Tamiya Sand Rover 2011

I think entry level cars are the most important segment of our hobby. They serve a very important purpose. They must introduce newcomers to the hobby of RC. Back in the day a friend got a Tamiya Hotshot as his first car. I never knew he had it until I traded an NES for it. It was my third or fourth car so I was experienced enough to know he was in way over his head with this one. Consequently it was his only car. Entry level cars must be simple enough to understand, robust enough to survive, and fun enough to be interesting. Tamiya hit the mark with this one.

Tamiya's New Buggy Will Attack, Fast!

I hated the Tamiya Fast Attack when I was a kid. I didn't like the friction shocks, trailing arm suspension, or the fact that the entire kit was molded in beige. Not one kid in our area had one. Now in the future those things are worth their weight in gold because they look so realistic. It still goes like crap probably. I am torn on this one; on one hand I like old RC stuff, on the other I still don't have much love for this buggy. I know with my adult skills and money I could make one of these pretty awesome. On the other the Kyosho Scorpion I bought for $25 on craigslist (don't hate) needs some attention. Look at this buggy, drool, dream, and make plans.

Team Losi Makes a Giant Dune Buggy

I like the Kyosho Ultima DB. I think it's really cool looking. Apparently someone at Losi felt the same way and decided it needed some competition. Now is the time for us to be vocal and ask the manufacturers to offer more bodies and maybe this will become a class! Instead of a modified class, an open class of these would look awesome. I have always felt RC racing suffers because as a spectator sport it sucks. Many competitors half-assed their paint jobs, 8-12 cars on track means you spend most of the time looking at the same few cars banging in to each other or worse nothing at all. A field of these would at least keep you on your toes with the potential for tire to tire contact. look at these pics and think about getting a big buggy.

Finally, a realistic-looking RC off-road buggy. And not only does it look the part, but it performs like it too. The XXX-SCB is based off the reputable XXX-platform, so you know right away you’re getting a star performer. This buggy also comes ready-to-run with detailed components from bumper to bumper, including a drivers figure and roll-cage, window nets, nerf bars, a Losi radio system with Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM technology, a 2S LiPo-compatible ESC, aluminum oil-filled shocks and much more.

Features:

• Detailed driver figure and cockpit
• Aluminum, adjustable oil-filled, coil-over shocks
• LiPo-compatible ESC
• LM-32K performance motor
• Spektrum SR300 receiver with 2.4GHz DSM technology
• 3-gear transmission with sealable differential
• Adjustable slipper clutch
• Digital steering servo
• Durable, composite-molded XXX-chassis
• Losi exclusive Eclipse SCT treads on XXX-SCT Wheels
• Off-road beadlock-style wheels as used on the XXX-SCT
• 3-piece Lexan full-scale inspired desert buggy body
• Realistic off-road bumpers and roll cage
• Captured hinge pins

Product Specifications:
Type: Short Course Buggy
Scale: 1/10
Length: 20.078 in (510mm)
Width: 11.42 in (290mm)
Height: 7.24 in (184mm)
Wheelbase: 12.95 in (329mm)
Weight: 4.25 lb (1.92 kg)
Motor or Engine: Losi LM-32K performance motor
Speed Control: LiPo-compatible ESC
Radio: Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM Losi radio system
Shock Type: Coil-over, oil-filled
Ball Bearings: Complete

RC Videos Are Radical

So I've been debating adding a video page to this blog. I have a lot of cool video's but I don't want to get a cease and desist letter or even worse, a bill. Of course while my peers were watching Sesame Street and Electric Factory I was watching Smokey and the Bandit and Cannonball Run so I do what I want until I get caught. I need some more HD space before I can edit and upload, that is on it's way from China so we'll see what happens. In the mean time check out these pretty cool promotional videos from Tamiya.

Tamiya Frog +TA04 =4WD Frog Awesomeness.

Many years ago when I was a kid I tried to make my Tamiya Blackfoot 4WD with parts from a Tamiya Hot Shot. I failed. I got the rear gearbox mounted but the front was outside my range of abilities. From my observations the front of the chassis could not support a front drivetrain. Little did I know that it was possible. Take a look at this article from a Japanese magazine. It shows that with the addition of Tamiya TA04 parts you can convert a Tamiya Frog (same chassis as the Blackfoot) to 4WD. I know this car won't win any races but the awesome factor is through the roof. Check it out.

UPDATE: There's a 4WD Hornet too!

OMG OMG OMG Yes Tamiya is Rereleasing The Avante

I have no info other than this pic and the fact Tamiya just added their vintage promo video to their youtube channel. Watch it and dream. When I was a child the Avante was too expensive. When they were blowing them out for $100 for two months I was into onroad. I so regret not buying one. Start saving your pennies, by my calculations this puppy will be around $400 when its released. Maybe they will take some shortcuts and use some Vanquish and Avante 2001 parts and keep the price closer to $300 but don't get caught short, save the full $400.




UPDATE: Apparently the suggested retail price is just under $650.00, yeah that's right, a buttload of money. They say its going to be in the same box and no changes to the chassis will be made except for stronger materials. They are going to change the decals, (fake sponsors vs real sponsors) and hey are going to use a gold motor but the details are up in the air as to the turns and enbell and labeling.