julie the system, including the Le Mans AP29 motor, is factory-installed) and a fixed tail rotor. very best! The Hyper Fly Apache is easy to assemble in a few hours with the tools that most R/C'ers already have on hand. All you need to get up and running is a 2-channel radio system (aircraft frequency) with servos, a 7.2V 1000mAh Ni-Cd battery and a charger. WtftcA Out for the Baty in *Ae Euyyy 2-Timing TosoJJni Aware that his on-road, a commanding lead over the superstar-driver Joel other babies in their buggies. This mild-mannered-looking lad has proven to be Johnson will The tyke chalked up the a formidable VHcale on-road driver. His name inevitably become win thanks, in part, to is Chris TosaHni, and he recently won Ms second too old to race Trinity Zip Pak power! consecutive ROAR ^-scale On-Road National someday, Trinity's '4 Just imagine if the baby Championship. To clinch Ms latest title, Chris battled Ernie Provetti went • buggy had been hit with out scouting for 1 some Trinity Buggy Grip the likes of gas-racing legends Ralph Burch and Art new, up-and-com • traction compound; this Carbonell. Expect to see more on Chris and Ms BMT ing drivers. We were > "Vio-scale" driver might car in this magazine (mostly because be lives near told that this little • have lapped the entire us and won't leave us alone!). driver was out with ' field! I Trinity PinionS...Ours are precision machined from 6061 T-6 aircraft alumi num and teflon impregnated for smooth Trinity Brand "R" meshing and minimum friction. Zero Pinions Gravity Are All Pinions So Over- Are Weight, Super Power is Light! Reduced! ^^Brand"R" U"\ ...They have J poSt tooth finish and . "-> They don't mesh spur gear. From Magic Motor Sports $5.99 In 48 pitch from 12 to 30 teeth • In 64 pitch pitch from 15 to 50 teeth • J We Are Your Source to ALL fi/O Fizi'Suii) Nz'd'Jz Trinity Products Iric, 190f E. Linden Ave, #8, Linden, NJ 07036 • (908) 862-1705 • Fax TI W H tA eT ' S w| ASSOCIATED Car Carrier Boxes Tote your gear like a Team driver. The new carrier bag is made of black nylon with a brass zipper. It fea tures a heavy-duty carry ing handle and is designed to fit over the heavy-duty carrier box. The carrier box FUTABA is made of double-wall, FP-S3003 corrugated cardboard and Standard Servo has been tested to carry up to 275 pounds; it This new servo is standard comes with three equipment with Futaba's 12x24x6-inch insert boxes. 2VR and 2CR 2-channel Part nos.—SP-415 (carrier bag KYOSHO radio systems. It uses only), SP-100 (carrier box with 'Pure Ten" GP 4WD Spider advanced design and man three insert boxes), SP-101 ufacturing techniques to (replacement boxes); prices— This new 4WD falls under the "Pure Ten" designation; it's produce performance $39.95, $15, $5.25. closer to scale and much more detailed than any that's virtually identical to Associated Electrics other body/chassis configuration. It's available in that of the popular SI 48— Inc., 3585 Cadillac two body styles—the Porsche 911 and the Nissan but at a more economical Ave., Costa Skyline. A powerful GS-1IX pull-start engine is price. Mesa, CA included in the kit. Partno.—FP-S3003. 92626-1403; Part nos.—KYOC0446 (Porsche 911 with GS-1 IX), KYOC0447 Futaba Corp. of America, (714)850- (Nissan Skyline with GS-1 IX); prices—$349.99 each. P.O. Box 19767, Irvine, CA 9342; fax Kyosho; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors, P.O. Box 92713-9767; (714) 455-9888; fax (714)850- 9021, Champaign, II 61826-9021; (217) 398-6300; fax (217) 398-1104. (714) 455-9899. 1744. ."^^^ttiUfta^- TEKIN TRINITY Titan Midnight This high-power, high-fre This new 27- quency, reversing ESC fea turn stock tures 12 GoldFET transis motor features: tors for more speed. The an internal QuickTune setup adjusts to Magnetic Flux your radio in seconds. Collector™; Part no.—2110; price—$210. narrow cross- Tekin Electronics, 940 Calle section bush Negocio, San Clemente, CA ings; a short- 92673; (714) 498-9518; fax (714) stack, slotted 498-6339. armature with Thermal Transfer JliiSiiSSi Gateways™; a 1.3mm-thick can with v.5.2 wet magnets GLOBAL HOBBY DISTRIBUTORS and cooling tunnels; pre- Pro-Max AC/DC Adjustable soldered, hard-compound, laydown brushes and Current Charger capacitors; and removable, This reliable, economical charger can charge any 100 to black-anodized heat sinks. 1800mAh, 4- to 8-cell Ni-Cd pack. Features include: Part no.—RC2095; price—$39.99. adjustable charging rate; resettable circuit breaker; built-in Trinity Products Inc., 1901 E. jacks for monitoring voltage peak with a digital voltmeter; Linden Ave. #8, Linden, NJ 15-minute mechanical timer; automatic trickle with indica 07036; (908) 862-1705; fax (908) tor light; input clips that attach to a 110V AC source or a 862-6875. 12V DC source battery; cooling vents; tough polycarbon ate case. Descriptions of the products shown here were taken from manufacturer and/or advertising agency press Part no.—885610; price—$64.99. releases. The information given does not constitute an endorsement by Radio Control Car Action or Global Hobby Distributors, 10725 Ellis Ave., Fountain Valley, CA 92728- guarantee product performance or safety. When contacting a manufacturer about any product described here, 8610; (714) 963-0133; fax (714) 962-6452. be sure to say you read about it in Radio Control Car Action. Manufacturers! To have your products mentioned here, send press releases to R/C Car Action, What's New, 251 DanburyRd., Wilton, CT 06897. S H O O T I NG by G e o r ge M. G o n z a l ez If you have a technical problem that your hobby shop or racing friends can't resolve, give us a HITTING ROCK BOTTOM shout at Radio Control Car Action, and we'll see About a year ago, I will be considerably thicker for you. Check out the if we can chase down bought a Tamiya Stadium than that used in the ones that the fast guys an answer for you. Blitzer, and it has two stock setup. This should use, and use them. I Questions should be of a problems: first, whenever take care of your bottom- know this sounds kind of technical nature and it goes over a jump, its ing-out problem. lame, but that's how I should be addressed to suspension bottoms out; It sounds as if your usually decide which tire Troubleshooting, Radio second, whenever it goes truck has a bad case of combinations to use. Control Car Action, 251 around a turn, it spins oversteer. In other words, DanburyRoad, Wilton CT 06897. We regret that, out. Can you please help? your truck's front tires owing to the tremendous BOBBY PHILLIPS have more traction than number of letters we Anchorage, AK the rear tires. To remedy receive, we can't this, install rear tires that % respond to every one. Thanks for the letter, have more traction. Bobby. Here are a couple You didn't men of tips: fill your shocks tion what kind with high-quality, 100- of surface percent-silicone shock you run fluid. Team Associated, your truck Team Losi and Trinity on, so I offer this in an assort can't rec ment of weights. Start ommend with 30 to 40WT, which rear tires LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS DIFF I've been driving R/C cars First of all, Craig, the simply rotating the spur diff apart, it's a good time for about three years now, slipper and the diff have gear and making sure to replace the diff balls and I recently bought an their own distinct sounds, that the slipper pad and rings. RC10T. I have a couple of and you have to know the rotates true and that To adjust the slipper, questions. First, the slip difference between the there aren't any gaps pre loosen the slipper-adjust per clutch is making a lot two before you can fix sent. If it checks out, ment nut until the slipper of noise. I've tried tight the problem. The slipper move on to the diff. starts to slip. This setting ening it and loosening it, has a smooth, whining To test the diff, lock up will vary greatly, depend but that didn't help. I sound, while the diff the slipper clutch by ing on the type of surface then rebuilt the slipper makes more of a rough tightening the adjust you drive your truck on; and diff, but the clutch screech. From your ment nut until the coil there is no way to set the still makes noise. What's description, it sounds as if spring collapses com slipper so that it works wrong? your diff may not be pletely. Then place your perfectly on all types of Also, which company properly set. Before you truck on your driveway or surfaces. I set up my slip makes an adapter kit that check the diff, however, carpet, and push down per clutch to slip for will allow me to put a make sure that the slipper on the rear end so that approximately 3 feet Losi Hydra Drive on my clutch has been set up the suspension bottoms before it engages the truck? If you could help, I correctly. Check for gaps out. While you're pushing tranny, and this has would really appreciate it. in the slipper pad (it's down on the rear end, try proven to be a good CRAIG HELLER between the two slipper- to rotate the spur gear. It starting point. Manheim, PA clutch pressure plates) by shouldn't move at all; if it Now, let's move on to does, you'll have to tighten your Hydra Drive ques the diff. TheRCIOThasa tion. Team Losi offers a 5/64 diff-adjustment screw top shaft for the Stealth on the inside of the left transmission that allows outdrive (it could be on you to install the Hydra the right side if you Drive traction-control unit installed the diff back on your truck, but I only ward). Tighten the screw, recommend this hop-up if then repeat the same you plan to do some process until the spur hard-core racing on gear is almost impossible bumpy tracks with hot to rotate. If the diff con modified motors. If you tinues to slip, you've plan to bash around your probably stripped the diff neighborhood, you would nut; replace it before you be better off investing damage the diff gear. your hard-earned cash in Also, while you have the more battery packs. 20 RADIO CONTROL CAR ACTION