Boss S14 - Closer to Debut

The Boss was on track today... Just a couple of minors before the on track antics begin.

New cage and mirrors

We are running some black bands at the moment in tribute to a lost champion.

Rear of the S14 is fat and juicy.

front is very narrow but accentuates the tyre rim combo. Stay tuned for #2

GCRC Friday Battles and Tests

 By the end of the evening tuning was set. Double Trouble was set to start.

I handed over the keys to my DRB-REW for a while. 

I think it took about 2 laps before "the substitute driver"....

 was right on the clips. So time for tandem.

 White machine is DRB-REW and Blue Machine is DP-Drift Master. Both Weight Shifters.

Some super tight battles for the Yokomo Customs as I snapped these shots.

These days large angle is not an issue for our RWD setups... But use it wisely.

RWD setups are pretty flexible these days, the available angle is totally dependant on how much speed you have and how you drive the car. Totally possible to drive dead straight then initiate to 90 degrees, or simply circle the track at high speed on next to no angle.


As you build speed on to a straight you wind off the lock, replicating a real car as you straighten. 

 Or wind off the angle to close up on the door. You might lose some D1 points for that though

4 hours of fun and tyre testing. Sometimes it's interesting to try new things and compare a good chassis with one that wasn't perfect.

Today's brainwave... 1mm wider track up front making a substantial difference to one of my chassis. everything dependant on everything else. Change one thing at a time. Test and replace. Build gradually.

FULL TIME Rear Wheel Drive!

RE-Xtreme RC Checkpoint.

It's a good time to take stock of projects and directions.

3 of these will remain in my stable. The DRB-REW is proving an effective machine and is flexible enough to keep me busy trying things ... for a long time but I don't need 4.

RE-Xtreme Spec as always is Typhoon Silver, Samurai Red, Tsunami Blue. Ninja Black (3rd chassis) is a client build.

It took a year or two for the mainstream and myself to accept the gyro and the original FR-D conversions and FXX-D were based more around scale FR layout than ultimate performance, so the uptake of RWD was a bit hindered by trying to be somewhat too scale.  In a way they restricted themselves.

MST was really the driver of the RWD community outside Japan and pushed to new areas and others jumped on board..

Tamiya and HPI are still nowhere to be seen and probably wont even bother as their market is fool proof entry level 50:50 and will never change but that's ok.

Yokomo has been a little late to the RWD party but they have a solid approach. 

As everyone in Japan has a dori-pake, their Drift Package conversion ( basically a set of long wipers, knuckles , Lower Y arm and a gyro) is all you need to convert a DP to an effective RWD machine.

My RF Concept is just as effective in RWD config. I used MST front end and some leftover REW wiper extensions for front end lock.

The DP wipers were so effective, I made sure they were able to be used on my own DRB REW conversions.

An effective RWD is something most can slap together these days. Just like Counter-Steer, you still need those "Right" components to make it work but it doesn't have to be weight shift or rear battery etc they are just options.

In CS, we had to buy a one way bearing, upgraded front drive shafts, knuckles, and many usable CS pulleys and belts ratios to tune to your Circuit. 

So RWD is not really that different in that you need to buy a few things.

Whichever way you go, you can still have fun. I'll be bringing out the GCRC Demo van next time. Rear wheel Drive RF Concept Drift Package with engine sound and loads of extras.

Enjoy your RC.

DRB-REW Samurai Spec Build

Time to start my final DRB-REW build will Samurai Armour.

Every DRB-REW needs a donor. Long discontinued, the conversion set prolongs the life of the DRB and brings it into the RWD stage at the highest level.   This Second-hand donor was one of the original Black Bridge /  Red Alloy versions.

The CSG Carbon Surface Graphite twill chassis plate offers that little extra over the normal carbon style. Thick twill for impact adds a marginal thickness over the SSG Silver Surface Graphite. 

Depending on your Donor Chassis, You will need some extras. My additional parts chosen for this build are WUN VX front knuckles. I have recently sourced a Keyence Motor and a few other parts in preparation.

My purchased donor was already set for RWD, with some Overdose and Yokomo V2 parts.

Venom  Belt Drive allows normal motor direction.

The chassis spacers on the REW can be chosen as 2.5 or 5.0mm in various config. User choice is the Key to the Rear Evolution Weightshift depending on the grip level and smoothness of surface. 

 Basic assembly started. If you've been playing with your DRB in CS mode, construction is very similar to Yokomo.

Included longer screws replace the short screws of the normal DRB. the extra length required for chassis spacers. Carbon spacers for battery mount.

 Pretty soon, it starts to look like a Reversed High Traction DRB. I'm testing V2 and overdose uppers and V1 / WUN on this machine.

I didn't have a spare red diff. So I went with a temporary blue one for now. Using CS gears in the rear creates a rear wheel speed that's too fast for my course.

Almost ready for blast off. Central balance point for the battery. Easiest way to change pulleys with a non-overdose pulley mount is by removing the right side pulley mount. Removing all existing belt tensioner pulleys creates a clean chassis. 

 Venom 11-41 belt drive and 13-40 rear belt on this machine for 13.5T motor. Wide rear end for extra track and long stroke

Just need to tidy up the front end ackerman and links before electronics.

Twill Carbon camoflauge.

The Samurai will soon enter battle.

Parade Lap Battle!

People and drivers are a must for me in RC. That add that extra dimension.

Just a few laps was enough to add some fun to the afternoon.

Still the battles continued on the Parade Lap!

Love this image... lots of interesting focal points.

GCRC Classic Car Show and Swap Meet 2016

Start to get ready for the Classic Car Show and Swap Meet for 2016

 Static and Action is Due on 15-5-2016.

It's about a month away but, I've prepped my 2000GT for RWD battle

Dome classic action to get you in the mood

2 of these machines took out awards, are they still good enough or have they evolved enough to take it to a higher level... we shall see.

Whether the concours event is won or lost, it won't matter.

Because the driving will be spectacular.

Watch for the flyer and event page.