THE Car Introduction

Part 5: Steering, Shocks and Radiotray Simplicity

 

Steering

There are currently two main types of steering systems in use in 1:8th scale buggies. The old-school type, which is found on most, for example, Kyosho, Xray and Mugen, where two steering bellcranks are connected by a plate, and the steering links are attached to this plate. With this system the steering will always feel non-linear, meaning that at some point in the corner, and at some speed, the car will turn more than at others. The second steering system type is the one found on for example the Losi. The steering bellcranks are still connected by a plate, but the steering links are connected directly to the bellcranks. With this system the steering is more linear, and it doesn’t seem to have a point where it steers most. With this steering system it seems like the different plates change the overall amount of steering, instead of the point at which the most steering occurs. I preferred this type of steering, so this is the system I incorporated in THE Car design.

"There are 3 different lengths for tuning the steering feel, "

" ...and 3 sets of holes for them. "

 

Shocks

“Bigger isn't better, better is better.” That’s a quote I saw somewhere, and I just think it suits this topic well. Fioroni and HongNor made shocks which were slightly bigger than others, and they worked better. Then Losi made shocks a lot bigger than the others, with 15mm pistons, and they were even better. Suddenly everyone started making bigger and bigger shocks and at some point stopped thinking about how they work. In the past, cars were heavier, wider, and had small shocks, now they are lighter and more narrow, and have big shocks, sounds backwards to me, and I think it is. I found what I believe to be the best size for a shock, on a light narrow, nimble car, 14.5mm piston diameter. I don't believe in carrying any unnecessary weight around, and I want my suspension to respond to small bumps, as well as the big ones.

 

 

Radiotray

I have always been of the opinion that it doesn't matter how easy it is to remove the radiotray from the car, if you need an engineering degree and tweezers to change a servo once the tray is out. If I am at the track, and I want to change a receiver, transponder, servo, whatever, I do not want to have to remove the radiotray from the car in the first place. I want to just remove the component I want to change.

 

 

On the other hand, if I am cleaning the car, and I have to unscrew 7 screws instead of 4, to get the radiotray out, it will not make me mad. This is why I designed the radiotray in a way that it is easy to remove either servo, transponder, or battery, simply, without removing anything other than the part you want to change, and the receiver or batterybox lids. There are no small parts or nuts to fiddle about with, no small openings for wires to go through, just a really simple layout.

 

--> All Pics from THE Car you can find in our Gallery!

 

03. August 2010 Part 1: First Photos, and Specs.

09. August 2010 Part 2: THE Car Features Listed.

12. August 2010 Part 3: My Goals, and Front end Geometry.

18. August 2010 Part 4: Rear End Geometry.

24. August 2010 Part 5: Steering, Shocks and Radiotray Simplicity.

26. August 2010 Part 6: Weight Distribution Funkyness.

02. September 2010 Part 7: Drivetrain, Fueltank and Aerodynamical Beauty.

Item Number: JQB377

 

 

Under the Motto "What's your number" you now can pre-order "THE Car" from JQ.
THE CAR has the Part No. JQB-377 and a Retail Price of 519,-€.

 

For a long time it seemed like THE Car would never be released. After too many setbacks to count, the slogan Against THE Odds was born. This was the new beginning. Dedication goes a long way, and we weren't ready to give up, and a couple of days ago the first photos were released. Based on feedback, it looks like we didn't create a dud!

In order to celebrate the release of THE Car, we have decided to make the first 100 production kits special. They will be engraved, and numbered 001 - 100, signed and there will also be some other things done, to make these first cars special, that we do not want to reveal at this time. Personally I have a feeling that some people will not want to run them! :-)

Anyway, in order to be in with a chance of getting your hands on one of the numbered LE-Cars, all you have to do is pre-order one. 100 selected people will be contacted personally later on this year. It does not matter where you order THE Car from, as we will be gathering all pre-order information from our distributors, who in turn will gather pre-order information from their dealers. And we are not picking the first 100 orders, as this would be impossible to do fairly. Although being quick helps your chances, to be honest, you just need to be lucky!

The only other criteria is:

You need to pre order before 30th September 2010

 

Part No.: JQB377