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TamTech-Gear Buggy Champ
The TamTech-Gear Buggy Champ is one of a range of small-scale electric rc buggies released by the model-manufacturing giant Tamiya, the longest-running producer and indeed pioneer of mass produced electric radio control vehicles.
In 1979, Tamiya released the Rough Rider and Sand Scorcher electric off-road racing buggies, 2 models that were way ahead of their time and have since become two of the most collectible rc cars in history (the Sand Scorcher is probably the most collectible, period!).
The SRBs (Special Racing Buggies), as they were known, were available up to the mid 1980s and put Tamiya well and truly ahead of the competition (not that there was much back then...) for producing top quality rc cars.
The TamTech-Gear Buggy Champ is an RTR buggy that uses the robust GB-02 chassis and has a Rough Rider style bodyshell, but at 1:18 scale it is noticeably smaller than the original 1:10 scale Rough Rider. The Buggy Champ is powered along by a 370 size motor, and a good quality 7.2V 1400mAh NiMH battery pack gives a run-time of almost an hour - that's a lot of driving!
Although the buggy isn't overly fast by today's standards, it is fast enough and is very maneuverable, with a seemingly impossible tight turning circle at low speeds. For those who do want more speed, it is possible to do a brushless/Li-Po conversion.
Four spring coil shocks dominate the fairly soft suspension set-up of the Buggy Champ, and nobbly tires are standard, sitting on rims that replicate the look of the original Rough Rider's 5-spoke rims.
An Expec SP2 pistol grip transmitter comes with the buggy, and this provides accurate control through the ESC/receiver unit on the chassis. Steering is quick and precise, although the Buggy Champ does suffer from chronic understeer on normal cornering, and chronic oversteer otherwise!
TamTech-Gear Buggy Champ in pictures
Below are a few photos of the Buggy Champ...
Above, the Buggy Champ front-on
Above, the Buggy Champ from the rear
Above, the TamTech-Gear GB-02 chassis
Above, the 370 size stock motor
Above left, the ESC/rx unit and right, the battery pack
Incidentally, the ESC features a brake and reverse; pushing the throttle trigger on the tx forward brakes the car, then another push forward puts the car into reverse.
Below, you can see my Buggy Champ in action (a short video of some living-room fun on laminate flooring)...
Motor battery pack
It's important to note that the RTR Buggy Champ doesn't come with a motor battery pack, unless the seller is offering a combo deal.
The recommended pack is the Ansmann TamTech-Gear 7.2V 1100mAh pack, but personally I bought two . Fully charged, they give the Buggy Champ a runtime of around an hour, which isn't bad at all!
Whatever you choose, the pack needs to be made up of 6 2/3A cells and fitted with the TamTech-Gear connectors, which are very different to the standard Tamiya connectors.
If you're wondering, as I did, about the Buggy Champ battery compartment dimensions, they are:
4.05"L x 1.34"W x 0.79"D (103mm x 34mm x 20mm).
The Intellect 1400mAh pack is 101mm x 31mm x 17mm, so you can see that things are indeed pretty tight!
Because of this very tight fit into the under-chassis compartment, it's a good idea to run some tape around the back-end of the pack to make a tab that you can easily get hold of, to lift out the battery (see right). Otherwise, you'll need to prize something flat down the side of the pack, possible damaging the battery in the process.
Being more of an rc flyer than a driver, I haven't had a great deal of experience with rc cars or buggies - although I can proudly say that I owned A Tamiya Rough Rider in the early 80s! But for me, the TamTech Buggy Champ is a nice little gem. Completely hassle-free and easily maintainable, it provides plenty of entertainment both in and out of the house - I'd definitely recommend one to anyone who is looking for some convenient, rc ground-based fun!
Tamiya Rough Rider re-release
Well, who'd have thought it?
Tamiya surprised the SRB fans in May 2009 with the shock announcement that the Rough Rider, the car the TamTech Gear Buggy Champ celebrates, will be re-released, to mark 30 years of the original! 
This is just fantastic news for the Rough Rider fanbase, myself included. And according to Tamiya, the kit will be as close to the original as can be, with just a few minor improvements here and there. Incredible stuff!
Due to hit the shops in July 2009, the re-released kit will be marketed as the Tamiya Buggy Champ Rough Rider, kit number TA58441. Nice going Tamiya! I for one will certainly have one on order.
Related pages
Electric rc cars - an overview of electric cars for beginners.
Tamiya Rough Rider - the inspiration for the Buggy Champ.
Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 re-release of the Rough Rider.
Tamiya SRB series - the original Special Racing Buggies.
