VRC31_086

Velocity RC Cars Magazine VRC_031

TESTED WRENCHING Maintenance_ When the B6 platform was first introduced, it had to work around a couple of transmission designs: one laydown and one standup. But before long, it was evident that the laydown version was favored for most racing situations. The new B6.1D commits to a laydown design, but with two styles in both forward and rearward placement available. (Layback design is the default for the B6.1D.) It was time for the engineers to tackle the issue of access to the internals. Starting with an entirely new sheet of paper, the transmission case incorporates a split design to allow users quick and easy access. This significantly helps out and, along with other details on the buggy, this latest version shortens the time wrenching in the pits and allows the racer to focus on other important items. Rating: 9 Wear & Tear_ The B6 platform was designed to take some big hits, and this new 6.1 version is even better. The same overbuilt components are still there, but now the carbon-fiber front tower has an additional plastic piece to brush off the big ones. Racers who have been around long enough to see the fragility of buggies based around brushed motors and NiMH batteries will really appreciate this new evolution in design, and even those who have only been around a short time can rest assured that a good balance is struck and performance seems unaffected. When we hit the track, there were some catastrophic moments, but the B6.1D brushed them off and kept going with only some dirt smudges to show for it. Keep in mind, it is still a race buggy, so don’t expect some plastic pieces to twist like a pretzel, but unless you go head first into a pipe or another serious object, most of the time it will be time spent watching a Marshall get you back into the action instead of a trip back to the pits. Rating: 9 Tuning_ Tuning a buggy to driving style and conditions is a necessary step in racing, and the B6.1D addresses this by improving access to the transmission and other components. It also expands what can be tuned by introducing new innovations, including inserts in the rear arms and adjusting the differential height by way of plastic inserts. Yep, there’s a lot to adjust, and if you want to go even further, be prepared for support from factory and privateer racers everywhere, since Team Associated usually enjoys the benefit of being the most popular brand in the class. And, if you’re ready for more, just do some homework and go for a long list of aftermarket tuning options to push the boundaries of what seems possible. Rating: 10 CONCLUSION Team Associated is a leader in electric off-road racing, and with the introduction of two new versions, we see that continuing. You can really see that the lessons learned from racing have been applied, and the trends learned to help increase corner speed have been incorporated. The reality is that top-level racing around the world falls into two main categories, and the B6.1D obviously has the dirt part of the equation covered. All the fine details are there, and trips to spend hard-earned cash for upgrades will be diminished. I can’t recall a more potent weapon straight out of the box, and if you’ve considered making the purchase, we think it would be money well spent. 86 WWW.VRCMAG.COM So can we have 2 spur gears in the box instead of tires?


Velocity RC Cars Magazine VRC_031
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