Beach Buggy
June 1, 2007
"In the R/C [radio controlled] industry, the Baja 5B is a landmark vehicle," says Rodney Wills of HPI Racing.
"Its intricate design appeals to the veteran, but its utilitarian simplicity
makes it ideal for those new to the R/C family." Novices will certainly
appreciate that the Baja 5B ($1,000) requires minimal experience and only about
20 minutes to set up.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
As the Baja 5B’s 23-cc engine begins to turn, so do the heads
of inquisitive passersby. The throaty idle sounds more like a go-kart than an
R/C car, demanding the attention of anyone within earshot. However, as this
one-fifth scale desert-racer wallops through mud and over asphalt, spectators
typically survey the action from a safe distance. (Click image to enlarge)
Developed and engineered by HPI Racing, the remote-controlled,
gasoline-powered racer is capable of traversing almost any terrain. In order to
navigate the various landscapes and operating habits of its handlers, the Baja
5B includes adjustable suspension and steering components; a multi-tool for
tightening the car’s various nuts and bolts; as well as a set of commonly
required alternate parts. HPI Racing’s service department will also ship any
piece not in the replacement kit. They can even substitute a broken front axle
and steering shaft, if you happen to run your car head-on into an electrical
post at 30 mph, as we did.
The Baja 5B is fitted with high-impact nylon roll bars to
protect the fine-tuned engine, which runs for well over 30 minutes on a full
tank of gas, provided the car does not encounter any of the aforementioned
obstacles. The 21-pound car not only sounds like a go-kart, it moves like one
too, quickly achieving a 35 mph top speed. The two-gear drive system, however,
does not offer a reverse function, so it may be best to stick to desert dunes or
wide-open sandy beaches.
HPI Racing
www.hpiracing.com
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