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Kyosho´s new items featured at the 2012 Hobby Show in Shizuoka

 

Kyosho miniz moto ducati rossiKyosho  recently presented a new design for the Mini-z Moto Racer at the Shizuoka fair, as well as some related accesories. The motor cycle chassis will remain the same. The only thing that has changed is the design of the pilot and the design and shape of the fairing, fuel tank and motor tail piece.  

In the case of the Ducati model, Kyosho also has the rights to produce replicas of the pilot and helmet. In this case it is Valentino Rossi. In this manner, unlike the first racer that appeared on the market, the Yamaha M1; both the pilot suit as well as the helmet, were exact replicas of those worn by Valentino.   

Vista frontal de la Kyosho Mini-Z Motoracer Ducati RossiHere you can see a front view of the Ducati design. The degree of detail on the fairings is more than acceptable. The fairing designs of the Ducati are, of course, different from those of the Yamaha M1, thus giving a very authentic look to the final product. With this in mind we would also like to mention that this isn´t the only fairing on which the design has been changed.  

 The central part of the fairing, that of the fuel tank and the mono tail piece, are also replicas of the Ducati world MotoGP. 

 

 

In addition to this motor cycle model,  Kyosho has offered some new spare parts and options for the Mini-z Moto Racer. Below you can find some images taken just recently at the Kysoho stand set up at the fair.   

Carenado y piloto blancos para pintar de la Kyosho mini-z motoracerThis is the image of the transparent fairing  and of the fuel tank and the tail piece in white for future painting. 

IT appears that this optional kit also comes with the pilot figure, also in white for future painting. 

 

 

 

 

Basculante trasero en aluminio para la Kyosho Mini-Z Motoracer Swinging rear assembly set made of aluminium. This piece contains the cascade of gears that transmit the motor power to the rear wheel and is also responsible for the rear assebly suspension.  

 

 

 

 

Horquilla delantera en aluminio para la Kyosho Mini-z Motoracer

This is the inverted front fork. In addition to having a real-looking finish, it is much more robust and operates with greater precision than the original model.  At the moment we are still not sure as to whether it operates with oil or friction grease.   

 

 

 

 

Llanta delantera en aluminio para la Kyosho Mini-Z MotoracerWe can see in this photo the front aluminium rims with a silver or black finish.

Given that they are made of aluminium, in addition to gaining more robustness and greater resistance to cracks, and fissures, they  also provide greater sturdiness. In different scale motor bikes the front rim generally has an extra weight that helps to give the bike greater stability when it spins together with the rim.     

 

 

Neumático delantero y trasero para la Kyosho Mini-Z Motoracer Set of spare tires. At the moment we don´t now if Kyosho plans to launch tires of different hardness or compunds onto the market. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reenvio o brazo de dirección par ala Kyosho Mini-z Motoracer

This is the steering arm used by the Mini-Z Motoracer. This part, located on the end of the arm of the servo, transfers the movement of the servo de the front fork, similar to the original model. 

 

 

 

 

Patinadores laterales con rodamiento para la Kyosho Mini-Z MotoracerIn this image you can see a pair of optional lateral crash bars for the motor cycle. 

As you are well aware, this part is mounted on the two lateral sides of the fairing and their functin is to prevent the motor cycle from leaning execisvely. If the motor cycle leans too much the tip of these crash bars touches the ground and thus prevents the motorcylce from falling over. In the original part the cars bar had plastic ball in the tips. In this optional model the tip uses ball bearings instead.

 

This option could be very interesting for those who want to race this motor cycle on foam tracks such as the  RCP Track.

In the Kyosho stand at the Shizuoka hobby show, Kyosho also presented its new line of car bodies. You can see the images below:

Carroceria enzo ferrari en negro mate para Kyosho Mini-Z As a new feature, Kyosho presents us with this new paint design of the Ferrari Enzo, with a matt black finish. Also incorporated are some openings for air circulation in the rear section and a really outstanding spoiler. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrocería del Ferrari enzo en color negro mate, para los Kyosho Mini-ZAnother view of the car body. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrocería Audi R8 LM v10 para los Kyosho Mini-Z

Finally, we have this spectacular body of the Audi R8 LM V10 that Kyosho officially presented at the Hobby show.   

 

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Plasti Dip, an all round problem solver

Not a day goes by that I don´t get more and more surprised about the muiltitud of uses that are being ascribed to this liquid rubber manufactured by  Plasti Dip. This time I was really realy taken aback by the ease at which this product can even change and protect the rims of real cars.

With the use of a few simple bits of paper and a bit of Plastidip spray, you can appreciate in the video just how easy its application and extraction is.
 

 

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Kyosho DBX 2.0 Available in Spain in readyset

Kyosho DBX 2.0: Soon available in Spain in Ready set

As of the end of February the new Kyosho DBX 2.0. is now on sale in Spain. It incorporates the new Syncro Transmitter (with the 2.4 Ghz system) that was featured at that Nurenburg Fair. 

CHARACTERISTICS of the KYOSHO DBX 2.0:
-Capatible with 1/8  rims and tires
-High capacity suspension.
-Special spring suspension.
-Digital servo for better control.
-Factory painted body with dazzling colours.
-Suspension design with multiple settings.
-Transmission ratio optimized for tires. 
KYOSHO DBX2.0 READY SET CONTENT :
Factory assembled.
Painted body.
 2.4GHz Syncro KT-200 transmitter
 
REQUIRED FOR OPERATING:
Transmitter batteries and receptor.
Spark plug clip.
Fuel feed.
Fuel
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Endurance Series 2010 – General Information

Technical and sporting regulations.

Terrassa Mini-Z Endurance 12hr Series 2010, de Terrassa.
 
Technical regulations
 
Welcome to the 4th edition of the Mini-Z Endurance Series, the 12 hour Mini-Z endurance race  held in Terrassa.
 
The regulations to be used this year are basically the same as those of the previous edition. A few changes to the section on allowed chasses and slight adjustments in the categories competing in this 2010 edition, are just some of the principal novelties this year.  
 
We invite you to take a close look at all the aspects of the technical and sporting regulations so that you can become familiar with the distinctive characteristics of the two categories. In this way you will able to prepare for your participation in the race with a maximum guarantee of success.
 
The following regulations listed below will inform you about the characteristics that the participating cars of each category must possess, in addition to the general and common items that all participating vehicles must abide by.
 
 
 GT Category
 
Chassis: All Mini-z Racers with MR01, MR02, MR015 and MR03 chasses with longitudes of 86mm, 90mm 94mm or 98mm between axles are eligible to participate in the GT category. Chassis modifications for weight reduction purposes are permitted. 
 
Car bodies:  Must be plastic 1/28 scale GT type car bodies that are replicas of models of real cars that have participated at some point in endurance races such as Le Mans, Petit Le Mans, or Le Mans Series. The car body manufacturers admitted are: TRP Scale, and Kyosho. 
 
Motor: Submitted by the race officials. Must be a motor that doesn´t require FET’s in the electronics. The motor provided will come already prepared for assembly on motor mounts with micro adjustments.
 
PCB: Electronics for the Kyosho Mini-Z (27AM, AdBand, 2.4Ghz) or RV Project (27AM). The use of FET’s is allowed for enhancing electronics. 
 
Batteries: 4 AAA rechargeable NiMh battery units.
 
Rims: Any Kyosho Mini-Z aluminium or plastic rims. Under no circumstances must the rim exceed the parameters of the car body.
 
Tires: Rubber Mini-Z tires (the use of foam tires, additives or cleaners are prohibited). 
 
Minimum weight: 170g curb weight.
 
 
 
Category of Prototypes
 
Chassis: open chassis, rear traction, with only a 102mm distance between axles. 
 
Car bodies: plastic ABS car bodies, 1/28 scale that are sport prototipo car bodies that are replicas of real models that at some point have participated in endurance races such as Le Mans, Petit Le Mans, or the Le Mans Series. Distnce between axles 102mm. Car bodies allowed: Only those manufactured by Kyosho. 
 
Motor: Free running motor. Each team must select and provide the motor with which they are to participate in the race. 
 
PCB: Only the Kyosho ASF 2.4Ghz electronics are allowed. The use of FET´s to enhance electronics is permitted. 
 
Batteries: 4 AAA rechargeable NiMh battery units.
 
Rims: Any Kyosho Mini-Z aluminium or plastic rims. Under no circumstances must the rim exceed the parameters of the car body.
 
Tires: Rubber Mini-Z tires (the use of foam tires, additives or cleaners are prohibited). 
 
Minimuim weight: 160g curb weight.
 
 
Aspects in common for both categories:
 
We have listed below those aspects of the regulations that affect both categories that will be competing in the 2010 Mini-Z Endurance series. 
 
 
– Each team is entitled to a maximum of 3 car bodies of the same car model and design. These will be inspected by the race officials prior to the beginning of the race and will remain in parc fermé. 
 
– Each team will be entitled to a maximum of 3 chasses that will be inspected prior to the beginning of the race. These chasses mustn´t have any assembled or pre-mounted parts and will remain under the custody of the race organisers in parc ferme. In the case of handcrafted chasses in the prototypes category, they can be submitted already assembled, provided they don´t house any elements that don´t form part of the chassis itself. The race organisers reserve the right to request the disassembly of parts of the chassis which, due to their structure, pose any unfair disadvantage for the use of other commercial chasses. 
 
– Each is entitled to a maxmum of 3 electronics. All electronics must be equal and , once they have been inspected, must remain in safe keeping in parc fermé. These replacement electronics mustn´t carry any preassembled component that forms part of the vehicle chassis. 
 
– Each one of the teams of the Prototypes category is allowed a maximum of three motors to be used in the race; one that is mounted already on the car used for competing and two that will remain in the hands of the race organisers.
 
– Should any participant need any of these spare parts, a team member must make his way to the race officials, hand in the used part and collect the replacement part. No other order of procedure will be accepted. 
 
– When the race officials see fit during the race, they will hand a light set to each team. This will take place minutes before the beginning of the night leg, in which it is mandatory for such lighting sets to be used on the bodies of all competing cars.
 
– The beginning and ending of the night leg will be decided based on a draw and only the race organisers will have this information.  
 
– The lights set should function perfectly throughout the night stage (2 white front lights and 2 red rear lights). Should there be any breakdowns, the team in question must repair the lighting system in their respective boxes. The lights must be perfectly visible, both in the front as well as the rear of the vehicle. 
 
– The lights set will be supplied without any type of connector and  thus cables will need to be soldered in order to carry out the necessary connections. 
 
– The car body won´t be able to incorporate any type of preinstalled electrical fixtures for the light system. Evidently, the car bodies that don´t come readily prepared for housing lights are allowed to have orofices for  housing the LEDs. For this 2010 edition, and taking into consideration previous editions, preinstalled light systems on the chassis (supports, cables with connectors etc.) are allowed.    
 
– Each team is free to use the brand and model of tires that they so desire (remember that foam tires, nor any additives or cleaners are allowed), except for the stages of the race in which the race organisers say the contrary.
 
– During the rain stage, the tires that are used by each team must be issued by the race officials minutes before the start of the race leg in question. The start and finish of this leg will be decided based on a draw prior to the beginning of the race. Only the race organisers will have knowledge of these results.   
 
These tires will be issued with a special identification mark by the race officials who will be responsible for verifying that they are being used by each team during the rain stage. Their use will be mandatory throughout the the rain stage. 
 
– The race organisers will supply the connector cable for the transponder as well as the transponder itself to every participating team. The lap counter system that will be used is the GiroZ. The proper functioning of the GiroZ transponder as with its assembly on the vehicle will be the responsibility of each individual team. 
Should there be  any malfunctions of the transponder, the race organisers will evidently replace the Giro transponder so that the team concerned may be able to continue racing.
  
 
SPORTING REGULATIONS
 
– Each team is entitled to a minimum of 3 drivers and a maximum of 4. 
– The participating drivers must identify themselves as such and each one must race a minimum turn of 30 minutes and a maxium of 60 minutes. 
 
– Every team member must wear a visible team shirt so as to make themselves easily distiguishable. All drivers must wear a visible uniform with its respective colours and logos. 
 
– The race organisers will supply all identifiers and certifications to all team members so as to differenciate beween the drivers of each category. 
 
– The teams participating in the Mini-Z Endurance Series can only be inscribed in the GT car category. 
 
– Each team will have to elect their own captain, who in turn will serve as the only valid spokesperson between the team and the race organisers. The team captain must also be registered as a driver.  
 
– The duration of the race will be 12 hours without interrutpion. 
 
– The transmitters of any drivers not racing at the time must remain in parc fermé under the custody of the race organisers. 
 
– The inspections must occur BEFORE and AFTER the race, in which all technical and reglatory requirements must be met. No exceptions will be made with reference to vehicle wieght. 
 
– Any battery changes or vehicle repairs must always be carried out in the box zone specially arranged for this type of operation. 
 
– At all times, one of the team members must carry out the role of race marshall. Each team will have a designated area especially for this task . Should this not be the case, any team that doesn´t provide this service will be penalized.  
 
– The event organisers reserve the right to take action in any situations, ocurrences that may affect the smooth flowing of the race. At the most opportune moment such situations will be brought to the attention of all particpants. 
 
– Any uncivic actions or acts of poor sportsmanship will lead to the expulsion of the entire race team. 
 
– While the safety car is present on the track it is absolutely prohibited to overtake other drivers or overtake the safety car itself. At this point all cars must drive at the same speed that is established by the safety car while respecting the most recent position of the vehicles on the track. Should a vehicle have to reincorporate istelf onto the track from the box area, while the safety car is on track the vehicle must circulate in last position; behind the safety car as well as the rest of the participants.
 
– Should any vehicle break down outside of the box area and in addition be unable to make its own way to the repair zone, the race marshalls will carry the disabled car to the box area. Once repaired, the cars must always re-enter the race from the box area. Any occurance or action involving the driver or car that impedes the vehicle from driving correctly around the circuit must be resolved while the car is still stationed in the box zone. The race organisers will place strict sanctions on those cars that deliberately stop while on track in order to resolve these types of problems. 
 
– Participants are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke nor talk on the phone while driving or while carrying out the task of race marshall. 
 
– The organisers reserve the right to oblige a team to repair their car if it happens to hinder the smooth flowing of the race. 
 
– In order for any team discrepancies to be formerly addressed, a 60€ deposit fee must first be submitted. If such a formal complaint goes through, the amount mentioned will be returned to the claimant and the accused team will be sanctioned accordingly by the race organisers. 
 
– It is mandatory that all driver exchanges only take place while the car is stationed in the box zone. The incoming and outgoing drivers must exchange their posts in the area designated by the race organisers. 
 
– When a driver enters the racers podium they must remain there driving for a minimum of 30 minutes. The organisers will randomly assess the compliance of this regulation. Should this regulation not be adhered to, sanctions by way of penalizations will be faced. 
 
– The organisers recommend that each team have in their possesion all the necessary means for controlling the minimum driving time of each driver. 
 
– If a stop and go penalty is recieved by the race organisers, the sanctioned vehicle will be allowed three laps in order to carry out a controlled stop in the box zone. 
 
 
PENALIZATIONS
 
– Car not repaired in the box zone: 10 laps.
 
– Lights set not repaired within a 3 lap margin during the night stage. 10 laps for each lap done in excess of the regulation. 
 
– Failure to take a minimum of 30 minutes per driving turn: 10 laps for each minute spared. 
 
– Taking turns of over 60 minutes: 10 laps for each minute of time exceeded. 
 
– Failure to utilise the rain tires supplied during the rain leg: 20 laps for each minute spared. 
 
– Failure to carry out race assistance tasks: 50 laps.
 
– Failure to use the required driver / category certification or identification: 10 laps.
 
– Failure to carry out a stop and go: 50 laps.
 
– Uncivic conduct or bad sportsmanship: Expulsion of the entire team. 
– In all other circumstances, the race organisers will decide on what type of sanction to apply. 
 
 
The race organisers. 

 

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MR03 chassis – competition preparation – Level 1

There are a great number of spare parts and kits available on the market for the new mini-Z MR03 by Kyosho. For this reason, we have divided this article into three parts (or stages) of preparation based on the tune-up level that we want to reach.

In this case, the order of the preparation levels is important as it will help us to improve our driving skills at the same time as the performance of our race car. There is no point in driving a super modified Mini-Z if we aren´t even able to handle it with stock parts.

LEVEL 1

 This is the basic level of optional parts that all Mini-Z MR03 chasses should house. These parts will allow for improved overall efficiency plus will provide us with better handling and total control of the car. For this first stage of preparation the recommended options are:

 1- Bearings: (Ref: TRP013)

 

 

With this ítem we enable the entire set of transmission fixtures to run more smoothly. As a result, the car gains acceleration, as well as  velocity and star performance in general. We must also mention that if you want your bearings to rotate with greater ease and speed they should be cleaned with special with special degreasing liquid before they are assembled. This is because, once manufactured, they are coated with a layer of factory protective grease. If not cleaned, the end result will be that the rotating speed of the bearing  won´t be very fluid. The use of bearings that are in good condition reduces battery power consumption. Therefore that act of mounting the bearings is just as important as keeping them clean and in good running condition.  

 In total, the bearings kit consists of 7 units. The four similar bearings are to be mounted on the front rims, 2 per rim. The remaining three bearings go on the rear wheel assembly; two of which go on the motor mount and the other on the outer part of the rear rim located on the crown of the differential.

2- Suspension “T” Plates: (Ref: 10019)

By incorporating this ítem onto your Mini-Z, you will improve the lateral torsion of the rear wheel assembly of the car; thus avoiding unnecessary bouncing caused by the plastic plate. In this manner the traction, stability and grip of the MR03 chassis will be notably improved.  This kit of “Ts” (so-called given their shape) are in fact comprised of three plates of different hardnesses. To begin with, its advisable to assemble an intermediate plate first and then try the other two in order to fine tune your preferred tune-up. Generally speaking, you would want to know that on smooth, foam-type  surfaces, soft plates are used to allow for much smoother lateral torsion. On the other hand, on hard surfaces such as carpet, wider plates, which have a much harder torsion, are used.  

With this ítem we enable the entire set of transmission fixtures to run more smoothly. As a result, the car gains acceleration, as well as in velocity and star performance in general. We must also mention that if you want your bearings to roll with greater ease and speed you they should be cleaned with special degreasing liquid before they are assembled. This is because once manufactured they are coated with a layer of factory protective grease. If not cleaned, the end result will be that rotating speed of the bearing is concerned won´t be very fluid. The use of bearings that are in good condition reduces battery power consumption. Therefore that act of mounting the bearings is just as important as keeping them clean and in good running condition.  

 

 3- Front shocks: (Ref: TRP016)

 

 To adjust the performance of the front part of the car to your liking, you´ll have to try different types of front shock with their different hardnesses. For the front of the car you should use the hardest type so that the front of the car will tend to slide out on wide , open corner. We will also mount softer shocks as we want the front of the car to close in tighter when it swerves. As with the suspension plates, it is worthwhile beginning with the shocks of medium hardness and later on try other hardnesses in order to put the finishing touches on the car tuneup. The function of the suspension is closely related to the type of tire that you use. A bad fitting in the combination of shocks and front tires will make your car undriveable, way out of control and very difficult to manuever.  

 The combination of very soft tires with shocks that are somewhat hard or vice versa; (harder tires with softer shocks),  in many cases is the key to a good tune up.

 

4- Ball differential: (Ref: TRP011)

The stock differential used by the Mini-Z MR03 is the planet-satellite type which is the reason for which it doesn´t come with a regulating component. As a result of this, depending on the surface on which it runs, the use of stock differentials can cause continuous over swerving or even spinning if the surface is somewhat slippery. In order to avoid this effect, the assembly of a ball differential is vital, given that it enables us to change the power supply of the motor to the wheels. On slippery surfaces we can leave the differential a little loose to prevent the wheels from skidding when gas is given to the motor and we can then gain  greater control of the vehicle.

 This differential, made of steel (axle and discs), aluminium (volts and disc supports), delrin (crown) and ceramic (ball differential), comes already assembled and greased, ready for use on your Mini-Z MR03, together with conventional 6T, 7T, 8T, 9T, 10T sprockets.

 5- Wheel nuts (Ref: TRP010)

 

   

 

Every time you assemble and disassemble the rims of your car, the nuts that come with the original kit must first be loosened and then tightened. These original nuts are made of plastic and tend to quickly lose the braking effect, making them difficult to tighten them to your liking.  For this reason we recommend aluminum brake nuts. You can fasten and loosen them over and over again and will also give your Mini-Z a more stylish look.  

 

 

6- Tires:

 
 This first level of preparation is recommended for when, once you have carried out the modifications of your chassis, described previously, you begin to to look for tires that improve its traction. If the car is used for racing around the house you ought to know that the grip will be seriously compromised. This is why there are no specially made tires for surfaces like wood or ceramic tiles. In such cases one would have to opt for mouting soft tires (generally speaking) onto the rear assembly (between 10 and 20 degrees by any manufacturer) and harder ones on the front assembly (around 40 degrees), so that the performance of the car  could be smoother and easier to handle.

 Other common surfaces, for use in competitions such as carpets or tracks made of foam come with rubber tires made specially for this purpose.

Coming soon we will be continuing with the development of our chassis with additional possible options. This will be Stage 2.

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Kyosho Mini-Z Drift

The drift is currently one of the most popular disciplines of auto modelling and in this article we´ll give you a bit of insight into how to set up your drift 4×4 mini-z awd. The parts that we will explain have been tested out by our official drivers such as David Moret,  Uri Vadé and others; which is what gives us an added guarantee of performance and reliability. If this is the sort of style  that you´re into and if you really like controlled skidding then this set-ups article is for you.

Car choice is important given that of all the mini-z cars the Mini-Z MA is the only one that comes equipt with integrated traction on all four wheels. There are several possibilities but the most recommended is by the chassis and car body set. Even though the car bodies supplied may not be what you´re looking for you can always select the chassis and car bodies separately.

It´s important to know that the only car bodies that are valid for this mini-z model are the 90mm and 94mm ones as indicated by the symbols and icons on our web page.

The next step is to incorporate a motor that can be mounted without manipulating  the electronics and overheating the motor, given that with this model the motor is housed within the chassis and is poorly cooled. Therefore a good choice would be a stock AWD motor or even a stock ATOMIC motor.

  

By clicking on these links you can access the technical specifications of these motors.

You can then make these compatible with the rear wheel assembly incorporating a 2 degree aluminium rod so as to converge the rear wheels.

Another vital part are the drift tires. These are tires that are made of a very hard, non-flexible material. They are made of PVC which means that the car won´t have any grip on the ground surface and will allow the car to skid more easily. There are two references with regard to the type of rim to use; either wide or narrow. The wide rim tends to have a base width of 11mm whilst the narrow is 8,5mm. Drift cars normally use the narrow rim, but without a doubt, the wide rim gives a greater showiness to the car.

                              

                               

You always have the option of using nice-looking wheels, but if you change them, be sure that they have a 20mm exterior diameter because if this isn´t the case, the drift tires would´t fit onto the rim.