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Post by Keith Tanaka on Mar 17, 2014 14:31:22 GMT -8
Recently, Gonzo (Hector Gonzalez) built a new BRE Datsun 510. It's based on a 1/25 Revell kit. He ran some laps with his new car this past weekend at BPR. I posted photos of his new car at our new D3 Hardbody Racing website: Gonzo's BRE Datsun 510Check it out, it's so cool looking and the chassis is very interesting as well. Keith
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rogeru
Junior Member
Posts: 88
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Post by rogeru on Mar 17, 2014 17:02:44 GMT -8
I saw Gonzos car Sunday, it's really nice looking and creative. I'd like to have races for this class, the Trans-Am under 2.5 litre cars of the late 60s to early 70s. Not sure which are available as models but the real cars included the Datsun 510, Alfa GTV, BMW 1600/2002, Ford Cortina and some others. If there are models of some of these I think it would be a fun class to build and race. I would suggest inline chassis' just to be a little different than most of the other classes we have.
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Post by Keith Tanaka on Mar 17, 2014 18:56:14 GMT -8
Roger, inlines for this class of car would be good. Gonzo originally built this chassis as an inline as its too narrow for a full width sidewinder/anglewinder type chassis with regular size side pans. He's using a TSR D3 motor with this car, but it seems to have too much speed/power since it only weighs about 130 grams. Maybe a less powerful motor would be better for cars this small. We experienced a similar problem when we started racing 1/32 retro cars. Matching the power of the motor to the size/weight of the car is important as far as driveability is concerned. The Trans Am under 2.5 liter racing class is just one racing class which along with the SCCA and USRRC (pre Can Am) classes would make it interesting for those who loved following these racing classes especially in the heydays of the 60's and early 70's. Bob Krigbaum built a Lotus 40 recently using a Tamiya hardbody and took some laps yesterday at BPR. His new hardbody sports car is very fast and handles very well. It's probably the fastest hardbody car i've seen so far. Besides the Lotus 40, Tamiya also sells a Lola T70, McLaren Elva and a Ferrari 330. These bodies cost (including shipping to USA) around $20 so they are affordable. I think someday we might have a class for USRRC/Can Am type cars, but in the meantime anyone can run them in the "mixed" race. Since we started our "mixed" races last year, it has opened up the opportunities to build/race other types of cars. Another class which would fit this race would be one for foreign cars. This would include the various foreign makes as well as the Datsun which was made in Japan at the time. American made versions of foreign cars would also be okay as its the origin of the car design or car name that matters. Prior to having "mixed" races, we've always struggled with having too many racing classes, but with our "mixed" race each month it's no longer a problem. I believe this particular race will become more popular as time goes by. Everyone tends to have a special racing car or several which they would love to build and race. In this vein, I have an Austin Mini Cooper racing version kit which I'm determined to someday build a chassis for. Like the Datsun 510, its a very small car with even smaller tires and dimensions. It will be a challenge to build and race due to its small footprint, but I think it will be a lot of fun. Keith
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Post by craigg on Mar 18, 2014 10:41:41 GMT -8
Where are the Tamiya Can-Am bodies available? I can't find them at Tamiya-USA. NEVER MIND FOUND THEM ON EBAY
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Post by Keith Tanaka on Mar 18, 2014 11:00:04 GMT -8
Craig, Bob Krigbaum has several bodies. I bought a Lola T70 from him at a very reasonable price. Online I found some of the same bodies available at this website for reasonable prices: HobbyLink JapanAt this website, do a search for Tamiya Limited Release. Also, this Tamiya website has 7 different bodies but at higher prices: Tamiya USAKeith
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Post by craigg on Mar 18, 2014 13:51:16 GMT -8
Got a Ferrari P330 on eBay for about 23 with shipping.
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Post by bob krigbaum on Mar 18, 2014 22:28:12 GMT -8
That Ferrari is a bear to get a chassis under, I have had two failures. The body hit my spur gear on the anglewinder and the inline still has tire issues. Also I have done business with HobbyLink Japan in the past and they are a good outfit to do business with. I got all of my Tamiya bodies on Ebay though. If anyone wants one I'll sell them at the same price I paid, Lotus 30 & 40, Lola T70, McLaren Elva and Ferrari P330 are the ones I bought. $22 ea.
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Post by craigg on Mar 22, 2014 12:06:10 GMT -8
Just got my Ferrari 330 body, Damn, it's small, only 2 1/2" at the rear. Don't know if it's worth trying to build it. More like a 1/32 car. I always loved the lines of that car when they were racing, guess I bought the wrong one. I will check with Bob K. as to the dimensions of the other cars, maybe get another one.
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Post by craigg on Mar 22, 2014 13:04:04 GMT -8
Took the Ferrari out to the bench and did some chassis mock ups, not so pessimistic now, this just might work.
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Post by Keith Tanaka on Apr 22, 2014 22:47:16 GMT -8
Gonzo built a new chassis for his BRE Datsun 510. Photos of his new chassis were added to the original photo report. Here's the link to the photo report: Gonzo's new BRE Datsun 510 chassisThe new chassis has improved handling compared to the original. Hector recorded a fast race lap time of 5.82 seconds and a lap total of 221 which is excellent for this small car. Keith
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Post by craigg on Apr 22, 2014 22:58:30 GMT -8
I don't know where Gonzo got his 510 bodies but they are going for over $50 on eBay. I also don't know any models of the other cars but I will check further. I have seen a GTA but it may have been 1/43. I did a search on eBay, there are Alfa GTA models by both Tamiya and Gunze, but they are very expensive. Unless there are readily available models at a decent price it is probably not a good idea to formally start a new class.
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Post by Keith Tanaka on Apr 22, 2014 23:14:53 GMT -8
Craig, Tower Hobbies will be selling the re-issue Revell 1/25 BRE Datsun 510 kit in late June, early July. Here's the link to the model kit: Tower HobbiesKeith
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