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Citroën Xsara WRC

This model is an XB Expert Build version like my Madbull and my Sand Viper. So I received it ready to run with a beautiful body already painted with stickers on. The chassis is 4x4 TT-01 with a propeller transmission: unlike what its name may let you think, this chassis is made for on-road playground. This is very new to me as it is my first on-road chassis. The Citroën Xsara WRC is in version "Monte Carlo", which means asphalt setup. With the "Rally" tires I bought in option, it will be able to hit the ground as soon as the track is clean because the ground clearance is inferior to one centimeter.

The TT-01 family

Released in 2002, the TT-01 chassis is aimed at leisure. Very easy to assemble, it provides intersting performances right out of the box. A full range of options can almost transform it completely into a very competitive vehicle ready for races. This chassis is one of Tamiya's biggest commercial succes in this category. The range of models based on it reflects its success:

58302 Enzo Ferrari	58304 Nissan 350Z Race Car	58305 Subaru Impreza WRC 2005	58308 Ford Focus RS WRC 03	58313  Raybrig NSX 2003
58314 Calsonic Skyline GT-R 2003	58318 CLK-DTM AMG Mercedes	58319 Xanavi Nismo GT-R R34	58323 Schnitzer BMW M3 Sport	58327 Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo.II
58330 Xanavi Nismo Z	58332 Citroen Xsara WRC 2004	58333 Subaru Impreza WRC 2004	58335 Ford Escort WRC	58339 Raybrig NSX 2004
58341 Mercedes-Benz DTM 2004	58342 Lancia Delta HF Integrale	58343 Ferrari F430	58348 TT-01R Chassis Kit	58349 Subaru Impreza WRC 2005
58355 Audi A4 DTM 2005	58363 Audi A4 DTM Team Abt	58364 Nismo R34 GT-R Z-Tune	58373 Nismo Coppermix Silvia	58377 Ferrari FXX (Finished Body)
58379 Mercedes C-Class DTM 2006	58382 Mazda RX-7 FD3S	58385 BMW 320si WTCC 2006	58386 Nismo Coppermix Silva	58388 Mazda RX-7 Drift
58390 Impreza WRC 2007	58392 Toyota Supra Drift	58393 BMW Z4 M Coupe racing	58402 Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo	58407 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup VIP
58408 Suzuki SX4 WRC	58410 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cup	58411 Nissan GT-R	58413 Lamborghini Countach	58419 NISMO R34 GT-R Z tune
58422 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup KTR	58426 Subaru Impreza WRC'08

42 models (!), only for kits: I did not list the XB versions. From the standard chassis (TT-01), through the "hopped up" variant (TT-01-R), the "drift" (TT-01-D) and to the "evolution" (TT-01-E), with or without LED lights, the choice is difficult to make. Even more considering that the series still goes on...

When it arrived

I discovered this chassis during a live transaction with Teamneogordini from the Vintage-RC forum. We made a run and I discovered his Subaru Impreza WRC which is based upon the same chassis and I had a lot of fun with it. So now, after running alone for some time, we'll now try to run together.

So, I only had to find the kit and the options I wanted...

On the left, my Citroën Xsara WRC "Rallye de Monte Carlo 2004", and on the right, the chassis and the hop ups I will install. The hop ups are: aluminum propeller shaft (53620), metal motor mount (53666), turnbuckle tie rod set (53662), hydraulic dampers (53619), ball bearing set (53497), Rally Block tires (50476 to replace the provided slick tires), rims (51021) and I decided to install a rear bumper to better protect to rear of the bodyshell (51007). I will keep the Mabuchi 540 stock silver can.

Complete chassis overview with almost all hop ups installed (OK it's hard to see ). For tires, I am waiting for the rims to install them. So I will have two sets of wheels, one for the ground the other for asphalt. Well, this is mainly due to the fact that I didn't managed to unglue the slick tires from the rims, even by boiling them into water for over half an hour. Some also try acetone but I don't want to risk melting the rims or destroying the tires).

Custom changes

Apart from the above hop ups, I will install a chassis protection, still upon Teamneogordini advice. The TT-01, as well as the Baja King TL-01B, gathers all the ground and pebbles that wheels project. On the chassis, there is no room left and a single pebble can block either the steering servo mechanism or the propeller shaft and this can cause severe damages. There is a Tamiya model that has a chassis cover that come over the bathtub chassis to protect it. Meant for another chassis (the TB-01), it should be easy to adapt it to the TT-01. There are several holes under the battery pack that can easily be protected: a simple plastic sheet will do the job (since the battery pack will maintain it). Other holes are located under the motor (probably to evacuate motor heat): same method, I used a plastic sheet that I placed under the motor to fill the holes.

Here is a photo of the chassis with the plastic cover on. Of course, it needs new scotch taping every time I change or charge the battery pack:

After the first run, these protections reveal to be quite efficient, but not perfect. Pebbles can still enter by the front of the chassis and black the steering servo mechanism. The only solution is to think about a way to protect the steering tie rods, which is not very easy as these parts move.

First run

We ran on a pebble playground. The Xsara is pure fun to drive, trajectories are easy to find and to keep. The Rally Block tires grip is excellent and helps a lot, as well as the soft suspension setup I made.

The plastic cover avoids most of the pebbles to enter the chassis, but some still reach the inside to block the steering mechanism. So we had numerous "pit stops" to check the cars and remove the pebbles. The ground clearance is very low so you'd better not go off the trajectories: all pebbles are there and the car just parks on them.

Apart from these pit stop problems, driving this car is great. The overall behavior is excellent, trajectories are easy as long as the pilot is not too optimistic . Thanks to the 2 wheel sets, I can easily and quickly change the overall configuration to run either on ground and asphalt.

Here is a photo of my Xsara and Teamnegordini's Subaru Impreza WRC: it was not possible to say whether Tommi Mäkinen or Sébastien Loeb won this race. too many "pit stops" and accidents for an accurate result (also because we run for pleasure, not to really compete). My Xsara uses plain rims while I am waiting for its "true" rally rims.

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First publication: april 14, 2008 Last modified: august 05, 2009

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