50mm or 52mm?

[part-time racer]

I see Xray have released a 52mm length version of there new drive shaft system.
Can a team member please explain to me the idea behind having a 50mm or 52mm drive shaft?
I should really know but I don't.

Regards
Richard.

[Jonny Aird]

Hi Richard,

It's pretty complicated. The 50mm driveshafts tend to make the car more responsive and free the car up mid corner and exit. The 52mm are less twitchy but they give the feeling of more traction mid corner and more forward traction.

It's very hard to explain, although generally the team use the shorter driveshafts outdoors, and longer ones on carpet.

Jonny

[ali303]

It's all down to personal preference really, but I suppose that's only viable if you've got two sets of driveshafts to test with!

What Jonny has said regarding the different handling traits between the two types is what most people deem the rule of thumb when choosing which length driveshaft to use. Personally I ignore the physics and just go on what feels best. These are the tracks I have used each type of driveshaft at, and I have also listed the event due to the grip levels usually being higher at the larger events, outdoor ones especially:

Short driveshafts:
Cotswolds National
Stonehaven, Muchmore GP
Maritime, Carpet Wars

Long driveshafts:
West London National & KOGP
Halifax National
Don Valley, BIWS

As you can see, there isn't much of a logical explanation to these choices. For example, Halifax is a high grip track so short driveshafts would seem the obvious choice, but I preferred to use the long driveshafts as I could be more aggressive into the corners with them!

[Garry]

I was snapping plastic spool outdrives with the 50mm shafts and LiPo/13.5 indoors on concrete, swapped to 52mm ones and the problem disappeared.

[J-Mac]

i think 50mm drive shafts stop the chatter in the front aswell.