Featured Car June 2006
Chassis: HPI Pro4
Make of Bodyshell: Tamiya
Make of Car Tom's Toyota Supra
Time to make: 4 months (approx.)
Inspiration: N/A
Creator: John Turner - JT
Team: N/A
Other notes: 1st Place Drift & Best Bodyshell - Round 1 D1RC Drift Series 2006
After seeing this car perform and look so great at Rockingham, D1RC just had to ask some questions.
So, what’s the body?
"...It’s a Tamiya Tom’s Toyota Supra bodyset 50691 using Custom Colour paints, Yokomo mirrors/pipe/wipers and home fabricated light buckets with Yokomo active light set."
The Supra shell in the early days, just after painting.
The initial decals were applied tentatively.
Why’s the Chassis special?
"...It’s a HPI Pro 4 carbon fibre chassis at heart with HPI carbon fibre camber plates and bumper brace, aluminium quick release HD motor mount, input shafts and cups, one-way front and fixed spool rear differentials, Jet aluminium front C hubs, servo saver, steering knuckle arms, rear hub/upright, battery holder plate, Square aluminium shock balls, Tobee Craft aluminium prop cups, servo mounts and bumper brace posts, RW Racing spurs and pinions, Speed Mind titanium screw set, Yokomo titanium spring sets, HPI sway bar and spring sets, Kawada rims with Proline brake disks and Yokomo Zero One R single ring tyres."
You couldn't get more purple aluminium on one chassis!
A good shot of John's 26mm tyres on 32mm wheels modification.
What kind of electronics do you use?
"...I am utilising the performance of a Futaba 3PK PCM transmitter and FP-R113iP PCM receiver, Novak XRS and powercap, Hitec HS5925MG programmable servo, Yokomo D1SP motor, 3 Racing heatsink fan."
Hours were spent balancing and detweaking the chassis for superior handling.
What’s the history of the car?
"...The first test-run was at Snetterton in April, then further testing at Bedworth ‘Shakedown’ in May and first competition run 28 May at Rockingham. Then at round 1 D1RC Drift Series it took 1st place in Drift Competition and Best Drift Body. Subsequently 6th place at round 2, Silverstone 17 June. Future plans include rebody to early Tamiya Cusco Scooby."
Intial tests at Snetterton.
Preliminary tests were good, unlike the weather.
Why?
"...I love old 200mm Tamiya shells and just had to find the Supra – cost me an arm and a leg! We race a Pro4 so it was a natural choice, with full spares backup already in place. I admit, I hadn’t planned on spending as much again on those ‘purple’ hop ups but it just had to be done! Favourite bits have to be the Kawada super wide mesh rims with the Proline etched rotors…hmmmmm!"
John getting it sideways with speed at Bedworth.
John leading Jimmy in the final at Round 1 - Rockingham.
What’s the next project?
"...A natural progression would be to the Cyclone chassis which uses so many of the Pro4 parts. I’d love to find one of those old Tamiya Volvo Estate bodies that ran in the BTCC years ago – could have some fun with the graphics on that!"
John's Supra surrounded by winning trophies.
D1GP Driver, Ken Nomura, presenting John with the Rnd1 1st Place trophy.
Well, we wish you all the best,
D1RC.
2004/05