BOCA BEARING >>> For a long time, Boca Bearing has set the standard in terms of performance in the small-sized bearings we use in our R/C vehicles. More recently, top-level racers have begun turning to ceramic bearings to take away that extra little bit of friction whenever the can. Unfortunately for most, ceramic bearings are quite expensive, and are beyond the reach of the average racer.

Enter Boca Bearing's new Ceramic Lightning Series, designed to meet the specific application need for your vehicle, and priced much closer towards affordability. The Lighting Series bearings are "lighter, faster and more durable" according to Boca's press release, and will be available in three flavors: Metal Shielded Ceramic Hybrid Bearings designed for use in most standard R/C vehicles, featuring removable shields for quick and easy maintenance; Yellow Rubber Sealed Ceramic Hybrid Bearings specifically targeted for nitro-powered vehicles, where durability is key and permanently sealed, maintenance-free bearings are a necessity; and Ultra-Seal Ceramic Hybrid Bearings geared towards electric racers, also permanently sealed, but with lower friction than their nitro counterparts.

Boca promises to offer the Lightning Series bearings in nearly any model and size, all at a price that is up to 50% less than typical ceramic bearings currently cost. They also offer, of course, their typical full lines of high-quality bearings for any and all radio-control applications.

You can visit the Boca Bearing Company on the web at www.bocabearings.com.

CARISMA >>> Carisma is a new sub-company of Mun Ah (MA) Toys, an existing toy company based in Hong Kong, distributed in the United States by Horizon Hobby. They have designed an impressive line of officially licensed, semi-assembled Ferrari R/C car kits. Each car comes with a transmitter, ESC, battery pack, radio equipment, and a fully painted and detailed body. All of the kits are available in 1/14th scale with a 380-sized motor, and the F2002 is also available in a 1/10th scale version with a standard 540-sized motor.

			Carisma offers a variet of 1/10th and 1/14th scale Ferrari models, including the Enzo, Modena, F40 and Foruma 1 (F2002) shown here. Each car comes as a semi-assembled, ready-to-run kit.

You can visit Carisma on the web at www.matoys.com.

COMPETITION ELECTRONICS >>> On the heels of their immensely popular Turbo 35 and Turbo 35 GFX releases, Competition Electronics redesigned the industry-standard TurboMatcher to complement its Turbo 35 line. They are also offering an updated version of the Pit Bull charger, and the Park Pal, a small charger designed for park flyer and nitro car batteries.

			The TurboMatcher 4/35, in all its glory. For years, the TurboMatcher has been the industry standard in battery matching, and the 4/35 has continued that tradition.

You can visit Competition Electronics on the web at www.competitionelectronics.com.

CORALLY >>> Headquartered in Holland, Corally is becoming a significant force in the US market. With the release of the Assassin "Shapeshifter" touring car, they have had a busy, busy year. Offering multiple drivetrains on the same platform, the Assassin was definitely one of the most innovative releases of 2003, and Corally has not stopped there.

Extending their line with a series of ready-to-run kits, Corally is now offering a RTR 12th scale set up (the SP12M), along with a RTR F1 car and a RTR 1/10th scale pan car (the CCT). In addition to the new cars, Corally continues to offer a full line of electric motors and brushes, batteries and battery supplies, a tire truer, foam and rubber tires and wheels, tire additives, and other accessories.

			The Assassin "Master Edition," one of the most innovative touring car designs to come around in a long time. Configurable between a 2-belt and 1-belt/direct-drive drivetrain, the car can be set up most effectively for both stock and modified racing.

			A damper tube conversion kit is now available for the SP12M, featuring an oil-filled center shock and a more configurable motor pod.

			For the first time anywhere (that I know of!) there is a ready-to-run 1/12th scale kit available! At an estimated street price of around $300, the SP12M RTR should make entering the class easier for first-timers, and the car is completely upgradable to the regular SP12M spec.

			Some of Corally's many accessories, including tire additives (such as "Jack the Gripper"), rubber wheels and tires, inserts, foam tires, and Corally's own tire truer.

			More of Corally's accessories, including their complete line of electric stock and modified motors and brushes.

You can visit Corally on the web at www.corally.com.

DU-BRO >>> Long time supporters of the R/C industry with a wide array of screws and other hardware, Du-Bro has begun to innovate in other areas. This year, they presented a few interesting products at the show, including a quick engine shut-off tool, a pit equipment carrier and an on-board body clip retaining system.

			The Kwik-Stop Engine Off tool is an incredibly simple and very handy gadget that should save people from having to use a shoe (or a hand!) to shut off their nitro cars. For the price, there's no reason not to have one!

			Du-Bro's Body Klip Retainers use small rubber bits and a piece of flexible wire to keep body clips handy whenever they are removed. With this cheap and effective system, you'll never lose a body clip again.

			The Pit Stop Trackside Caddy provides an easy-to-carry method of getting your fuel bottle, glow igniter, engine wrench and Kwik Stop Engine Off tool (see above) out of your pits and down to the track. Plus, you'll never grab the wrong fuel bottle or igniter, since you'll always know where yours are.

You can visit Du-Bro on the web at www.dubro.com.

FUTABA >>> Still far and away the worldwide leader in radio controlled radio systems and accessories, Futaba had a large display inside the Hobbico booth, showing off their entire lines of radio systems, servos, speed controls and other accessories.

Last year the big news was the 3PK radio, and while Futaba didn't have anything to match that grandeur, they certainly had an impressive lineup, including some charging/discharging systems, and a brand new computerized AM radio, the 2PL. The CR-2000 is an easy-to-operate charger for transmitter and receiver packs, while the BR-2000 is a compant trickle discharging unit. There were even stylish transmitter bags for the 3PK and for some of Futaba's higher-end multi-channel airplane/helicopter systems.

			The entire Futaba servo line was on display, including my personal favorite, the high-speed, low profile S9550 digital servo. In many of today's electric sedans where chassis space is at a premium, this little servo can do wonders.

			The BR-2000 discharging unit invokes the spirit of the iPod, while providing a simple 1A-3A adjustable discharge rate. The CR-2000 allows for easy charging of transmitter and receiver packs, as well as glow igniters.

			Perhaps unknown to many, Futaba also maintains a line of pro-level speed controls, including this MC800C unit. In fact, this was the ESC used by Surikarn Chaidajsuriya to win the 2002 IFMAR Electric Touring Car World Championship.

You can visit Futaba's R/C unit on the web at www.futaba-rc.com.