"I visited the KYOSHO website for the first time in a while and saw the monitor application. I never expected to win, but I still put mine in just before the closing date. I got the good news while I was at work by an email from my son. ""Package arrived from KYOSHO"". I sent a reply asking what was written on the package. ""GP Mini-Inferno Monitor..."". I lost patience and called him and asked him to open the box. He described the contents as a small buggy, it was then that I realized I had won the lucky draw to participate in the monitor trial. I wanted to go home, but I couldn't get away due to my work roster. So I had to wait a day and a half.
My son handed me the box. ""What a small box"", I thought. I opened it up and was instantly impressed! But it was small. The first thing I touched was the cylinder head. Definitely no dummy head, this one was real. I couldn't wait to put this mini GP car to the test.
Even though this was a Readyset, I still checked over the chassis and tightened all screws. I also slightly adjusted the linkages and needle. I used large and small screwdrivers. Actually I felt I've never used a precision screwdriver as much, before this machine. It really is quite small and space is tight as well. There were many places to check and I was thinking about taking out the gear box, but decided to trust the builders and left it. Also, loss of control of even a small engine car is a problem so I tried to add the fail-safe from my tool box. It was the smallest size, but not small enough to fit on the Mini-Inferno. I tried to fit it on the radio box but had to give up. As this was a monitor trial, I thought I should run it as close to its original condition as possible. But to be honest, I didn't have much choice. I couldn't find a suitable fuel filter so I just went without one. I thought I better get one to keep the engine humming along.
I charged up the batteries for the receiver, plug heater and starter box. Then I started the engine. I was going to run on the rough terrain on a river bank.
I was so nervous my hands were shaking. I sent fuel to the carburetor (the choke button is really useful) and loaded the chassis on the starter. Push down for first time first start. This was the first time that I have been able to start a new car the very first time I tried. I found the RPM stable, even though this was just break-in. I expected an engine of this size to be very sensitive and unstable, but these concerns were completely wrong. I now had higher expectations for performance after the break-in was complete. Although the manual advised about 10 tanks for the break-in, I was done after 6 tanks. After the break-in, I took a breather and got ready for the real running test.
I checked the acceleration and maximum speed. My first impressions were ""very fast"" and good acceleration. Engine pick up was good. Even though the needle was still unscrewed a little from where it should be, the performance was great. I wrote this report after running the model 3 times after break-in was complete. It was running sharp and true. Although the shock absorption was good over the rough terrain, you still might need to be careful about which surface you run on. Cornering is great without over steer, and I am looking forward to installing the spare hubs included to change the caster angle. Because the car is so small, even small shocks cause sudden changes to its steering and posture. But there are quite a few optional parts, so I am going to try these out and report on their effectiveness in my next report. I've only ever used OS engines, so I didn't realize that there were other great engines out there like this one. Despite its small size the engine features rear exhaust, slide carburetor, and a green heat sink head with the SIRIO mark. Anyone would be impressed.
Finally, I am sorry for the basic nature of this report. I will try to improve with the next one."
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