Background
A tale of two front suspensions - Trailing Axle vs Zero Trail (inline)
When customers purchase an A12, it ships with a traditional Trailing Axle setup that has been common on 1/12th scale cares going back to the 1970s. However, unlike most other platforms, the A12 has an optional Zero Trail Axle, or inline axle, that is available. Throughout our testing, the AwesomatixUSA Racing Team has found the Zero Trail Axles to be one of the biggest improvements for the A12 on high grip black carpet.
To try the ZT configuration, customers can purchase the A12-ZT kit that is sold by Awesomatix and AwesomatixUSA. The A12-ZT kit produces the same overall wheelbase length as the kit Trailing Axle setup by using a Suspension Plate (A12-C1205-ZT) that is 3mm shorter than the stock configuration.
For customers who don’t want to try the Zero Trail Axles, the Suspension Plate from the ZT kit is still very useful for Trailing Axle configurations as it produces a 3mm shorter wheelbase than the stock configuration.
Ultimately, the choice between using Trailing Axles or Zero Trail Axles comes down to racer preference. Both configurations are fast and both configurations continue to win races; however, they produce a slightly different “feel.” Zero Trail Axles allow for less overall scrub of speed at the center of the corner in high grip situations. That being said, our traditional 1/12th racers often prefer the speed scrub they experience on corner entry with the Trailing Axle configuration.
Challenge One - Wheelbase Change
In March of 2021, Awesomatix released the A12-C1205-1.5 which reduced the wheelbase by 1.5mm from the stock configuration. Early testing of shorter wheelbase setups showed that a shorter wheelbase with trailing axles helped create a more balanced and faster car. The shorter wheelbase created more initial steering and increased response in almost all conditions. A12-C1205-1.5 was used to win 2021 Snowbird Nationals Mod 1/12th class.
Going into the 2021 ROAR On-Road Carpet Nationals, AwesomatixUSA released a limited set of 6mm shorter suspension plates designed to give racers running the Zero Trailing Axle front end a shorter overall wheelbase. The new shorter plate was wildly successful from the start with multiple cars in the 1/12th Stock A-main using this configuration.
Challenge Two - Obtaining more front suspension ride height
New Products from AwesomatixUSA
After extensive testing and product development, AwesomatixUSA has finally created a solution to the A12 wheelbase and ride height challenge when running small tires. Available today, AwesomatixUSA is happy to announce a variety of new front suspension plates in different configurations. All of these front suspension plates are designed and manfactured in the USA from high quality 2.5mm thick carbon fiber.
- AUSA-A12-C1205-2.5mm-1.5 A12 1.5mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate
- AUSA-A12-C1205-2.5mm-4 A12 4mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate
- AUSA-A12-C1205-2.5mm-5 A12 5mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate
- AUSA-A12-C1205-2.5mm-6 A12 6mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate
- AUSA-A12-C1205-2.5mm-7 A12 7mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate
Race Results
- ZT hubs and AUSA-A12-C1205-2.5mm-4 A12 4mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate
- Joe Trandell - Winner 1/12th Stock - 2021 Halloween Classic
- Shawn Rayfield - A-finalist 1/12th Stock- 2021 Halloween Classic
- Joe Trandell - 3rd place 1/12th Stock - 2021 NYGP
- Miles Schneese - A-finalist 1/12th Stock - 2021 NYGP
- ZT hubs and AUSA-A12-C1205-2.5mm-5 A12 5mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate
- Michael Hanulec - TQ 1/12th Stock - 2021 Halloween Classic
- Michael Hanulec - A-finalist 1/12th Stock - 2021 NYGP
- ZT hubs and AUSA-A12-C1205-2.5mm-6 A12 6mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate
- Michael Hanulec - 3rd place 1/12th Super Stock - 2021 Halloween Classic
- Michael Hanulec - A-finalist 1/12th Super Stock - 2021 NYGP
Use Case Matrix
Depending upon the overall configuration the A12 inner and outer chassis frame (AM1203 Battery Plate and AM1204 Chassis Plate) require modification to alter the position of the servo and servo saver within the car.
Race Car Pictures
In the upcoming week or two AwesomatixUSA will have two exciting solutions to help racers who want to run the 5mm Shorter, 6mm Shorter and 7mm Shorter Suspension Plates. Until then we thought we'd share the different solutions that our racers have done themselves during the prototype phases.
Manual Chassis Modifications
Installation pictures from Michael Hanulec's TQ Stock 1/12th from 2021 Halloween Classic outfitted with the AwesomatixUSA A12 5mm Shorter 2.5mm Thick Suspension Plate. Inner and Outer chassis have minor modifications done all with just a Dremel cutoff wheel. A 1.5mm thick shim was used to shim out the servo saver.
Industrial Chassis Modifications
Installation pictures from Clayton Young's A-main Stock 1/12th car from 2021 Halloween Classic outfitted with an earlier specification of the 6mm Short Suspension Plate. Inner and Outer chassis have major modifications performed on milling machine.
