In recent years, the Short Course (SC) market has become one of the biggest things in RC. Every local track I’ve been to, whether it’s a race or practice day, is completely overrun by SC trucks. This growing sector has sparked a few companies to create the next level of SC truck: the 4WD. Most manufacturers have taken their 1/8-scale buggies and sized them down to 1/10-scale, bolting on SC tires, wheels and bodies. Team Associated decided on a different approach. Starting with a clean slate, the gurus in Area 51 began the long, arduous process of designing a truck that would not only be easy to work on but would almost drive itself around the track. They also wanted to make sure that the term “copied from Brand X” would not be used when describing it. I bring you the simply incredible Team Associated SC10 4×4.
VITAL STATS
MANUFACTURER: Team Associated
PRODUCT: SC10 4X4
PRICE: $269.99
WHAT THEY GOT RIGHT
• Completely new design from the ground up
• Unique drive train utilizes a direct-drive rear gearbox and a 5mm, belt-driven front gearbox
• Fluid-filled gear differentials
• Modular chassis allows for easy maintenance
• Traction of a 4WD, handles like a 2WD
WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED
• Still the same old wheels and tires
MEETING THE TRUCK
I set up an “arrive and drive” meeting with the A-Team down at OCRC Raceway in Huntington Beach, California. Kurt Wenger (the SC10 4×4 Head Designer) and Michael F. Glass (Marketing Director) were there to greet me with what looked to be a standard SC10—until they pulled the body off. I was pretty amazed at how unique it looked; dual gearboxes, a center spine that contained a 5mm drive belt and some pretty beefy plastic parts. Nothing on this truck is reused except the wheels and tires! Even the mud flaps have been changed to use a new, softer compound! I did sit with them for a bit and chat about the new features of the truck (uh, pretty much everything), but all I really wanted to do was drive it! I’ve driven a few other 4WD SC trucks, I was curious and excited to find out if this truck had what those others seem to lack.
TESTING
The SC10 4×4 will accept most 540 and 550 brushless motor systems. It will also accept any 7.2V LiPo pack, as well (for those of you who want to severely test the limits of this truck, I noticed that both sides of the chassis contain battery strap provisions. Yum). For this test, Kurt had strapped in one of LRP’s new Vector X-12L Short Course 550 Modified Motors and a Reedy 5500mAh 60C battery pack. On the initial drive, I decided to take a few slow laps to get used to the truck. That actually turned into one slow lap before I started really ripping on it. The 4WD system is superb with zero hesitation. This truck has quite a bit of steering and does so with the front tires (as opposed to the back tires losing traction and sliding around corners). Turn the wheel and the truck turns. Rip the throttle and it claws its way out of the corners and down the straight. It even jumps like a SC truck should. Picture a 2WD SC10 with, umm, 4WD. You get the picture.
CONCLUSION
The SC10 4×4 is exactly the leading edge product I would expect from Team Associated. Its design is certainly out-of-the-box yet it doesn’t hinder the performance one bit. In fact, I would say that the design is what gives the SC10 4×4 its awesome performance. I will be doing a more in-depth review of this fantastic truck in an upcoming issue. For now, though, keep your eye out for this beauty at your local track. It’ll be the one in the winner’s circle.
LINKS
Team Associated, RC10.com (949) 544-7500
