Le blog de la rédac'

Les voeux du collège St Jo, vous savez ceux qui organisent les 24h de St Jo avec des voitures qu'ils construisent eux.mêmes... Merci à eux et qu'ils reçoivent les nôtres!

La deuxième fournée d'illustrations et la deuxième partie de l'interview de B. Easton...

Billy Easton Stage 2 interview:

Are you happy with the progress on the buggy 1/8 project ? Still on target for Introduction at the Nurnberg Toy-Fair 2010 ?

''The progress of the buggy is coming along quite nicely now. With so many parts that make up a kit, I would say there are far more approved than those that are not. So, as far as the manufacturing end goes, it’s definitely looking very promising. For sure we can show the car at the Nuremburg Toy-fair. ''

Have you been able to run a production proto-type of the Serpent buggy yet ? If yes, then how did it go ? Yes, actually I have a complete sample car here that I have been able to do some very intensive test-sessions already at a local track. To be honest, it has actually gone really well. The handling of the Serpent car is very balanced and feels quite neutral. Considering the setup had never been tested before, I was still able to post some really good lap times. Most of the local guys that were on lookers, commented on the amount of traction it was producing.

What would you see as the 5 main strong points in the design of the Serpent S8xx ?

''I would say The simplicity. The low center of gravity Balance in all directions (left to right , front to back) Durability in design to finish long mains Suspension geometry on all 4 corners''

Can you advice which price-point the car is aimed at, upon release ? and do you have an update on the release date ?

''From the very start we really wanted to have a competitive price. I figure with all the bells and whistles you will probably see the price tag in your local hobby shops at well below $600 US dollars. I think when you see the finish and quality of all the materials; you will wonder how we were able to give you such a high quality car for so little money and still turn a profit. As far as the release date, I would suspect if we are able to show a pre production car at the Nuremburg Toy-fair it would be release for sale shortly after, we still aim for march delivery.''

Thanks Billy, and we will be back with more questions in stage 3.

Team Serpent

Bah oui! Serpent se remet au TT comme au bon vieux temps! Serpent avait gouté dans les années 80 -Spririt et Cobra- (envoyez des précisions en commentaires si vous savez...) au TT 1/8, ardeurs vite calmées par les ténors de l'époque (Yankee, Garbo etc...)... Aujourd'hui, ils remettent le couvert avec l'impulsion de Michael Salven et de Billy Easton pour faire un TT dernier cri! Ci-joint l'interview en version originale de Billy Easton et les premières illustrations :

Intro Serpent 1/8 buggy project with Billy Easton

In the next couple of weeks we will introduce you to the Serpent 1/8 buggy development, testing, production and racing.

Below a 1st of 4 interviews with Billy Easton the designer / racer of the Serpent 1/8 buggy. The Serpent 1/8 buggy is the first move into the offroad market, to be followed by a Truggy and electric versions, as well as Ready to race cars in the near future. Design-wise Billy Easton works closely together with Michael Salven. With Michael being the expert in gas onroad, Billy will perform this task for the offroad projects. In this way true experts look after the class they know best and actively race in and can support best. Still sharing idea's and knowledge to create the very best rc racing cars around.

Below the interview with Billy Easton.

Hello Billy,

Interview stage 1.

Q: When have you started to work for Serpent and why ?

I would say a little over 2 years ago. At that time Serpent was looking to expand their product line. So, my skills and knowledge were kind of a perfect fit for them. They had really only focused on Nitro onroad and a just begun a 1/12 scale car as well as their Electric sedan. So having the experience in the development and racing of Nitro offroad as well as electric onroad/offroad, I would be a perfect fit for what they needed. Personally, I wanted to work for a company that had a position available so that I could grow myself. I really enjoyed the design aspect of the cars and products and was given the chance to show the world my ideas.

Q: Whats is your main job at Serpent ?

My job at Serpent consists of designing new and innovative products. I excel in the conceptual part or the birth of a product, I seem to have a natural knack for being able to visualize things. I spend countless hours researching and developing products as well. Aside from all those things, I will also be the guy that checks the quality and fit of the parts on the projects that I am familiar with.

Q: What are the main projects you have been working on in the past year ?

Over the last year I have actually worked on a few projects. Some of them have not yet been released to the public’s eye, so they will remain anonymous. However, most note worthy are the 1/8 buggy project as well as our S120 1/12 link car, the 966-e and the 1/10 WGT pancar.

Q: For this offroad 1/8 project, what is the main goal design-wise ?

''Our 1/8 project has actually been quite extensive. We really took the time to first research all the current makers’ cars as well as build and test them. In the beginning we did indeed have a Document laying out the guidelines for our car. The main idea for the car was to provide the best possible balance, lightest possible weight, and ease of construction. Then, in the end provide the consumer with a product that he could build the first time and outperform all previous buggies he had ever used. I know it seems like a tall order, but of all the cars I have raced and tested over the last 15 or so years, they all lacked something. In the end, we wanted to take this class to another level and create the Ultimate package. Speaking for Serpent it was not just about releasing another car, it was about releasing the best performing car in the market place.''

Q: Can you tell us ….. when drivers can expect the Serpent 1/8 offroad car to appear on the market ?

At this time, we are shooting for a release in march 2010. We will showcase the product at the Nurnberg Toy Fair. I will be there to discuss all the ideas and concepts for our 1/8 buggy. I am pretty sue you will like it , trust me.

Thanks for your information, we will be back with more questions in stage 2.

Team Serpent

Merci HPI Europe!

Ce que vous voyez ci-dessous, c'est Vincent Téaldi, le président du club de la région parisienne ARC 14 http://www.arc14.com/ situé à Clamart (92), qui nous a accueillit chaudement ( je parle de l'ambiance et du café, pas du temps!) sur sa piste pour tester les truggy et buggy 808 Xray la semaine dernière... De rodages de moteurs, en chronométrages, mesures de sauts, etc... et j'en passe , la nuit est tombée et comme on n'est pas du genre à pas finir ce que l'on commence, Vincent a sorti de son cabanon du lourd! Il s'agit d'un éclairage public récupéré et raccordé à une rallonge (une grosse baladeuse quoi...), ce qui nous a permis de faire des photos de nuit et de finir nos mesures... Des grands malades, j'vous dis!

Encore au programme des essais du prochain numéro d’RC Racing Cars et d’RC Power 191, le test complet du nouveau V8e Hot Bodies qui n’est autre que la réplique électrique motorisée par un brushless, du célébrissime D8 champion du monde en titre de la catégorie TT 1/8ème thermique. Une auto qui reprend les qualités du modèle thermique et qui ajoute une pointe de progressivité supplémentaire et de touche écologique grâce à son système de propulsion propre. A découvrir sans faute !

Profitant d’une météo particulièrement favorable ces derniers jours, les pilotes du challenge sud HPI ont remis le couvert pour des affrontements sans répit sur la piste d’Apt, dans le département du Vaucluse. Une course de tout terrain où se sont affrontées pas moins de sept catégories mettant en jeu des voitures électriques et thermiques, toutes échelles confondues, et même les fameuses motos électriques M5 Cross que distribue depuis peu de temps l’importateur Avio et Tiger. Des motos qui ont pris des allures d’avion sur cette piste très spectaculaire ! Pour en savoir plus, nous vous invitons à retrouver le reportage complet de cette compétition dès la fin du mois de décembre dans le prochain numéro 191 d’RC Racing Cars et d’RC Power.

Le mondial du modèle réduit renaît, Porte de Versailles à Paris, du 17 au 20 Juin 2010!

Eclipsé depuis le début de l’année au profit d’autres phénomènes comme celui du brushless, le truggy n’est pas mort et n’en poursuit pas moins sa voie dans le domaine du loisir. En témoigne avec cette nouvelle version Trophy conçue par HPI qui est un véritable bulldozer roulant capable de perfs époustouflantes grâce à son moteur de 4,6 cm3. A retrouver en détail dans notre prochain numéro 191 de fin d’année d’R/C Racing Cars et RC Power.

ça y est, les photos de la Serpent 966e sont arrivées!