Team Losi
Encyclopedia
Team Losi is a USA based radio-controlled car
manufacturer founded by Gil Losi in the late-1980s and is owned by Horizon Hobby.
, was a 1/10 Scale 2wd Off-Road racing buggy. When it was released to the public in 1988, the JRx-2 featured many innovations that were unheard of at the time, from its unique 5-link rear suspension arms, carbon-graphite chassis, and all-natural rubber racing tires, the JRX2 set the stage for technological advancement and innovation. Team Losi, along with Team Associated, have helped shape the R/C industry into what it is today. The JRx-T was the first "purpose built" electric stadium trucks that didn't require racers to modify an existing buggy. The JRx-Pro SE was the first competition buggy to come standard with a molded composite chassis in an era where stamped aluminum and graphite plates were the standard. The Street Weapon was not only Team Losi's first on-road Sedan, but also the first IFMAR
IWC Touring Car Championship Chassis.
The current product line-up from Team Losi Racing includes vehicles for just about every RC application. The Team Losi XXX-CR, XXX-TCR, and XXX-4 Graphite Plus all carry the Losi banner in electric 1/10 scale off road races. The JRX-S Type R is Losi's marquee touring car. In 1/8 scale off-road Losi has refined the ever popular 8ight Buggy and Truggy to create the 8ight 2.0 Buggy and 8ight-T 2.0 Truggy. With the oncoming popularity of 1/8 electric off-road, there is the 8ight-E 2.0 Race Roller. For Oval and Late Model enthusiasts the 1/8 Light Model Race Roller is offered. To round out the race vehicle lineup is the 1/10 Competition Rock Crawler Race Roller.
Vehicles included in the Losi line-up include a wide range of vehicle types. For Monster Truck fans, there's the Aftershock and the LST XXL. Mini sized offerings include the Mini-T, Mini-LST as well as a Mini LST 2. Two XXX-T RTR's are available, one that comes equipped with a Team Trinity 19T Motor and a second that includes a Team Novak
Brushless motor system. On-road fans have the Drift-R Sedan RTR. Losi has added a new truck, one of the first ever 1/36 scale RC trucks, called the Micro-T. The dirt oval racing enthusiast can choose from the, 1/10 Slider RTR, 1/18 Mini-Slider RTR, 1/18 Late Model RTR, and the 1/8 L8ight Model.
Gil Losi Sr. of Team Losi sold the Team Losi brand to Horizon Hobby in 2001. Losi continues to operate in Southern California alongside Horizon Hobby.
Other, unusual items produced or endorsed by Losi include the PlayStation
video game "Team Losi: R/C Racer" and a Team Losi line of high-performance yo-yo
s designed by Steve Brown
. These were the 'Cherry Bomb', 'Da Bomb' and the 'Grim Sleeper', both using Losi race-specification ball bearings.
In March 2007, Gil Losi, Jr., co-founder of Losi, left Losi for Kyosho
America.
Radio-controlled car
Radio-controlled cars are self-powered model cars or trucks that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter...
manufacturer founded by Gil Losi in the late-1980s and is owned by Horizon Hobby.
History of Team Losi
Team Losi's first vehicle, the JRX2JRX2
The JRX2 is a 1:10 scale, two wheel drive electric r/c car made by Team Losi of California.Team Losi's first vehicle, the JRx-2, was a 1/10 Scale 2wd Off-Road racing buggy...
, was a 1/10 Scale 2wd Off-Road racing buggy. When it was released to the public in 1988, the JRx-2 featured many innovations that were unheard of at the time, from its unique 5-link rear suspension arms, carbon-graphite chassis, and all-natural rubber racing tires, the JRX2 set the stage for technological advancement and innovation. Team Losi, along with Team Associated, have helped shape the R/C industry into what it is today. The JRx-T was the first "purpose built" electric stadium trucks that didn't require racers to modify an existing buggy. The JRx-Pro SE was the first competition buggy to come standard with a molded composite chassis in an era where stamped aluminum and graphite plates were the standard. The Street Weapon was not only Team Losi's first on-road Sedan, but also the first IFMAR
International Federation of Model Auto Racing
International Federation of Model Auto Racing is the world governing body of professional radio controlled racing.The organization was created in 1979 by professional racer and RC model entrepreneur Ted Longshaw. At that time, many different governing bodies operated under their own rules...
IWC Touring Car Championship Chassis.
Present Day
Losi vehicles are being designed by former IFMAR World Champion Jukka Steenari as well as many other talented engineers and product managers. Losi prides itself on its racing heritage, which includes multiple ROAR and NORRCA National Titles, European Titles, and IFMAR World Championships. In recent years, Losi has expanded their product line to include Ready to Run cars and trucks, Monster Trucks, and have recently dominated the super competitive 1/8 scale Buggy market.The current product line-up from Team Losi Racing includes vehicles for just about every RC application. The Team Losi XXX-CR, XXX-TCR, and XXX-4 Graphite Plus all carry the Losi banner in electric 1/10 scale off road races. The JRX-S Type R is Losi's marquee touring car. In 1/8 scale off-road Losi has refined the ever popular 8ight Buggy and Truggy to create the 8ight 2.0 Buggy and 8ight-T 2.0 Truggy. With the oncoming popularity of 1/8 electric off-road, there is the 8ight-E 2.0 Race Roller. For Oval and Late Model enthusiasts the 1/8 Light Model Race Roller is offered. To round out the race vehicle lineup is the 1/10 Competition Rock Crawler Race Roller.
Vehicles included in the Losi line-up include a wide range of vehicle types. For Monster Truck fans, there's the Aftershock and the LST XXL. Mini sized offerings include the Mini-T, Mini-LST as well as a Mini LST 2. Two XXX-T RTR's are available, one that comes equipped with a Team Trinity 19T Motor and a second that includes a Team Novak
Novak Electronics
Novak Electronics, Inc. of Irvine, California, USA, manufactures RC electronics.Founded by RC enthusiast and electronics engineer Bob Novak and originally a manufacturer of servos, Novak is primarily known for its line of electronic speed controls for electric land vehicles and boats.The company's...
Brushless motor system. On-road fans have the Drift-R Sedan RTR. Losi has added a new truck, one of the first ever 1/36 scale RC trucks, called the Micro-T. The dirt oval racing enthusiast can choose from the, 1/10 Slider RTR, 1/18 Mini-Slider RTR, 1/18 Late Model RTR, and the 1/8 L8ight Model.
Company Information
In the late 1990s, Ernie Provetti's company (Trinity) bought a 50% stake in Losi. Most (if not all) Losi Factory Drivers were using Trinity motors or batteries at the time. However, the partnership lasted only a few months before the two companies split.Gil Losi Sr. of Team Losi sold the Team Losi brand to Horizon Hobby in 2001. Losi continues to operate in Southern California alongside Horizon Hobby.
Other, unusual items produced or endorsed by Losi include the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
video game "Team Losi: R/C Racer" and a Team Losi line of high-performance yo-yo
Yo-yo
The yo-yo in its simplest form is an object consisting of an axle connected to two disks, and a length of twine looped around the axle, similar to a slender spool...
s designed by Steve Brown
Steve Brown (yo-yo player)
Steve Brown is an award winning competitive yo-yo player, competition judge, and yo-yo designer currently based out of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. In 2001, the National Yo-Yo League named him as one of eight National Yo-Yo masters. He has designed multiple yo-yos, including the "Cherry Bomb" for Team...
. These were the 'Cherry Bomb', 'Da Bomb' and the 'Grim Sleeper', both using Losi race-specification ball bearings.
In March 2007, Gil Losi, Jr., co-founder of Losi, left Losi for Kyosho
Kyosho
is a model car company based in Tokyo, Japan. The brand operates internationally under the name KYOSHO. The company's main office is located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and the production headquarters are located in Atsugi, Kanagawa....
America.
External links
- Losi - Official site
- Team Losi Racing - Official Team Losi Racing Site
- Vintagelosi.com Site with info and manuals for the late 80's and early 90's Losi Products