Updated November 28, 2001—Yorba Linda, CA
This is Team Orion's official Vortex press release:The Team Orion Vortex brushless motor utilizes new, sensorless technology. It uses no special wiring to control it. The software of the controller controls everything.

The size is exactly like a normal 540 type motor. It is even within IFMAR rules concerning size and furthermore uses a normal ferrite magnet, which also is within the rules. The shaft is a 3.2 mm and of course accepts standard pinion gears.

The Team Orion brushless motor must be used in combination with a brushless motor controller. The use of the new sensorless technology allows the use of any controller as long it has been designed for sensorless, brushless motors. There are several manufacturers providing these at a price similar to a high end ESC. Look for Team Orion’s own sensorless controller in the near future.

A list of controllers compatible with the Vortex will be posted soon, as will more information and performance data as it becomes available!

The Vortex, due to its brushless design, offers the following advantages over brushed motors:

Prior to our latest dyno test, the most powerful small-block engine we've tested was high-strung .12 competition engine. At 1.6 horsepower, this engine put out more power than any small block of any displacement - until now.

In a recent dyno test for an upcoming issue of RC Nitro magazine, the new OS .18 TZ rear-exhaust engine cranked out a record setting 2.28 bhp at 30,500 rpm. It shatters the 2hp barrier for small-block engines well before anyone else had a chance to get close, making more horsepower than four very prominent big-block engines we've previously tested. The TZ also set a new high mark for torque, measuring an amazing 83.1 oz.-in. at 25,850 rpm.

The new TZ is a ground-up design that features a 5-port configuration with a turbo head and crank. An all-new 3-needle 11K carb features a big 6.5mm venturi for better breathing. For more information on the .18 TZ and other engines, visit the O.S. Engines website. To discuss this new engine at the RC Zone, home of the best RC forums in the world, Click Here.

That's right, you can see XRAY's ground-breaking micro-nitro machine in action! Click over to www.teamxray.com to see the vid, then talk about it here!

Schumacher's Teemu Leino returned to pro RC racing with a convincing win against some of Europe's best drivers at the Nordic Touring Car Championship. Teemu qualified fourth with a prototype Schumacher MI2 tourer, and went on to win the event in the triple A-Mains. Welcome back Teemu—and when do we get to see that Schumacher M12 up close?

Here’s a close-up Trinity’s all-new nitro-powered Spyder monster truck. The big-block RTR features a .256 cubic-inch engine and comes with an aluminum tuned pipe, has an eight shock suspension, two-speed tranny with reverse, factory-painted body, dual-disc brakes and a shaft starting system. The drivetrain is mounted in a very narrow ladder-style chassis and the center-mounted engine is very low in the chassis to lower the center of gravity for improved handling. A big 170cc fuel tank provides long run times between refills, and on-the-fly fueling via the quick-fill cap means you can run as long as you have fuel. The Spyder fits engines with typical big-block dimensions, so pyscho upgrades like the Sirio .27 engine push speeds from fast to insane. Click Here for more pictures and information.

Features: • full bearings • 8 aluminum shocks • ladder-style chassis • aluminum tuned pipe • 2-speed transmission with reverse •.256 engine • Pivot ball/hingepin hybrid suspension • High-torque steering servo • Shaft starting system with included starter unit • Includes rechargeable glow-starter with wall charger and fuel bottle • Factory-finished body

Tamiya USA hosted the 3rd annual KO Propo GP at Tamiya's world-class Aliso Viejo facility, which saw action in F1, 19T, and Open Mod classes. David Jun was the big winner in Open Mod, up against the likes of Chris Tosolini (3rd) and Josh Newman (2nd). Corey Lewis was the 19T champ, and George Canare won the F1 class.
Click here for for more info at the Tamiya site.