Redcat Backdraft 8E First Month Impression

On my first outing I drove the BD on a 1/10 scale shortcourse track at Mikes Hobby shop.  The knobby tires that come on the BD are NOT recommended for hard pack clay tracks!  Needless to say, I was having to baby it through the turns like I was driving on the ice.  On the jumps the Backdraft handled nicely.  Even with poor traction I was able to double/double over the quads with little effort.  One observer noted I could probably do a triple.  Anyhow, it was during this first outing that of the table tops I landed on the nose and cracked the front damper (Fr. Chassis, part #BS903-026, $3.49) which supports the front diff casing and connects it to the main chassis.

At this point I should have pitted the vehicle until the part was replaced.   I continued to drive it though only 3 of the 4 underlying screws that connected the damper to the bottom of the front differential housing.   Later that same day I slid/slammed into a parking curb at high speed which bent one of my axles and sheared one of the screws that was now exposed under the front diff.

I ordered a new front damper and axles then replaced it.  I was unable to tap out the screw which had broken off and did a stupid thing, I went back out driving with only three of the four screws AGAIN.  This time I had a crash where the front dog bone, connecting the motor to the front diff, popped loose.  Closer inspection showed one of the three remaining screws completely pulled out and the other two worked loose.

Had I replaced the front diff housing (under $4) when replacing the front damper I would have enjoyed much more up time. 

The upside to this is I became more familiar with working on the backdraft and discovered that even though no local hobby stores carry parts for them, finding the parts online is a breeze through http://www.redcatracing.com and its network of dealers that you can find on ebay or through their forum http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_427/p_/tmode_1/smode_1/tt.htm hosted on RC Universe.

Video coming soon!

Losi Mini 8IGHT, Box to Track 2s Lipo

Nice video showing what the Losi Mini 8ight is capable of right out of the box with a 2s lipo.




Learn more about the Losi Mini 8ight

Traxxas Mini-Summit VXL at the beach

I found myself revisiting the review Jang, at UltimateRC.com, did on the Traxxas Mini Summit VXL last year. Even if you have seen this before, it is worth watching again.  Enjoy!

Kyle Johnson And Adam drake Running Losi 4x4

Nice driving from the pros




More on Losi 4x4 Products

ARRMA 2WD Electric RC Range Showcase

ARRMA are a new and exciting radio control car company whose aim is to design and manufacture the most exciting and cool cars available. We will create cars for all sectors and interests, from 1/10 electric and nitro, to 1/8 electric and nitro, realistic scale cars and totally new and original designs. We will innovate and give R/C fans reasons to become ARRMA fans, by enjoying the best RC experience possible.

This video is the showcase from the Nuremburg Toy Fair 2011 showing some of ARRMA's upcoming tenth electric 2wd RC range including the 'Raider' Baja Buggy, 'Fury' Short Course Truck, 'ADX-10' Race Buggy, 'Mojave' Desert Truck, 'Vortex' Stadium Truck, 'Granite' Monster Truck and ARRMA's unique 'ATX300' ambidextrous 2.4ghz steerwheel transmitter.




Visit ARRMA-RC.com to register your interest and more details when they become available.

RedCat Racing Hurricane XTE Sand Bashing

This is RedCat Racing Hurricane XTE 1/8th Scale 4WD electric brushless off road buggy from the new Electric Professional Series. This is the Full Sand bashing video. This buggy offers awesome control and great speed combination for both off road bashing and dirt track racing.



Click Here For More Info

Dustin Evans driving his TLR 22t in the A-Main at JConcepts Indoor Fall Nationals at RcExcitement

Check out the TLR 22

Durango DEX408 at Texas Offroad Shootout

Ryan Lutzinator Lutz racing in the A-main at the Texas Offroad Shootout running the pre-production Durango DEX408. This is some impressive driving!!!



Learn More About The Team Durango DEX408

Redcat Racing Rockslide radio control crawling monster truck

The Rockslide is the most intriguing vehicle I've ever owned. It's a large 1/8th scale crawler with twin motors, front and rear steering, and almost infinite flexibility. It's equally at home climbing around a make-shift course in your house or the nastiest rocks out in the field. With a price tag under 300 dollars, it can easily become part of your existing rc garage without breaking the bank.

If your looking for your first crawler, or just something new that's sure to turn heads at the local crawling spot, I suggest you get your hands on the Redcat Racing Rockslide ...you wont be disappointed.






Read the full review/article loading with pictures here:

Grab yourself a Rockslide!

RedCat Sumo Crawler Superb Outdoor Rock Crawling

Finally we all get to see the superb rock crawling performance this little Sumo Crawler offers with its 4 steering modes and awesome climbing power its hiding inside its little body. It is hours of fun and this little bad boy are simply a spider on rocks. Rock Crawling is not just a hobby, its an art, it needs thinking and strategy in order to rock crawl to impossible points. Its just thrilling and total hours of fun and on RedCat Sumo Crawler, these 4 steering modes make rock crawling just a breeze and get your crawler out of tricky and tough crawling situation with just simple ease and press of a button on your radio.




See more of my videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/alishanmao

Click Here For More Info on the RedCat Sumo Crawler

Jetlag2222 Rampage MT Pro Review

Redcat racing makes the Rampage MT Pro 1/5 scale monster truck. It is 4WD and has a 30cc gas engine. It is HUGE! It's also a lot of fun. You have seen a few glimpses of it in some of my recent videos, but this video is just for the Rampage. Check it out. It's pretty cool!




Click Here To Learn More About Rampage MT Pro

More Jetlag2222 Videos

Redcat Rampage MT TT 1/5th scale Desert Fun Running and Bashing

Took my truck out and did some bashing in a pretty good location. Ended up smashing the bumper, cracking the body and lost a couple servo-saver screws that got loose on the rough terrain. All in days work....lol

SETUP:
CY 28.5cc engine
Custom Sprint77 aluminum exhaust pipe
Dual Hitec HS-5745mg steering servos
Traxxas 2075 waterproof throttle servo
Pro-line Desperado wheels(rears all-around)
Hostile Hobby MX tires(rears)
27/33/25/25 ratio MCD gears
Modded Pico engine Kill-switch
HPI Baja air filter
Custom made iron frame supports




Checkout:
http://www.RedcatRampageforum.com for info on my truck as well as many others...

For Parts:
http://www.RampageHopups.com
http://www.LargescaleRC.com

Hope you enjoyed the video...see more of my videos here - http://www.youtube.com/user/evildomain

RedCat Backdraft 8E

Very soon I will be receiving my RedCat Backdraft 8E. Here is video of the Backdraft from a review done by RC Universe back in 2009

Friday Night RC Shortcourse Practice

First Crawl - Team Losi Mini-Rock Crawler

This is my first outing with my first crawler. Lots to learn, lots of fun :-)

Save $$$ on Losi Mini Crawler Accessories 

Team Losi 1/18 Mini-Rock Crawler BND Bind-N-Drive - LOSB0222BD

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first crawler and will be posting videos on it very soon!  Here is the info from Losi on it....

This is the Team Losi 1/18 Mini-Rock Crawler Bind-N-Drive. The world's most popular 1/18-scale rock crawler is available in a money-saving Bind-N-Drive version.  Just add a Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM transmitter, and you are ready to go!

Features:

• Bind-N-Drive - vehicle does not include a transmitter, allowing you the freedom to use the Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM transmitter of your choice
• Metal Twin Vertical Plate (TVP) chassis design
• Multi-link crawler suspension design
• Heavy-duty metal ring and pinion gears, axles and axle shafts
• Gusseted drive cases for increased strength and durability
• A true locked-out rear end design, no steering spindles
• Heavy-duty universals with slide-type outdrives and metal yolks
• Alloy lower suspension links with captured ends
• Extra long oil-filled shocks, front and rear
• Solid axles with optimized drive shaft angles allow for a freely rotating driveline throughout the entire suspension travel
• Telescoping slider driveshafts
• 3-gear center transmission with spool and slipper
• 4WD with locked differentials
• Ball bearings throughout
• 1.9" Beadlock-style wheels with 12mm wheel hexes
• New electronic FWD/RWD rock crawling specific speed controller (ESC) with extra drag brake
• High-torque rock crawler specific motor
• Mini high-torque rock crawling servo
• Tuber-style body with scale looks of full-scale rock crawling machines
• Features Mini-Rock Claw tires for superior traction (modeled after the National Champion winning 1/10-scale Rock Claw 2.2 tires)
• Losi receiver featuring Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM technology for crystal-free operation
• 7.2V 1100mAh NiMH battery and charger

Overview:

Losi's Mini-Rock Crawler Bind-N-Drive utilizes design elements from real-world rock crawling competitors. A multi-link suspension and solid 4mm axles provide the ultimate combination of lightweight agility and strength. The full-time 4WD drivetrain powers all 4 wheels through a center-mounted 3-gear transmission with a spool and slipper, providing grip and torque at each and every wheel. The positioning of the transmission provides the Mini-Rock Crawler with outstanding balance for tackling the toughest climbs and maneuvers. Heavy-duty metal ring and pinion gears, solid axles and axle shafts combined with a full set of ball bearings provide the Mini-Rock Crawler with durability for extreme, precision climbs.

On top of the outstanding handling elements, Losi has loaded the Mini-Rock Crawler with the electronics you need for serious control and torque. A Losi receiver with Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM technology provides crystal-free, no-interference control. Power comes from a high-torque Losi electric motor, controlled by a crawler-tuned forward and reverse electronic speed control that keeps the Mini-Rock Crawler smooth and stable on the most uneven terrain. An extra amount of drag brake was added to hold the vehicle in the steepest of grades. The Crawler also features a high-torque rock-crawling-specific servo packed with power.

To fully achieve the scale look of the full-scale rock crawling machines, Losi designed a Tuber-style body, available in Gun Metal Gray or Electric Green for the BND version. To provide the traction that rock crawling demands, Losi adapted their unbeatable 1/10-scale Rock Claw 2.2 tires for the smaller size, resulting in Mini-Rock Claw tires. Mounted to beadlock-style wheels, the Mini Rock Crawler can clamber and climb nearly any obstacle with ease. With a rechargeable battery pack and wall charger included, the Mini-Rock Crawler is the only choice for 1/18-scale rock crawling performance.

Specifications

Type: 1.9 Rock Crawler

Scale: 1/18

Length: 12 inches (304.8mm)

Width: 7 inches (177.8mm)

Wheelbase: 8.5 inches (215.9mm)

Weight: 2.04 Lb (926g)

Chassis: Metal Twin Vertical Plate (TVP)

Suspension: Multi-Link

Drivetrain: 4WD with Lock Differentials

Tire Type: Mini Rock Claw Tires

Speed Control: Electronic FWD/RWD with drag brake

Radio: Losi Receiver with Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM Technology

Batteries: 7.2V 1100mAh NiMH Battery (included)

Charger: Wall Charger (included)

Wheel Size: 1.9 inches (48.26mm) (hex is 12mm)

Kit/RTR: Bind-N-Drive

Body: Prepainted, Tuber-Style

Ball Bearings: Complete

Thanksgiving Bash

This year at Thanksgiving we had some pre-dinner stampede bashing.  Presently the stampede is configured as follows:

• 3S Lipo
• Proline Tires
• 54/9 gearing
• MIP drive shafts

I have a fan on the motor but no fan on the ESC.  The Traxxas VXL-3s ESC gets very hot when running at 3S.  On a side note it really pisses me off that Traxxas advertises this as 3S lipo capable when it really is NOT.  In fact, if you burn out your ESC after one month then you are out of luck because it is out of warranty.  Anyhow, with the 54/9 it is good to run for about 10-15 minutes then I let it rest to cool off.

Here is the video with a couple jumps and a few speed runs in semi tall grass.  Note how those speed runs are mostly in a wheelie :-)

An interesting effect of running the proline trencher tires with the 3S is the ballooning that occurs.  This aids in giving the stampede much more top end with the 54/9 gearing.  I estimate that on the pavement it was exceeding 50mph.

Check out this video demonstrating the ballooning effect

Nitro Buggy - Featuring Joshua Riewe

Joshua Riewe running a flawless heat, finishing first, at Mikes Hobby Shop in Carrollton, TX

Bashing Slash with new castle motor and sidewider ESC

This is my first time out with my slash after installing the Castle Creations Sidewinder SCT short course truck brushless motor/ESC combo.  The 3800 KVT motor definately has more power than the Traxxas motor it replaced, plus runs cooler and longer off of my 2S Lipo.  Running stock 54/13 gearing.

To learn more about this setup check out the review here

Traxxas Stampede Jumping At Stuart Trails

Pure jumping action with the Stampede 4x4 VXL Brushless running stock gearing with 2S lipo.

Slash Bash On Lake Ray Robets Beach

Having fun tearing up the beach at lake Ray Roberts on a Sunday afternoon. Traxxas 4x4 Slash, stock gearing and 2S lipo with Proline Continental Tires.

Slash Catching Air At Stuart Rd. Trails

The title says it all. First 30 seconds is warming up, jumps get progressively better, and so do the wipe outs.  Please rate the video and comment on it.  Thanks!

Traxxas Bashing At Lake Ray Robets

Here is some footage from Lake Ray Roberts Lake located north of Denton, TX.  I was at the beach located in the Isle Du Bois State Park.

4WD Short Course Truck Action

4WD Short Course Truck Action at Mikes Hobby Shop on 9/24/2011.  Actually, looking back over the video I think this is the 2WD Class.

Slash VS Stampede - donut contest

Comparing the slash 4x4 VXL and Stampede 4x4 MVX doing donuts in loose terrain. Both are powered by 2 cell lipo batteries. The slash has the stock 54/13 gearing, the Stampede has been geared down slightly with a 54/10.


This video was made a month ago.  Since that time I put the stock gearing back on the Stampede (54/11) and upgraded the tires with some Proline Trenchers.  

Short Track RC Racing at Mikes Hobby Shop

Back in September I went out to Mikes Hobby Shop and attended my first offroad RC race, recording a couple of videos while there.  I couldn't fully appreciate the precision I witnessed at that time, having never driven on a track or competed in a race, but am more and more amazed at the skill of these drivers each time I watch.

In this second video I follow the leaders through the race.  It gets very exciting near the end as the lead changes several times, back and forth.

Off Road RC Fun at Stuart Rd Trails

Hello and welcome to the first blog post on Texas RC Cars and Trucks.  I had just picked up my new Traxxas Stampede VXL 4x4 at Mikes Hobby Shop and decided to take it down to the Stuart Rd trails where some local BMX's had built some jumps in the trail.