Tamiya Fanboy Hate Can't Stop Controversial Tamiya Durga Build 

You buy a Tamiya to build a Tamiya. You usually buy something else to race (competitively).

I totally agree on the Tamiya not being a good choice for a competitive race car. But they look really good some of them.

A couple of years back, I took my Dark Impact racing , it did well (fully ball raced out of the box too btw) and then I upgraded it and it still did well - marginally better but still…..I ❤ Tamyia

You should take it on the gb tour with you. Maybe you can do a star in a reasonably priced car segment with it

Honestly who gives a crap. You like the cars you like, if anyone gets upset either way they need to have a word. Simple as. For the record I love Tamiya and most my cars are Tamiya, but I don’t race and I don’t dislike other brands for any reason.

Awsome video Gavin. The Durga looks like alot of fun, and I would love to have one. Hoping someday I will. That being said, I don't race at all, as I'm disabled, there aren't any tracks around me and more or less just run around my house or in a parking lot. I have a crazy hopped up TT-02B and a couple WLtoys buggies, and that's the extent of my buggies. Really looking forward to seeing how the upgrades are going to affect the performance of it the next time you go to the track. I figured you were gonna get alot of haters about your last video. Keith from RC Icons even mentioned it in his latest video...lol. As long as you're having fun, who cares. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. You can love Tamiya's and still be realistic that their just not the best choice for competitive racing. It doesn't make them any less fun. After all, fun is what this hobby is really all about.

As a racer myself, I’m impressed. It looks pretty good without the proper shock setup, nice work.

I think the points Gavin made in the last video were absolutely fair. There are SO MANY buggies available on the market that are specifically manufactured for racing. If being as competitive as possible for the least amount of investment, a Tamiya buggy is probably not the best choice. Tamiya makes a great product and I love them too but we have to be honest with ourselves...there are not too many non-Tamiya only championships won with a Tamiya buggy.

Great job getting the car all built up and ready to run in just one day! That was no easy feat! The driving looked awesome, only the table top seemed to give you a hard time, but once you fit some better shocks your buggy will stick those landings no problem. As for the opening...glad to see no shots were fired (except in the comments from the last video haha!)

Performance aside, I like Tamiyas because you get the satisfaction of taking a box of parts and making it into a working vehicle 👍🫡

That went better than I expected. Looking at the design I'm reminded vaguely of the XX-4. Fully enclosed drivetrain, tunnel for the steering linkage, belt tension adjusted by repositioning the diffs ect.

Just a suspension change should get you too podium- just try that in next vid. Dial it in a bit. Better tires too. Set your steering curb / i think 1-2 place as it is.

I like my re-released Tamiyas, just to look at them as shelf queens, just like I drooled over them in the catalogues, daily, aged 10. That's it. Everyone who has seen and raced with and versus other brands in the mid/late 80's and early 90's, knows how freaking bad race cars Tamiyas are. But then again, Tamiya never really marketed towards that segment that seriously, apart from touring cars at some point. It's just that nearly all RU-vid channels showing off Tamiya builds, are maintained by people who never raced at a track in their youth, which clearly shows in their content. Most are rookies, even at middle-age, who (still) don't have a clue how to build/setup a RC race car properly. Most of them can't keep a trackside car on its wheels for five minutes, even if their life depended on it. Let alone hold a racing line. But then they talk about and buy every possible "upgrade" they can get their hands on, mostly for the looks and materialism behavior. Which is absolutely fine, we all enjoy hobbies in our own way. Bit blunt perhaps, but it is what it is. There, one for the algorithm.

Just finished watching. Great video, Tamiya did iffer different stiffness arms to tune it based on high or kow traction surfaces

Db01 got me back into tamiya and RC after a 30yr break. It is a very capable car when dialed in let’s not forget the car is 200$ and is almost 20yr old design so it cannot keep up with modern buggies but in that age group with upgrades it can kick some butt. I now own one of every different variant I love em. Not to bad for a first run have fun with it.

Just a quick tip. You cost yourself a pile of time with the body. Painting the red first, then using the silver section after would have saved a number of coats, and left the red a more metallic finish. I'll be doing a video on this soon, highlighting paint order and the different finishes available from simply changing up the backing coat. Cracking video though! 😁

That Tamiya Durga looks very smooth and stable considering its on the factory setup the question is will it be much better with the hop ups and are they worth the money. I’m definitely not rushing out to buy one any time soon lol but it will be interesting to find out 👍🏻

That was fun, well played. Car performance wise it doesn't look like it needs much doing to it at all. You're losing most of your time on the downward landing jumps (table top etc) so if the new shocks fix that for you then jobs done it would seem. The corner grip and balance seemed excellent for the most part and you did a decent job at keeping your driving clean. I know it's not the point of this series but it really doesn't seem that you're going to need the titanium screws and other extreme end upgrades to get to the top of the A main. If you were doing regional/national stuff , well, then all bets would be off! Oh if you have the TD4 still, when you're done, test the times vs that? Cheers!

I like the racing footage. Good work on getting it done in one day🎉

Really enjoyed the build video, as I’ve been looking to buy this kit. Thanks for all the great content!

I’m curious. Do you think the DB01 platform performs better than a TT02BR? I want to get a tamiya buggy to race on dirt but I feel like I’m always making a sizable compromise depending on the platform. Leaning towards an Optima Mid or a Super Dog Fighter.

It looked like it went well on the track, those shocks are horrific so qudos for getting it go that well, as a once great song once said “things can only get better” 😁

Db01, two types of upgrade, handling and resilience. Shocks, slipper and diffs are to make it handle better. Resilience will be alloy suspension hangers, driveshafts etc. Anyone who says that the DB01 is competitive let alone out of the box is sadly mistaken. 15 years ago with the right upgrades, yes, now it isnt and that is progress. I am the 9ne who posted pics of my Baldre on your fb page.

Your getting decent at racing and improved no end

A couple of months ago I bought a second hand DB-01 Baldre that was in ok condition (but still the only one that was available at that time on eBay Germany) for 200€ and restored / upgraded it for track use. That took another 300€ at least, and the car still isn’t mint and has some old scratched parts on it. So for that Money I could‘ve gotten a B74.2 or something similar which would‘ve been way more capable and with better parts availability. But I really wanted the DB-01, I guess it’s this underdog mentality to take a Tamiya to the track and be quick. Same with my Top Force where I‘m probably already 4 figures deep, but you can’t look at it this way!

You can get carbon reinforced suspension arms. The alloy c hubs from the xv01 will also fit and pretty inexpensive on ebay

I am enjoying your vids 🙋‍♂️ i must say your driving skills have improved pal 🫡

I prefer racing Tamiya's like the M07/08, or TA's. If you can build a Tamiya right it can be highly competitive.

Let's just face it.... tamiya don't make any 'race' cars. Tamiya have there place, i for one love tamiya cars (well the older stuff, not so much the more recent releases) and have built/own 15+ But saying all that, if it wasn't for tamiya, 80% of us that grew up in the 80s and 90s wouldn't have been introduced to our amazing hobby and no matter how or what you enjoy about the hobby is neither right nor wrong. Another great video Gavin. 👍

Its kind of clickbaitish. The DB01 is a great car, but its been discontinued and so has its aftermarket parts. If Tamiya was still making it and its hop ups it wouldnt be too bad cost wise. It is expensive now and so are the option parts if you are lucky to find any. Should any non Tamiya fan boys buy one to race, no. A brand new AE is a little cheaper, all the parts are at the track, and you don't need any hop ups.

You have a very constant driving, very clean and pretty tight for a VERY dense and overwhelming day like that… AND A STOCK TAMIYA. Chapeau bas. Big salut 🫡 from France 🇫🇷 Vinz.

bezerk rc make a carbon Battery Strap for the db01, I think it's the same pattern as the ta05. although the upgrade arms are better for handling, the kit arms are the best choice as the upgrades break easier, making them not as practical due to availability.

Another cool vid I love seeing how far you can push tamiya kits. Just picked up 50 tickets for the Porsche.

Painting the body as well in a day is really good going! I'm still staring at mine trying to decide on a scheme. It looked good on the track, well done all round.

haha nice one , you can definitely see your getting pretty good at the track , for firts run new car , db-01 look's good on the track .

The carbon battery strap from a tt02 or ta05v2 will fit no problem

Having the Blazing Blazer sitting in front of you while building probably makes you feel guilty about the hate 🤣

Good job Gavin Love from El Salvador. 🎉

Yeah, and the other comment was "Is it actually vintage?". Anyway, you're a good sport 😉 I am going to enjoy the build video now.

Very interesting! The old Tamiya isn't so bad after all! Very much looking forward to the next episode!

It doesn't matter what you race your gonna spend money. Nature of the beast if you want to be competitive in top classes. Speed, durability cost. It's all good.

Nice work Gav. It looked like it went alright to me. The TRF shocks will make quite a difference, they're just better. Honestly, I don't know why people got so butthurt and personal. They are toy cars, they're supposed to be fun.

Those option shocks look like jewelry. I dig it.

That Dr Evil laugh at the end of the race. LoL. Keep on driving the Durga. It wont disappoint

You were doin quite well at accident avoidance. -U10

It would be interesting to compare this to a regular Optima Mid with the Exo LWB conversion kit with the carbon parts and which one is more expensive as well as which is faster. I’ve seen the regular Mid for just over $300usd and the Exo LWB carbon kit is around $160usd

Haha all the sht I gave you on your last video and I'm actually in this one! Nice 1 for this video mate.

Well done - what an effort and a great story 👍

about the reinforced belts dont change untill the stock ones give i and give a problem as reinforced belts might be stiffer and eatig in to the power. tested in a dyno on a tuned scooter to change belts from stock to reinforced kevlar belt and that eat about 2hp on a tuned moped scooter.

No hate here. Carry on my friend!

I think Tamiya got something here. Last time was Lee Martin's racer that he won Euros with!

Blimey, the haters came out of the woodwork after that last video!! Your channel, your rules!! 😉 Watching the way the car handled was interesting. It looked like it wanted to forward roll off the table top, and on the small double at the start of the straight, it looked like it wanted to wheelie, and swap ends nose over tail. 🤔 All in all, I take my hat off to you, Gavin. Even attempting to do what you did was challenge enough!! But to put the whole thing out there for everyone to see?!! Great effort. 👍🏻 It'll be good to see both those cats running together after the upgrades. 😎👍🏻

Do you think Tamiya will bring out a new "competitive" off road buggy.

Listen we all know it's costly to race a Tamiyam I raced thier touring cars. I did invest in a high end model and it was a great racer and didn't have to mod it. Those of us who have raced the brand know thr cost.

I think the main thing in what people need to understand about racing a Tamiya is that most tracks won't have spare parts for them. So, they'll have to bring their own. I want to race my Super Avante, but I have no time, so I just bash my cars around the yard, usually.

interesting experiment

Actually performed well on track

I have a TT-02, XV-01, and a Globe Liner

Im a big tamiya fan.all my vehicles are tamiya. But if i took up actual racing i would go elsewhere .

Great intro 😄

For me I Tamiya is a classic car and I enjoy mine but to get it driving how I want it cost more than the car itself. If I was racing one it would only be a Tamiya only race so mods are limited and cut down the cost. I do love what they do but Im not a Tamiya fanboy, more of a nitro guy there paint is the only paint I use.

Working on tamiya on a race level is were things get sketchy aka fast access repairs they have won races and chamqionships chassis based off ta05

Tamiya was good for racing in the 80s, but they are not built for racing today. They have a handful of overpriced cars that you can race but it's not worth it. Too many hop up parts to make then worthy. I love my Tamiya cars but not against todays cars.

The zahak 2wd works well as a racer

Durga is a good car; just not supported here unfortunately

Where is the dash in DB01?

best opening ever 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

How does it compare to your PR Racing SB401R. Time trial time.

He probably didn't need a clock for this video. Thought the point of it was that it's a Tamiya.

building a car under time pressure and racing a Tamiya... ? You really should wear that "RC masochist" Shirt...

Regarding the arms. You can buy carbon reinforced arms but they are so fragile they are just not worth it, especially indoors original 501x arms are the beefiest and are very strong but again hard to find.. I would recommend sticking with kit arms as they are in the middle and easily available . I cannot believe you used the kit screws on that kit. Please tell me you used a thread tap. If not you must have super strong hands . That plastic is like rock . You picked the worst car to basically buikd Twice but at least you had the sense to put the gear diffs in . Changing them is no small job. I would highly recommend some carbon shock towers from nick Walker if you don’t have some already . In my opinion from building a few of these if you are using stock motors then BB shocks . Carbon towers, gear diffs and front and rear suspension blocks , usable turnbuckles, hex wheel adaptors and a hex screw set are all you need for really nice car. Slipper clutch is needed if racing modified .

Like this .. new sub. Are you only interested in Tamiya ? Would like to see the likes of the new cars from Losi, X-ray, yoko etc!! The Durga was the car I started racing with 10- 15 years ago. I soon caught the bug and started spending silly money!! I think the best car I had was the X-RAY XB4

great video

Really enjoying your innovative content, lots of enjoyable and entertaining videos - this one was excellent! (love Tamiya from my youth, they are iconic but that horrible shiny brittle plastic they use is just totally unsuitable for the rigours of racing)

I really like this idea 🙂👍 but Tamiya boys come on are you offended when somebody say you toy car is rubbish? Well they are! Kyosho ftw 😂

I've never seen what the fascination is with Tamiya.s. yeh I do like them but there are better RC.s out there for the money.

Ainters gonna ain’t

I thought, I am a Tamiya Fanboy 😂 Hating you for saying the truth is on another level though.

Evan my local hobby shop said Kyosho is better then Tamiya for competitive racing

Great response too the haters Gavin 😊

Haha, nice work on the haters. Haha flogs.

I can't remember seeing your channel get this many views this quickly. You should talk smack more

LOL ⚡

why bother with Tamiya? it's toy class at best... they build good models but its plastic where it shouldn't be for RC.... that's were it ends.... never a competitor in the sport.

Maybe you need to consider changing the title to why one should consider buying Tamiya for racing 🙂?

If people hated on you for being honest that Tamiya cars as a whole don’t make good race cars god help them if they ever come across my videos of jumping an avante 60 ft in the air lol

LOL, fanboys will be fanboys. You can say anything you want it's your opinion, if they don't like it they can leave it. It's not like you force them to agree with it. They just salty fanboys who can't take a little argument. You do you my man!

Tamiya kits were gateway cars into more advanced things in the hobby. Besides we were kids back then and the fun Tamiya brought us is priceless. At least to me, so what if they are not the best for racing, puts a smile on my face. People who write hateful messages need to get a life and stop ridiculing others. Ridiculous.

You handled that car pretty well on the track on its first voyage, without all the racing upgrades. Good job Rckicks!

Wouldn't worry about the haters...Tamiya fans are a passionate bunch lol. Nothing wrong with that. With the shocks the way they are, ie terrible....the Durga actually does quite well. That 1 second will be a lot of fun to find. Think once the shocks get upgraded and sorted this will be quite a good little carpet rocket. I haven't raced in many years (1/8th nitro buggy) and remember how tough it was to find every fraction of a second back then...awful driving was my main issue lol. Your driving has come in leaps and bounds...Nice work!

Great concept and great video. Building and racing in a day. Really enjoyed it. Makes me wonder if you’d start a series of “making buggies race ready.” Would love to see you make a turbo optima race ready. It’s been fantastic watching the evolution of the channel. Cheers.

The first time I ran my Durga, it was the beginning of Brushless Era. I was forced (both hobby/track owner and peers) to buy brushless system for my Durga. Thankfully, I bought all the basic upgrades for the Durga namely: universals front and rear, slipper clutch and front and rear aluminium suspension mounts. Later on, I got lucky, I purchased a second used Durga and it came with TRF501x Ball Diffs and GM Racing Aluminium shocks. Those and I swapped out all the carbon reinforced items on the car. Love the car to bits except those carbon reinforced C-hubs LOVE to eat the aluminium 5mm ball connector. I broke two already hitting silly things. Love the car. I have not been running it for awhile. However, I managed to get me the carbon reinforced chassis with the side by side battery pack, 2nd gen standar chassis for the lipo pack and a whole chassis for dirt cheap so I may be expanding the fleet in the future. Enjoy!

To lower the db01 nick walker sells 2mm taller carbon shock towers for front and rear as the db01 sits too high as stock for carpet

Well done Gavin, i think you did a great job, let's see with more hop ups what it can do

I think you (CAN) make it competitive, but by the time you add up what you will need plus the kit itself it will make it uneconomical compared to an associated or Schumacher etc. The base of the car is to far back by comparison.

Wow people are sensitive. They’re toy cars.

Tamiya for racing depends really on what you’re building and what class you’re running in. Box stock TT-01/TT-02 is actually pretty fun. Still pretty competitive but overall a very fun and cheap class. However, the higher up you decide you want to in racing, most Tamiya cars won’t be as competitive unless you go with higher end chassis like the TA, TB or even TRF chassis. Hybrids like the TT-02 SRX can still be competitive but may require upgraded steering to keep up with a good Yokomo or XRay. Overall, nothing wrong with Tamiya in racing. Just know what you have and what class you’re running and you’ll be fine.

It did well. Might wanna try this same format with the new Avante.