For what it's worth, I reckon you need a 'designer' not a 'machinist' to help develop a car. I know a handfull of excellent machinists, but they couldn't design an rc car for toffee.
I also have a pal who is an industrial designer, designing things ranging from jet planes to action man toys, again he wouldn't have a clue where to start with an RC car !
I'm not sure of Richard Wetherlys (The Pred) background, but i'd guess he had a passion for all things automotive ? Cecil Schumacher designed the first ball diff for an Rc car and pioneered the way with the CAT, a totally revolutionary design, I believe he worked for Cosworth at the time.
Anyway, my point is, if you haven't got any industry experts, don't bother. Jason (BJ fame) worked I believe for many years at AE, you see there's a pattern forming here, non of these people were really developing cars in their sheds, they were experts in associated fields.
What seems to be happening today is simply that people are improving and evolving cars from the big manufacturers. If you look back to the cat 3000, you'll see the basic design of many of today's 4 wheelers, it's a real shame schumacher aren't still in the offroad game, as they have set the standards time and time again, a BJ worlds, or the new HB, basically have a CAT 3000 inspired layout !
For me, TTech are the only true pioneers still operating in offroad, there design was amazing when it was launched, and it's amazing that it still competes today, all be it improved. If I was designing a car, i'd start with a clean sheet of paper rather than butcher another car and call it my own. Would it run well, probably not, that's why i'll personally never do it !
Nuff said, good luck TYRC, if you ever get any of you designs built (have you actually got a design ?) and running well i'll be amazed, unless of course it's a B4 or Losi with the gearbox spun round, nice and original that one. Oh and last thing, I hope youv'e got plenty of cash and time to throw at it, you'll need it.
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