Under the Hood: Seth VanDalen’s Prototype Tekno Buggy
A closer look at Seth VanDalen’s prototype Tekno at the Worlds, from its revised front-end geometry to spring choices, roll bars and JConcepts F2 bodyshell.
This Under the Hood at the Worlds, presented by Elite RC Productions, features Seth VanDalen’s prototype Tekno buggy!
There have been plenty of rumors and sneak peeks of a new Tekno buggy throughout the year as the team prepared for these World Championships. The guys at Tekno kindly let us take a few photos—with the bodyshell staying firmly on the car.
- Driver
- Seth VanDalen · USA
- Chassis
- Tekno NB48 2.2, with prototype components as described above
- Engine
- Ultimate Racing MXR
- Pipe
- Ultimate Racing 2141
- Tires
- JConcepts Space Bar
A revised front end
The biggest apparent geometry changes are at the front, where the car seems to feature new arms and hubs alongside a revised shock tower. The front arm appears to lose the previous twist, and its row of shock mounting holes is no longer angled as before.
The hub appears to incorporate the caster angle, while the steering knuckle is likely the same as, or similar to, the option part released earlier in the year. The prototype shock tower has an outer row of upper-link mounting holes but otherwise looks fairly familiar. A wider upper-link attachment point may provide more front-end support in these high-grip conditions.
Prototype details: what we can—and cannot—confirm
We cannot confirm this with complete certainty, but the front arm mounts also appear revised. They look closer to a conventional pivot width than the narrow pivots Tekno has previously used.
Some drivers at the event appear to be running narrow pivots with the new-style arms. If that observation is correct, it is possible that both options could be offered in the future.
We also suspect an adjustable aluminium rear hub and a new steering rack design, although neither detail has been confirmed.
Springs, roll bars and bodyshell
Like much of the Tekno team, Seth appears to favour low-frequency springs over the newly released high-frequency alternatives.
Interestingly, he is running relatively soft roll bars: 2.1 mm at the front and 2.4 mm at the rear. One possible reason is to make the car’s response in roll more gradual.
Seth is also using the new JConcepts F2 bodyshell, as are several of his teammates.
Prototype details and setup explanations above are observations and interpretations, rather than confirmed specifications from Tekno.
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Words: Max Mört RC
Photography: William Venables RC