Nice to hear your son is having fun. I think TT02 is a great chassis to start with and it has a lot of hopups that let you improve it.

Super cool. I'm almost done with the build and then we'll see if my boy can even make it 1 lap without breaking it. Curious about the tires, do people run them with or without inserts? I'm just going to have him run the stock tires to prep him for TCS. I'll do a little searching too and see what I find.
- Jose

You must check if the rules allow the use of inserts. I bought the RTR kit last summer (I'm new to rc and this was my first car) and it came without inserts but tires were already glued. They don't last long without insert because the inner part wears faster than having inserts. I don't know for sure if even grip changes, but I think so

I've heard that shimming some steering components on the TT02 can get rid of slop. Can someone who's done this post a picture/description of how this is done? Are any of the aftermarket aluminum steering parts worth it? Any help would be appreciated.

I set up my TT02 for my son to run in our novice class. So I am treating it like a TC car, -he is going to run racing slicks (I have Jaco's, Muchmore and Sweeps in various temperature ratings). I am also running my TT02 pretty much stock, it does have the upgraded Tamiya aluminum parts (steering assembly, shaft and shaft joints and the aluminum motor mount). Otherwise its the stock TT02 Drift S setup (although I didn't setup for drift).

In my experience most Tamiya kits like a little slop. I have not shimmed my steering and it handles great. I did however replace the stock outdrive dog bones with jointed axles.

I tried my kids w/ RC cars, then crawlers, etc.. when they were younger (like 3-7) ...it was mostly a crash fest. Just in the last 4 or 5 months my son started saying he wanted to go to RC events w/ me (as I go a few times a month). I still was cautious and really didn't take it too serious, yet after several months of him asking me (he's now 10, almost 11) I decided to take him to the track for a practice session. He loved it and told me that if he could he'd do this all day long! So now 3 practice session under his belt he is ready for his first race this coming weekend. It is pretty cool, as now I can take him w/ me. I dedicate a lot of time to his football (he loves football), but now its great that he can start to partake in my hobby. ...I have an 8 year old boy also, yet he's not interested and not really ready. I'll give him a few years.

If your son isn't interested or its too difficult you can always try when he's a little older. I let my son come to me this time ...so it is pretty cool. I now have a buddy to share my race tent with! (reminds me I got to pick up a second chair this week).

It looks like he sold through them...

Here is the link to his ebay store....

JK RC uk | eBay Stores

I will post part numbers when I get to my desktop with my spreadsheet

Here are part numbers.....

51297 - A-Arms
51352 - Front spindles (Tamiya calls them front uprights)
51293 - Castors (C-Hubs)
9008170 - Rear Bearing carriers

In the Type S B Bag you get the Type S shock towers, the hinge pins, camber blocks (F and R), outdrives, dogbones and wheel axles. Normally you would have to by the Carbon Fiber Stays (about 22 bucks each front and back) and the Type S Suspension set (45 bucks) in addition to dogbones and wheel axles and all the hardware needed to mount everything.

According to the Tamiya website I should have my A-Arms and rear bearing carriers wednesday, I will post some pics

Hello,

I'm new to this but I am planning to join as Novice-Spec on the upcoming TCS (all Tamiya parts, etc.). First race is on May (carpet, TQ Hobbies) and the next is on August (asphalt, Tamiya). Tire/wheel requirement is 26mm width...

My question is, what tires / wheels / inserts would you recommend for each track type (carpet & asphalt)? It would be most helpful if you can specify part number/s if available.

Thank you for all your help! =)

You probably know this, but just in case. You have to run kit tires and there three numbers.

Hello,

Thank you for responding...

...yes, I think I read the 3 part numbers somewhere...but I was wondering if I can use inserts?!? ...if so, what inserts should/can I use?

Without inserts, will the car "stand-up" properly without them?

Thanks again! =)

Question guys.....I am using the TT01 ball diff (TAM53663) in the rear. It changes the outdrives and they are really large. The TT02S dog bones barely make contact. Anyone else made this change and if so, how did you solve this problem?

Thanks

TCS Rules state any option part that is intended for that chassis can be used. If you look up a TT02, the inserts are listed. I am putting them into my boy's TT02 tires.
- Jose

Oh, and the general rules state you can use any insert if the class does not call for pre-mounts or strictly forbid it. I don't see anything in novice spec that says you can't add inserts.
- Jose