We have touched on it a few times in the past, but now Serpent have finally released some information on their new S120 link car. Serpent pan-car developers Markus Mobers and Paul Ciccarello, both with over 20 years of pan car racing experience, created this new chassis assisted by Billy Easton and Michael Salven. Sharing the same front end with the original T-bar version of the S120, the main difference between the two cars is how the rear pod and main chassis are connected. This new version retains the innovative lateral damper but uses a conventional link system that features 2 spring loaded side bars. Other changes include the new rear motor pod, that has been changed from a single piece version to one that comprises of high quality machined aluminium brackets and top quality carbon fibre parts, bolted together to create an ultra stiff assembly which allows the brushless motor to be mounted in the optimal position for car balance.

The 2.5mm thick carbon fibre chassis plate has of course also changed with pockets to allow 4-cell packs or 1S LiPo pack, with supports enabling a forward or backward battery mounting position and enough space for all the necessary electronics. There is a new central shock tower for variable attack angles, while the kit now includes 3 different types of servo mount to choose from so you can perfectly mount any servo. Finally, the kit is supplied with a re-designed rear differential that features improved hardened D-plates and carbon shaft assembly for super smooth diff action. The S120 Link car will come standard with titanium-grey finish with the aluminium parts in orange and black optionally available. Expect it to be shipped mid December and also expect a World GT chassis at the start of next year.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]

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Serpent S120 Link 1/12th scale chassis

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Following on from part one and part two of this five part how-to video series, this 3rd episode from Serpent chief designer and former World and European Champion Michael Salven focuses on building the perfect shock absorber, mounting of the engine and checking the free movement of the suspension in preparation for applying the setup. The remaining two videos in this series will focus on the setup and tweaking of the chassis getting it ready for racing.

Continued here:

An upcoming weekend episode of Xtreme 4×4 on Spike TV will feature radio controlled rock crawlers. including the Losi Mini-Rock Crawler and the Axial AX10 Scorpion.

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RC Rock Crawler on Xtreme 4×4 originally appeared on About.com Radio Controlled Vehicles on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 13:47:35.

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RC Rock Crawler on Xtreme 4×4

Hudy have released these CNC-machined aluminium set-up wheels for 1/8 off-road cars that allow for precise and repeatable set-up adjustment and tweak correction. Precision-machined to exacting tolerances, each alu set-up wheel in a set is perfectly matched and eliminates set-up errors inherent in using standard off-road tires. Suspension set-up, ride height setting and checking tweak using standard rubber tires typically gives non-precise and non-repeatable measurements and rubber tires with foam inserts are never perfectly round, so when checking and setting up suspension geometry, ride height or tweak it is important to have all four sides of the car exactly the same size and perfectly round. The alu set-up wheels are one of the most important and basic set-up tools when performing a professional car adjustment. They can also be used on a 1/8 rally car or 1/8 truggy (not for ride height).

Source: Hudy [hudy.net]

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Hudy Set-up Wheels for 1/8 Off-road cars

Shepherd Micro Racing are pleased to announce the release of the new Velox V10 1/10 scale 200mm chassis. Designed with the help of current World Champion Daniele Ielasi, the car has already been proving its performance on tracks around the World, finishing runner up at this year’s ROAR Nationals in the hands of Josh Cyrul and winning the competitive Asian Cup in Bangkok driven by Jilles Groskamp. Seen for the first time as a one-off prototype at the 2009 International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, the chassis has undergone a lot of fine tuning in preparation for its public release. Shepherd Micro Racing’s Velox V10 is packed with loads of innovative features, most seen for the first time on a 1/10 nitro on-road car. First and foremost the chassis is equipped with Shepherd’s innovative ‘Direct-V-Brake System’ (DVB System) that sees the brake discs sit directly on the rear differential allowing for a more precise feel without the fear of brake fade during a run. Different from current designs that sport a single brake disc on the middle layshaft, the V10’s DVB System sits directly on the rear bulkhead close to the chassis’ centre line for optimised weight distribution.

The V10 is designed with ease of adjustment and maintenance in mind. This is reflected in the use of Shepherd’s revolutionary Quick Roll Centre adjustment system that was first seen on the company’s Velox 1/8 scale on-road chassis. The upper pivot pins sit in special upper A-arm mounts that locate the pivot pins with vertically mounted grub screws, allowing for easy set-up adjustments without the need to use additional parts or inserts. The same ease of adjustment applies to the central servo saver which is adjustable, both in position within the chassis as well as in length of reach, by only a single screw.

Just like the 1/8 scale Velox the smaller scale V10 comes with the ‘Velox Revolutionary Shock System’ (VRS System), which are specially designed hard coated aluminium shock absorbers with treated shock bodies and a neat volume compensating system that sports a spring loaded expansion chamber in place of the usual rubber diaphragm or foam compensator. The idea is to get a damper that can easily absorb small bumps, keeping the tyres on the track even in difficult track conditions for added corner speed.

Another feature borrowed from its bigger brother is the ‘Velox Competition Clutch’ which has been adapted from the 1/8 scale chassis, but with an extra strong spring specifically for the V10. Right beside the clutch assembly is where the improved lightweight two speed gearbox is located whose intelligent design does away with the need to readjust the engine position after a gear change. Adjusting the belt tension on the V10 is as easy as 1-2, as the inserts that hold the lightweight front and rear axles are held in place with a minimum of parts ensuring the quickest possible way to change the setting of the drive train without the need to disassemble parts of the bulkheads.

Shepherd uses only the highest quality materials throughout the chassis like 7075 T6 aluminium for the chassis, blue anodized aluminium for bulkheads and hinge pin brackets, premium carbon fibre for the radio plate and shock towers as well as high quality plastic for the wishbones, steering blocks and uprights. The design allows for maximum durability while maintaining a low weight and a perfect front to rear balance. Of course Shepherd’s Velox V10 is fully adjustable in terms of front and rear roll centres, wheelbase, track width, caster and camber, down stops and steering geometry to make it the best handling 1/10 scale 200mm nitro on-road car available today.

Shepherd Velox V10 features
- Innovative ‘Direct-V-Brake System’
- Front and rear CVDs included
- Extra stability by rear upper wishbone
- Downstop separately adjustable in the front
- Easy differential maintenance
- Adjustable servo saver for quick Ackerman adjustment
- Adjustable servo saver position
- Well-proven ‘Velox Revolutionary Shock System’
- ‘Velox Competition Clutch’ with extra strong spring
- Hard-coated aluminium pinions
- Front and rear belt tension adjustable without disassembly
- Adjustable front anti-roll bar
- Improved lightweight 2-Speed gearbox
- Changing gears without needing to re-adjust the engine block
- Precision machined 7075 T6 aluminium chassis plate
- Blue anodized aluminium bulkheads and hinge pin brackets
- Shock towers made of premium German carbon fibre
- Super flat, vibration free, top mounted fuel tank
- Quick roll-centre adjustment in the front and rear
- Wheel axles mounted from the outside for easy maintenance and set-up
- Adjustable front and rear off-set

Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]

Originally posted here:
Shepherd Velox V10 1/10 scale 200mm chassis

Schumacher are reporting on the fourth round of the UISP Championship in Italy saw the championship move back indoors on carpet for the final round of the series. This years championship has seen over 100 drivers at each race and has made for a very competitive series. With two indoor and two outdoor races making up the series, this would prove to be the deciding round with the best three results to count towards the championship.

Supersport Class – Sorex 36 control tyres, Novak 10.5 Motor
Schumacher drivers Fabrizio Di Michele and Daniel Baldissari were running 1st and 2nd in the championship going into the race. With Fabrizio unable to attend, Daniel was vying for a good Finish to consolidate his championship position. Daniel just missed out on a podium place, finishing 4th in the race, and 4th in the Final Championship standings. Fabrizio’s results from earlier rounds saw him claim 3rd overall in the final standings. With Brunelli Alessandro and Dori Francesco claiming joint 1st place Schumacher drivers Mattia Dall’Oca and Alberto Montecchi also made the top ten in the final standings, with Mattia claiming 7th and Alberto finishing up in 9th overall.

Sport Class – 10.5 Motor, Foam tyres
With Schumacher drivers Andrea Aquilino and Lorenzo Bigi running 1st and 2nd going in to the last round, this would prove to be a very competitive race. Andrea did not improve on his previous results taking 5th place, which meant he was just pipped to the championship win and took 2nd place overall. This meant Lorenzo’s 4th place finish dropped him down a place to take 3rd overall in the championship.

Final Championship standings below
Supersport class
1. Brunelli Alessandro & Dori Francesco
3. Di Michele Fabrizio (Schumacher MI4)
4. Baldissarri Daniel (Schumacher MI4)
5. Zapparoli Adalberto
6. Taddei Maurizio
7. Dall’Oca Mattia (Schumacher MI4)
8. Bettazzoni Stefano
9. Montecchi Alberto (Schumacher MI4)
10. Fabiani Mauro

Sport class
1. Romagnoli Samuele
2. Aquilino Andrea (Schumacher MI4)
3. Bigi Lorenzo (Schumacher MI4)
4. Tenan Ivan
5. Pagani Christian
6. Simari Tony
7. Mazzini Marco
8. Bicchi Maurizio
9. D’Alessandro Christian
10. Puleo Marco

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]

Italian UISP Championship Rd4 report