RE-RX @ Max One Video

Here's a rather long video from the other day. I'm using my D-Like RE-R(X) with Celica Supra XX and Custom Yokomo RX-7.

The other cars are a Kazama GP-X under the Chaser and a Kei car set up for drift.

RE-RX @ MAX ONE

I didn't have enough time last night to enjoy the RE-RX's new found abilities. So, today was about consolidation and confirmation.

I slapped on the Jupiter DRS-10's which really match the RX-73 Shakotan and headed out.

I took the hook, but I forgot the exhaust... Damn!

I slapped the LED back in also. It's unfortunate that splitters don't last long though.

The venue was pretty empty so Kuni-san and I played chase on a different tight course. I was really enjoying this new-found ability and the car was performing beautifully.

Later on I swapped to the XX and old school rims.

The knight rider in the house.

I also had a close look at the Overdose DRB chassis. It's a nice upgrade, but I can't justify this expense personally.

A de-anodised DRB looks cool. I also have some ideas up my sleeve.

And you always find something awesome at MAX-ONE

Today was Kei-Car drift.

Stay tuned for a video... From me and one from MAX ONE.

D-Like RE-RX

 What you see here is the missing link.

I've dubbed the RE-R an RE-RX now because it's so far from the standard componentry.

CE-RX steering system is now in place. It's been strengthened with putty for durability. The original is a bit weak.

About the only issue I had was the motor wiring. But It moved out of the way without drama.

I'll be replacing the bushings with bearings in the future and I have a set of Team Bomer turnbuckles to complete the car.

I will develop a package from this. It won't be cheap, but it will be the best.

Russ.

RWB G-Force #9 - Progress Update

Time to start getting excited. Almost ready for final paint.

Side steps are a good addition.

A few gaps to fill. but basically the shell is done. Paint and finish to come.

Maximum One

Today I headed to Max One Tokyo as usual and I thought I had myself dialled in. My driving was fine by myself, but I couldn't get close to anyone else on the track. It wasn't fun. They would simply close in and pass.

There was something fundamentally wrong. With the low grip tyres I couldn't get control
So I changed to the Active tyres, and with high grip tyres it was better and felt good again, but there must be something wrong...

So I asked the "Pro" guys to drive my car and they recommended steering response was slow? How can that be? I have a Brushless Sanwa Hi Spec SSR Servo and it's basically the best on the market.

Well it turns out there is even more wrong with the standard RE-R than I though. The steering mechanism has now been completely thrown away... It's junk! To get these 1.8 CS chassis under real control you need super fast steering.

With great advice from the community. I now have something really special so maybe the RE-R will remain for the time being. I also have something to compare. I know what good feels like.

I installed a used steering system from a RC-ART white wolf and although it has wierd geometry, I now have much more steering. I've even had to trim the front sponge bumper away.

This change is amazing. After resetting,  the extra steering angle makes the car so much fun to drive!  I won't say easy, because there is still a lot of skill and concentration required, but now its really on another level. I don't feel like anything is wrong. Its almost perfect and I played for about an hour with the guys in tripple drift.

I was trying my best with my skill before, but now I feel the gap is only 5% not 15%  I have confidence again I don't have to do anything but have fun now.

I'll take some pics of the steering tomorrow. But for now I've removed the RE-R from sale. It's really that good. The only issue is, do I want to start the DRB?

 Amazing.

RE-Amemiya Initial D "Takumi 7" - Part 4B

A little more on the Takumi FD

I found an hour to build a splitter. It's not perfect because the scraps I had were not wide enough.
But Hey, it's still cool. This is rough, but from 1 meter away it looks awesome.

I've almost mounted the side steps also. Just need some more tiny screws.

Maybe by the time I finish my DRB This will be ready too.

Max One Run

Max One Today because I wanted to try some things.

1. I confirmed my chassis is FUN FUN FUN.
2. I confirmed tyres make a lot of difference.
3. I confirmed my driving is B level.
4. I saw some intersting stuff.
5. I confirmed that you don't need bling to be good.

It's Xmas time at max one. Santa Clause and Mini Xmas trees. The RE-R is awesome now.

I managed to squeeze this FD onto my RE-R with about 0.5mm clearance on the spur.  This is the RE-R Chassis. White wheels with Moon-R tyres.

Good but... this is actually a drift package.

Secret Project.

The Active Hobby tyres simply grip! Maybe too much as speeds are fast! But braking, Control and simply all round better.

Anyway these two guys were awesome drivers and the chassis they were running makes you wonder about carbon belt drive, alloy cost.

Practice makes perfect. These guys have great skills.

And they thrash you with these things. A drift package with simple mods and a plastic OTA-R31. Esc and motor are good quality. Constant line and angle is their weapon.

 This starlet was pretty wild with typical shakotan bent number

But what's this?

Drift Truck? it was fast... why?

Isn't that an M chassis with a dead set of wheels?

No It's a heavy, 3x540 engine M chassis. But it works... Amazing.

Kazama D-Link Moriya

Hi Ho. I went up to Kazama Moriya today to do some testing. The RE-R is working very, very well now.

I just need to improve my driving. I'm just a tad behind the consistent Japanese guys. Part of that is practice and familiarity with the circuit and the other part is setup. My mission today was to carpet tyre test.

The first thing about Kazama's HUGE carpet track is the power you need.

At Max One, I have too much, but here at D-Link II, I need more top end, but that aside, I am learning about the high speed lines here. It takes me a little while to learn a track but I'm getting better and luckily now I have a consistent chassis to work from.

So on to the tyre test.

Top Line [Moon-R] Carpet Tyres
Vs
Active Hobby Carpet Tyres.  <--- recommended

What can I say. I run 10 degree camber up front and 6 degree camber on the rear and the Active Hobby Tyres have SOOOO much more traction on the Kazama track. Acceleration and precision is much better. They have a good contact patch on any angle and under suspension compression or extension.

But mounting wise, they are not so good. The outer edge is very thin for "Style" so they don't bite much on the rim. They need to be shaved for fitment.  I'm using rubber O-rings for mounting and the inner edge of the wheel needs to be shaved a little more to get them stable. I had one front leaving the rim and the others were well seated until a crash. So they need a bit more setup.

They are also a bit larger so that's the effect on acceleration also. Many carpet tyres have a lower profile for weight saving but the larger profile worked a lot better with my setup.

Moon R are consistent, but they don't have near the traction of the Active type. Less camber and they should improve... Contact patch is key.

DRB Arrival

DRB 買った！

So I did a lot of thinking about the DRB. It really was the only solution to my body mounting desires.

I looked at the new OTA-R and CER White Wolf and others and they all had the same issues as my RE-R.
I've tried them all. and depending on setup, they are all as good as each other. Once you get to this premium level, the setup is probably more important than the chassis choice. That's where performance comes above the basic starting point chassis, but the main reason is the high spur gear preventing low mounting positions on all. I want to run my awesome HPI RX7s without hacking them to pieces so that meant a shaft drive or the DRB.

The DRB now comes with a lot of extra stuff that others still need modifying like blue aluminium chassis and shock parts, titanium turnbuckles, full bearings, crazy steering angle, etc

The first new item being an included one way front universal and a new current campaign includes a CS ratio of your choice. I have chosen CS 1.8 as a starting point and this should arrive in the next few days being sent directly from Yokomo. The next is the new hi traction chassis that can accommodate a good size spur gear in a cut out, negating the need for the Overdose style chassis.

Yokomo has already addressed a lot of issues with the version 2 hyper drive version and SSG version was visually good, but the latest version includes a few items that sway it into the affordable zone in competition with others.

But one thing that was recommended were the Overdose 8deg castor set with bearings. These have bearings that prevent binding at high angle and most top DRB users run these.

So I'll wait to build it after the Xmas break. Until then I plan to enjoy the RE-R.  Next stop Kazama D-Link next Tuesday. After that it will be stripped to a rolling chassis for sale. 38000 yen if you are interested.

Russ.

RE-Amemiya Initial D "Takumi 7" - Part 4A

I haven't done much more, just the odd sticker, but I layed out the parts on my display chassis for a look.

Hmmm Decisions Decisions. I should be able to make this HPI splitter work, but it wont be so strong... maybe the custom one is a better solution.

How much extra work do I want to put into this... haha. Currently the Line is about right,, but more aggressive is not bad...

RE-Amemiya Initial D "Takumi 7" - Part 4

Rough as guts, but tough as nails!! and... it's no where near complete.

I've got a big splitter to go on and I'll be adding these skirts to the side. Sticker courtesy of Dino-chan.

The only thing about this now is, Wheels, basically the white black and silver mean that any wheel looks good. I've tried all my rims and they all look awesome!

Advan RS-D... maybe...

You can see the basic layout for the sleepy eyes, they are just taped in at the moment, I have to paint the light details and set up the LEDs.

Canards I have already and splitter making are next on the agenda.I have a HPI one but I think a custom one is deserved.

Stay tuned.

RE-Amemiya Initial D "Takumi 7" - Part 3

 This is ROUGH! Advan RS-D will be good for this. Mounting is LOW!

Black Decals are ready

Yellow has been an adventure. Right at the end I dropped it on the fresh paint. so it's still very ugly! I gave up a long time ago trying to make this one perfect. It will be a maximum impact body from a distance.

Up close it's not pretty but most details will be covered by stickers or carbon.