Welcome back intrepid readers to another edition of TWIRC, your source for news here in the RC industry. This week saw new releases from JConcepts and Team Associated, a slower week for sure, however this slowdown is the norm for this time of year with summer winding down, school on the horizon and the holiday rush still several months away. Here at site B for 1i-rc we got the new shelving rack started and are waiting on parts to finish that project and also got quite a bit of radio projects tidied up at the same time. Once the weather breaks my hand heals I’ll be hitting the trails once again to put some of these new projects a shakedown… that’s just a hint at what’s coming in the near future! Let’s dive in and see what’s new!
JCONCEPTS
Last weeks as i was putting the finishing touches on our weekly TWIRC I had checked my email one last time to make sure I hadn’t missed anything and thankfully I hadn’t… or so I thought! Our weekly report hadn’t bee live for more than a few minutes when I got a new email from JConcepts announcing a new product that I don’t think anyone saw coming: a new wheel and tire for the Tamiya Lunchbox (as well as the recently released Lunchbox EVO), Midnight Pumpkin, Mad Bull and Monster Beetle.
First up are the new Renegades tires, sized to fit these 1/12 sized monsters. This tire features the classic chevron tread pattern that the Renegade is known for (this tire is based on the back-cut Goodyear tires used in the glory days of 1:1 monster trucking; a design befitting the vintage nature of these Tamiya trucks). The single contour carcass balances forward traction with side bite, making this a great all-around tire that doesn’t make compromises in any one aspect. For those who appreciate a nice scale detail these tires feature 1:1 inspired sidewall lettering that mimics what was molded into those big Goodyear’s all back in the day. Keeping with the size of the intended vehicles themselves these tires measure in at 4.40″ (130mm) tall and 2.72″ (69mm) wide, while the bead mounting diameter is 1.9″. Sold in pairs and molded in the soft “blue” compound and supported by React open-cell foam inserts this tire is a great upgrade option for racers and bashers alike.
Item #4146-01 Renegades BX Tire, https://jconcepts.net/renegades-bx
If you are looking for a fresh set of wheels to go with those new meats JConcepts has you covered there too with their new Tribute BX hoops designed for the Tamiya 1/12 monster trucks. Available in four color options (white, black, grey and yellow) these wheels are a perfect fit for the aforementioned Renegades tires and includes wheel adapters for both front and rear ends of the vehicle.
Item #3432W Tribute Wheels, White
#3432Y Tribute Wheels, Yellow
#3432B, Tribute Wheels, Black
#3432G, Tribute Wheels, Grey
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2026/07/jconcepts-new-release-renegades-tribute-bx-for-tamiya/
TEAM ASSOCIATED
New this week from Team Associated are a new set of springs for the RC8 line of vehicles. These 66mm springs fit both front and rear ends of the vehicle (Associated does mention that a second preload collar may be needed to maintain current ride height settings). These springs are wound with wire 1.4mm in diameter and are available in six different spring rates ranging from 3.70lb/in up to 4.55lb/in.
Item #81734 Green 1.4mm 66mm Spring, 3.70lb/in
#81735 White 1.4mm 66mm Springs, 3.90lb/in
#81736 Grey 1.4mm 66mm Springs, 4.10lb/in
#81737 Blue 1.4mm 66mm Springs, 4.25lb/in
$81738 Yellow 1.4mm 66mm Springs, 4.40lb/in
#81739 Red 1.4nn 66mm Springs, 4.55lb/in
THOUGHTS FROM THE WORKBENCH
I finally got a chance to get back into the shop and work on the vehicle storage rack project that I had initially started a few weeks ago. The heat broke for a few hours this weekend giving me a reprieve from the recent near-100 degree temperatures and 90% humidity that we’ve been experience for so long now making working in the garage a bearable task. Tearing down the old rack was a simple, 10 minute job that netted me with a stack of 1×2 material that should be salvageable for future projects. The new rack is constructed out of simple 2×4’s and 1/2: OSB but gained me much more car storage space in the same amount of wall space that was being used before. Instead of having the cars face outward I rotated them 90 degrees and placed them end-to-end while also reducing the amount of space between vertical rows as much as possible. Constructing the rack this way should allow me to store around 15-20 cars in the same space that only held eight previously. I will make sure and snap some pics once everything is finalized!
I want to thank each and every one of you for joining us again for this edition of TWIRC. Your continued patronage does not go unnoticed and our work would not be possible without your support. Until next time, be good to yourself, be good to each other and be good to your RC.