Tamiya Blockhead Grasshopper Spec Racing

Back in 2019 my local onroad club decided to have a fun spec class based on the Tamiya Grasshopper. The rules are very simple. 

Must be built as kit including motor and ESC.

• Bearings.
• You can change to hex screws.
• Kit gearing
• No additive (380 motors.. not needed)
• 8.4v  max capacity batteries

No hop-ups other than cosmetic.. Drivers are encouraged to not run box art. 

I know some people might wince at the thought of running 380 motors... cause fast is best right? Well indeed it does give you a slight reprieve when you are on the straight, but as every one else is running a 380 it is fine.. hitting the cleanest apex and staying clean (those bumpers like to get tangled up), is the key to winning. 

The great thing is that it's proved to be on of the the cheapest race classes out there.. the tyres will probably last for about 20 years.. the cars require zero maintenance.. and the brushes are so hard on the Tamiya stock motor you are at a disadvantage if you decide to run a new one.

For my Grasshopper my buddy Jay took my colour scheme and got inspired by the Ford rally scheme, which was more in-fitting for the all terrain Grasshopper. I then added some blingy blue parts such as wheel covers from T4 Works, and some excellent stickers from Blockhead motors. It was a pain sourcing these parts back then, but now in 2022 it is pretty easy. 

The best thing for me was the range of drivers that took part, from beginners to more seasoned racers. The cars were a great equaliser and we had some very varied results.. and also some great looking Grasshoppers racing around the track.  

Let's be honest, the Grasshopper is a much better onroad chassis than an offroad one ;)