TRF421 & TRF History on Tamiya Live

Tamiya broadcasted two  RC Live sessions yesterday (Sunday March 24).

The first session had a segment dedicated to the TITC, but unfortunately there was no detailed look at the TRF421’s used at that race, only a look at the TT-02 used by Kiyo in the special Porsche class.

The second Tamiya RC Live session was more interesting, with Satoshi Maezumi and Takayuki Kono first going through the history of Tamiya Racing Factory, and many of the TRF touring cars sold over the years. Even though Tamiya RC Live is Japanese only, the TRF history lesson is worth watching with translated automated subtitles as there is a fair bit of interesting background information mentioned by Satoshi.

After this there was again a special in-depth focus on the TRF421, with some new information told. A couple of things that stood out for me (if I did understand correctly from the translations):

• The TRF421 was developed over 4 years, all the way since the TRF420 was released
• There were two directions during development, with one more conventional (like the TRF420/420X derived prototypes we have seen), but the TRF421 direction was always the main plan
• They may still be attending the Worlds this year with Souta Goto, but nothing confirmed, negotiations within Tamiya still under way
• An aluminium chassis option is in development
• A TA09 is still well in the future with the TA08R just released, but you get the impression that it could look a bit like the TRF421…

Ultimate TRF414? 😉