LRC Exclusive: Associated T5M designer Kody Numedahl talks about the new truck

0 Jan. 7, 2015, 8:05 a.m.

1/7/2014
By Aaron Waldron

LiveRC.com

Team Associated’s Kody Numedahl is not only one of the fastest electric off-road drivers on the planet, but the Colorado School of Mines engineer grad has been involved in some of the most important development projects in recent Team Associated history since joining the engineering staff at his long-time sponsor in 2012. On the heels of the public release of the latest racing vehicle to come out of AE’s headquarters, Kody provided the following details of the new T5M via email.

Aaron Waldron: How long has the team been working on the T5M project?

Kody Numedahl: Although Area 51 has had many projects to juggle simultaneously, the T5M has been a priority being that 1:10 off road racing is a Team Associated mainstay. We knew pretty quickly with the success of the B5M Team Kit release that we needed a T5M as soon as possible.

AW: Which engineers and drivers were most involved with its design?

KM: Bob and myself were involved in the design along with Brent in testing.

AW: Will there be a rear-motor T5?

KM: We don’t have one in planning, so at this point no. With modern tires producing more traction than ever before, and we speculate they will just get better from here on out, we just aren’t seeing the demand for the rear motor race chassis like we used to. If racers started racing on loamy dirt tracks with step-pin type tires, then we could see the trend swing back to rear motor race cars but right now the tracks trend to very high traction.

AW: How many parts are shared with the B5M?

KM: A lot. There only about 12 new parts to make the T5M truck.

AW: Are there any features special to the T5M that are not found on the B5M?

KM: Some Factory Team parts like the aluminum rear ball stud mount and aluminum top shaft are included. Some small fitment issues have also been resolved to make the build even better.