MAD RACER

I have been watching e bay and noticed a suden swing to Kyosho.. Its mainly the first gerneration Optimas ( Optima, Turbo, Javelin, Salute and Pro ) and any parts or options to do with these. The Mid's are still cheap but i think they will go up in a yr or so. Im so lucky just picked up JRX 2 5 link and a optima pro with gold shocks and belt drive for around 200 pounds ($450) Au. I really want a Turbo Ultima but getting out of my reach for now. Anyone else noticed this big spike. Cheers. Mark.

Good point and somone else said the same thing..

Thanks Terry for the great info. I,m not sure about a belt drive optima pro would keep up with the first mid. I had a Optima with a belt drive and was still getting my butt kicked with the 2 speed mini mustangs till i got the mid. My mid was a half a lap to 1 lap faster out of the box compared to my optima with a yr of R&D behind it. As for the overlap of models that was something that i wasn't aware of. The shell is better than the any other optima and love the under tray with the ground effects.

I just got my other Optima for a runner . It came with a belt drive conversion and gold shocks. Just curious what was the reason behind its reliase. It was after all just before the Mid came out i think. Came as a standard Optima with a revised top deck to reposition the sterring servo and battery pack. New shell with under tray and that was it or was there more???? Any thoughts on this. Have you got one ( Terry) or anyone else. Thanks...

I just saw a tatty old Super Shot go on e bay for $170 US. I have a very good example of one but will a Turbo optima in the same condition fetch the same money??? I dont think so. WHY??? there designs were far superiour than Tamiya and yet arent getting the same attention or even half of Tamiya. I just dont understand why. Maybe Tamiya was everones first R/C and are wanting to re live their dreams. Any opinions on this and WHY.??? Thanks . Mark..

Hi all and the expert on Optima's Terry. In the process of my Turbo Optima rebuild. I came across my internals and noticed my final drive pinion is a dull grey looking not silver. The internal gears look really good apart from a little pitting from a little stone caught in the diff gear. It looks like the Final pinion is a hardend being that color. Did the Turbo come standard with the hardend version pinion??? Will post pics when my turbo is finished. Just bought another Optima with Belt drive conversion that will be a runner. Thanks Mark..

I want to polish the alloy parts on my Turbo optima. I have a dreamel and a small bench grinder. Can i get a buffer for my grinder as this will be quicker. I think the tool shops sell them What do you do.. Thanks.

I raced a Mid when first relased. I soon changed the Chassis to a Brimod LWB conversion. It really changed the mid for the better. Came with the lower & upper chassis plates and a longer belt. Never had a problem with the belt after a full yrs racing in mod. Still have it and waiting for a complete rebuild. Might be a while as i just bought a optima with a belt drive and ball diffs.

Gee Paul . I think your views are very harsh. When is it the last time you raced a vintage bug against a modern class.??? I for one race old cars against newer ones. Two yrs ago i raced my Top Force at a state titles here in 19T and qualifed 5th for the finals and than went on to take 2nd in the 3 finals even winning one leg of 3. YEH I know Its a Top Force. Ok i raced my Frog 6 months ago in stock with Brushed and Ni Mih cells and was competive NOT Lapped once and came 7 th out 10. OK i modded it with You G front dampers and Cat shocks for the rear. Cut down x 2000 and losi front tyres on fox rims. That was it. As For the Boomerang with good tyres and modern electrics in stock i know it will be just as competive. Over the Hot Shot and Super Shot and doesnt have the huge amount of bump steer. The steering lock may be a problem but there is ways around it. Im braccing myself for some serious fun.. I WONT BE DISSAPOINTED....

Thanks guys. Rc Mart seems a lot cheaper than others i looked at. Im thinking of getting run to race in vintage. I have a nib top force which i dont want to run and a re relaise hot shot but i know it will break. Bommerang looks to be good for a runner and never had one. Im sure it will be more competive than the Hot Shot.

I use to race with most of the Le Mns motors in modified. Started with the 480T than the 480 Gold . Tried the 240S and than both of the Spa Motors. I thought they were pretty good .. We had to race for 6 min in mod with 1200 cells. In the end i was running my Mid with a Twister mod motor unknown wind in the state titles (still 6 min) It was a vet smooth motor with wicked top end. I dumped while leading the 3rd final . Ended up 2nd to a PB Mini Mustang with a 2 speed and a Technigold. I still have the twister and its a 17 triple. How i got 6 min with that!!!! Any body raced with the Le Mans what was your thoughts on them ???

Gee Terry a 13T in the chain drive???? Would of thought it will snapped staight away. Thanks Richi Rich for your advice too. I do recall in my Manual over 20 yrs ago that you put a allen key over the chain to adjust this. Is this what you do Terry ?? Will the chain not slip? as it does so easy at the momen but the chain is loose when you shake the car it rattlles.

Hi . Can anyone tell me who has them in stock if they are out. Would perfer not in the U.K. Thanks Mark..

Hi to all and Terry. In the process( very slow ) of getting my Turbo Optima up and ready for racing. The Re Po shell is away getting a professional box art paint scheame . Just bought a new Le Mans 240 S from Jasons store (ouch) especially just for show. Got a set of vintage Alloy rims with tamiya wide stud spike tires ( Manta Ray ) I had one as my first serious club racer when i was 16 and gave nothing but trouble. I think mainly due to the fact i didnt know of thread lock. I snapped the chain a few times taking off, wheels fell off. Well iwant to race her in vintage and have just bought all new electrics for racing vintage ... I race 8th scale nitro. So i wanted to have competive electrics for my vintage bugs. I have new Li Po's and a new brushless system which is a 17.5 ( stock ). Can anyone see any trouble with the drive line using this combo. I wont be doing hard take offs. My Mid i raced after that was brillant in drive line department. badword i still have that tiny 9t pinion from that turbo in my bits and pieces tin. Thanks all... Mark.

Thanks wont know till i pull it down. I need a good clear picture of the box on the Turbo Optima. Can anyone give me the address of Darrin Johstons web site as i think he good clear photos. Cheers Mark..

Thanks Terry. I got a link now I can get it painted like it should be. I just noticed the gearbox has a gear that is stripped are they hard to get?? Havent pulled it down but the spur gear spins with now drive. Apart from that its in a real good shape and plan to race it in vintage. Thanks again.. Mark.

I just got a Turbo optima chain drive. Got a new repo shell with it and stickers. Want to know were i can find a photo of the box art.. Thanks mark..

Mmmmm. I might get one . I never owned a Bommerang. It will go well with my Hot Shot / Super Shot om my vintage shelf..

Thanks to all replies. It is a basic Ultima and not even ball raced from what i see. I never knew that there was a Ultima 2.. I will post pics soon. Its hard for me as I have remove previous pics on Tamiya club first to let put new pics. Cheers Mark.

Hi I just got a Ultima Pro and im rapt with it but would like some advice weather its a Pro.. It has Alloy shock towers ( thought its factory with GRP towers ) No sway bars. No ball Diff. Gold shocks. Yellow rims.. New repo shell with stickers. Has a overspray film on body .. This says to me its a repo but a real good one i must say. New decal sheet.. It also has a Chassis that i never herd of. Its like a kydex plastic botton and upper deck and is made by Kelron in Japan.. The rear caber links are on a huge angle to connect to the rear shock tower . Is this normal ???? In the trade i got some new factory green rims . Which are rare I think???? Any answears to the above would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks.

Wow I just scored a Ultima Pro... Has a clear repo shell with new stickers as you described. It has gold shocks and a aftermarket plastic chassis and top deck.. I would love a re realise of the Fox with better drive shafts...

Hi,I bought a set of adjustable Top Force turn buckles to go on my Manta Ray. What ball cups can i use from Mr Tamiya. Do touring car cups fit with the balls?? I race Losi Buggys but they are all imperial seize.. Any Advice would be great. Thanks Mark....

Gee I never new that Tamiya av pinions fitted. I always thought that the Mid gears were their own special pitch. Maybe it was when the mid came out. I got out a yr later. Thanks as it will help when i get to restore my best racer ever.. Cheers Mark..

Hooking the RX to 12v will help too!!!!!

I think the Fox will be next with Dog bone rear end. I will buy one even if I have a Divorce over it.LOL....