Sunday, 17 November 2013

Tamiya 4wd Mini Specification

Picture
Name
RPM (With Load)
RPM (Without Load)
Torque
Power Consumed

FA-130 Motor
9900
13800
10 g-cm
1100
Touch Dash
11200
15000
10 g-cm
1300
Torque Tuned
12000
13600
14.5 g-cm
1200
Atomic Tuned
13700
15700
10 g-cm
1300
Rev Tuned
14300
17600
10 g-cm
1500
Hyper Dash
17200
19300
10 g-cm
1600
Hyper Dash 2
?
?
10 g-cm
1600
Mach Dash
20800
23400
15 g-cm
1900
Jet Dash
23000
28000
22 g-cm
4000
Ultra Dash
24000
29000
20 g-cm
4000
Plasma Dash
25000
29000
20 g-cm
4100

Find your perfect Mini 4WD Chassis!
With a number of Mini 4WD chassis available, it might be a daunting task to choose the one which suits you best. This handy guide introduces various chassis with advice about their characteristics. You're sure to find the perfect one for you!


High-performance double-shaft motor Mini 4WD PRO chassis

MA Chassis
The one-piece, aerodynamically-advanced MA Chassis has a low center of gravity and uses air flow to its advantage. Fitted with 6 rollers as standard and side stays to allow the attachment of a wide range of Grade Up and Option parts, this is a high-performance chassis!

MS Chassis
The direct drive, double-shaft motor MS Chassis features a 3-piece set up split into nose, center and tail sections for easy attachment and detachment. This tough chassis form features an 80mm wheelbase to provide an advantage through corners.


Adaptable, easy-to-maintain high-performance machine

AR Chassis
Popular with drivers thanks to the ease of adjusting and maintaining it, the durable AR Chassis was the first to use 6 rollers, and it features the batteries in a low position to help it hug the ground. Users can also attach Grade Up and Option parts to the side of this 82mm wheelbase machine.


Short (80mm) wheelbase speedsters: great in the turns

Super-II Chassis
The Super-II Chassis is the next generation of the Super 1 Chassis, and it features race-ready advancements such as a reinforced bumper, rear stay secured by 2 rotating switches and screw-secured cover. The chassis also offers excellent adaptability.

VS Chassis
The VS Chassis is a lightweight and compact chassis with a short wheelbase. Hinged gear cover and battery holders make maintenance a simple task, so this chassis really is an excellent blend of easy use and high performance!

Super 1 Chassis
The Super 1 Chassis itself is the next generation of the Zero Chassis, and it provides an enticing blend of speed and durability. Removable side stays give wide setting options, and the fully-cowled type small front tires contribute to the low center of gravity, with a 3mm ground clearance.


Long (84mm) wheelbase: stability

Super XX Chassis
The Super XX Chassis is an evolution of the Super X Chassis which offers improved adaptability and durability. Wide roller settings are enabled thanks to its nose guard, and this stable chassis features great toughness plus enhanced side stay options.

Super X Chassis
The Super X Chassis offers great durability and stability thanks to its wide tread and long wheelbase. The motor can be accessed from the underside of the machine, allowing speedy setting changes, while the rear stay is attached in 2 places.


Medium (82mm) wheelbase: stable cornering

Super TZ-X Chassis
The Super TZ-X Chassis is an evolution of the Super TZ Chassis, and it too offers the user wide tread in conjunction with a mid-length wheelbase. The front bumper has extra screw holes, and the chassis' rear stay is secured in 2 places.

Super TZ Chassis
In addition to its mid-length wheelbase and wide tread, the Super TZ Chassis has its batteries close to the ground and a flat underside to give it a low center of gravity. It utilizes a tough bumper and offers stability even at high speeds.


Front motor for balance

Super FM Chassis
An evolution of the FM Chassis, the Super FM Chassis has an aerodynamically-advanced underside. The front motor gives it an advantage on up-and-down courses It also has a strengthened bumper and cooling ducts to make it a great racer! This was the first chassis to feature a rear roller stay.

In order to keep Tamiya's Mini 4WD race competitions fun, exciting, and fair, we have developed a set of competition regulations. All participants of official Mini 4WD race events are required to abide by these regulations.

Mini 4WD races are not just about being the fastest, it's also about using your head and having good set-up techniques. Not only do you challenge other racers, but you challenge yourself too. By remembering the spirit of fair play, you can learn how to race honorably and with good manners. Therefore, we hope that every Mini 4WD fan will abide by these regulations.

Please note that changes have been made to the (1. Usable Machine Types) and (4. Motor) sections. 
All Official Tamiya Races from July 2012 will use these revised rules.

Mini 4WD REV chassis has been added to usable machine types.
Hyper Mini Motor has been added to usable motor types.



【1】Machines

1. Usable Machine Types

Only Mini 4WD REV, Mini 4WD PRO, Racing Mini 4WD, Super Mini 4WD, Fully-Cowled Mini 4WD, Aero Mini 4WD, Mighty Mini 4WD, R/C Mini 4WD, and Truckin' Mini 4WD machines are permitted. Further restrictions on machine types may be possible depending on the race event or race class.

2. Machine Assembly

All machines must be four-wheel drive. Modifications that result in rear-wheel or front-wheel drive are prohibited. Bodies should have stickers applied or be painted, and must be securely attached to the chassis. Home-made bodies are prohibited. All machines must go through car inspection and machines that do not pass inspectioin cannot participate in the race.

3. Machine Measuring System

All machines will be subject to the same measuring system as shown below.

Click here to download an English version of the above chart in PDF format.
  • Maximum Car Width: Under 105mm
  • Overall Car Height: Under 70mm
  • Overall Car Length: Under 165mm
  • Minimum Ground Clearance: At least 1mm
  • Minimum Car Weight (including batteries and motor): At least 90g
  • Front and Rear Tires: Diameter: 22-35mm, Width: 8-26mm (Note that tires must be attached.)
  • Rollers: Maximum of 6 installations total (double rollers count as 1 installation. Stabilizer poles and mass dampers do not count at all)
  • Mass Dampers: Mass damper may not extend from the sides beyond the line formed by the guide roller poles.
    Parts that combine a guide roller with a mass damper will count as 1 roller installation. 

    The shaded region indicates the area in which non-roller mass dampers must fit within.
4. Motor
Machines may use the kit-included normal motor, Rev-Tuned Motor, Torque-Tuned Motor, Atomic-Tuned Motor, Sprint-Dash Motor, Power-Dash Motor, Hyper-Dash 2 Motor, or Hyper Mini Motor. Mini 4WD PRO machines may only use the kit-included normal motor or motors designed for use with the Mini 4WD PRO series.
1.     Depending on the race event, other Tamiya motors may be permitted.
2.     For speed-limited race events or classes, if your speed exceeds the allowed limit, even the above motors may not be installed.
3.     Disassembling the motor to change the number of coils and other such illegal modifications are prohibited.
4.     If there are indications that the motor cap has been detached, it will be judged as being illegally modified.
5.      Batteries.
Only Tamiya-branded R6/AA/UM3 batteries are permitted. If the battery appears to be damaged in any way, they will not be accepted for safety reasons. Please note that some events may have different rules regarding which types or brands of batteries can be used.

6. Modifications

Please follow the guidelines below when modifying your car. Also note that for modifications not listed, race officials will have the final absolute authority to grant or deny their use.
1.     Chassis modifications are limited to cutting away plastic material or cutting holes out of the stock chassis. Homemade chassis and homemade parts are prohibited.
2.     Parts used for modification are limited to Tamiya Mini 4WD, R/C Mini 4WD, and Dangun Racer parts only.
3.     Part modifications are limited to cutting away plastic material or making holes in the stock part.
4.     Gear modifications are limited to making holes or shaving away material to reduce weight and installing ball bearings. All running gears must be installed according to the set gear ratios.
5.     Only kit-included battery terminals or Grade-Up Part battery terminals, installed according to the instruction manuals, may be used. Soldering or double-plated terminals are prohibited.
6.     Modifications that cause physical harm to the track, cause injury to any person, or release grease and/or other substances onto the track are all prohibited.
7.     Modifications to the tire's shape are allowed if they comply with the Car Measuring System outlined above. However, changing the material properties of the tire surface (including, but not limited to, applying glue or other substances to the tire surface) are prohibited.

2 Race Courses 

For courses which satisfy the below specifications and are sanctioned by Tamiya, times recorded during races will be officially recognized. All times recorded on original courses that do not meet these requirements will be considered unofficial.
  • Individual Lane Width: 115mm (measured on a straight section)
  • Course Wall Height: 50mm (measured from road surface)
  • Adjusting the height and lane width of lane change sections, bank turn sections, etc. for smoother racing operations is permitted.

3 For Competitions at Official Race Courses 
1.     The start of the race will be indicated by a signal from a Tamiya race official or a starting signal system. Racers will switch on their cars, hold them in the air with one hand, and drop them vertically into their assigned lane at the start signal. Throwing or pushing the car forward is prohibited.
2.     A racer will immediately retire from a race if their car leaves the track, flips over, jumps into another lane, or if their car's body detaches during the race.
3.     If race officials determine that a racer's car is blocking the progress of faster machines, the racer will be required to retire.
4.     A car's race is completed when it reaches the finish line.
5.     Qualifying and Final positions are determined by either the race finishing order or Time Attack time.

4 Car Inspection
1.     All racers must have their car inspected by race officials before the race. If any part of the car is determined to be against race regulations, the racer must make the necessary changes in order to participate in the race.
2.     From the time the car passes the car inspection to when the race begins, the car's settings must not be changed and no modifications can be made.
3.     In addition to the pre-race car inspection, other car inspections may occur at any time during the race day at the race official's discretion. If the car is found to be in violation of the race regulations at any of these inspections, the racer's race results up to that point will be disqualified and the racer must make necessary changes in order to participate in subsequent races.
4.     If a machine does not pass car inspection, and cannot be made race-legal, the participant can still take part in the Qualifying rounds for their own benefit, but their times will not be recorded.

5 Disqualification

If any of the following situations occur, race officials will, at their discretion, have absolute authority to disqualify any racer. Please take care to remember the common manners for a Mini 4WD race to avoid any problems.
1.     A racer's car is determined to have modifications that will cause physical harm to other racers, other cars, or the race track.
2.     A racer's car is determined to have modifications that are designed to deliberately obstruct other cars.
3.     A racer deliberately puts grease or other substances onto the track to affect track surface conditions.
4.     A racer is determined to have modified their car after it had passed the car inspection.
5.     A racer is determined to deliberately touch the track or cars to impede other racers' race progress.
6.     A racer does not follow the instructions of race officials or otherwise impedes the operations of the race track.
7.     A racer has a false start, or is determined to have thrown or pushed their cars forward at the start of a race.
8.     A racer is determined to act against the spirit of fair play or cause distress for other participants.

6 Race Operations
1.     Participants may raise objections to the race officials. However, these objections must be made before the next race begins.
2.     Race officials reserve the right to announce the use of special regulations at any time during the race.

7 Participant Restrictions
1.     Please be aware that some races have age limitations, so it may be that some participants cannot take part in certain classes or races.
2.     Except for endurance races, it is against regulations to have more than 2 racers using the same car.




Mini 4WD Basic Knowledge



You can enhance the performance of your Mini 4WD by using many of Tamiya's upgrade parts,
 which can provide increased power or faster speeds. In order to do this,
you will need to understand the basic elements of Mini 4WD vehicles.
1. Motor
The installation of a tune-up motor is the best way to increase the speed of your car.
 There are seven kinds of motors available as upgrades.
All of them achieve higher performance than the standard motor included in the kit.
 It is essential to select the right motor since some are designed for top speed, while others are geared more for cornering.
2. Gear Ratio
At a given motor's output, top speed and acceleration are determined by the gear ratio.
 In comparison, between a 4:1 gear ratio and a 5:1 gear ratio, the smaller 4:1 ratio is more suitable for speed oriented circuits,
 while the bigger 5:1 produces more acceleration.





Performance Differences Among The Various Gear Ratios
Different gear ratios are available for all chassis.
Use a small ratio for high speed courses and a bigger one for technical courses with many curves and downs.
Set up the gears according to the track you are racing on.

3. Tires
Tires play an important part when it comes to your car's performance.
Take into consideration tire weight, diameter, and width,
to determine what type of tire will work best for the course you will be running.





Difference in Diameters

Small Diameter: Good for a quick start, but not for top speed.
 Small diameter tires lower the center of gravity and help your car corner better.
Large Diameter: Good top speed and suitable for long straights. Better shock absorption for bumpy course joints.

Difference in width
Wide Tires: Provide stability during cornering. Good for technical courses with banking curves and ups and downs.

Narrow Tires: Good for long straights. Less drag on the motor, which may give the advantage of longer run times.

          Difference in Material
Rubber:: Weighs more than the sponge type, but grips better. Useful for jumps and lower center of gravity.

Sponge: Weighs less than rubber type, but has a lower grip characteristic.

Reston: Lighter than the regular sponge type and has better gripping. Can be used on all kinds of wheels.
Tire Maintenance
Use transparent tape to clean your sponge tires.
Clean rubber tires with an eraser and remove the eraser pieces with tape.

4. Wheels
Wheels, as well as tires, play an important role in tuning up your car. There are various types with different diameters and structures.
 Select the right one for your application. Most types can be used on any Mini 4WD; however,
 if you have a Fully Cowled Mini 4WD, body modification will be required if you use anything other than the standard,
small-diameter type wheels. 
Type of Wheels
Small Diameter Type: Narrow Wheels (which are standard for the Fully Cowled Mini 4WD),
Wide Super Low-Height Wheels and Wheels for semi-pneumatic tires.

Large Diameter Types: Included in a Super Mini 4WD snap kit. A lot of designs are available. Pick one that appeals to you.

One Way Type: Light One Way Wheels, Wide One Way Wheels, Low Height One Way Wheels, Narrow One Way Wheel.













Normal Wheel vs. One Way Wheel
Normal: The speed of the wheels on both sides of a car is the same.
 This is good for the straights; however,
outer wheel tends to be dragged during cornering and this may slow your car down.

.
One Way: The outer wheel rotates faster than the inner wheel does,
which ensures smooth cornering and is preferred for technical courses with many curves. .



5. Rollers
Rollers are a must when racing on walled circuits. Altering the rollers will enable you to set up your car for the demands of any track.
 Key points in using rollers are their size, location and angle.
 Make sure you have clearance between the rollers and the body tires.
Any contact will slow your car down or even damage parts. Most races have regulations concerning the number and size of rollers.
 Also the position and size of the rollers can affect your overall length and width of your Mini 4WD.
the local regulations to make certain that your car is in compliance before you race.