The 1/8-scale nitro GT category of on-road racing is the newest form of competition to set fire to asphalt tracks around the world, joining the competitive 200mm and 1/8-scale classes at events of all sizes. With restrictions on engines, rubber tires, and durable cars based on off-road buggies - GT racing is better suited for less-experienced racers while still providing a fun challenge for veteran diehards. Mugen Seiki, Serpent, HB Racing and IGT8 all offer race-oriented vehicles and XRAY’s GTX8 is expected later this spring.
Like any other mature racing class, GT cars have slightly more humble roots - stemming from Kyosho ready-to-run vehicles that placed an emphasis on fun and scale appearance rather than all-out speed. Kyosho also helped try to get the GT racing class off to a good start, first proposing engine limits for cost control and even trying to secure the future of officially-licensed body shells - but once the racers got ahold of the regulations, it quickly turned into a race of wallets.
Since Kyosho published a teaser clip this week of an upcoming vehicle called the “9BGT” - which I’m convinced is an MP9-based GT racer - I scrounged up the history of Kyosho’s Inferno GT platform for this week’s Flashback Friday. Click here to see the 9BGT preview:
Before the Inferno GT series, Kyosho introduced a buggy-based GT car in 1996 - that used two completely different buggy chassis as its basis throughout the car's run. Body choices included Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV WRC, Ford Escort RS Cosworth WRC, Subaru Impreza WRX/555 WRC, Volvo S40, Alfa Romeo 156, Toyota Corolla WRC, Ford F-150 Landmax ST, Nissan Skyline GTR R34, Lancia Stratos WRC as well as perhaps its best known lid - the Porsche 959.
Inferno GT - first released in 2005
Body options:
2004 Subaru Impreza WRC
2006 Ferrari F430GT
In addition to competitive on- and off-road racing platforms that cover pretty much every major class of competition, Kyosho’s RC portfolio contains dozens of different vehicles aimed at the casual hobbyist - which was the target for the original Inferno GT. The world championship-winning MP7.5 buggy served as the basis for the vehicle, which was fitted with shorter shocks and shock towers, and treaded rubber tires. Power came from a GXR28 engine with a simple AM radio and analog servos for control. Two bodies were available, including one of the most popular rally cars of all time as well as a highly-regarded Ferrari.
Inferno GT2 - first released in 2008
Body options:
2007 Red Bull Audi A4 DTM
2007 Pratt & Miller Corvette C6.R
1995 Tokyo Ueno Clinic McLaren F1 GTR
2008 Aston Martin DBR9 Team Gulf
In 2008, Kyosho revamped the Inferno GT to form the GT2 - most notably employing the chassis from the Inferno ST truggy, which gave the car a longer wheelbase for more realistic proportions. Along with the truggy chassis came the 150cc truggy fuel tank, which provided longer run times. The two-speed unit was updated, as was the .28 engine - which was fitted with a smaller flywheel for quicker acceleration. The disc brakes were also upgraded for stronger stopping power. The longer chassis made the car a better fit for officially-licensed GT1-class bodies like the Le Mans-winning 2007 Pratt & Miller Chevrolet Corvette C6.R, 1995 Tokyo Ueno Clinic McLaren F1 GTR and 2008 Aston Martin DBR9 Team Gulf, as well as the iconic Red Bull-sponsored Audi A4 DTM touring car, and all were fitted with treaded rubber tires on stylish matte gray wheels.
Inferno GT2 Race Spec - first released in 2012
Body options:
2007 Audi R8
2009 Audi R8 LMS
2011 Ferrari 458 Italia GT2
Kyosho Ceptor K
For the Inferno GT2 Race Spec, Kyosho chose gun-metal anodizing for the aluminum parts instead of blue. The radio tray was modified to move the receiver pack to the side guard adjacent to the steering servo for more forward weight bias.. The running gear was also upgraded to a 2.4 GHz radio and metal-gear, high-torque steering servo as well as a KE25 engine. The two-piece clutch of the original GT2 was changed to a three-shoe design. Available bodies include two different versions of the Audi R8, the 2007 road car and the 2009 LMS racer, are available as is the 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 and Kyosho’s own Ceptor K design.
Here's the first version of the Race Spec:
And here's the 2017 version:
The Inferno GT2 Race Spec was also offered as a VE model - which is Kyosho’s designation for electric-powered RTR vehicles. The Race Spec chassis came fitted with the required components to convert it for brushless power, and included the Team Orion Vortex 8 motor and Vortex RS ESC wired up to accept two 2S LiPo stick packs. The Inferno GT2 Race Spec VE was offered with the Audi R8 LMS and Ceptor K bodies.
Inferno GT2 Type R - first released in 2015
Body options: None
The Inferno GT2 was left alone until 2015, when the Inferno GT2 Type R was released - and it’s still the only time Kyosho has offered a GT car in kit form. The Type R was built upon a reshaped chassis that made it stiffer than the plate used for the RTR. The brake pads and discs were upgraded to stainless steel, the shocks and shock towers were made of aluminum, the servo saver was beefed up, and although the kit doesn’t come with a body it does include sticky KC slick tires.
What’s next for the Kyosho Inferno GT series? I expect we’ll find out soon with the official release of the 9BGT.
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