Yokomo B-Max 4, Shaft Drive 4WD Buggy

www.rc-japan.de

http://www.rc-japan.de/article.php?id=236&pg=1&anch=2&PHPSESSID=30743adbf11bb2a11aa82a32ba64c6ec

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.

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.

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.

[...]

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.

[...]

Images: Arnaud Ledun

j'ai la berlue ou ils on foutu des vis cruciformes ? (ou pozi je sais jamais)

faudrait être fou pour revendre un BX et s'acheter ça, non? et pour celui qui n'a pas de châssis, impossible de passer au BX et de garder des pièces communes, super.

ils sont chelou chez yokomo, ils la jouent conformiste avec une implantation bien connue, mais ils choissisent un châssis baignoire, qui n'est pas très "vendeur"...et puis de la quincaillerie un poil cheap... comprends pas.

*pendu*

"my lips are sealed" mort de rire

et puis cette manie de mettre une prise d'air sur le "toit" ça m'AGACE à la fin ! à croire que tout le monde trouve ça super beau ! Presque toutes les marques le font, maintenant... beurk.:mad:

ils sont chelou chez yokomo, ils la jouent conformiste avec une implantation bien connue, mais ils choissisent un châssis baignoire, qui n'est pas très "vendeur"...et puis de la quincaillerie un poil cheap... comprends pas.

Ben ils ont juste prouve qu'avec une charette en plastoc qui vaut trois fois moins qu'une voiture "de course" tu peux gagner le championnat d'Europe... (certes y a tout le staff yok derriere, mais y a probablement une partie du staff Tam derriere le 501 bricole de Hupo qui coute au moins 4x + que le B-Max de Cragg...) - moi je trouve que c'est plutot sympa comme concept, c'est juste dommage qu'ils ne le jouent pas grand public a fond avec un chassis qui prenne les packs en stick a la DB01 (qui marche tres fort aussi une fois equipe d'un slipper et d'une RL et eventuellement d'amortos digne de ce nom). Il faut aussi se rappeler que tout le monde (comprendre: les debutants) a un tournevis cruciforme chez soi, mais pas forcement un jeu de cles allens (et celles en L livres dans les kits sont foireuses de toute facon).

My 2 cents...

Paul

ils sont chelou chez yokomo, ils la jouent conformiste avec une implantation bien connue, mais ils choissisent un châssis baignoire, qui n'est pas très "vendeur"...et puis de la quincaillerie un poil cheap... comprends pas.

je comprends toujours pas pourquoi sur un 4x2 les chassis sont en "plastoc" et personne ne dit rien, et que dès que c'est implanté sur un 4x4 cela souleve une levé de boucliers....???????

si ils sont bien concus, les chassis "plastoc" n'ont rien a envier aux chassis "carbone".

Est-il dispo en france?

Si oui a quel prix?

Merci d'avance.

Et Masami, il ne roule pas avec?

Disponible ... au Japon

Ce qui est compatible avec le BX:

Ce qu'il faut pour en faire une voiture plus compétitive

salut je suis nouveau posseceur d'un bmax4 les premier test s annonce tres prometeur avec reglage de boite. premier course pour moi dimanche s il ne pleut pas

Suite au CF, ca a donné quoi le B-Max 4???

Voici celui de Arnaud Ledun, qui pourra nous donner son ressenti après ce CF :

salut peut on avoir les impressions et conseils de regalage de ceux qui roule en bmax4 merci d'avance