Readers write

CANADA LOVE

When people who don't know the hobby say that an RC car is just a novelty, if you show them something like a T-Maxx, they change their minds completely. A while ago, one of my buds came over to hang out, and I asked him whether he wanted to see my T-Maxx; he said, "Sure." He now runs an HPI RS4 MT and has a blast with it. I've introduced about six or seven people to the hobby, so we held a race at my old school. People who were amazed at my old Associated RC10 Dual Sport now hold races every few months.

I don't believe that RTR and aluminum parts are ruining the hobby. I think people spend money on trick parts because they have some kind of spiritual bond with their rides, and that RTR is for the average joe who has only a little free time and just wants to burn around. Many who are new to RC probably decide on an RTR because they may not be the best at building. If they eventually learn how to tune properly, they might buy a kit, and that means more competition! [email]

Your Canadian buddy

Tyler Petersen

I like your drive-and-let-drive attitude and your "spiritual-bond" theory, Tyler! Consider me your American buddy.

-Pete

BALLISTIC ON A BUDGET

I'm thinking about buying a Corally C10X for road bashing. Are there other on-road car kits that cost $100 to $150? Could I use a 190mm Pro-Line Honda Civic coupe body? Which motor will be fast but won't blow my Explorer II and would give me at least five minutes of run time with a 6-cell Sanyo 1700?

Phil Opalka

S. Holland, Illinois

In addition to the Corally, you should also check out Associated's RC10L3 Touring; it costs about $110 in the fiberglass "Sport" version and $160 in graphite "Team" trim (see the June 1999 issue for a review).

SpeedMerchant's Speed Spec and CRC's Pantoura also deserve a look (check 'em out at teamspeedmerchant.com and teamcrc.com). If you want a totally low-buck ride, look into a Bolink Touring Chassis (reviewed in September 2001); it will only set you back about $60. The Associated and Bolink cars take 190mm bodies, and any direct-drive touring car will be ballistic with a 15-turn motor (that's the lowest wind the Explorer II can officially handle). And you'll still get five minutes of run time, as long as you don't overgear the car.

-Pete

EVADER UPGRADER

I just bought the new DuraTrax Evader BX, and I read that Losi rear tires will fit it. Is this true? Which other wheels could I use? Would any 2.2inch rim fit? Other than DuraTrax, do any companies make aftermarket parts for it? [email]

Mike White

Any 2.2-inch buggy tire will fit the Evader BX, and it accepts rear rims designed for the Team Losi Double-X and Triple-X series (likewise, the Evader ST is compatible with rims designed for Los! trucks). I don't know of any hop-ups for the Evader BX by companies other than DuraTrax, with the exception of "generic" items such as Lunsford titanium ball ends and turnbuckles, RPM ball cups, anodized hardware sets, etc. The Evader BX could also wear shocks from other manufacturers, but its stock aluminum shocks are already quite good.

-Pete

NO BONDO NEEDED FOR BUGGY BODY

I have an OFNA 9.5 Pro buggy that I absolutely love. I want a new body for it, but I don't want a stock one; I'd like a flashier one for show and shine. I'm considering Pro-Line's Crowd-Pleazer 7.5 and Trinity's WASP, both of which are made to fit the Kyosho MP7.5. Will these (and any other bodies for the Kyosho MP7.5) fit an OFNA 9.5?

Adam Loomis

Locke, NY

Any Inferno body can be made to fit your 9.5, but the trim lines for the shock towers will be off. Eyeball the shock-tower positions as well as you can, trim a little at a time and test-fit the body on the chassis frequently. The engine and fuel tank openings may have to be scooched around, too; mark their locations before you paint the body.

-Pete

TELL MOM

When I read the January issue, it re-sparked my interest in my electric Rustler. But I'm also ready for something new, so I thought I'd look into nitro. My ever-present parents stopped me, though; my mom thinks that nitro fuel is too dangerous and that I'll blow myself to the next continent! Can you give me some info about the safety of nitro fuel and cars? [email]

Kyle Almlie

The fuel used in nitro-powered cars is very, very safe compared with gasoline, even though "nitro" sounds far more volatile (most people think "nitroglycerine" when they hear "nitro"). You can safely store nitro fuel indoors (sealed in its supplied container, of course), and its fumes aren't as noxious as those of gasoline. As long as you keep it away from kids and pets that might be tempted to drink it, and you're smart enough not to do something stupid-like pour out the fuel and ignite it (myth buster: nitro fuel can be lit with a match!)-you'll have no safety worries.

-Pete

LETTER MAN

I've been reading RC Car Action for several years. It's a great mag, and I often use it as a reference. I hope that you can come through for me on this question. I've seen several cars with white-letter tires and would like to find the source of them. I think that they might be decaled or be custom tires because I can't find a dealer who carries them.