The orange team is putting out the goods today. Novak has a new ESC and motor combo that should satisfy your torque needs and please your wallet. The Novak Rooster Crawler has been paired with the budget 55T Terra Claw brushed motor for the low, low MSRP of less than $100.00 ($99.99 anyone? huh? amirite?). This is an ideal combo for the frugal rock crawlers out there and also those that just want their other kinds of cars to go very, very slow. Look for it at your local hobby shop some time in April.

Novak also has some new hats to cover your head, if your head requires covering. Bald guys, I’m lookin at you… They have a fancy black hat with pin stripes and an orange embroidered Novak logo, and a resplendant orange hat with a black embroidered logo. These are available now, so get one to keep your scalp out of the sun.

Novak’s site has all the info you need.

New from the folks at RC4WD comes the T-Runner Lexan Scale Body. It comes with molded front and rear bumpers, mirrors, and wiper blades! Also window masks and decals.
As an upgrade to your T-Runner body from the stock black parts, they have a chromed set that includes Front Bumper with grill, rear bumper, mirrors, wipers, and brush guard!

Visit RC4WD for more info!

With HPI releasing their new Crawler King, RC4WD has re-released their hardened steel transmission gear set. This is welcome news to the offroad, bashing, and crawling crowds.

Check out this product and more from RC4WD’s web site.

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

Do you want the look of the Pro-Line Racing 2.2″ Titus wheel, but without the weight?

Now available, unweighted with a 12mm hex, the 2.2″x1.4″ Titus Beadlocks are available in chrome or black for your Mini E-Revo or 1:10 Rock Crawler.

You can visit the Pro-Line Racing site here.

Axial rocked the scale crawler market with the SCX-10, and they’re about to do it again with their new scale accessory kits. If you opt for the scale interior kit, you’ll snag 3 different steering wheels, door handles, window cranks, arm rests, a number of different shifters, a gun rack (guns included) and all the necessary hardware. The exterior kit includes windshield wipers, a fire putter-outer, and mirrors. A cool feature of the mirrors is the number of included spacers to get the angle just right for that ultra-realistic look. Both sets are available in black or chrome.

Axial has also made a very nice headlight kit, called the Night Visions System. It includes a controller for headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals. There are auxiliary slots for any other lights if you feel the need for more. The blinkers activate when the wheels turn, and the brakes light up when you get on the brakes. All the lights are LED’s. If you happen to break any of the light strings, replacements can be had separately. The control box itself is a compact 47×32x23mm ~ 1.8x 1.25×0.9” (Width x Depth x Height). There is a separate on off switch for all the auxiliary slots. The switch for the control box also is separate, making it easier to reach.

Team Novak has just released the first crawler-specific 13-turn brushless motor: the Crawler 13.5T Brushless Motor (#3414). Wow! I thought my GOAT was always plenty fast! It’s ideally compatible with Novak’s new Goat 3S Crawler Brushless/Brush ESC (#3214). Hit their webpage for more info!

From the makers of the immensely popular AX10 Scorpion crawler comes a new breed or RTR…or Ready to Crawl. The Axial AX10 Scorpion RTC is slated to start shipping and hitting shelves sometime soon. Features include a high-torque 55t crawling motor, a slipper clutch like the one found in the SCX-10, the tried and true Axial transmission and Axles, full rubber shielded bearings, improved composite plastic links, Pro-Line Hammer tires with memory foams, and true beadlock wheels. The electronics include a high torque metal gear servo, and Axial’s ESC. Axial has also revised their shocks. The new shocks feature a threaded body, 3.5mm Ti-Ni shock shaft, a high clearance spring perch, and some other improvements to prevent leaking and improve the operation. This new rig may be the ticket for people who are looking to compete in rock crawling competitions without spending a ton of money.

Crawling fans this is for you! Everyone knows the quality Pro-Line Racing lets out of the cage and they have put it into the Titan Weighted Wheels. Available in both 1.9″ and 2.2″ they should fit what you’ve been searching for.

Features:
- New 3-Piece easy to assemble wheel design
- The 1.9″ includes 4 oz. of add-on internal weight / The 2.2″ includes 8 oz. of add-on internal weight
- Aluminum die-cast bead-loc with Pro-Line USA insignia
- Extremely detailed injection molded wheel design available in black or chrome
- Extremely true finish
- 12mm hex for use with traditional rock crawling stepped 12mm hexes as well as non-stepped 12mm hexes.
- Pre ventilation included

Available in chrome or black these sets include everything you need to get up and running (except the tire of course). Drop by Pro-Line Racing and get a set for some extreme crawling action!

Team Associated has released their new Combo designed just for crawling! This combo is a genius when it comes to low speed drivability, super sensitive starting, and accelerating!

The hand wound Crawler 21.5 Brushless motoe features sensor/sensorless operation and neodymium magnets (sintered). Auto-Hill brake, no reverse delay and 4 unique crawler throttle profiles round out the Brushless Reverse ESC.

Available in April 2009 and should be a must for the next competition!

Stop by Team Associated for more information.

One of our readers recently wrote in explaining that he was looking to create a RC Rock Crawling club in Northwest Indiana. I figure I would see if I could help him out and mention it here. He has started a post in our Rock Crawling Forum for anyone interested in joining. If you are in the Indiana area, and looking to get your crawl on, head on over to the forum and check post it up!

What has been the single most hyped car release of 2008? Arguably, the mysterious Losi Crawler. On the product side of things, Losi already had tires, bodies and other crawling accessories out for some time, so it’s obvious they support the genre. On the marketing side- Losi put out more new age “internet buzz” on this model than any before it in history. Thursday, complete information on the truck leaked out- then came the big let down, at least for the serious crawling hobbyist.

What seemed to be the big problem(s)? First off, scale. Serious crawling guys were looking for a full-comp esoteric 2.2 size rig. What they got was a little 18th scaler. But that wasn’t all. The comp guys were looking for a kit, as no real crawler is built box stock, and the new Losi rig is an RTR. And to top it all off, suggested “hobby shop” price is going to be right around $240, right at the same price of the larger Axel rig.

Losi’s new crawler is really a sign of the times, at least among the “big two” based out of Champaign. Big sales numbers over what the core enthusiast wants. Will the new crawler be a huge sales success? Yes, definitely, but at what price to their former core buyers? This certainly isn’t “Team Losi” anymore, it’s now “Horizon/Losi”, and don’t you forget it.

It’s no industry secret that the “big two” have been shooting for huge numbers for years now. No, not “huge” T-maxx type numbers, even bigger than that. Wally World numbers is ultimately what they are shooting for. A hobby grade company would make more money on the initial PO from Wally World than they would in a half decade through normal “hobby grade” retail channels. There is big money, like they make now, then there is BIG money, the kind that can only be tapped with a hit rc car sitting on the shelves of every Wally and Target in the country.

There have always been rumors that the original Losi Mini-T was Horizons first attempt at breaking into the Wally market, but due to lack of pull, insufficient contacts, and too high of a price point, that the deal didn’t happen. But, there is no doubt in my mind that within the next 5 years you will be able to walk into any Wally World in the country and buy a new Losi. My only hope is that they use some of
that BIG Wally money to introduce some amazing hobby grade gear. This is America after all, the country that above all prides itself in the ability to make money.

Capitalism is all American, so you can’t fault Horizon/Losi for that. Let’s hope they don’t forget about us true hobbyist that put them in the position to sit on the big box retailers shelves.

Support your local hobby shops and tracks!!
Cubby

PS: before the emails come in.. yes.. wally-Mart

Those of us that drive AXIAL Scorpions know that a good bind, or a powerful motor, can pop or snap our drive shafts. Well, RC4WD (RC4WD.com) has come up with a solution for this weak spot in the Scorpion driveline. The Punisher Shaft is a stainless steel shaft that is a direct replacement for the stock Axial plastic shaft. After upgrading the test Axial truck to a Novak Goat Brushless System, the drive shaft issue really came to light. We tried the reinforcement rings on the plastic shafts after the initial breakage, and they were not up to the task either. So there were two real choices. The truck could either be run timidly and hope that the shafts would hold, or a pair of the RC4WD Punisher Shafts could be installed and the rig could be driven aggressively. Thanks to this product, the truck held up great at it’s latest comp. There was no breakage in the driveline, and we had a great day of RC Rock Crawling instead of breaking.
These are about 4 times the cost of a replacement Axial plastic shaft and twice the total cost of a Traxxas plastic shaft/yolk replacement. If you are running a standard 55T Lathe motor with a 6-7 cell NiMH or 2 cell Lipo, these shafts are probably over-kill for your setup. But if you are running higher voltage and/or a brushless setup, these just may be the ticket for your truck. They definitely made my day by allowing the test truck to compete without any break-down.

The Duratrax Cliff Climber is coming soon! If you are into the growing RC Rock Crawling scene, you are going to be excited about this one! Dual Motor and Dual battery ESC comes installed with twin 380 motors! To top that off, it has 4 wheel steering! How cool is that?! The full press release is in the NEW Product Forum if you need all the awesome details!

Just announced from Duratrax is the Duratrax Cliff Climber! A 1/14th scale RC Rock Crawler! This isn’t your normal everyday R/C Rock crawler though, this thing has a 16.8V dual motor and dual batter ESC! Twin 380 motors for some amazing torque, and 4-wheel steering! How cool is that? It has front and rear steering servos, and even comes in almost RTR form without a radio, ESC and painted.

This thing sounds cool, and it’s perfect timing! RC Rock Crawling is really taking off, and this summer is going to be big! If you are thinking about getting into R/C Rock crawling, you should probably check out the Duratrax Cliff Climber!

The full press release has been posted in the NEW Product Forum.

Pro-Line Racing has a few cool new product announcements this month. First up is the new Flat Iron RC Rock Crawling Tire. They look like they have some potential. I like the tread pattern. They are a standard 2.2″ since and come in M2 or ultrasoft M3 compound. What really catches my attention with these is that they come with Pro-Lines new Memory Rock Crawling foams at no additional cost! That alone moves them up on my shopping list!

Next up is this cool Corvette C6-R body. It’s ready for the 200mm pan car category which is being called the “World GT” class. This new class is for front engine 2-door type rides like the Corvette, Viper and Aston Martin.. As you might of read a few days ago, I’m really digging these more realistic car type classes. I look forward to seeing a race with this class.

Last up today is the new Vortex body. It’s ready for the RC10 B44 vehicle and was thought up by IFMAR OFf-Road World Champion, Ryan Cavalieri. It has 4 scoops for maximum air flow and 2 medium down force wings. I dig all the air scoops!

For more information, make sure to check out the new Pro-Line Racing website.

A BIG Congratulations to our own Josh R. who took first place at todays Suburban Chicago Rock Crawling points series event! You all know Josh from the great mini reviews he has been doing here, covering all the latest and greatest stuff in RC Rock Crawling! Congrats man! Also, Congrats to Matt G., who took 3rd place today at the event. (Josh is on the left, Matt is on the right). The 2nd place winner was apparently too cool to have his picture taken. Oh well.

Great job guys! Both had really super runs. Hopefully we will be getting a big write up on all the amazing parts Josh now has in hit truck. I think we are going to have to title it “Building the Ultimate RC Rock Crawler - No Budget Allowed!”

Montana Scale Design
( www.montanascaledesigns.com) makes an incredible aluminum beadlock 2.2 crawler wheel. The picture is a shot of their “Top Gun” model on my test Axial Scorpion. The machining on these wheels is just perfect. The rings are machined in such a way that they really clamp down on the beads of the tires. Some people find that the narrow bead of the Pro-Line tires do not hold correctly in some of the beadlocks on the market. That is not the case with these MSD wheels. The Pro-Line Mashers in the M3 compound hold perfectly to this wheel. Montana Scale Design really did their research into what tires were in the marketplace and made certain that they would work with their wheels. These wheels cost about twice what a set of plastic beadlocks would cost, but that cost is well worth it. These screw holes will not strip out like on the plastics, so you will get years of use and tire changes out of these. Also, the heavier weight of these will keep your weight low to the ground, and allow for better traction due to the wheels pressing down harder on the rock surfaces. I have noticed a good deal of improvement in these areas since switching to these wheels. Best of all, according to the Montana Scale Designs website, they are backing these with a LIFETIME GUARANTEE!!! These are an investment worth making.

If you head over to buy some, make sure to tell them Big Squid RC sent ya!

Pro-Line Racing has announced their all new RC Rock Crawling all-terrain tires called Hammer. It’s a 5 inch tire that fits 2.2 inch wheels. They are available in super soft M2 or Ultra Soft M3 compounds, and are ready to tackle any surface.

Thanks to RC4WD(.com) the days of having to build your own drive shaft based dig system are over. This unit features a compact size that will fit in most 2.2 chassis, but can also be used in a SUPER class truck as well. The heat treated steel gears offer strength and reliability, while the machined housing offers a good looking package. Unlike most drive shaft mounted digs that only offer 4wd or rear lock, this unit offers 3 possible settings depending on the 3rd channel capabilities of your radio system. The 3 possible settings are 4wd, rear lock, and 2 wheel drive with rear free-wheel. In the case of my test truck, I am running a Spektrum DX3.0 that only offers a 2 position 3rd channel switch so I get the 4wd or rear lock functions, but those of you that run a 3 position 3rd channel radio can use all 3 possible settings of this transmission. Many gearing and motor options will bolt right up to this transmission as well. Our test truck is running a Novak Goat System with an 8 tooth gear, and the transmission is handling this combo as if all the parts were made for each other. RC4WD really hit the mark with this transmission.

Within the next 30-45 days RC4WD is supposed to be releasing a dig system that bolts up to the stock Axial Scorpion transmission. This system is supposed to use the same design as the dig mechanism on the R2D. We are looking forward to seeing this upcoming unit in the near future as yet another dig option. Below is a drawing of the prototype, and this unit is reportedly going to sell for half the cost of the full R2D.