Project MATRIX - Welcome to the REAL World
I've had my MATRIX for a full season now, and have done numerous test days at the track trying to get the most out of the car that I could.
With 20 years in RC Car racing and 18 of them building my own equipment, I know a trick or two to squeeze out a little more from the car or truck. I've played with shocks, diffs, tires, foams, engines, and clutch systems but left the chassis in its stock form. That is about to change...
Follow me on a journey to the LIGHT WEIGHT zone! I was reading the review on the LOSI 8ight. The car weights 118.5 ounces or 7.43 pounds {3,360g} which is ULTRA light compared to some of the other 1/8th scale cars on the track. So begins this quest...
I started to look at my car, and where I could take off weight. Everything is about as light as you can get it stock (arms, bulkheads etc.) but the chassis is thick (4mm) and very heavy. So here is where I am going to begin my quest to take 1 full pound off my race car.
Now, I know what your thinking in your head right now. WHY bother? It's an 1/8th scale, put more motor in it! Well, you ask any race car driver at a track what they want their cars to do and they always say "predictability". The heavier the object is, the more unpredictable it becomes in entering and exiting of turns and flying over jumps. It takes longer for a 1hp engine to push a 8.5lb object than it would to push a 7.43lb object.
I'm going to post up pictures of this little adventure and when the car is all done and ready, take it too the track with a car that has not been modded up. The lap times will prove to be the tell tale sign.
All I know is that in 2007 if I expect to run with the Losi at the top levels (i'm talking racing the drake, peanut, and the likes of the worlds top pro's) i must take the red pill!!
Picture number one is attached here