Inside scoop: The latest gear for the new millennium

How do they do it? Every year, at the big Chicago hobby show, we find an amazing array of incredibly exciting and innovative gear that seems to represent the pinnacle of RC cool. It's hard not to think, "That's it; everything has been invented; all that's left is to offer it in a choice of colors." And yet, no matter how dynamic and trick the items are, the many manufacturers of RC must somehow top themselves the next year. Luckily for us, they do! The crop of new products for the 2000 season is bound to get you stoked for a trip to the hobby shop. You haven't blown your holiday money yet, have you?

T-Maxx

If you want it all, the Tramas T-Maxx has it. It's a 1/10-scale, .15-nitro-engine-powered monster truck that can tackle any terrain. Fully independent suspension allows precise handling, yet the cleverly engineered chassis delivers the tremendous ground clearance and travel of a four-link setup. The truck is offered ready to run (you'll only need to paint the body) with a 3-channel Qualifier radio installed (the third channel operates the reverse gear mechanism). Easily one of the show's biggest highlights!

2-speed tranny with reverse (and the 2-speed

works in both directions!).

Full control disc brake.

Oversize pivot-ball-type suspension with two oil

filled shocks on each arm.

EZ Start Electric starting system.

125cc fuel tank for tong run times.

Rigid, blue-anodized aluminum chassis.

Part no.-4910; $450.

STR-4

OK; so there's a striking resemblance to a certain "brand A7 car; can we move on? The STR-4 could be a real contender on the entry-level scene; it looks plenty rugged, there are no belts to stretch or catch pebbles in, and the kit includes a greatlooking body with a full set of race-livery decals. Want more? The wiper-type mechanical speed control is waaay smoother than a 3-step job, and the chassis is 90 percent factory-built. Look for a "Track Test" on this car very soon.

Two body styles available: Alpha (looks like an Alfa

Romeo), and Beta (Dodge Stratus-looking)

One-piece molded chassis.

Oil-filled coil-over shocks.

Part no.-1578: $119.

Monster

Horsepower_Engines

Trinity has joined forces with legendary Italian engine builder Picco Micromotori to create the first gas powerplants to carry the Monster Horsepower badge. The new line will include .12 and .15 engines that will be available with and without a pull-start.

New round-port design for more effi

cient exhaust flow and increased

horsepower; standard rectangular

port engines also

available.

Rotary carburetor (slide carb optional).

Full line of accessories, manifolds,

pipes and plugs to come!

Various part numbers.

.12 (with pull-start)-$249.

.12 (without pull-start)-$199.

.15 (with pull-start)-$259.

.15 (without pull-start)-$219.

Super Nitro RS4

Toyota GT-1

The popular super-size RS4 gets its sleekest body ever with HPI's new GT-1 shell. Awesome.

Part no-484; $499.

3PJS transmitter

The new 3PJS adds these innovative new features to the original 3PJ:

Third-channel digital trim knob on

steering-wheel hub.

PCM mode response time is twice

as fast as the 3PJ's.

Optional memory cards for infinite

model memory.

Right- or left-handed operation.

Adjustable throttle and steering

spring tension

$310

1/8-scale On-Road

Prototype

GS actually built this car from the ground up; it isn't an outsourced car with a GS label stuck on it. Check out the specs: laydown, inboard front shocks, 2-speed tranny, active rear body mount and front one-way setupimpressive stuff. We'll keep you posted, Call for part number and price.

RC10GT Ready To Run

It's Associated's boldest move since the TC3! The ready-to-run version of the number-one gas racing truck can't help but be a hit, but there's more to this story than factory assembly and a radio. The RTR GT packs in plenty of new features, some of which will even be included with the Team kits. All this is in the box:

New, stronger, blue-anodized aluminum chassis,

Team Associated .15 pull-start engine.

Most of the parts are the same as those in current RCIOGT kits.

Complete factory assembly with installed radio gear.

Part no-7090; $479.95.

Nitro RS4 MT

We gave the latest HPI truck a "Sneak Peek" in the December issue; now we can show you the chassis! Here's what you'll find under an aggressively styled MT-1 body:

Nitro Star 15FE pull-start engine.

Full-time, shaft-driven 4WD-no belts

to foul.

Countersunk, purple-anodized 2.5mm

aluminum chassis with swing-away

upper deck.

Pro-Line Dirt Hawg tires on new-style

chrome wheels.

Call for part number and price.

P2K

Rebuildable Stock

Motor

Lots of features to list here! The flat can design and rebuildable concept return, but there's a whole lotta "new" happening in there ....

Asymmetrical can venting for

increased timing effect and

higher rpm.

New ran design is thicker

for stronger magnetic field.

100-percent-copper hoods

and heat sinks for maxi

mum efficiency.

Includes three factory

installed, surface-mount

capacitors-no solder

ing required.

Tamper-proof "flat"

can allows rebuilding,

eliminates cheating.