I bought The New style Leopard 4WD from RossMods (very helpful) the car was pretty much ready to run from opening the box. I did however fit my own radio gear, upgrading to two steering servos.
I was booked in to The Challenge Cup Race meeting at Essex. The engine had not even been started before my arrival. I won't bore you with smaller details of the set up of the car. A massive thanks to those involved in organising the event.
The Event was a three day meeting. I arrived on the Friday afternoon in the hope of plodding round the track in free practice to run the engine in and set up the car for a clean run on the Saturday qualifying.
Batteries charged and car fuelled I headed for the indoor track. Now this meeting has only run once before, last year 2012 so I had little idea of how the unusual indoor surface would be. Kind of rare for rc cars to run on this stuff.
I done several laps setting up the steering and running in the engine, being mindful of the faster cars going hell for leather around me (quite enjoyable actually) more of a Sunday drive approach.
I was happy the car was run in and headed back to the pits for some set up changes. It was clear from the Friday run the track surface was going to change from heat to heat drastically.
Saturday morning with some set up changes (more ride height, more steering) and out for the five qualifying runs. The first run the car went very well, although it was a bit of a soft approach as the engine and car (gear train) were still bedding in. Given that the car was pretty much run as the RTR model with the standard kit 26cc engine I was happy with the way the car was holding up against the other cars with 30cc tuned engines and power pipes on the very loose surface.
The biggest issue for me was the lack of stopping power from the standard brake set up. However these are things I was aware of before going. And I could slow up pretty quick on the thick loose surface.
After the qualifiers I was in the Semi final as we're the other 4x4 drivers with 5 drivers to bump up into the main A final. With about 5 minutes left I was in a bump up position when the car came to a halt. On inspection the clutch shoes had decided to part company with the clutch causing a did not finish. But I was happy as this was the first time the car had been run, and in such a harsh competitive environment.
Even though the car was rolled, rammed, and battered, nothing broke over the whole weekend apart from the clutch.
So the FG Sportsline Leopard in RTR format is a tuff old bit of kit suitable for the harshest conditions, and is excellent value for money.
I hope this helps she'd some light on this relatively new kit from the respected manufacturer. I would deffinately recommend the car for Racing (to be hopped up over time) or for hard bashing.
Supported by RossMods. Rossendale Models. Thanks for your help over the weekend.