 |
Performance Technologies, Inc. (PTI Racing)
Evo2
For us, one of the clear stars of the show was the PTI Evo2 4WD electric sedan chassis, shown in prototype and pre-production forms. We spoke with engineer/moldmaker Matthew Renna as well as designer Philippe Buysens at great length at the show.
The Evo2 features a unique single monoshock system that acts around a rocker pivot axle mounted across extensions of the front bulkhead plates. This system works to provide damping and anti-roll action through a single assembly. At the rear, downward-raked trailing arm suspension is employed, a setup not seen in production since the Losi JrXT and Tamiya Avante. This allows the rear wheels to translate slightly backwards and roll up and over bumps, maintaining maximum traction by transferring most vertical-axis force directly into the shocks.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Battery location is laterally centered, as is the forward-placed motor mount, to absolutely minimize the polar moment of inertia, maximizing the rate of roll recovery in fast switchback sections of track while minimizing yaw momentum when entering and exiting turns.
 |
 |
At the front, camber, caster, toe and roll rates are adjustable. The front roll center can presumably be adjusted by spacing the vertically-mounted outer camber link ball studs. On the test prototype, the steering pivot angle was also adjustable, though it was unclear whether this feature would make it into the production units. At the rear, toe, roll center and bump-steer are adjustable.
PTI expects to begin sales by August 2003 with a mid-range racing kit featuring nylon injection-molded arms & carriers. Later will follow a high-end model, presently dubbed the "International edition," which will feature molded graphite parts. Aluminum-bodied threaded shocks will be standard on both models. Aluminum arms are also a possible option for the future.
PTI products will be produced in the United States. Prices of the Evo2 kits are espected to be very competitive with other current racing sedans such as the Team Associated TC3.
Virus
PTI also had on display the most recent incarnation of their 1/12th scale development project, dubbed the Virus.
 |
This car is several months behind the Evo2, which is PTI's current top priority. What we can see, however, is that the car uses a unique dual-shock rear suspension for "infinite tweak adjustment." The Virus will follow the Evo2's lead with centerline-mounted battery to minimize the polar moment of inertia, a gain which may actually be even more significant on such a small platform.
Micro RS4 Bodies
PTI's currently available products are Lexan shells for the HPI Micro RS4. The available flavors are a 150mm Porsche P-956 GTP, 140mm or 150mm Ferrari F-40, and 150mm Ford Taurus, Lamborginhi Murcielago and Nissan R-390 GTP with wing. Though we do not have photographs, we will show these products in our RCX video coverage, and you can see and purchase these bodies today on PTI's website.
PTI will also be producing 190mm, 200mm and SuperTen/Super Nitro-sized bodies this Summer.
Contact info
For more information about Santa Ana, CA-based Performance Technology, Inc. and their products, visit their website at www.ptiracing.net.
< Back to URC's full RCX 2003 coverage