HPI Joins in on the ShortCourse fun!
HPI -Racing hits the ShortCourse market hard with the new Blitz. 1:10 scale, Electric, 2wd, Short-Course
ShortCourse
What is all this Short-Course Mumbo-Jumbo-Uber-Hype?
New for some, however, off-road short-course racing is nothing new. It’s what we have been doing within the R/C industry for years!
As the R/C industry takes a considerable amount of styling cues from full-size motorsports, the short-course R/C rage is no different. One look to the off-road sector of motorsports, short-course racing is what is in style or trend right now. But is it just that, a trend or fad?
Again, full-size off-road short-course racing is nothing new! From the Mickey Thompson Stadium Series starting in 1983 on the West Coast to the Crandon International Off-Road Raceway celebrating its 40th anniversary in Wisconsin, it’s easy to state that short-course racing is and has always been a WAY OF LIFE!
In recent years short-course racing has become more recognized, on the radar, due to more press and media partners from the likes of DIRT SPORTS magazine, most major tire manufacturers, tool companies, a slew of energy drink companies and any other company that truly knows the function of “racing” as merely “fast moving billboards.” Okay, maybe they don’t see it as such and are just truly enthralled with off-road racing. I’m sure the latter is the typical reason…
While short-course popularity is on the boom, it has very close family ties to the desert. Desert racing’s pinnacle event has to be the BAJA 1000 with organized race history starting back in 1967 – attracting media from around the globe. A lot of the competitors were also the same competitors that participated in the Mickey Thompson Stadium Series. Guys like Walker Evans and Ivan Stewart were racing both series. The Baja 1000 sits alongside such events as the Indianapolis 500 and Pikes Peak Hill Climb garnering global attention. With this type of global influence it has also built a strong backbone of local and regional desert racing events, fans, enthusiasts and diversity all with a common thread, a love for “off-road.” It was not so long ago that the 80-mile loop around Barstow or Lucerne Valley, California was considered a short-course, closed loop event.
We too are not new to the desert. 2005 saw HPI RACING take the four R/C industry magazine editors to *Baja, Mexico for the debut of the Baja 5B, along with a fun filled experience of driving full-size off-road vehicles with the Wide Open Baja crew. In 2007 we set out to truly honor the old *Barstow-To-Vegas race with our 120-mile [full size miles] trek across the desert with a HPI Baja 5B from Barstow, California to Primm, Nevada. This was followed with a six-page story in the April 2007 issue of *Dirt Sports Magazine.
We’ve continued the passion for off-road R/C “short-course” racing bringing the Baja 5B/T to a closed-loop race course at the *Baja Nationals at Milestone MX Park in Riverside, California in 2008 with the help of the HPI Baja Community.
While our introduction of the 1/10-scale BLITZ Short-Course Truck is new, we are not new to the game of off-road.
Chassis
The Blitz features an all new main chassis based on the proven e-firestorm platform, lengthened to deliever the most stable feel a shortcourse rig can deliever.
The HPI Blitz uses nothing but the finest grade, high-impact nylon plastic on the most critical areas of the truck, from the bumpers to the super beefy arms and everything in between. HPI’s industry known strength and durability makes the Blitz friendly for all-be it a newcomer, or the skilled competitior.
Adjustability
The Blitz is fully tunable, from the multiple shock angles, camber and toe, to anti-squat and more. The threaded shock bodies feature super smooth shock action, as well as quick, on the fly adjustability.
The Unique and proven pivoting skid-plate have ben adapted from the unmatched Baja 5t platform, which are able to truly absorb impacts.
Factory installed quick-change 3-degree rear toe block provides you with plenty of traction, and making changes is easy.
Transmission
A bulletproof, brushless ready, full-metal gear transmission comes stock in the truck, and is made to handle all the power you can throw at it. Silicone oil is also pre-filled in the diff for an enjoyable, easy to drive experience.
Motor
Firebolt 15t motor. The Blistering Firebolt 15t motor provides plenty of power-from speed runs to competing at your local track.
Full Ball Bearings
A complete set of rubber sealed ball bearings are included for super smooth drivetrain operation.
12mm Hex Hubs
12mm Hexes will keep your wheels secure under extreme power, and will keep them from stripping out. 12mm hex hubs are the shortcourse industry standard allowing you to customize your truck with a wide variety of aftermarket parts.
Captured Hinge Pins
E-clip-less captured hinge pins make maintenance quick and hassle free, and also keep the suspension extremely smooth and snug.
Secure Battery Mount
A simple flip of the rear battery mount will allow you to secure the NiMH/Ni-CD or lipo battery pack of your choice with and easy to use thumbscrew hold down strap.
TF-1 Transmitter
The reliable and sturdy HPI TF-1 radio controls the Blitz shortcourse truck. Trigger-style throttle and brake controls provide you with finger-sensitive action when accelerating and stopping! It features interchangable frequency crystals, servo reverse switches, and retractable antenna and simple battery replacement.
Inside info
My sources tell me we should be able to pick one of these up at our local hobbyshops at just under $200.00
Which one is better, HPI Blitz or Team Associated SC10?
Nice website
I had the SC10 first and was impressed with the performance and handling after installing an EZrun 4300kv motor and 60 amp ESC.The truck certainly outperforms both the Slash and Strike.A couple of weeks ago,I got the Blitz,put an EZrun 4300kv motor and 60 amp ESC,the same as the SC10 and I have to say that the Blitz is one sweet truck-runs smoothly,handles like a 4WD and I have to give it 9.5/10!