Readers' rides

Radio Control Car Action, Oct 2003 by Howell, John

YOUR BEST BUILDS

NATHAN SOUTHARD, TULARE, CA TRAXXAS T-MAXX 2.5

This hot-looking T-Maxx 2.5 has a ton of action going on under the hood. Its owner, Nathan, has hopped up the truck with the following upgrades: a New Era roll bar; a Robinson Racing aluminum brake-disc kit; a DuraTrax aluminum servo guard; Maximizer Products aluminum beadlock rims; Traxxas aluminum chassis braces; Pro-Line Maxx Mulcher tires; Full Force RC aluminum skid-plates and shock covers; a Power Products dual pipe; a Motor Savers air filter; and a Futaba high-torque steering servo. Nathan topped it off with an Atomic F-350 body.

TRAVIS HOOVER, NEWVILLE, PA TRAXXAS T-MAXX

Fourteen-year-old Travis tells us that, except for the addition of an MIP stinger exhaust, an in-line fuel filter and a set of 1/8-scale monster truck wheels and tires, his truck is relatively stock. Travis plans to add a Pro-Line suspension kit to enhance the truck's handling capabilities. In the meantime, he is content to just have fun with the hobby!

JIM MCCULLOUGH, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX

TEAM ASSOCIATED

RC10GT DIRT SPRINT CAR

Jim's converted dirt sprint car started out as an Associated RC10GT off-roader! The chassis and roll cage have both been hand-built out of aluminum. He uses a Futaba radio to control the car, and a Novarossi C12 engine provides the power. A Team Losi and Pro-Line tire combo help it stick to the dirt, and miscellaneous RPM, Lunsford and MIP mods complement the rest of the car. If you happen to be in the vicinity of Irving, TX, Jim runs his car at Wild Bill's every week, so go check it out!

MANUEL HERNANDEZ,

ST. PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES

SERPENT 705

Manuel's Serpent 705 nitro competition touring car is one fast ride because it's equipped with a Sirio 5-port engine that pumps out approximately 1.5hp. It's ably controlled by a Futaba 3PJ PCM radio with two 9402 servos, and last, but definitely not least, it's topped off with a wild-looking "tribal-esque" Dodge Stratus body!

BERT STEURER,

VAUDREUIL, QUEBEC, CANADA

TRAXXAS STAMPEDE

This "Beast," as Bert likes to call it, may look like an ordinary Traxxas Stampede, but heavy modifications tell a different story. Underneath the Pro-Line Chevy Silverado body, you'll find two, 2400mAh-matched battery packs that feed a Traxxas 14.4V EVX speed control, RPM Clawz wheels and a Kyosho Magnetic Mayhem motor. Bert has lowered and widened the truck's stance for added stability, and he says that he has clocked the truck at 40mph.

DENISE HABER, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

TRAXXAS E-MAXX

After watching her son Daniel and husband Dave spend countless hours working on their Traxxas E-Maxx trucks, Denise decided it was time to get one of her own. (You can see Dave's cool E-Maxx in our recent RC Monster Trucks special issue.) Well, shortly after she purchased the truck, Denise picked out a Pro-Line Jeep body and painted it pink pearl with a sparkiy metallic finish, and when it came time to decal the truck, her love of roses made that decision a snap! Denise seems to be enjoying her new hobby very much. As she puts it, "If you can't beat'em, join 'em." Truer words have never been spoken, Denise.

MICHAEL CAPUTO, UPLAND, CA

TEAM LOSI

MATT FRANCIS EDITION TRIPLE-XT

Michael tells us that he's already hooked on the hobby, and this is only his second truck. He races his Matt Francis Edition Triple-XT at Pegasus Hobbies in nearby Montclair, CA. His truck is equipped with a Trinity D4 11-turn double, a Novak Dually ESC, an Integy 2400 battery and a JR radio, receiver and servo. Everything else is stock except for the front and rear tires. According to Michael, this is only the second body that he's masked off and painted by himself. Good job, Michael!

PATRICK HUGHES, NORTH AUGUSTA, SC

TRAXXAS T-MAXX

Patrick's wild-looking Traxxas T-Maxx is completely custom-well, at least the body is! This eye-catching truck is relatively stock. He writes, "I drive it almost every day when I have the time. It surely is a mean machine when it is running." His truck is topped off with a custom-painted CJ8 Jeep body with a blower motor sticking out from "under the hood." Wait a minute, Patrick-you say that you drive it every day when you have time? Those tires look pretty fresh to us ... you need to get back out there and lay down some throttle action!