Serpent to close? - Page 6

SHY · #**101** 06-10-2008

I know... I think it was removed... I've been on vacation and I found this quote in the email notification. I guess he removed it after posting it...

Answer-RC-Pete · #**102** 06-10-2008

Yep - think its probably a bit letigious...

SHY · #**103** 06-10-2008

Agreed! But does Strenge still work for Serpent or not? Somebody surely must know!

And what about Billy Easton?

Wasn't it so that Easton & Strenge should develop their OR cars? Or is Easton "just a driver"?

The S500 being a "production version" of the Durango, I for one cannot see this being produced if Strenge now is out (not saying he is, I do not know)...

Answer-RC-Pete · #**104** 06-10-2008

I dont have a clue what is happening.
Easton was not running Serpent at the worlds - rather the TQ Racing SX8 so there is someting happining / has happened there.

Everything is pointing to there being some changes but as to what no one knows, there is a bit of me that thinks quite litteraly NO ONE knows...
I hope all is good for them though but it is all very interesting.

Lee · #**105** 06-10-2008

Lets be honest, it looks like its gone down the pan.

Usually when a company re-structures it means they are cutting back or trying to cut costs etc, if they were doing well they would call it expanding

Moving production to asia has proven this to be the case.

It looks like they have laid of the people who do not make money for them, like drivers and designers, im sure if there are cash flow issues they will want to steady the ship before going on new ventures, from what i hear a lot of people dislike serpent as a company in the 1/8 onroad world, i personally dont know the reasons why.

PaulUpton · #**106** 06-10-2008

I heard a few weeks ago that serpent was up for sale, basically the name and all the branding/designs are the bits they are selling, as all the manufacturing is done by an outside company!

I am running the S400, and fortunatly im in the position where i have a lot of spares for the car, however ive had several people emailing me asking if i have spares as they cant get them anywhere else!

I think something is happening but wat.........who knows!

Paul

SHY · #**107** 06-10-2008

Yeah, there was a link there which clearly stated that they were in fact bankrupt. Can anyone tell more about this? (What date was it)

From serious people who know them well I know they have struggled for many years. It's hard to compete against asian manufactureres (lower costs). Maybe Serpent is a bit behind schedule as to moving their production to Asia...

Still, knowing Michael and Ronald to be serious people I'm sure they will manage to stay afloat! I miss Pieter though, including his "boss page"s and myTSN...

I know why 1:8 TR racers dislike them somewhat. The cars are very good, but there seems to always be some parts of inferior quality. Which leads to DNFs... They've also been very good at taking to market option parts and new things that should have undergone more extensive testing... For instance a Mugen in comparison is a bulletproof car...

PaulUpton · #**108** 06-10-2008

i must agree with the S400, it could have had so much more devopment work done to it, not even on handling just setting it up, as you cant raise up the wishbones without them hitting the bulkheads, so you have to remove material from bulkheads! Little things you shouldnt have to do!

And not being able to get the ride height below 7mm with kit shocks!

Ive also had to use so many other manufactures parts on my car to make it work!

Would be a shame to see them go or change hands!

Paul

tjf · #**109** 06-10-2008

So does this mean we wont be able to get any parts?

PaulUpton · #**110** 06-10-2008

Not saying you wont be able to get parts, i just know i have had a few people come to me asking if i had parts as they couldnt find any anywhere else!!

Paul

l-u-k-e · #**111** 07-10-2008

I am able to get all the parts i need!

HVAC25000 · #**112** 07-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by l-u-k-e

I am able to get all the parts i need!

Then use those connections to find out about the S500 for us

SHY · #**113** 07-10-2008

To be 100% honest what I'd really want is the original Durango, not the S500...

If Gerd only would sell them...

HVAC25000 · #**114** 07-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHY

To be 100% honest what I'd really want is the original Durango, not the S500...

How come?

Lee · #**115** 07-10-2008

I personally feel the durango style has had its day, it was great a few years ago, and with the right driver its very quick, as proven with Paul Neumann

but i think the layout limits the car in some ways and possibly serpent have realized this. WHy would you release a "new" car from a 5+ year old design

SHY · #**116** 07-10-2008

Slim chassis & bodyshell

I don't really like the wider front of the S500...

Alu is also great stuff, the Durango is a tank!

I've only seen one live, and that was at the Nordics in Finland this year (Vaasa). It handled perfectly, and did the triple time and time over without breaking anything! (incl. lots of overshooting)

jimmy · #**117** 07-10-2008

I'd disagree about it being a dated or obsolete design - both cars got in the A final at the worlds last year. I think it's a design thats yet to be fully exploited and realised. As for the S500 version - well it was designed to be more user friendly and I don't think that's a bad thing.

schmacher · #**118** 07-10-2008

hey shy, like this durango ?

SHY · #**119** 07-10-2008

Stop teasing!

Chris Doughty · #**120** 07-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmacher

hey shy, like this durango ?

wow - thats an origional 'fat' one!