Hot Bodies D2 spied at BATLEY

[jimmy]

The Hot Bodies D2 made its 'official' UK debut this past weekend at the North East 2WD regional held at the well known Batley Buggy Club track. The D2 was driven by the designer of the car himself - Adam Skelding from Hot Bodies UK division, and is the only one currently in the country.

We caught up with Adam to get an update on the car and snap off a few body-off photos. The car is virtually complete bar some final tweaks and should be ready for a September release. Some anodising on Adams car wasn't complete and all remaining silver alloy parts will be hard anodised to match the main chassis plate.

Check out the rest of the photos in the race report from this event HERE

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/batleyregional200708/

[jim76]

looking good. the more i see, the more i'm liking it. And the shell has really grown on me, so much that i think that forward cockpit makes it the nicest 2wd shell around at present.
can't wait to get my hands on one

[jimmy]

Agree with you there bud, I really like the chassis myself - the shell I wasn't sure about when I first saw it but it's definitely growing on me.

I know this is simplistic, but I like how you don't know if that's adam's 2 wheel or 4 wheel at first glance... from the center forward, it looks like it could be either! Especially with the front shocks mounted in front of the arms like that!

[sparrow.2]

I really like the car. The chassis really looks tidy and really well thought out but man does the bodyshell polarise!

Quite handy really. Whenever I find myself thinking it would be an idea to get one I look at the shell and the feeling goes away all by itself

[mes]

Just imagine a Azarashi shell on it...Do you want one again now?!

[xavi]

What is the reason for a aluminum chassis?
Does it handle well on bumpy tracks and dirt tracks?
Is it designed for UK tracks (hi-grip)?


Will be a plastic composite version or chasis option?

How is the front degree kick-up setting?

Jimmy, do you just have review date for it? :-P

[Adam Skelding]

Aluminium Chassis - Most consistent chassis material. It' hard to get a bad batch of aluminium. Tub chassis's vary too much between getting a good one and a bad one.
Also, it puts the weight down the centre of the car and lowers the c of g significantly for higher corner speeds.

LiPo is also catered for with those in hard cases suitable for fitting in the D2, just remove the battery tray. There will be LiPo option parts, as running LiPo means altering weight balance from it's intended balance for to aft.

[sparrow.2]

Originally Posted by Adam Skelding

LiPo is also catered for with those in hard cases suitable for fitting in the D2, just remove the battery tray. There will be LiPo option parts, as running LiPo means altering weight balance from it's intended balance for to aft.

Do you just remove the try or is it replaced with something to keep the bracing function?

Have you got any close-ups of the gearbox? Are the rear toe blocks going to be out of aluminium in the kit?

Really like the colour of the chassis!

[jimmy]

The tray and two sides of the battery compartment are all seperate items - the photo below is a little misleading as I went and put them together like they look on the car - but this is three seperate parts. Remove the bottom 'tray' and lipo will have the space it needs.

[Northy]

Jimmy, you bad lad



G

[bbq]

What is the Weight race reedy?

[bender]

What is the reason for the C-hub / steering knuckle design being effectively backwards when compared to a conventional 2wd?

By looking at it, having the vertical hinge-pin held solidly only in the centre would lead to quite a bit of stress and twisting force from the steering knuckle?

Not sure if I worded that right but imagine if you hold a broom in the centre of the handle, then two other people each grab one end of the broom and try to rock it back and forth.

Clear as mud

[jimmy]

The hub carrier / castor block bit has apparently been strong enough even in stock moulded form, but is getting additional strength from a new lower overlap which isn't done yet. So the castor block will overlap at the bottom on the production car.

[bjcaldwe]

Much thanks for those pics. It gives me something to look forward to, today at work.

[BRS]

Oh what alot of side guard screws you have...

[footey]

tell u what i thought the d2 jumped really well nice and flat it looked really good

[Lee]

I`ll be convinced when i see Adam backflip it

[josh_smaxx]

I was really looking forward to coming to Batley to see this creation as well looks great Adam, good luck with it.

[zaquiz]

Seems like the D2 is not so fast on slippery tracks, such as Yatabe. Hayato only manage to qualify into the C final, finishing 21st, in the Japan Nats. It seems to me like they have som homework to do.