The List – March 2015

Welcome to the March 2015 edition of The List. There were a lot of items to choose from this month and I wish I could promote all of them, but in the end I had to choose 5, and here they are.

1. ARC RC R8.0E
So what happens when you take the brutal power of a 6S brushless system and strap it into a corner-hugging, foam-tired 1/8 onroad car? Well, you get ARC RC’s bad ass R8.0E! Typically powered by nitro engines, these asphalt gladiators are capable of hitting 60+mph on the straights as well as some incredible cornering speed. The R8.0E shares about 85% of it’s parts with it’s nitro-powered cousin, however the chassis has been slightly reconfigured to mount the batteries along both sides. LiPo pack rated at 2S, 4S or 6S can be strapped into this car as well as any 1/8 scale, 550-sized brushless systems. While not a common racing chassis (yet), the thought of driving one of these E-powered land missiles gets me all giddy. Put this on your bucket list; it’s already made the CompetitionX List!
Link: www.team-arc.ch

2. Team Durango DESC10 1/10 Short Course Truck
While the Short Course craze is still around, the ‘wow’ factor has kind of left the building. Most SC trucks look the same, feel the same and, in most cases, handle the same. Team Durango has released their new DESC10, a 1/10 scale SC truck that has a little bit of a twist to it. You see, this truck is not just another SC truck, it actually has quite a bit in common with Durango’s new line of 1/8 scale vehicles. Pull the body off and you basically have a 1/8 scale buggy with front and rear SC bumpers! While it is quite heavy (yes, I’ve played with one already), it’s built like a Sherman tank and can handle any power system that would normally be relegated to 1/8 scale vehicles, however it is still limited to a 2S LiPo. So why did it make The List? I’m going out on a limb here and saying that even though it’s a bit porky, this substantial SC truck is going to run rings around all the others in the durability and tuning department. It’s going to make for an interesting story.
Link: www.team-durango.com

3. MIP Brake Kit Losi 5IVE-T
MIP makes The List once again for another cool part for the Losi 5IVE-T. The Real Brakes Kit is designed much like what you would find on a full scale motorcycle or car. It uses a replaceable brake pad system that does away with the industry-standard metal-on-metal systems. I usually run a lot of rear brakes in my 5IVE-T and one of the biggest complaints is fade. This system helps eliminate that as well as any glazed or galled rotors or metal pads. In addition, MIP has incorporated a brake guide to keep the rotors straight during heavy braking, again, like a real vehicle. This is another long-time coming upgrade that the 1/5 scale scene has been waiting for. Congrats to MIP for making The List once again!
Link: www.miponline.com

4. RC4WD Scale Road Signs
I’ve recently been bitten by the scale truck bug. I mean REALLY bitten … I just completed a custom build with 4 other truck lined up for their turn. Once done, I want to do as much scale trailing as possible. Thanks to the crew over at RC4WD, they’ve put out these fun little signs to liven up my drive. I can also see quite a few photo opps using these; mount a few to wooden ‘poles’ and set in the background when it’s time for your trail truck photo shoot. I think they’re great and am happy to add them to The List!
Link: www.rc4wd.com

5. G-Force Spring Rate Gauge
If you’re a hardcore racer, you probably spend a lot of time making sure everything on your ride is as perfect as it can be. You check to make sure your turnbuckles are exactly the same length, the droop is correct, camber, toe and even ride height; all perfect. I’m sure you rebuild your shocks often, adding new o-rings and oil. But what about the springs? Do you replace them … ever? Springs, like other parts of the car, can deteriorate during use and lose some of their ‘spring’, so something like G-Force’s Spring Rate Gauge is a cool item to have during maintenance. This aluminum unit measures spring tension and displays the result using a digital readout. I think it’s a pretty neat tool and something every racer could use. It’s also great for those of you with OCD. Welcome to The List.
Link: www.gforce-hobby.jp