What to do with my Drift Spec TA05R?

[ChrisRx718]

So long ago when this chassis was new, I bought one with the intention of taking on the Yokomo Drift Package guys. About this time however, I turned 17 - girls and obtaining my drivers license suddenly became more of a priority!

So after a single round  (I placed 2nd!) This was put back in it's box and hasn't seen the light of day since.

(I also bought a TA05MS but sold that to pay rent )

Aside from the lovely kit offerings this sports some Ltd edition clear plastic parts, aluminium motor mount / plate, carbon shock towers and a couple of other things.

As the only round this car did was on carpet, the underside is virtually unmarked. 

I changed all the turnbuckles to the harder DF02 steel type as the kit ones are way too soft and easily marked.

The set up is un-changed too- this has the Yokomo control tyres, 19T Drift motor and a Novak XRS ESC. It's quite obvious by the length of those wires I didn't have a soldering iron back then either 

Thing is; I don't really know what to do with it. Is it worth much in this state? (Minus the dust!) 

We are now up to the TA07 - parts are becoming harder to come by for this ageing beast. It has little sentimental value either  (at least compared to my TA03 affliction!).

 

[Kingfisher]

Here's what you do with it.

• Step 1: Pack it nicely in a box.
• Step 2: PM me for my address and shipping charges.
• Step 3: Ship it to me.
• Step 4: Wait for my response of happiness from when the package arrives.

 

....or you could put some grippy tires on it and use it as a light runner.

[InsaneJim69]

As above really, except send it to me of course !!  

But I used to race a TA05R with a Novak 3,5R Velocity motor and Nosram ESC. The drive train handled the power with ease. So if it were me I would stick a hot brushless system in it and a decent set of race tyres and use it. Or strip it to a rolling chassis no electric and sell it. Heck I might actually be interested if your selling it !!  used to love my TA05R years ago, still miss it actually was such a planted neutral chassis.

James.

[qatmix]

As Jim mentioned above, its a good chassis for club racing. why not approach a local club and have some fun racing. I used to run a TA05 (Its one of my favourite chassis ever). I would win the A-Final with that car against a field of carbon chassis. (Its especially good for small or technical carpet tracks). 

[WillyChang]

11 hours ago, ChrisRx718 said:

Thing is; I don't really know what to do with it. Is it worth much in this state? (Minus the dust!) 

IMHO TA05 is still in the no-mans-wasteland of being seen as an Old TouringCar and still too plentiful to start appreciating in value... tub cars still scraping the bottom of the market range I suspect.

MS might be worth "something" today but I doubt if a used example has recouped back up to RRP or even streetprice yet. The 934 30th Ltd edn might've achieved that feat; perhaps the VDFs too.

TA05 are great runners & it's an iconic design for sure. Looks like you didn't mod it for CS... big market there for drift mods  I had a couple of tubs including an R... gee wonder where are they now, haven't tripped over them lately so I must've sold them all on.

They got overlooked after VDFs arrived  or hmmm... might've stripped down a couple to mod into forward motor drift chassis using Eagle Racing set. That could explain why there's some empty tubs & motor mounts lying loose 

[iluvmud]

So... I wouldn’t mind having one of these in my stables if you’re looking to trade/sell it off

[ChrisRx718]

I can't decide 

Anyone know how that XRS ESC might behave on 2S Lipo? With an external alarm of course. I blew up an old LRP ESC which just wasn't up to withstanding the POWAAAAR of modern 2S 

I'll shorten the wires and toss the Tamiya plug in the bin of course.

I'd really like a grip racer. I'll look into my local club - not even sure where it is!

[Jonathon Gillham]

I agree with everyone here (both the ones who want you to ship it to them and the ones who say race it).  I would take it racing and have some fun.  It doesn't really owe you anything now right?  I know people were racing those at my club until a year or so ago, the few TA racers didn't adopt the TA06 so either kept their TA05 or moved to something else.  The TA07 is making a comeback now though.

[qatmix]

Yep the TA06 was an odd car. I eventually got mine working well but it was never as easy or versatile as the 05. The 07 however is brilliant, a true successor to the 05. However the 05 is still more than club capable.

your esc will work fine with a a lipo. I have a XRS in F1 car and run 2 cell lipo with it with no drama.

As to resale, 05’s are not that high price. The MS sells for a lot though. The last I saw for sale was £250 ish they go for more than older TRF’s as they are more quirky and rare maybe.

[InsaneJim69]

Yeah the 05 was great out the box, very neutral with no dramas or surprises in its handling, made it great for even begginers. The R just added a few nice blue bits. I remember buying my TA05R in its lovely orange kit box new from Apex Models, was £150 !! How things have changed. So even if you sell, you will almost get your money back imo. 

James.

[ChrisRx718]

I don't like selling stuff off, but at the same time it makes little sense to keep something like this unused.

I've looked into BRCA membership and connected with my local clubs. I feel a bit out of my depth but I'm encouraged by The RC Racers blog...

What sort of electronics make sense to put in It? I've heard people mention 13.5 "blinky" class - I'll do my own research now but if anyone can enlighten me, I might already have a suitable ESC...

[qatmix]

Glad you like the blog 🙂 the goal is to help people have fun racing their cars. I am more than willing to help give you pointers on what to buy etc. Maybe send me a PM (or keep it on here if you want) let me know the clubs you are looking at  etc.

13.5 blinky is really popular in the uk btw and the Ta05r can easily be geared right for it.