7 for 7

Yesterday we returned back to the office from the 2013 RCX Show at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach. During the weekend all of us at Horizon had the opportunity to hang out with everyday customers whether they were new to the hobby or advanced drivers or pilots. Each year on Saturday evening after the show,  RC Car Action has a banquet where all of the industry people meet and socialize. This year was no different than any other year we've attended this banquet. Great food with great friends and on top of that we have the Readers Choice Awards Ceremony. The awards are for the Readers' Choice for all of the products that the reader's of RC Car Action vote for earlier in the year. Like many other years we win an award or two. But this year was a bit different. We won Readers' Choice Nitro Buggy of the year. Now one may ask, "What's different? Team Losi Racing has won this award a few times." Well let us tell you what's different. 2013 marked the 7th consecutive year that the 8IGHT buggy has won this award. This speaks volume to everyone at Horizon, Team Losi Racing, and the most important people in our industry, the customer. The customers'/readers' are the ones who vote for this prestigious award. Today, as I took the award out of it's box and placed it next to the other six awards it hit me, "WOW"! We have won SEVEN of these awards. The 8IGHT has never lost since it has come to market. The awards include 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. It's truly amazing that the 8IGHT buggy has been such a popular nitro buggy for such a long time and arguably during a time that 1/8th buggy class was at it's peak in the level of competition that is out there during these past 7 years. For all the races we've won and lost, the ups and downs, the racers who race for us today and those who left for greener grass, the developers we have and to those who have left us to go onto bigger and better things, one thing remains consistent, the Team Losi Racing 8IGHT Buggy is still the most popular and highly sought after Nitro buggy in the 1/8th Nitro Buggy racing market. We would like to personally thank all of the readers who voted for the 8IGHT buggy this year. Thank you! We would like to also give special thanks to all of the people who've been involved in the constant development, marketing, and performance of this very special racing buggy. We would love to name all of you but the list is to long. Thank you to all! I can only hope that next year we can brag yet once again about number 8IGHT!

Low Frequency Springs for the 22 Buggy

Hello TLR Drivers,

We are really excited to bring you  new performance upgrade parts for the 22 platform: 

Front Spring Set, Low Frequency (4 pair): 22/T/SCT 
Rear Spring Set, Low Frequency (5 pair): 22/T/SCT 

These springs have been tested for a few month by our race team with great success. The springs are made with much smaller increments between spring rates allowing for a finer tune on the setup. Rear springs are separated by only 0.06 lbs/in and fronts by only 0.12 lbs/in. The LF springs have a higher coil count than the traditional TLR Spring, which provides a lower frequency and a much less progressive feel. On the track, this translates to more overall grip around the track, and a less aggressive spring rebound which really helps the car settle after landing jumps. These springs are easily identifiable versus the traditional TLR springs as they have a black oxide coating which looks more like a matte finish compared to the black painted traditional TLR springs. They also have the color paint markings to identify the rate, but the coil count of the springs will also help to identify the rate even if the paint mark were to be remove. Lastly, the springs come in complete sets, so there is no need to track down several pairs.  The front spring kit comes with 4 pairs of springs ranging from 2.86-3.18 lbs/in and the rear spring kit comes with 5 pairs of springs ranging from 1.96-2.16 lbs/in. The front spring set rate range is likely only going to be ideal for the 22 buggy, but the rear spring range will work for all the 22 platform vehicle; 22, 22T, 22SCT. Below are images, links, and the spring rate information for both the front and rear sets.




TLR233012 - Front Spring Set, Low Frequency (4 pair): 22/T/SCT

Available for $19.99

http://www.tlracing.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=TLR233012

TLR233012 - Springs included in order from softest to stiffest: 

Pink                        2.86 lbs./in         9.25 coils

Red                        2.96 lbs./in          9.00 coils

Orange                   3.03 lbs./in          8.75 coils

Silver                      3.18 lbs./in          8.50 coils

TLR233013 - Rear Spring Set, Low Frequency (5 pair): 22/T/SCT

Available for $24.99

http://www.tlracing.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=TLR233013

Springs included in order from softest to stiffest:

Grey                      1.96 lbs./in          12.50 coils

White                    2.02 lbs./in          12.25 coils

Yellow                   2.06 lbs./in          12.00 coils

Pink                       2.11 lbs./in          11.75 coils

Red                       2.16 lbs./in          11.50 coils

I am confident these springs will take the performance of your 22 to the next level on most dirt surface, especially is they are medium to low grip.  Dustin is currently running the Red front springs and White rear springs, while JR Mitch is running the Red front springs with Yellow rear springs.  This information is just to help provide a good starting point.

Have fun with these springs and RACE ON!

Frank

Nitro engine break-in.

I get asked all the time what is the best way to break in a nitro engine. I'm not sure if it the best method, but here what I do to break-in my Nova Rossi engines. With the engine installed in buggy I pre-heat the engine using a Competition Heater. If you don't have a heater from Competition Heat you can use a heat gun or hair dryer. Heat the engine up to 170-200 degrees before starting it. After you start the engine I usually leave the heater on the head, but unplug it. If you don’t have a heater you can put a 1/10th truck insert around the head to help keep the engine warm. I’ll then set the idle and low speed needle to make sure the engine idles consistently and let the engine idle for one tank. You may want to slightly rev the engine from time to time just enough to clean out the pipe. After one tank let the engine cool. Then repeat the process 3-4 times to heat cycle the engine. You should then be ready to hit the track or street to start running the engine. When the engine is new just make sure you run the HSN rich for the first gallon.   

Lubricating the aluminum idler gear

When using the TLR Aluminum Idler Gear (TLR332009), we recommend using a small amount of grease to lubricate the gears. Doing so will decrease the wear on the mating layshaft and diff gear and this will give your transmission a longer life of smooth operation.

 

 

Make sure to clean the inside of the transmission and gears to remove any dirt and debris before installing the new idler gear.

 

 

 We recommend using TLR Hi-Pressure Black Grease (TLR77000). Spread a thin layer of grease completely around the idler gear as shown.

 

 

Install the idler gear into the transmission and rotate the diff gear a few times until the grease is evenly distributed onto all the gears. You should see just a small thin layer of grease covering the gears. Once you are satisfied, assemble the remainder of the transmission and install back into your vehicle. You're now ready to race!

Adam Drake's standard 8ight 3.0 set-up

Ronda Drake's standard 8ight 3.0 set-up

RC Buggy Ride Height with TLR's Adam Drake - VRC Magazine - Video

Do you think about your ride height?  I do!  In this video I offer tips on setting off-road ride height with my Team Losi Racing 8ight 3.0.  

http://youtu.be/Z_5bc7zye3A