Atsushi Hara Leaving HB-HPI
08-18-2013, 04:00 PM
#121
You said it, the Euros. The WC is a whole different ball game, plus Masseo is a more of a Sedan specialist, I think he just started with 1/8th this year. Plus with someone like Hara along side of him imagine how much he can learn and how much bette he can get.
. I just hope the whole lot found a good strip club to finish the evening off 
.
08-18-2013, 06:48 PM
#123
Yokomo/KM Racing. although I don't think that would happen...it still lacks off-road 1/8th scale but maybe Yokomo is working on one of those....
Ok I pinched myself.
I think Xray/Kyosho is the only place that makes sense regarding classes. If Kyosho is coming out with a new TC I could see that being the jump.
After doing some research Yokomo/Mugen would be a perfect fit......
Ok I pinched myself.
I think Xray/Kyosho is the only place that makes sense regarding classes. If Kyosho is coming out with a new TC I could see that being the jump.
After doing some research Yokomo/Mugen would be a perfect fit......
Last edited by NolanP; 08-18-2013 at 07:57 PM.
08-18-2013, 07:13 PM
#124
I don't really read online articles or magazines, much less off road or nitro. It's 1/10 scale onroad only for me. Trust me, it's bad enough that I don't know some of my own family. They would frown if they found out I knew all the big time racers before them.
08-18-2013, 09:58 PM
#125
Hara is a super well known and popular in the community so it no surprise to see him having dinner with his peers.
Money talks and based on Hara's trip to the final round of the ETS held at Hudy Arena it's shouting. Hara also drove Martin Hudy's prototype T4 around the track. THAT speaks volumes.
Money talks and based on Hara's trip to the final round of the ETS held at Hudy Arena it's shouting. Hara also drove Martin Hudy's prototype T4 around the track. THAT speaks volumes.
08-19-2013, 12:27 AM
#126
It's an interesting move, if anything leaving a contract like that could suggest a few things, one could be Hotbodies/HPI is choosing to move in a different direction, giving both parties the 'out' as such, the other being a loss of market share, also meaning both parties have an out (can't afford him anymore?).
As to where he will end up, based on what I read about Xray, it would seem a strange fit, but the lure of good product is strong, and support in all the classes he may want to run in.
TA?, maybe, behind the rest on development, could be a quick catch up method, maybe.
Serpent?, the product is there, they may also want some more talent in certain areas.
Then it's a case of will he duel sign to get the cross coverage he wants, my bet there could be Durango and Mugen, but then who really knows, I guess it's a case of what he is looking for.
As to where he will end up, based on what I read about Xray, it would seem a strange fit, but the lure of good product is strong, and support in all the classes he may want to run in.
TA?, maybe, behind the rest on development, could be a quick catch up method, maybe.
Serpent?, the product is there, they may also want some more talent in certain areas.
Then it's a case of will he duel sign to get the cross coverage he wants, my bet there could be Durango and Mugen, but then who really knows, I guess it's a case of what he is looking for.
08-19-2013, 12:35 AM
#127
Yeah, pretty obvious after HPI/Hot Bodies had financial issues earlier this year. If its anything like a broken F1 contract, they probably made a one time settlement with Hara to break the contract and allow him free reign to sign with another company. I'm sure there is a clause in there in the event that the company bellies up or Hara is injured, etc.
08-20-2013, 10:27 AM
#131
Tech Addict
Post from Masami at is own FB page:
Atsushi bought Muden car for Off-road and Tamiya car for On-road for this race.
Atsushi bought Muden car for Off-road and Tamiya car for On-road for this race.
08-20-2013, 10:33 AM
#133
Notice he said "bought", not was given. Makes sense. If you're going to buy your own gear, why not buy the reigning World champs?
08-20-2013, 11:01 AM
#134
Call me crazy but for one I really highly doubt hara "bought" anything. And for 2 seeing hara in a tamiya is not really unexpected for me... being a japanese native*yes I know he has american citizenship* thats where his heart is and I bet he wanted to keep whatever car he ran under a japanese manufacturer.