Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions Hupo. You have been running the prototype of the 501X for a few months already. How did you come to taking on the car, and what were your initial impressions when you heard about a competition 4WD from Tamiya?
I was really excited when I heard Tamiya will make a 4wd! Allthough
I really liked my Durango car, the 501X is pretty! From the first
pack I tested it, it was very good and felt easy (to drive)!
Have you helped in any way to develop the 501X, or will you have an input? Or are Tamiya more concentrated with their Japanese drivers?
To be honest, I was suprised that I could give some input to help
them finish the car - they really listen carefully! And I´m sure
we can make the car even faster! |
Name: Hubert Hönigl
Age: 24
Occupation: worker at HOECO
How long have you been racing: since 1993
First R/C car: TAMIYA Monster Beetle
Other classes raced: 1/12 scale, 1/10th electric touring, 1/10th nitro touring, 1/8th offroad (only a little for fun)
Sponsors: TAMIYA, ORION, HOECO, Team LOSI, LRP, Lunsford, Sanwa, Novarossi, Proline, Protoform, Xenon, rcpaintworks.com
Favorite track: minreg or lakepark some years ago...
Best racing result: 2x European Champion (2000, 2006) several podiums at European Championships, different classes, 13x austrian champion :-) |
Tamiya are newcomers to off road racing, what do you think of their chances of success this coming season, and of course the World Championships?
The car has for sure the potential to become world champion!
The main fact is now the driver - and at the moment there are drivers
who can make the main, but not fast enough for winning a worlds...
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Hupos prototype 501X - now replaced by the production car |
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What is your preferred drive in the 501X, fixed or with front one-way? Have you tried any other options such as a centre one way on the car?
At the moment oneway - front and rear same pulley!
(no front overdrive) I will hopefully get a center one-way soon to test...
Is there anything on the car you would change about the 501X? For performance, ease of maintenance, looks? Or weak points that you'd like to see addressed?
looks - NO! it´s pretty!
Maybe we need to change some small details, but overall the car
is very good as it is now! |
How easy is the car to work on compared to other 4WD you have raced with? Do you find the fairly open drive train to be a problem with dirt and dust?
With all the production parts on the car now - it is easy to work on.
Not easier that on other cars, but also no problem there...
I like the way you build the shocks - thats easy!
The "open" drivetrain is no problem because the body and the undertray
make it quiet close.
Do you have any other thoughts on the car?
Yes, I do - I would like to have some different parts to adjust
toe-in or caster - things like that.
 Thank you Hupo, and good luck!
Thank you very much and see you in Finnland!
Thanks to rcpaintworks.com - Hupos shell painter - for supplying photos of Hupos car for this article. |
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