Under the Hood: EJ Evan’s TOP Racing Sabre

Under the Hood: EJ Evan’s TOP Racing Sabre

Touring car racing is fast, competitive and highly technical with technology pushed to the edge with complicated designs and innovations. Surprisingly, there’s room for small manufacturers to make their mark and refreshing to see something different. TOP Racing is one of those companies and had one of their top drivers EJ Evans racing in the Invitational Class at the recent Reedy TC Race of Champions. The Sabre is their top-of-the-line touring car and Evans explained is intentionally relatively inexpensive when compared to other kits on the market and a good value. Let’s take a closer look at his elite weapon.

Name: EJ Evans

Sponsors: TOP Racing, Solaris, Top Notch Paints, R1 Wurks.

The TOP Racing Sabre has been out for a couple of years now, but is prepping to release new updates to their fastest touring car soon.

The TOP Racing Sabre has been out for a couple of years now, but is prepping to release new updates to their fastest touring car soon.

Like most factory drivers, Evans chooses the Protoform LTC-R when racing on asphalt.

Like most factory drivers, Evans chooses the Protoform LTC-R when racing on asphalt.

An R1 Wurks 5000 liPo pack delivers smooth and reliable power. Bullet connectors provides the connection and are positioned up front for better weight bias- it’s all about the small details.

An R1 Wurks 5000 liPo pack delivers smooth and reliable power. Bullet connectors provides the connection and are positioned up front for better weight bias- it’s all about the small details.

A gear diff filled with 3k silicone oil helps provide traction and punch at the rear. For dampers he uses TOP Racing 306gram springs, 3 x 1.2mm hole pistons, and 45w oil on both ends. Both sway bars are 1.3mm.

A gear diff filled with 3k silicone oil helps provide traction and punch at the rear. For dampers he uses TOP Racing 306gram springs, 3 x 1.2mm hole pistons, and 45w oil on both ends. Both sway bars are 1.3mm.

Evans was running a new prototype motor mount that helps maintain better symmetrical flex with more tuning options for stiffness in the rear by screwing it to the bottom deck in various spots.

Evans was running a new prototype motor mount that helps maintain better symmetrical flex with more tuning options for stiffness in the rear by screwing it to the bottom deck in various spots.

The chassis has a variety of new holes drilled to work with the new motor mount.

The chassis has a variety of new holes drilled to work with the new motor mount.

For electronics the car uses a Futaba shorty servo and a HobbyWing speed control along with a Team Powers 4.5T motor.

For electronics the car uses a Futaba shorty servo and a HobbyWing speed control along with a Team Powers 4.5T motor.

The Team Powers 4.5t motor incorporates a 12.5 rotor (medium size) and is cooled by a large R1 fan positioned directly behind it. The HobbyWing speed control is programmed with a little boost and timing. Evans prefers to keep the bottom powerband “soft” and runs his boost lower than many others in order to avoid any wheelspin- a time killing problem when racing on-road.

The Team Powers 4.5t motor incorporates a 12.5 rotor (medium size) and is cooled by a large R1Wurks fan positioned directly behind it. The HobbyWing speed control is programmed with a little boost and timing. Evans prefers to keep the bottom powerband “soft” and runs his boost lower than many others in order to avoid any wheelspin- a time killing problem when racing on-road.

EJ prefers to run a spool up front.

EJ runs a spool up front.

Running in the Invitational Class at the recent 2016 Reedy TC Race of Champions.

Running in the Invitational Class at the recent 2016 Reedy TC Race of Champions.

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Updated: May 21, 2019 — 5:08 PM
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