Inside scoop

Have you ever known Losi to throw a decal on a product and say, "Look; its a Losi"? Of course not; the Losi guys engineer everything to death until they feel they've got it right. So it's no surprise that Team Losi didn't rush to loin the ready-to-run fray with a half-baked RTR. nor is it a shocker to learn that the XNT Sport is a high-performance racing machine at heart. Check it out; this bad boy has a ton of features:

Full ball hearings.

15 pull-start engine.

Aluminum tuned pipe.

Factory-finished body.

Aluminum-body shocks.

Steel-turnbuckle camber links.

JR XR2 radio system.

JR Z-270 servos.

Full parts interchangeability with all Triple-XNT models.

So what separates a "Sport" NT from the factory kit? Country of origin; the Sport trucks are manufactured and assembled overseas, while Triple-XNT kit trucks are made in the USA.

Team Losi; distributed by Horizon Hobby Inc. (800) 338-4639; www.horizonhobby.com.

HPI is no stranger to shaft drive and puts the system to good use in its off-road nitro cars, but all of HPI's on-road efforts have been belted-at least until now. The Nitro RS4 3 Is the first HPI pavement-- pounder to spin shafts, and It's RTR to boot. An Airtronics-built HPI TX-2 radio keeps you In control, and HPI reports that the Nitro 3 Is faster than the previous Nitro RS4 RTR, thanks to a newly revised 15FE engine that Includes a dual-chamber tuned pipe and aluminum heat-sink head for Improved acceleration and top speed. And get this: HPI says the new Nitro 3 will sell for less than the Nitro RS4 RTR! Lots of other features, too; see for yourself: HPI Racing (949) 753-1099; www.hpiracing.com.

Sealed, metal bevel-gear differentials.

Tuned front differential for improved handling.

2.5mm countersunk, purple-anodized 6065 aluminum chassis.

Covered radio tray for easy cleaning.

Full set of 18 rubber-sealed ball bearings.

Completely assembled with oil-filled shocks.

Precut foam bumper.

Split-6 wheels with D-Compound X-Pattern Radial tires.

APRIL 2002

More Machined Micro Must-Haves

Golden Horizons Micro RS4 Stuff

Golden Horizons? That may sound like I good name for a nursing home, but GH's line of aluminum hop-up parts for the HPI Micro RS4 is anything but old-fashioned. The grease-damped aluminum front shocks look great and prevent the front suspension from pogo-ing, and GH's even offers different spring rates to tune 'em. A front one-way drops into the stock HP1 front diff case for mondo steering on high-traction surfaces, and universal front axles help get the power to the wheels efficiently. And what wheels! The three-bolt GH hoops attach to aluminum hubs that are offered in two offsets to suit all of HPI's Micro bodies. Sweet stuff.

Golden Horizons (604) 331-2526: www.ghhobbies.com.

Special OPS] OPS Pro .12 & Pro .15 Engines

There's no such thing as too many Italian hot-rod engines, so hellooooo OPS! Horizon Hobby is bringing OPS's Pro Series of .12 and .15 powerplants to the U.S., but don't let the name or country of origin scare your wallet away; these mills are built for high affordability as well as high performance. Lots of standard features: slide carbs, ABC construction, sealed nose bearings and machined heads. Exhaust-port and mounting-- flange dimensions are standard, too, so you can bolt an OPS Into your car or truck without mods.

OPS; distributed by Horizon Hobby (800) 338-4639; www.horizonhobby.com.

Bumper Crop

RPM MAXX BUMPERS AND SKIDPLATES

RPM is always adding new items to its line of indestructo parts--especially Traxxas Maxx stuff. This time, RPM goes for both style and slammability. The rear step bumper adds authentic flatbed style, especially when you style and slammability. The rear step bumper adds authentic flatbed style, especially when you add a hitch ball-not included, but it's cool. For additional impact protection, the tubular front bumper extends lower than the stocker does, and the screw-hole areas are strengthened (RPM knows you're gonna hit stuff). The bumpers are offered in chrome plus four molded-in colors: black, silver, blue and purple. RPM also has new Maxx skidplates, which fit over the stock plates for increased strength and wear resistance. They look great, too, and since they're made by RPM, the bumpers and skidplates are guaranteed not to break.

RPM RC Products (909) 393-0366; www.rpmrcproducts.com.

CORE SAMPLING Team Orion Core Motors

Team Orion s newest line of motors. simply dubbed "Core." is offered in stock. modified and touring models. The Stock RS version features a dual-stack Power Tunnel armature, stronger G12 magnets and installed surface-mount capacitors. The Speed Treated Core Stock RS version includes a diamond-cut commutator, special race brushes, zapped magnets, treated bushings and a dyno-test printout, so you can see how much power you're buying.

The Core mods get pattern winding. Zero Gravity epoxy balancing, dual ball hearings, Ultra Flow can and endell and brush dampers from the previous TOP motor, but the standard G9 wet magnets have been replaced with new G12 units. A new armature with thicker webbing produces more toUr-end torque and is balanced and trued, so it requires less epoxy. Pro brush springs. color-coded brush heat sinks and Team Orion's 10-30 brushes are also included.