JK Direct drive 1/32 Flexi

[Modlerbob]

[TuscoTodd]

Bob -
Thanks for the report - I had seen those advertised - but hadn't seen where anyone had actually gotten one.
Thanks!

[DHansen]

Interesting. Never seen that chassis before. Is this something new JK came out with??? Or has it been out for awhile??? It looks like it would handle great, but be slow coming out of the corners. But with a long enough straight it would flat out fly.

[Florida_Slotter]

DHansen,

Actually it is a new adaptation of an existing chassis.

JK has been making the 1:32 "Cheetah" chassis for a few years now. The only area that has changed is the rear of the chassis where the motor mounts. Since the motor is now also the rear axle, they were able to make the changes.

One thing about it . . . . . it's quiet, like in super quiet.

But there still is the original chassis and it uses gears. It runs just as good, if not better then the gearless wonder.

[Modlerbob]

[DHansen]

Thanks for the info guys.

[chappy]

Hi Bob iwas browsing around last night and came across Darkside Racing in the UK, and they retail these little beasts also Its listed under abslotsport site.
It was interesting to read about it and learned that the motors as you suggested are indeed specially selected and made to particular specs just for this direct drive application.
Thanks for peaking my curiosity. Always learning something new.
Bob

[padirtfan]

Bob, thanks for the report. While not everyones cup of tea I might get one at some point to play around with.

[BIG E]

I raced 1/24 "flexies" on commercial tracks for quite a few years, but never got a shot at one of those babies!
Ed Bianchi did the same thing with a scratchbuilt brass/steel HO car. I believe he still sells them somewhere on the web.
I haven't seen him at any of the HO slot shows recently. A very creative guy, who also developed the "Slide Guide" system for HO cars.
The guide system allowed HO cars to run a traditional (albeit smaller) flag with braid, opening up more possibilities to run on wood routed,
braided tracks. It also made things easier for the true HO chassis scratchbuilder.

I know, it's the 1/32 forum, but I just thought I'd mention it. Thanks for the photos... Ernie

[DAVE]

The direct drive chassis has been out for a while. The brains behind it is actually Mike Swiss, a
Chicago area commercial track owner. The idea was to eliminate the gears to make it easier
for beginning slot racers to set up cars. It has been obvious to me that many newcomers to
slot racing really struggle with setting gear backlash, usually trashing several gearsets during
the learning process. Offering a ready-to-run commercial style car without gears makes it
easier for new guys, especially young kids, to get involved. Selecting a 1/32 scale car for this
made it possible for home set owners to try a commercial type car. It does actually run pretty
good on plastic track. But it does prefer wider turns though due to the softer acceleration and the
poor brakes. It surely will make you a smoother driver. I have built a couple of direct drive cars
cars with resin bodies. I also have used the motor in a conventional in-line plastic chassis. It is
just slightly faster than an NC-1, and does have brakes.

[dreinecke]

Bob, not my cup of tea, but I can appreciate it for what it is. It looks like a screamer!