Force speed control
 

Anyone remember the Australian made Force esc. Just wondering what happened to them. 20 odd years ago I purchased a Mach1 that is still operating now, though it has been in a box for 15 plus years. It is smaller lighter better than the tekin novak etc equivalant of its day and cheaper.
Anyone still got one or are they rare as hens teeth.
Manufactured by Intac engineering.

I remember them as would most vintage enthusiasts.My mate has one in one of his vintage buggies.

tekin
 

I think his name was Noel or similar from Brisbane, he went to and then sold to Tekin and the rest is history. It was mentioned a while ago in another thread so it will all be said again
Aussie Bob

They were developed by a Brisbane guy who's name escapes me at the moment. The thing was fairly advanced for it's time and he was bought (man and speedie) and went to work for one of the big players - I think Tekin but my memory is not quite as sharp these days.

Sorry Aussie Bob you must have beaten me by a millisecond

There is no noel in the acknwledgements as far as software development, hardware etc. If it and or the designer went os that satisfies me. Shame Intac engineering did not stay here.

Noel Lovissa was his name - we use to refer to him as "Himey" as in Himey the robot out of Get Smart.

Walked around with a brief case ....I can recall him giving us "performance hobby supplies" drivers a lecture in high frequency speed controls back in '91 :nod:

http://sharetv.org/images/get_smart_1965/hymie-char.jpg - look - a - like

haha Luis, thats him (remarkable resemblence actually!)...he seemed like an allright guy....although - I did not have access to him like you fancy "Performance Hobby Supplies" drivers.....you were all sooooooooo aaawwwweeeesome!! (that includes you too HARLOW (geddes)) :lol:

Luis - dont suppose you could make it up to Castle Hill on ANZAC Day long weekend could you mate? It would love to see you and Brendan mash that JRX2 around - it was flying at the enduro!!

cheers

Darryn

Noel originally came from Townsville and started work on the Purge and Force speedies late 89, with a few of us in Townsville testing a couple of his prototypes before he went to full production down in Brisbane around 91. He was bought out by Tekin lock stock and barrel and was given no credit for his work on his work. From memory, the first "Tekin" to use Noel's software was the 410K, the one with the touch buttons on the face. You could program in the amount of power you wanted off the line, how much in middle of race and again towards the end of the race. You had to program all of this in via the buttons, and remember that it all worked in seconds for each change you made. Great speedies at the time, I still have two of them that still work like a dream, one of them in fact is still brand new in the box

forgot to mention this as well, they were also the first speedies produced that you could turn off via your transmitter, just hold your brake on full for some amount of seconds, same as what the 410K does, not sure if any others also did this.

Yep - it really is a shame he got no credit for the 410K. In retrospect though, it is probably better he didnt! Even though some people had good results with the 410K (myself included) - they fast developed a reputation in mod class for "frying"..

I loved the start up tune - and also the ensuing lyric coined by myself and Adam Davey - "Ï'm about to fry":lol::lol: I must admit to that speedy being one of the ones I would like to get again for one of new builts, Good old Yoko with an EX-5 and Ko fet servo - just missing a 410K..(hint hint!! ;) ).

Are you going to make it down for the meeting old boy? Would be great to meet you!

Cheers

Darryn

I used to run a Purge/Force Mach? - the one with the keypad - in a Tamiya FF Civic back when, oh god that's depressing.

Anywho it was a great ESC and the 3 stage timed current limiting actually worked ... until the majic smoke escaped.

Here he is today:

http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Lovis...538635939.aspx

I remember attending an off-road Nat's in Adelaide, was indoors in conjunction with the International Motor show. (Bartman won both mod Titles, also an awesome jump competion after racing and it was about the first time the 30 series Yok tyres became available to the masses,if you could afford them).

A few People were standing around back at the Motel where we stayed and a senior Mr Birtles started having a spray about Force speedies. He didn't really hold back and a few of us where looking at each other during it. After he finished Noel stepped forward and introduced himself, about the only time I've seen anyone with a Birtles surname lost for words.

I tested his prototype Force for him in Coffs.
I remember something going wrong with it. Pluged it in and the car wouldn't start. He took the speedy and car away under a tent to fix it. 10 mins later he returned and from memory, I won the race by over a lap. They were good speedys in their days.

I suppose I could see how bad you want a 410K, that used one I have does work, wiring is a bit sad due to being used in a few cars over the years. Sounds like I must have got a good one, just hope that new one I haven't used yet will be just as good