Building a RC nitro car may seem childish at first, but it may not seem so once you understand that putting a hobby-grade RC nitro car together is a complex but rewarding experience. The main advantage that you will have if you decide to assemble your RC nitro car on your own is that you will be able to maintain and fix the RC car much more easily and faster than otherwise.
Building a RC nitro car to compete in races is an arduous, expensive and time-consuming work, but the end result is extremely pleasing for the constructor. Speaking of the expenses, it may actually cost you less to build a RC nitro car yourself than it would if you bought something of the same quality from a shop. The reason for this is the fact that you do not have to pay for the profit margin which all companies must keep and also the fact that you can bargain and get the components for a lesser price.
“Little knowledge is dangerous thing”, so read the manual of your RC car kit thoroughly and completely before you take on the assembly of your RC car. If you are following something on the internet, read and understand that note or set of instructions well too. Follow the instructions closely, so that you do not make an irreparable mistake.
A good workshop is a must for any project, especially if you are planning to build a RC nitro car. The place that you should work in needs to be well-lit, dry, quiet and clean for you to work successfully. Keep a large piece of cloth to wipe off oil or other fluids and once you are done for the day, store everything safely to avoid losses.
Equip yourself with pencil and paper to make notes while you work or read. It may be required for you to draw a few designs and take a few notes of your own to understand the whole setup and simplify it to yourself.
Categorize and sort out everything that you are working with to avoid confusion and save time. Place each of the separate items in pencil boxes, lunch boxes or any other containers that are empty.
The three prime screwdrivers that you will need in to build your RC nitro car are jeweler’s screwdriver, head-screwdriver and the 1
Motor Sports February 25th 2010
Japanese automaker Subaru now releases the details of its new model that will enter the super mini segment in the European market. Equipped with a wide range of features, high performance and fuel efficient powertrain, the Subaru’s super mini model called the Justy will roll out in European dealerships carrying a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of only 8,495 British Pounds.
The Subaru Justy super mini features a three-cylinder 1.0 litre twin-overhead camshaft petrol engine under its hood. This power unit is capable of pumping out 69.3 PS at 6,000 rpm and 69.3 lb ft of torque at 3,600 rpm, allowing the super mini to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 13.5 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 100 mph. The 1.0 litre engine offers an impressive fuel economy for consumers, as it achieves 64.2 mpg Extra Urban. In addition, the Subaru Justy’s engine offers very low harmful exhaust emissions of only 118 grams per kilometer. European consumers can also enjoy numerous benefits with this new super mini model like the five-year/60,000 mile warranty backed by five-years’ UK and European roadside assistance.
Lawrence Good, Subaru (UK) Limited Managing Director said: “Everyone is very enthusiastic about the new Justy as it is will appeal to environmentally-conscious motorists and those seeking ultra-low running costs. Subaru dealers enjoy strong customer loyalty and the new Justy gives them a much-needed entry-level car to sell to both existing customers and new prospects.”
On the other technical side, the new Subaru Justy is equipped with a European-tuned chassis including a long suspension-travel for a smooth ride. Anti-roll bars are also included to provide agile handling for the vehicle. These roll bars are located at the front and rear of the vehicle combined with firm damping. The front suspensions are made of MacPherson struts while the rear suspension features a torsion bar with separate coil springs. Other technical feats and systems include power steering, advanced braking system featuring anti-lock ventilated front discs, rear drums (ABS), and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This optimises the braking force according to the weight distribution of passengers and luggage.
Other highlights of the Subaru Justy include driver and passenger front and rear curtain airbags, side and front and rear curtain airbags, alloy wheels, air-conditioning, four electric windows, reversing sensors, remote central-locking with alarm and ISOFIX child seat mountings, and 225 litres of luggage space. This model is also equipped with antenna (like Acura car antenna) for radio/CD player.
Motor Sports February 7th 2010
Ford Motor’s Chairman Bill Ford Jr. has recently called for a national energy policy saying that the auto industry together with the energy companies, government and other industries should cooperate in developing a comprehensive plan.
Chairman Ford Jr., addressing the Detroit Regional Chamber said that the auto industry is not looking for handouts nor it is trying to evade its responsibilities. On the other hand he said that he would like to move beyond the “patchwork” of current fuel-economy rules and “arbitrarily set standards.”
The executive said that all of the stakeholders should help to create a more comprehensive plan for cutting carbon emissions. He also stressed that Ford is continuing to invest in cleaner, more fuel-efficient technology in spite of its restructuring program.
Chairman Ford Jr. said, “Environmental sustainability is a critical issue for our future growth and prosperity.”
He further added that although the company has been able to develop the first hybrid SUV which is the Ford Escape and redeveloped its Rouge plant in Dearborn, Mich., in what he termed as “environmentally friendly way”, the Chairman wishes that the company would have done more.
Chairman Ford Jr., also said during a question-and-answer session that the company “didn’t stretch far enough in the past few years” on design but the new vehicles such as the Edge crossover utility and the Ford Flex are “really indicative of the kind of design we want to have in the end.”
Despite the fact that Ford did well at truck and SUV design, Chairman Ford said, “I think as we started getting back to the car business, we weren’t perhaps bold enough.” He also said that he was “Very disappointed” by the comments made by Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-III., at his recent speech in Detroit wherein Obama has criticized the US automakers and calling them to do more to build furl-efficient vehicles.
Chairman Ford Jr., added that he would like to invite Obama to Ford’s plant in Chicago “where we make a vehicle that’s more fuel efficient than the one he’s currently driving.” He further stated that it is not only the stressed on the production of more fuel-efficient vehicles that’s weighing on the US automakers but also the rising cost of health care that leaves US manufacturers at a disadvantage. “Unless, nationally, we get our arms around this, it’s going to be very hard to be a manufacturer in this country of anything,” he said during a question-and-answer session.
However Chairman Ford has also made it clear that he is not at all endorsing a national universal health-care system but he did say that the present system is “broken”. US automakers are facing a growing burden of providing heath care for thousands of retirees and active employees. But he didn’t mention just how Ford will deal with its health-care costs especially since its talks with the United Auto Workers union are getting near.
It can be remembered that Ford the producer of high quality car accessories such as Ford floor mats has taken a big step in changing its management stature when it hired Alan Mulally who is a former Boeing Co. (BA) executive as the new Chief Executive. And just recently, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger while speaking to the same conference has made a call for a national, single-payer health-care system. Gettelfinger said, “Our continued failure to enact serious health-care reform puts U.S. companies at an enormous competitive disadvantage. All of our major trading partners, every one, have national health-care systems which deliver quality care at an affordable price.”
Motor Sports February 7th 2010
