Kyosho Nissan Leaf

Nissan seems to have found a niche with Rc versions of their real cars. The first was the old GI Joe 300ZX commercial, that was followed by the fun Sentra commercial, and now it's this. I don't think this is a commercial but who knows. What I do know is they look like fun. The scale is a mystery. They look like D-nano size but I think they're Mini-Z's. whatever they are, they're cool. Check out the video.

Slot Cars, New Retro Fun

Slot cars were a major part of my life while growing up. From AFX Magnatraction to Tyco Magnum 440 X2's and everything in between. Long before I could afford an RC I was racing Tyco HP7's around a figure 8. When I got bored I made the "sock" layout. Later I got the Tyco Pit Stop set with the Magnum 440X2 indy cars and began racing with my friends. We all began building and acquiring different cars to race with. Some were lucky enough to score AFX G-Plus cars, others ran highly modified Tyco manum 440 chassis. The only rules were no open wheeled bodies. I think we added Cam-Am bodies to the banned list. I eventually ended up with an AMRAC Porsche as my race car. We battled all over the neighborhood and had a great time. We learned about cars and magnets and brushes. A great time was had by all.

Kyosho is trying to rekindle those nostalgic feelings by jumping into the slot car arena. I'm not fully sure I like the size but from what I see it's pretty cool. I've also included pics and a vid from the awesomest (should be a word) slot track in the world. It's called White Lake Formula 1 Ring.

Snow is Awesomesucks!

Yes that is a word. I know because I made it up. My car has about four inches of ground clearance. It also has rear wheel drive with no traction control. It also has stiffer springs in the rear. Some of you have realized this is a recipe for either sitting and spinning tires or swapping ends at speed. Neither of those situations are helpful when you are trying to get to work. That's why I just purchased an SUV. I would rather have a Snow Cat, with an Isuzu NPR Crew Cab. Ok I'm dreaming but this video is reality and it's pretty darn cool.

Touring Cars and Parking Lots, A Match Made in Heaven

I have had trouble getting to shoot the feature cars I had planned for this week. You will see them soon. I have noticed touring cars have been on the decline. I have been thinking about this situation and have come up with my (crazy) interpretation.

When touring cars blew up pan cars were at a very low point and electric off-road was about to plateau. People who wanted street cars finally had a full suspension 4wd on-road genre. We went nuts and bought our favorite cars and bodies and built our own little racers. We would go out to our local mall parking lots and have a blast. As touring cars gained popularity the seriousness of the racers also increased.

Soon luxury cars came out and were more suited to well groomed and indoor carpet tracks. The racers hung up their realistic looking bodies and wheels and bought stratus' and dish wheels. Without people bench racing and match racing in parking lots the demand for mid level cars diminished. People stopped buying extensive hop-ups as well. Drifting has created a mini resurgence but that too seems to be dwindling.

I will always build and drive touring cars. Since childhood I have enjoyed building tuning and driving on road RC cars. Pan cars had too little suspension for the hard streets of West New Jersey. I started with a Kyosho Scale Car series Ferrari Testarossa (With a 67 Nova body) and fell in love with getting it to handle and go faster. There was a big gap 91-97 then I bought my precious Tamiya TA02 and Kyosho TF-2 type-R . These two cars were a world of entertainment for me. The Kyosho has evolved into a shelf queen and the Tamiya has evolved from this into this .

Anyhow, all this was a setup for this. A slideshow from the TCS race in Maryland 2006. I loved the old school parking lot racing atmosphere and everyone was friendly and willing to show off their cars. It was an amazing time. That is also when I learned that I knew very little about how to build a fast car considering the silvercan class was nearly as fast as the 27T stock class. Look at the pics, see the awesome rides, and the smiles on faces.

Kyosho TF-5s

I wish Kyosho and Tower never fell out. I feel like their accessibility and pricing has suffered. I would have one of these if they were reasonably priced. Still awesome cars though. How about this? Their website says these cars are unavailable. WTF Kyosho, w-t-f.

The world-class performance of the 1/10 EP Touring Car TF-5 has evolved into the wider TF-5S, suited to 200mm body styles. While maintaining the TF-5's driver-friendly shaft drive characteristics, the new TF-5S delivers sharper speed in stunning scale detail. In addition, all PureTen series body sets can be fitted and even the position of the body mounting holes are the same. Designed for easy assembly, beginners to experts will enjoy the building experience as well as the driving performance. Now a special event has been created for racers to appreciate the scale form of these machines with the TF-5 SUPER GT Challenge in addition to the KYOSHO TROPHY to be awarded the Saturday before qualifying in the 2009 KYOSHO CUP! The electrifying speed of EP touring cars combined with magnificent SUPER GT series scale body designs promises to set hearts as well as cars racing!

Features

• 200mm Body Lineup - 200mm width allows the huge lineup of PureTen body sets to be used. Uses the same body mounting hole positions as the PureTen GP Fazer, FW06 and more.
• True 4WD - Shaft driven 4WD system gives you the most efficient drive train compared to other methods. Sealed drive train delivers reliability and confidence for parking lot racing.
• G20 Motor - Equipped with the reliable brushed G20 540 size motor, with built in cooling fan.
• Oil Filled Shocks - The TF-5S comes with a full set of oil filled shocks unlike other competitors that give you frictions shocks. Oil shocks give you a better handle on the road by hugging every turn and giving you full control.
• High Quality Body - Kyosho bodies are made from high quality polycarbonate and are fully licensed by the car manufacture and race team.
• Front & Rear Ball Diff's - Shaft drive 4WD chassis uses ball differentials on front and rear to deliver easy driving control at breathtaking speeds. Suitable for drivers of all skill levels.
• Tub Chassis - Composite tub chassis delivers both a good racing platform and a its also a user friendly design.
• Ball Bearings - A complete set of bearings are used throughout the drive train to give the best drive train performance.
• Low C.G - Design secrets used to produce this low center of gravity chassis. Sophisticated high-quality design is also easy to drive.
• Ni-Mh & Li-Po Compatible - The battery tray layout is suitable for both style of batteries either a Ni-Mh(6cells) or Li-Po (2cells).
• Independent Suspension - Specially designed 4-wheel independent suspension delivers plenty of stroke even on the upward side for stable high-speed surface tracing and powerful running performance.
• Unlimited Adjustments - Setting options are available for chassis height, camber, tread, as well as front and rear toe angle.
• Full Range of Option Parts - Optional springs and motors provide a variety of power feel settings. Install an optional stabilizer to take performance to an even higher level.
• TF5 Comp Compatible - The TF5 S is compatible with the full range of TF5 Competition version parts and optional parts.

Length:            360mm
Width:              200mm
Height:             115mm
Wheelbase:      259mm
Tread (F/R):     182/181mm
Tire (F/R):        66×25mm
Weight:            1,550g approx. (with Body）

Kit Contents

• Chassis Kit
• Clear Body
• G20 Motor
• Body Decal Set
• Hex Wrench
• Cross Wrench

Price: $287.99

Here's a sexy video:

Kyosho mclaren fazer

Is the almighty Kyosho getting into the re-release game? I don't know, they have recycled discontinued bodies in the past. This time they have brought back the legendary Mclaren F1 GTR. I call it legendary because those things cost a mint on the bay. I am looking for the Harrod's livery but no luck yet. I have found the Ueno Clinic livery but I figured if I get my hands on one of these I want it to be bright so the world can see. Now look at it.

Kyosho, does it again! EP powered 10th scale sedan at an extremely affordable price. The new FAZER brings you the intensity of electric racing but not the heavy cost of getting started. KYOSHO's design expertise has been fully applied in the creation of an entry-level EP touring car. Easy control and setting characteristics have been combined with speed and performance. As this machine is focused on driving performance, the advanced shaft-driven 4WD chassis is fully pre-assembled and comes packaged as a Readyset. Just add a 7.2v battery and take your place on the starting grid. The FAZER is made to KYOSHO's highest quality standard and achieves the optimal balance between user-friendliness and performance. Now is the time to experience the thrill of EP touring car racing!

Features:

• Low C.G. - Design secrets used to produce this low center of gravity chassis. Sophisticated high-quality design is also easy to drive.
• G27 Motor - Equipped with the reliable brushed G27 540 size motor, with built in cooling fan.
• KA-16 ESC - The EP Fazer is equipped with Kyosho's KA-16ESC that provides full functionality, full forward, brake and reverse.
• Li-Po Compatible - The KA-16ESC is Li-Po (2cell/ 7.4V) compatible right out of the box with no modification.
• True 4WD - Shaft driven 4WD system gives you the most efficient drive train compared to other methods.
• EZ Gear Mesh - No more gear mesh issues with Kyosho's EZ Mesh motor mount. All you need is a simple phillips #1 screw driver and just rotate the motor to the desired mesh.
• GP Fazer = EP Fazer - Front and Rear chassis components are the same as the GP Fazer, that means Fazer owners can have the best of both world with a GP and EP touring car and no part issues.
• High Efficiency Drive Train - A total of 17 bearings are used throughout the drive train to give the best drive train performance.
• Front Spool - Front rigid axle (spool) with two-bevel gear diff in the rear, which results in a mild control easy for beginners.
• High Grade Tires - Equipped with front 40 and rear 30 high-grip rubber tires. Pre-glued onto wheels and ready to deliver excellent grip and balance for easy driving.
• Reliable KT-6 Transmitter - The Fazer is equipped with Kyosho's reliable KT-6 transmitter AM band.
• Oil Filled Shocks - The EP Fazer comes with a full set of oil filled shocks unlike other competitors that give you frictions shocks. Oil shocks give you a better handle on the road by hugging every turn and giving you full control.
• High Quality Body - Kyosho bodies are made from high quality polycarbonate and come pre-painted, pre- decaled and pre- mounted.

Vehicle Information

• Scale: 1:10
• Width: 200mm
• Length: 383mm
• Height: 120mm
• Wheelbase (min): 260mm
• Track Width: 176mm
• Final Drive: 5.98:1

ReadySet Contents

• Pre-assembled chasssis
• Completed pre-painted body
• G27 Motor
• Perfex KT6 Transmitter & RC System
• KA-16 ESC
• Hex Tools
• Cross Wrench

Required For Operation

• 8x AA Batteries
• NiMh 7.2V Stick Pack
• Li-Po 7.4V 2Cell *only 2cell
• Charger for proper battery

#30906B (EP FAZER r/s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR)


#30903B (EP FAZER r/s Aston Martin DBR9 2008)


#30905B (EP FAZER r/s McLaren F-1 GTR Gulf)



The only thing I don't like about it, besides being RTR, is the esc placement. Running your motor wires over your receiver like that is begging the glitch that stole Christmas to come visit.