Welcome to the January 2015 edition of The List. There were a lot of items to choose from this month and I wish I could promote all of them, but in the end I had to choose 5, and here they are.
1. Team Associated RC10T5M Stadium Truck
With the huge success of the B5 and B5M, it was only a matter of time until Team Associated released a stadium truck version. This class is starting to gain some momentum again and the A-Team has put this truck out and in the hands of racers at the perfect time! Based on the B5M, this truck features a slightly longer chassis and longer suspension arms to make it, really, a super-plushy version the the buggy. I chose the T5M for The List simply because my T4 and B5M are two of my favorite offroad vehicles to drive. This combination is sure to find its way to the winner’s circle in no time, hopefully in my hands! I’m super excited to get this truck built and will, like all other kits I get, be putting up a complete build on this truck as soon as one hits my desk (hopefully soon)! The big question is, how far off is a SC version?
Read more about it here: Team Associated RC10T5M
Link: www.RC10.com
2. HPI Baja 5R On-Road Car
HPI’s Baja lineup has been around for quite some time. We’ve seen this chassis used in the 5B, 5T and 5SC. It’s been a great large-scale vehicle with tons of aftermarket support, but has this platform seen it’s last days? Absolutely not! In fact, HPI has released yet another version but this time with a twist … ONROAD! Yes, HPI has revamped the 5-series platform and given it an “R” emblem. The 5R is a shoe-in for The List because of it’s amazing Boss 302 Mustang body, slammed stance and onroad kicks. HPI has also tweaked the suspension to handle onroad chores a bit as well. I’d love to see more bodies (which I’m sure there will be) painted up with old-school liveries and raced on an outdoor, asphalt track.
Read more about it here: HPI Baja 5R On-Road Car
Link: www.hpiracing.com
3. MIP 1:5 Scale 8-Shoe Racing Clutch
It’s been a really long time since the large scale market has seen something innovative enter the scene, but I think MIP is about to blow the doors off wide open with the release of their 8-shoe racing clutch. Matt Olson, a good buddy and fellow 1:5 scale racer, has been working on this with MIP for quite some time and told me it’s absolutely brilliant in design and function. The 8-shoes have incredible grabbing power and don’t fade with heat like a stock clutch, all while delivering smooth power delivery. They’re also easy to rebuild and maintain, leaps above the stock clutch systems. These are things I’ve felt large-scale clutches needed. Not only am I running these in my two large-scale vehicles, I honestly feel these could be the most innovative product of the year. Remember, you read that here first on The List!
Read more about it here: MIP 1:5 Scale 8-Shoe Racing Clutch
Link: www.miponline.com
4. Boom Racing 1/10 Scale Mercedes G63 6×6 Electric Scale Truck
Scale vehicles come in many different shapes and sizes, but when was the last time you saw one as cool as this? Now, I get that it’s not the most realistic scaler, but what I love most about it is that is it different; something that really could be real if someone with a lot of money decided they wanted a killer custom rig. On top of that, it’s a Mercedes G63 body complete with rear roll cage and spare tire. The underpinnings are awesome as well, being almost completely aluminum and including full electronics. I love the look of it and am happy to post this as one of the cooler offerings in January of 2015.
Read more about it here: Boom Racing 1/10 Scale Mercedes G63 6×6 Electric Scale Truck
Link: www.asiatees.com
5. Losi Gasoline RTR 8IGHT Buggy and 8IGHT-T Truggy
Losi many not be the first person to stuff a gasoline engine in an RC car, but they are the first to do it in an 1:8 scale RACE car! Yup, you read that right, the boys (and girls) over at Losi and wedges a .31cc Dynamite gasoline-powered engine into their 8IGHT and 8IGHT-T racing vehicles! I haven’t seen one run yet, but reports say that these thumpers will run longer than nitro engines and have quite a bit more power. If that’s true, we may see a whole new non-electric segment forming! That in itself is commendable, and one of the reasons the 8IGHT and 8IGHT-T Gasoline RTR’s made The List this month. I’m pretty pumped to see how these run.
Read more about it here: Losi Gasoline RTR 8IGHT Buggy and 8IGHT-T Truggy
Link: www.losi.com
