Following hot on the heels of their new RDS RTR drift car, Redcat has released a Builders Kit version of the chassis that allows drivers to choose their own electronics and body as well as enjoy the building process
Designed by a seasoned drifter/drift track operator the RDS takes the collective input of real users experience and combines that data into one package. The RDS builds off of a double-deck carbon fiber plate chassis design that not only keeps weight low but also allows for a tuned amount of flex that directly translates into traction. In addition to the chassis plates the front and rear shock towers as well as the adjustable motor plate are made of the lightweight eye candy material. For proper weight distribution and optimized center of mass Redcat recommends the use of shorty LiPO packs which find their home directly in front of the motor mount. Since weight bias and center-of-gravity are a large part of tuning the balance of the car the RDS includes a three-position mount that places the motor either low and forward, mid-height and forward or rearward and upright; these wholesale changes dramatically affect the handling and traction characteristics and allow the car to adapt to many different track conditions and driving styles.
Suspension wise the RDS is fully adjustable at both ends, featuring separate toe blocks for toe adjustment, as well as adjustable camber, roll center and shock angle. Oil filled coil over dampers bookend the car and are mounted at a steep angle to provide the most tire clearance possible. Steering ackerman is adjustable; an adjustment that is crucial in the drift world to provide the proper arc through the corner even at the extreme steering angles these cars are capable of as well as increasing corner-exit speed. According to Redcat, “With the right setting, the braking action of the chase wheel rotates the rear of the RDS around, setting the driver up for the next corner.” This effect is best shown in the photo below:
