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If you have never tried it, you don’t know what you are missing. RC drifting is so much fun and is surprisingly addicting. With some practice and not a whole lot of money you can quickly get into this segment. Along with the driving aspect, the cars can be incredible scale replicas of popular full-size cars like Nissan GT-Rs, Toyota Supras and the like. To get you up to speed, we will get sideways with Tamiya drift cars and show you what Tamiya has to offer.
TT-02D DRIFT SPEC CHASSIS
Starting off is the Tamiya TT-02D Drift Spec chassis which is an upgraded variant of the proven TT-02 chassis that is specially equipped with components to make it a highly effective drift platform. This is an entry-level kit making it ideal for someone just starting out thanks to its ease of assembly and easy maintenance. Oil-filled shocks are combined with 4-wheel double wishbone suspension…there are no friction shocks here! Some parts are beefed up using reinforced plastic resin like the shock towers and uprights. The shaft-driven 4WD drivetrain is fully supported by quality metal ball bearings to keep the driveline spinning efficiently and smoothly. Powering this chassis is the Tamiya Sport Tuned brushed motor and to help keep its temps lower, a great looking and functioning blue anodized aluminum heat sink comes in the box.
Additionally, Tamiya gave this assembly kit some visually appealing parts like semi-gloss metal-plated parts such as brake disc-shaped wheel hubs and a brilliant blue battery hold-down. At each corner are drift spec 24mm drift tires that wrap around great-looking matte-finish metal-plated wheels. Since the Tamiya TT-02D Drift Spec chassis is an assembly kit you will need to supply the radio system, steering servo, ESC, battery and a body of your choice. Tamiya offers numerous super realistic body sets to choose from…like the ones shown below.
Each of Tamiya’s body sets come with a lightweight and durable clear polycarbonate body that is precisely molded with numerous scale details. To protect the outside of the body during the painting process, the body is covered with overspray film and Tamiya provides window masks as well. Along with the body shell are ABS plastic separate parts like side mirrors and rear wings and a stickers that help bring these bodies to life.
TT-02D Drift SPECK CHASSIS SPECS
- Item #58584
- Scale: 1/10
- Construction type: Assembly kit
- Length: 14.8 in. (376mm)
- Width: 7.17/7.48 in. (182/190mm)
- Wheelbase: 9.88/10.12 in. (251/257mm)
- Chassis: ABS plastic bathtub-type
- Drivetrain: Shaft-driven 4WD
- Differential: 4 gear, bevel gear diffs
- Bearings: Metal ball bearings
- Suspension: 4-wheel double wishbone
- Shocks: CVA Molded plastic, oil shocks
- Motor: Tamiya Sport-Tuned 540-brushed type
- Tires: Super Driftech tires
- Tire Width/Diameter (F&R): 24/64mm
ITEMS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE
- 2-channel radio system
- Steering servo
- Electronic Speed Control (ESC)
- Battery
- Battery charger
- Body
- Paint
TAMIYA DRIFT CAR KITS
At the time of this article, Tamiya offers seven different drift car kits that are all equipped with the TT-02D Drift Spec chassis.
Honda Civic SiR (EG6) Drift Spec—#58637
The Honda Civic SiR (EG6) Drift Spec kit replicates the full-size car that was a common sight in Japanese and international racing competitions during the 1990’s. It was powered by a 170hp inline four DOHC VTEC engine which made plenty of power for the time. The EG was known as the Sport Civic in Japan and was the 5th generation of the famous car.
Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) Drift Spec—#58648
If you are a car enthusiast or even a movie lover, then you know the Mazda RX-7 is very popular. Moves like the Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and the well-liked animation series Initial D made the RX-7 a hit while also being a fan favorite at various drift events. Plenty of time went into the creation of this 1/10-scale version to capture all the RX-7’s body lines and Tamiya includes some ABS plastic parts like the pop-up headlight, side mirrors and rear wing to complete its look.
Nismo R34 GT-R Z-tune Drift Spec #58605
In 2005, during the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Nismo R34 GT-R Z-tune was debuted and was met with non-stop aww from the visitors who noted its expert blend of impressive performance with stunning looks. Nismo is the motorsports arm of Nissan who produced each of the 20 cars in the limited edition production individually by hand. Tamiya has accurately captured the looks of the 1:1 car in polycarbonate like its wide front and rear fenders, front bumper-side and bonnet outlets that make this car so recognizable.
Nissan GT-R Drift Spec—#58623
Two years after the Nismo R34 GT-R Z-tune was revealed, the Nissan GT-R supercar was unleashed to the world. Inside this Tamiya kit is a recreation of the full-size car in a much more affordable 1/10-scale polycarbonate. The real car was a supercar through and through and was built so that it was ready to be driven anytime, anywhere and by anyone. Tucked under the hood was a mighty 3.8-liter V6 twin turbo engine attached to a dual clutch transmission, independent transaxle 4WD plus many other high-performance components.
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) Drift Spec—#58651
Out of all the Nissan GT-Rs shown here, the Tamiya Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) is the oldest modeled version that comes in the Drift Spec configuration and arguable the most iconic. It was released in the late 80’s complete with a 4WD drivetrain that was powered by a potent 280hp engine and loaded with cutting-edge design and technological innovations.
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33) Drift Spec—#58604
Nearly 10 years after the R32 was released, Nissan unveiled the fourth generation of the Skyline GT-R named the R33 at the Tokyo Auto Salon in 1995. Compared to the R32 it had a strengthened body and was wider in which Tamiya faithfully recreated in clear durable polycarbonate for this Drift Spec kit. The door mirrors and rear wing are separately molded parts constructed out of ABS plastic and there is a choice of different wing angles to choose from.
Toyota Supra Drift Spec—#58613
Car guys especially sports car fanatics hold the Toyota Supra in the highest of regard based on its unbelievable success in the racing arena. This kit beautifully recreates the second generation Toyota Supra, which was announced to an excited public in Chicago, February 1993, in 1/10-scale and is an ideal body to be matched up with the thrilling TT-02D Drift Spec chassis. Like the other cars noted in this article, the Supra comes with a rear wing and side mirrors that are molded from ABS plastic and get bolted onto the durable polycarbonate body. An extra bonus comes with the carbon pattern sticker sheet which is included to give a further touch of customized detail for the hood and rear wing.
For more information about Tamiya products, visit: TAMIYA
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