HARDCORE RACING COMPONENTS >>> It's no secret in the industry that if you're looking for beautifully finished, well-engineered titanium or aluminum upgrade parts, look no further than Hardcore Racing. With ever-expanding product lines to include many of the most popular vehicle platforms on the market, Hardcore Racing probably has some sort of shiny parts to make your car or truck look better, act tougher or weigh less.

Of particular note this year is the ready-to-run version of Traxxas' T-Maxx that Hardcore Racing is offering. For a mere $2500, you can get a completely tricked out Maxx for a few hundred dollars less than you'd spend if you bought the pieces individually. But why stop with the T-Maxx? You can also pick up RTR versions of the Nitro TC3, Micro RS4 and GS Racing Storm, among others, all with the Hardcore Racing modifications pre-applied. They are expensive, but can you really put a price on style?

To prove how far they'll go to stand by their products, Hardcore Racing has also begun offering an unprecedented trade-in program. Consumers can send in any titanium or aluminum piece from any competing manufacturer, and can then buy the same piece from Hardcore at a 50% discount. This even means that you can send in your old aluminum parts for brand-new titanium versions! Now that's customer service.

			This is the $2500 beast, the Hardcore Racing Components ready-to-run version of the Traxxas T-Maxx truck. Including as many upgrades as could be squeezed in, the truck arrives at your doorstep already dressed in showroom-quality finish. And if the T-Maxx isn't your style, there are other Hardcore RTR vehicles to choose from as well.

			The HPI Savage truck in full Hardcore Racing trim, including the beautiful 2-piece titanium side chassis, available in four different colors (green, blue, red and the natural silver).

			Associated's electric TC3 sedan gets the Hardcore treatment as well.

			If you're a TC3 fan, Hardcore has something for you, with plenty of trick aluminum and titanium parts for both the electric and nitro versions of the car.

			Hardcore Racing's version of the HPI Micro RS4.

You can visit Hardcore Racing Components on the web at www.racinghardcore.com.

HITEC >>> Hitec was one of the few companies at this years show to release information on a good portion of their 2004 product lineup. Having pioneered frequency synthesis technology with the release of their Spectra modules a few years ago, Hitec has a solid radio lineup that so far is seeing no major changes for the coming year. They also have an extensive line of servos -- both analog and digital -- which will see a few new additions, such as the HS-635HB, a high-torque, ball-bearing servo for about $35, and a large quarter-scale servo with a whopping 183 ounces-per-inch of torque, the HS-755HB, to be available at a very-affordable $30.

In addition to radio gear, Hitec will offer new transmitter and receiver battery packs, made with 1600 mAH NiMH cells. To charge those cells you'll need a capable charger, and Hitec has the CG-335 Pro, which certainly fits the bill. A DC-only charger, hook it up to a 10A power source and you'll be able to charge both NiMH and NiCad batteries in 4-24 cell configuations from .5A-5A, or single cell glow igniters at 1.1A.

Combine all of that with Hitec's already impressive line of affordable radio products, along with excellent service and support, and you can't go wrong.

You can visit Hitec on the web at www.hitecrcd.com.

HPI >>> The big news from HPI at this year's show was, of course, the impending release of the Pro 4, their new shaft-driven touring car meant to bring HPI back in line with some of the other top competition in the market. After nearly two years of development, this new car is poised to challenge some of the bigger names in racing. Also big at their booth is the new Savage 25, a bigger and meaner version of the Savage 21 monster truck. A true 1/8th scale vehicle, the Savage 25 is likely to give Associated's Monster GT a run for the money in the "big huge truck" arena, especially with the .25 cubic inch (4.1cc) engine that HPI is packing with the RTR kit. All of this for only a few dollars more than the already-popular Savage 21!

Besides their unreleased products, HPI was also proudly showing off the new R40 Nitro Sedan, which was recently crowned the 2003 ROAR National Champion. For existing Savage 21 owners, there are plenty of option parts now available, as well as a kit version of the truck, the Savage SS, that includes the same .25-size engine that comes with the Savage 25. In an ever-crowding field of monster trucks, HPI is making strides to set themselves apart from the pack.

			Some views of the brand new Pro 4 touring car from HPI. For the first time in its 4 versions, HPI has abandoned a belt-drive system in favor of a shaft, as many other manufacturers have opted for. After hearing early feedback from those who have seem the Pro 4 in action, it looks like the car will definitely be a contender.

			The brand-new Savage 25, the next evolution of the Savage monster truck. With a .25-sized powerplant and a street price of around $420, this truck looks like a Maxx-killer!

			Also on display was the recently released R40 nitro sedan, which has already gone a long way towards proving how dedicated HPI has become towards the racing market. In its first major outing, the HPI R40 captured the 2003 ROAR National Championship in the capable hands of Atsushi Hara.

			Even with a bigger truck on the way, HPI certainly has not forgotten about Savage 21 owners. In addition to making the truck available in kit form (the .25-powered Savage SS), there are a slew of new option parts available for the Savage, such as these trick-looking graphite chassis plates.

You can visit HPI on the web at www.hpiracing.com.

HUDY >>> The Hudy name is synonymous with "quality" in the R/C world, and for years now the company has continued to deliver just that. Everything that Hudy releases is precision-engineered at the highest levels, and although they tend to be a bit more expensive than their competitors, they are well worth the price.

This year, Hudy presents a new line of tools with a smooth finish, lightweight materials and interchangeable tips, known as Hudy profiTOOLS. Departing from their regular designs, these new tools will be available in all of the popular sizes, and there are 3 different handle/grip sizes to choose from. Of course, Hudy's complete line of existing standard tools remains on the market as well, offering nearly any socket driver, screw driver or allen wrench that one could ever need.

In addition to their hand tools, Hudy makes some of the best electronic aids that the industry has ever seen, including their commutator lathes and tire truers. When everything else is up in the air on a raceday, there is one thing you can always rely on: your Hudy products will make things as easy as possible for you, and won't let you down.

			The complete set of Hudy standard tools, with the new profiTOOLS in the background. No matter what project you are working on, you can bet that Hudy makes a hand tool to suit it.

			Very few tire truers on the market can compare with Hudy's Ultimate line, which includes the grand daddy of them all, the Fully Automatic model, as well as the less costly Professional Tire Truer and the Micro Tire Truer for small-scale, 1/18- and 1/24-scale racing.

You can visit Hudy on the web at www.hudy.net.