Unique Tamiya TRF spotted at DHI Cup

Recently at the DHI race weekend in Denmark there was a new Tamiya TRF car driving around the track. However, this is not the latest car being developed by Tamiya themselves, but a very special one of a kind design. Let's take a closer look.

As you can see it shares parts from both the TRF414m and also the TRF415MS, It's designer Dennis Hassing combined those vintage parts, with some modern thinking such as fitting a shorty lipo along the centre and a narrow chassis.

A closer look at the front of the chassis reveals what looks like a Tamiya VDF front steering assembly, there is a 3D printed front mount for the upper arm mounts to help tune the roll centres (The TRF414 had upper arm mounts on the shock towers). The upper deck is still the original TRF414M deck.

The rear if of the car and you can see that a Tamiya V2 Gear differential is fitted. The rear bulkhead has some modifications at the front, the pulleys on the layshaft are larger than the original TRF414 parts. The motor plate is spaced out to ensure that the brushless motor is perfectly centred. The upper arm mounts are also evident at the rear, but this time made from carbon. 

This view shows the custom motor plate to allow lower FDR's and to lower the motor.

Gizmo's Marti Lissau cut out the chassis for Dennis and also helped him with the motor mount. Looking at the underside you can see just how narrow the chassis actually is. You can also see how the brass weights are keyed into the chassis. These weights also act as a brace to hold the shorty in place. 

 Dennis Hassing with his excellent car.

Thanks to David Joos for the pictures and Dennis Hassling for showing us his superb car.