The track was unchanged from the 2WD event - the only difference was now the track was being run in an anti-clockwise direction. The hard and relatively smooth racing line from 2WD was still there but the 4WD cars were much quicker and were able to take much wider lines without problem so gradually the racing line got wider as the dust got thrown off.

Some cool and sexy guys prepare to race like modern day gladiators (did they even race? I think not - never mind)

Grant Williams (car seen above and below) got his first chance with the new car - only receiving his car at the event. The car is the same as seen recently at events in the UK but Grant and the other drivers are using the old (available as hop ups) alloy gearbox tops.

Phil Booth from Schumacher

The SX has been seen in public a few times already at recent events in the UK, but this is the first time it's really been seen outside the UK. Simon Moss attended the warmup event for the Euros but it rained heavily so the car didn't really get to stretch its legs.

So far here the cars are going very well - but how well will be known when the timed practice and qualifiers start on day 5.

None of the parts from the BX carry over to the new car - even if some (the steering hubs) look similar they aren't the same items. The gearbox crown gears are from the Yokomo SD touring car, but the differentials are all completely new to this car and apparently very strong.

The body shell isn't officially anything to do with the old Yokomo Super Dogfighter - but the styling is certainly similar, even if some wont like it. The team brought their own standard body for the car, but Neil had Cedric Devilliers paint up a new body at the track so everyone knew who was coming past I suppose.

Holding the car in the hand, there's certainly some flex evident, and on a track like it'll be used on during these championships that's probably not a bad thing. The spur gear is visible in these photos but the kit comes supplied with a cover which will complete the total enclosure of the drivetrain.

Masami had the car at the recent Hot Rod Hobbies shootout in the USA, but chose not to run the new car - instead opting for the BX Worlds. So Neil is the first driver to race this new car in public - and took the brave choice to register the car as his 'chassis' for this huge event.

A small cover allows access to set the slipper

The B-Max is compatible with 'standard' wheels and uses all-new suspension.

Interview with Robert Itoh and Yansunobu Hosoda from Team Yokomo.

You're here with Neil Craggs all new race toy, how would you describe the car - is it based on previous competition models or is it designed from scratch?
It's designed as an entry level competition model, rather than a high end competition model, the car is completely new - none of the parts from the Yokomo BX carry over.

Yansunobu Hosoda designed both the new B-Max and the current BX cars.

Is the B-Max a ready to run car, or is it available as a kit?
Initially it'll just be the kit, it doesn't come built. Possibly there will be a ready to run version in future.

What have you done to make the car ready for the European Championships? Have you changed or added any parts?
The car that Neil is running is from stock, apart from using BX shocks. The kit will come with plastic threaded shocks, but these aren't ready yet. (The BX shocks on the photos are using the plastic collars off the B-Max shocks though - jimmy.)

Will this car replace the BX or will it sit alongside?
For a while it will be alongside the BX; the BX is for the high level racer, the B-Max for the entry level driver.

And you're here to prove the cars ability at the European Championships, is the car designed to be raced competitively, or is it aimed at the budget racer?
We've brought the car here because we hope to prove what it is capable of, the car was designed for the budget racer, but without sacrificing performance - and that is one of the reasons for bringing the car at the European Championships.
At the moment there are no plans to develop it into the full racer, but we do have plans to offer small hop up options.

What level of maintenance is required on this model, is it suitable for someone like Jimmy who prefers to never have to do any work on his cars?
It requires standard maintenance as any R/C car would, but it is designed to be easy to maintain. 
The only thing we can think of, because it is a shaft drive car, is the diffs/drive train - it's a sealed drive train so requires less maintenance than other cars.

What challenges have you faced throughout designing and manufacturing the B-Max?
We wanted to be able to have a car that could be run anywhere, such as in a park or field, because that is where entry level racers drive their cars. So we concentrated on being able to seal the drivetrain, a lot of effort was put into that. For the average racer they run on fairly compact surfaces so can have an exposed drivetrain. For amateur racers driving in fields, it is important they have a contained drive train. (Or for lazy racers, like Jimmy)

Do you have any plans to release a 2wd car into the competitive market?
Ahhh my lips are sealed, that's all top secret at the moment.

There are three of you here at the European championships to work on Neils car, what role do each of you play?
Yasunobu Hosoda - BMAX/BX4 Designer
Naoya Kitagawa - Mechanic
Robert Itoh - Race Support

Have any of your other drivers raced this car - has Masami been driving it?
Yes, Masami hasn't raced the car but he has tested it, this is the first competitive race.

How are you finding the cars performance so far on this track?
So far from what we've seen Neil is driving very well with it, and is up there with the fastest lap times with Lee and Hupo.

When is this car due for release and what price range will you be looking at?
We're working towards mid-august for release. The price probably be in line with the kyosho zx5; This car is comparable to the Yokomo BX similar to the Tamiya Durga being compared to the Tamiya 501x..

How many kits and spares did you bring?
Just the one car, and enough spares for Neil.

Thanks very much Robert and Yasunobu for your time, and good luck!

The new car has nothing - repeat - nothing to do with a well known racer called B-Mag.

Practice commenced promptly at 08.30am, in heat order 1-12 with the slower drivers warming the track up for the top lads, although if I'm honest I thought that Jimmy was pretty fast in heat 2.

The days practice wasn't timed, but every driver was given the chance of 6 practices throughout the day, although it isn't unusual for competitors to return to the hotel when they get bored and opt for swimming instead (we didn't do this because we were getting photos and top racing gossip for this report).

Left: Although practice wasn't timed, many of the top lads had their mechanics on standby with a stopwatch.