Yokomo YD2 Rear Wheel Drive

Why is the YD-2 the most significant development in RC drift?

The YD-2 represents the recognition of RWD RC Drift as a solid future direction by one of the largest RC manufacturers.

Some say Yokomo waited too long, but I think the scene only really matured in the last year. What makes a competition based RWD machine has taken some time to come to light because it wasn't competition that was driving the RWD scene.

Scale replication was the driving force for RC drift and Yokomo was fine because they were already right in the guts of it. The first RWD conversions were based on the Yokomo Drift Package MR4TC

Wrap Up Next was first with the FR-D Front Motor Rear Drive layout that replicated reality. The fact that it was based on the Yokomo Drift Package was a no brainer.

Yokomo has been heavily involved in developing the RC Drift Scene with it's close ties with D1 Grand Prix Drift in Japan.

Last year Yokomo released the Conversion set for the doripake and now they have refreshed their lineup for 2016.

Within 2 years the Drift Scene has transformed to RWD, settings are now predictable and parts are readily available.

So let's see how this one takes off. It's not super simple in the gearbox, but seems to incoporate the 2 invaluable components that a rwd requires. High angle front steering and good weight balance.

Bring on the YD-2 

DRB-REW Setup Options

RE-Xtreme RC .RSG. DRB-REW Battle Set.

Developing the DRB-REW with so much flexibility in the chassis means you you could try some thing new every week in the year and still have numerous options.

Ive tried a lot of setups on these and while some are still works in progress, others are performing well.

Samurai Red/CSG.  Ninja Black/CSG WIP, Tsunami Blue/SSG , Tyhpoon Silver/CSG

Typhoon Silver prototype machine is still using modified CS parts that are currently being modifed for more effective RWD use. but 90% there. Gear driven motor to rear end with ball diff.

Front mount inverted servo has adjustable Wrap Up Next servo horn and a tapped and died wiper on the left side.   

compact and effective. gear drive rear end with ball diff and  I've also applied a trailing link rear end to this beast for more testing. Blue cars share normal longer stroke DRB size shocks and shorter Drift Package front shocks

The most robust setting so far is this machine. Rear trailing link rear end is proving very nice with chassis roll and Wrap up next type C front end.   Venom Belt drive for smoothness. Effective weight balance with the long battery is good but also equally effective is the short lipo moved forward in the larger battery tray.

My new Samurai spec machine is Venom belt drive with under driven spool. another variation. front end is using modified Yokomo V2 upper mount and Overdose A-Arm. A little more castor on this one. Just need to swap the ESC and Receiver before run time.

Test Test Test

M's Racing Wheel

Sanwa M12s Upgrade.

only 1/2 way there, The normal sponge is average at best, so the start of a full alloy grip conversion is beginning.

GCRC - 2 is day #Part2 In search of "THE LAP"

Q: How much practice does it take? 

A: Lots!

First steps to drift perfection include a lot of laps and getting a good setting.

I've been using this particular DRB-REW chassis a lot recently. It has great balance and good stability. I can place it anywhere I want on the track.

Combined with this Tamiya + Demi Works RB kit, and an additional spoiler, there's a great balance with this combo. 

Whether it's mixing it up in a train, mucking around pushing ahead or finding gaps that don't exist. It's all fun. 

But it's the battle that tests your ultimate closeness and aggressive positioning.

DRIFLINE vs .RSG. I think we have done a few thousand laps together. 

Those kind of numbers allow you to know how each other drives and where the driving partner can position their car. .

For me, If I get the front wheel of my FD3s RX7 any more forward, it's not a good position. 

But getting in such a position is not easy. it all starts maybe 2 corners before. 

You have to be close at the beginning. Getting your change of direction brushing across the rear of the lead car takes timing and trust.

These laps were almost the last of the evening. There were many before that were not as close, adjusting to line and trying too hard  

But when you finally get your concentration going you can really get that synchronicity. 

Anywhere on the track.

The last and closest lap of the night started in this position. 

Followed all around the track very closely, 

Heading onto the straight, I was leaning on the S15.  

Then there was that perfect transition and large angle, high speed entry right on the wall.

...without touching or spinning in ultimate proximity.

Was it the perfect lap...?  I don't know.

But when you get some superb laps like this, you get those feelings that all the practice is worth it. 

GCRC - 2 is day #Part1

Another level @ GCRC.

Recently the group battles at GCRC are getting better and better.  

Three, four or five in a row. 

constantly.

These shots again represent just a few laps in a 4 hour drift fest.

Setting the line requires a lot of concentration. "Drift Line" Chassis proudly created to do just that.

Lap after lap. Consistency is built in.

High Speed 90 Degree entries with Rear Wheel Drive. Not a problem. 

Watching some good action while your car is parked... it's torture.

OD Vacula, Wrap Up FRD, Yokomo DRB-REW, D-Like RE-R, MST RMX, Driftline DL-01 Chassis all mixing it up.

"L" plate drivers also setting some awesome lines under pressure. 

When we say pressure.. it's usually like this.

But it's pretty soon before you can return the favour.

Awesome stuff.

They call it murder.

Murdered Machines have that all black on black look. 

While the black chrome may not be super black. I'll take it as black.

Custom hand made front grille and light buckets nearing completion. Only needing the lenses to be fitted. along with it's new DRB-REW chassis.

 New Rear Diffuser and skirts are getting the Gemini to another level. Commodoore and 2000GT are ready for the Classic Car Show in a couple of weeks.

While the shell started life as an Opel Cadet, It's getting more and more Aussie Style Holden DNA.

Overdose Antenna holder makes a cool shift knob.