There’s no doubt that rock crawling is huge right now. Losi has made some big innovations with their Mini-Rock Crawler and 2.2″ Class crawler. They have now added another innovative crawler to the family, only this time it’s a little one. Seeing a niche for desktop crawlers, Losi delivered with the 1/24 scale Micro Rock crawler. Don’t let it’s size fool you, it’s loaded with features that will have it running all over your desktop in no time.

The axles are loaded with metal worm gears, which eliminate the need for an ESC with drag-brake. They are connected to the TVP chassis by a 4 link suspension that uses plastic links. Power is delivered from a micro motor, through a compact gearbox, and to the axles by plastic slider shafts. The servo is a standard 3 wire servo that is controlled by an integrated ESC/DSM Reciever combo. This little rig operates on the 2.4 ghz Spektrum system. Like the Strike, it will be available as an RTR or Bind-N-Drive. The Bind-N-Drive is perfect for RC enthusiasts that already own a Spektrum radio. These should start hitting the shelves soon, get one while they last!

To get more info, head over to Losi’s website: www.Losi.com

New to the micro scene will be this trick looking Short Course SC18 body designed by PhatBodies.

It is sold clear and is ready for your custom paint scheme. It is made of 0.8mm
polycarbanate and will be available soon to the world.

While Losi has been notorious recently for hyping releases. It seems odd then that the Losi Mini Desert Buggy nearly went unnoticed. Based on the Mini-T/Mini Slider platform, this new scale buggy looks like it has what it takes to be a solid performer. The first thing a person will notice about is the scale roll cage. With scale appearance all the rage, this will be a big plus. Better yet, they remembered to put a driver in there.

The wheels and tires bear resemblance to full size dune buggy treads. The electronics are above-average for an RTR. The radio uses Spektrum technology, and the ESC is LiPo Compatible. This buggy is a true RTR, including everything you need, right down to a 1100mAh battery, a charger, and AA’s for the transmitter.

Drop by Losi’s website for more info.

Just got word that Caster Racing USA is jumping into the 1/18th scale brushless market with two new vehicles. One buggy, and one truck. They are 4wd, brushless, and RTR!
We’ll post up any more details as they arrive.

Having been dormant for some time, the Xmods line is slowly making a comeback. Their newest release, an Audi R8, is probably one of the coolest Xmods to date. The highly detailed body has the usual interchangeable panels that Xmods are known for, but it also has a mock engine bay, just like the real Audi. This adds a great element of realism. The 50 dollar package gets you the car, body, a transmitter that can be used by right or left handed drivers, and a handful of tools and spare hardware that will keep your car running for a while. You can pick up one of these at your local Radioshack. Other recent releases include a Nissan GTR, Corvette C6, and a Vintage 1965 Mustang.

Exotek Racing, who seem to be the masters of new Mini hop-ups have just released their new Mini LST 1/10th Wheel Adapters! Now you can mount up some true race compounds! The adapters also widen your Mini LST to 217mm, and still work with the stock axels or CVD’s.

The current list of compatible rims include Hot Bodies D4, Kyosho Buggy, HPI Brama and MRC Academy! That vehicle looks like it could take a serious bashing!

Our Pro Driver and good friend Tim Mohr checks in from the 1/18th scale nats! Thanks for the report Tim, looks like you got a few awards yourself! Congrats!

2009 18th Scale Carpet Off-Road Nationals Report by Tim Mohr

The 6th annual 18th scale Carpet Off-Road Nationals went down over the weekend at RC Madness in Enfield Connecticut. While attendance dropped off a bit due to the economy, the race still had a very respectable 223 entries, and 27 races per round.

Here’s a quick race recap-

2wd Stock- TQ Ron Spinelli ran into problems in the main, while Castle Creations/MaxAmps driver Wesley Dennis picked it up and finished with his first win at the off-road nats. Second place is listed at Dean Berry, but perhaps it was RC Drivers Greg Vogel behind the wheel? Third place went to Matt Maziarz.

Stock/Spec Buggy- RC Driver’s Greg Vogel hot a race long battle with carpet guru Mark Smyka, with Vogel ending up on top. Both the top two guys were running the Duratrax Vendetta. Third place went to Associated’s Bob Stellflue.

Stock Rally- TQ Ashely Villar took down the win, with Ron Spinelli finishing second on the podium, and Nick Zaccaro nailing down third.

4wd Stock Truck- TQ and factory MaxAmps/X-Ray driver Zack Barry destroyed the field in both qualifying and in the main. Nick Zaccaro and Aaron Wilson rounded out the podium.

Tamiya Spec Class- TQ Carrisa Smyka ran clean out front for the win, while RC Drivers Greg Vogel and Mark Smyka went back and forth for second place, with Vogel gaining the spot at the end.

Novice- Talk about a good group of racers having a great time out on the track! Andrew “Lil’ Fish” Bishop took the win with his Assocaited RC18, while Cameron Dopp came in second, and Trevor Stevens finished third.

Mini-Monster- Once again, MaxAmps/X-Ray factory driver Zack Barry had the field covered, pwning qualifying and the main. Castle Creations/MaxAmps driver Tom Loranger put his X-Ray M-18MT second on the podium, while John Cravotta started his day on the podium with a third.

2wd Open- John Cravotta really upped his game for this years nats, and was way out front for the win driving his Team Scream Thunder Tiger mid-engined 2wd truck. Second on the podium was yours truly, with Team Scream driver Mike Wilder coming in third.

Buggy Open- Another race, another big win for MaxAmps/X-Ray driver Zack Barry. Mark Smyka piloted his Duratrax Vendetta to second, and John Cravotta continued his podium streak with a thrid.

Rally Open- Get used to his name, because he proved his incredible speed this year. Team Scream’s John Cravotta totally pwned this class, putting in times nobody else was even close to for the win. Dillon Spinelli finished second, with Castle Creations/MaxAmps factory shoe Tom Loranger finishing off the podium.

4wd Truck Open- This was the premier class at the event, and also had the most entries. Alex Galinski was in a class of his own though, as he dominated qualifying, and took the win in the A main with his Associated. Team Scream’s John Cravotta proved to be his closest competition, finishing second a mere 3 seconds back, Another Team Scream driver Mike Wilder finished off the podium in third.

Here are two pictures of the Traxxas 1/16 Mini Revo and Slayer that are production versions! These are not the mock ups that were at the iHobby show, but actually rolling/working vehicles show at the 1/18th scale nats!
Price will be around $199 for brushed versions and $320 for brushless! Release date is looking like the end of March! This is the first time the full production units have been shown. Both come with dual battery compartments so you can double your run time via parallel connection or double your voltage when wired in series. Brushless speedo cell limits are 12 cell NiMH or 3S LiPO. The truck will be called the Mini Slash and not Slayer despite it’s chassis lay-out. My guess is that with the amazing popularity of the Slash, you might as well ride that gravy train!
Both are very much exactly scaled down counterparts of their bigger brothers, tires are high quality rubber with soft inserts, the suspension is soft but fairly progressive, and the wheel base is about 1 inch longer than a Losi Mini LST!

You saw it here first people! Tell your friends!

Exotek Racing has just released their all new micro SR3 144mm M18 conversion chassis. This chassis will be perfect for stock racing and the conversion will come with
Exotek’s famous steering rack. You can also purchase the all new Lower CG Motor mount and turn your stock touring micro into a real winner.
Happy Racing,
Micro-Man

Team Novak has just announced the Mongoose Crawler Micro Brushless System – 18.5T. It’s the first micro sensor-based system designed specifically for 1/18th scale rc rock crawling vehicles! It’s fully programmable with all the same features as the Novak GOAT system.
Time will only tell, but if it’s as good as the Novak GOAT, then sign me up! It’s a powerful 18.5 turn motor that fits in a 380 sized package. There are a ton of details in the press release which will be posted over in the NEW Product Forum for your reading enjoyment. This seems like a obvious upgrade for the Losi Mini Rock Crawler.

Speaking of indoor RC Racing, Strictly R/C also has some good mini rc racing happening in their basement this winter. They have recently remodeled their small scale track with 50×20 Ozite and using Calandra’s Click Track barriers. Wednesday Nights are the Big Race Night there, along with Sunday Afternoons. Check their site for practice times and fee’s.

For all you Micro fans out there, www.competition-rc.com has some new GQ Micro Touring Tires for you! They come
in four different shores to start with and are made of the finest exotic rubber making it the must have tire of all. They will start shipping on 1/12.

Happy Racing,
MICRO-MAN

Just a quick note, there is now an official Mini RC Forum over in our forums area. We used to get a pretty good Mini/Micro crowd around here, as well as doing a lot of videos and reviews in the 1/18th scale area and thought it might be a good idea to get something started with the coming of the 1/16th scale E-Revo and Slayer-EX in the near future! I’m sure people will want to discuss hop-up, motors and batteries, but also know that there are a ton of people really into the Mini/Micro scene! Heck, we have some of the top 1/18th scale drivers in the world already in our forum and posting news on our page, so it seemed only appropriate!
If you are into the Mini’s, make sure to head over to the new Mini RC Forum and check it out!