TEAM ASSOCIATED RC12L GRAPHITE KIT AS4022

Overview

The Team Associated RC12L Graphite Kit (AS4022) is a faithful reproduction of one of the most legendary 1/12-scale electric on-road pan cars ever produced. This iconic machine, originally released in 1986, remains a benchmark of precision engineering and championship-winning performance in the competitive world of RC car racing in the UK and beyond. The RC12L Graphite Kit brings the winning DNA of a platform that captured multiple IFMAR World Championships to modern racers and collectors alike, making it an essential addition to any serious 1/12-scale RC car enthusiast's collection.

Engineered specifically for road racers who demand the highest standards of performance and handling, the RC12L is the most thoroughly engineered and purpose-built 1/12-scale car ever developed by Team Associated. This kit arrives as a fully comprehensive build package with period-authentic details, including natural white moulded parts, an exclusive vintage decal sheet, and a T.o.J. clear body, making it equally appealing to collectors seeking authentic 1980s RC heritage as it is to competitive racers preparing for indoor carpet tracks and outdoor asphalt racing. Whether you're a seasoned competitor looking to experience the legendary platform that dominated the ROAR National Championships throughout the 1980s, or a dedicated RC enthusiast seeking a ready-to-build RC car kit that represents a pivotal moment in 1/12-scale racing history, the RC12L Graphite Kit delivers uncompromising quality and authentic championship-proven engineering.

Originally released in 1983 and designed by Roger Curtis and Gene Husting as an evolution of the RC12E, the RC12L introduced a lighter, stiffer chassis and refined suspension geometry that gave racers unprecedented corner speed and precision never before seen in 1/12-scale racing. The "L" designation reflects both a tribute to Gil Losi Jr., who designed the revolutionary ball joint T-bar/rear pod system, and the car's legendary linear, smooth and predictable handling characteristics. From its debut, the RC12L dominated competitive racing on a global stage, winning the IFMAR World Championship in 1986 with Tony Neisinger in Anaheim, California, again in 1988 with Masami Hirosaka in England, and once more in 1990 with Chris Doseck in Singapore, cementing its reputation as a groundbreaking design that set the worldwide standard for 1/12-scale racing excellence.

Key Features

• Carbon Fibre Chassis — The main chassis is constructed from carbon fibre, providing exceptional rigidity and light weight that are absolutely critical for competitive 1/12-scale on-road racing, allowing for responsive handling and superior corner speed without sacrificing durability during intense racing sessions.
• Carbon Fibre Damper Plate — A dedicated carbon fibre damper plate is included to manage suspension compliance and absorb impacts, ensuring consistent performance across different track surfaces and weather conditions whilst maintaining the precision that made the RC12L a world championship winner.
• Carbon Fibre Lower Bracket — The lower bracket construction in carbon fibre reduces unsprung weight and improves suspension response, contributing to the exceptional handling characteristics that define the RC12L platform and its legendary reputation for corner speed.
• Authentic RC12 Front Suspension Geometry — The front suspension is engineered with the original RC12 geometry, which has been proven to deliver even tyre wear and consistent grip levels throughout extended racing sessions, maintaining the authentic setup that won world championships.
• Coil Spring Sliding Suspension — Independent coil-spring front suspension with a sliding design provides smooth, progressive compliance for both indoor carpet tracks and outdoor asphalt racing applications, offering the versatility that competitive 1/12-scale racers demand.
• Adjustable Rear Axle Height — The rear axle height can be adjusted to fine-tune ride height and weight distribution, allowing racers to optimise handling balance and turn-in characteristics for their specific track conditions and driving preferences.
• CNC Machined Alloy Rear Bulkhead — A precision-engineered CNC machined aluminium rear bulkhead on the right side provides structural rigidity whilst maintaining the lightweight construction essential for competitive on-road racing performance.
• Varilok Differential — The Varilok differential system provides adjustable locking characteristics, allowing fine control over traction delivery and weight transfer during acceleration and cornering, giving drivers the precision tweaking capability that serious competitors require.
• Countersunk Chassis Design — The chassis features countersunk mounting points that reduce overall height and lower the centre of gravity, directly contributing to improved handling balance and responsiveness through high-speed corners.
• Cap Bolt Tweak Adjusters — Precise load settings can be achieved through cap bolt adjusters, allowing drivers to fine-tune suspension geometry and camber settings without requiring complete disassembly, saving valuable practice and race preparation time.
• Ball Joint Supported T-bar — An advanced ball joint design on the T-bar suspension system allows controlled flex and smooth suspension movement, centring the motor weight optimally and providing the precise tweak adjustment capabilities that competitive 1/12-scale racing demands.
• 360 Degree Adjustable Shock Dampeners — The shock absorbers feature 360-degree adjustability for damping characteristics, allowing competitors to dial in the exact suspension response needed for their driving style and track conditions.
• Super Light Front and Rear Racing Wheels — Lightweight racing wheels are included, contributing significantly to the RC12L's reduced overall weight and improved rotational response, which translates directly to better acceleration and corner exit speed.
• T.o.J. Clear Body Included — An authentic T.o.J. (Tower of Jaguar) clear polycarbonate body is included in the kit, ready for painting and customisation, allowing you to display the mechanical excellence of the RC12L chassis whilst achieving the aerodynamic efficiency required for on-road racing.
• Racing Foam Tyres Included — High-quality racing foam tyres are supplied un-mounted, giving you the flexibility to mount them onto the included wheels when you're ready to begin your build and allowing access to the full range of tyre compounds available for different track conditions.
• 32 Pitch Spur Gear and Pinion Included — The drivetrain components are included in the kit, providing a balanced gear ratio suited to 1/12-scale on-road racing and offering scope for fine-tuning performance through alternative gear ratios available as separate option parts.
• Natural White Moulded Parts Throughout — All plastic components are moulded in natural white, providing an authentic period-correct appearance that reflects the original 1986 RC12L design and allowing for easy customisation through painting or decal application.
• Full Ball Bearings Included — Premium ball bearings are fitted throughout the chassis, ensuring smooth, reliable operation and minimal friction losses that are essential for competitive racing performance and extended component longevity.
• Exclusive Vintage Decal Sheet — A specially created vintage decal sheet is included, allowing you to recreate the authentic 1980s appearance of championship-winning RC12L race cars or personalise your build with period-correct graphics.
• 2WD Drive System — The two-wheel-drive configuration is proven for on-road racing, offering the precision handling and weight distribution that define the RC12L's legendary performance characteristics on both carpet and asphalt surfaces.

Technical Performance

The Team Associated RC12L Graphite Kit represents a pinnacle of engineering excellence for 1/12-scale on-road racing. Constructed around a carbon fibre chassis with a carbon fibre damper plate and lower bracket, this kit delivers the exceptional rigidity and minimal weight that are absolutely essential for competitive performance. The all-new ball joint T-bar and rear pod design is engineered to centre motor weight precisely whilst providing unparalleled tweak adjustment capability, allowing competitors to fine-tune their setup with surgical precision. Saddle-pack NiCd/NiMH battery mounting is employed to optimise weight distribution for superior turn-in performance under power acceleration. The independent coil-spring front suspension features authentic RC12 geometry proven to deliver consistent tyre wear and grip levels across extended racing sessions, making it ideal for both indoor carpet tracks and outdoor asphalt racing applications. A CNC machined aluminium rear bulkhead provides structural rigidity on the right side, whilst the Varilok differential offers adjustable locking characteristics for precise traction control. Cap bolt tweak adjusters allow load setting adjustments without requiring full disassembly, saving crucial preparation time. The 360-degree adjustable shock dampeners permit fine control of suspension compliance, and the adjustable rear axle height allows competitors to optimise ride height and weight distribution for their specific track conditions. Super-light racing wheels contribute significantly to the RC12L's renowned responsiveness and acceleration characteristics. With full ball bearings throughout, 32 pitch spur and pinion gears included, and a comprehensive range of option parts available for further fine-tuning, the RC12L Graphite Kit delivers the technical platform that won the IFMAR World Championship and dominated ROAR National Championships throughout competitive 1/12-scale racing history.

What's in the Box

• Carbon fibre chassis
• Carbon fibre damper plate
• Carbon fibre lower bracket
• CNC machined aluminium rear bulkhead
• Ball joint T-bar and rear pod assembly
• Coil spring suspension components
• Varilok differential
• 360-degree adjustable shock absorbers (front and rear)
• Super light racing wheels (front and rear)
• T.o.J. clear polycarbonate body
• Racing foam tyres (un-mounted)
• 32 pitch spur gear and pinion
• Natural white moulded plastic parts
• Full ball bearings (7)
• Exclusive vintage decal sheet
• Hardware and fasteners

What You Need to Complete

• 2-channel surface frequency radio control system
• Electronic Speed Control (ESC)
• RC Electric motor
• Steering servo
• Peak detection battery charger (for NiCad/NiMH batteries)
• 6-cell NiCad battery (3x3 saddle pack style recommended)
• 2mm hex driver (Team Associated AS1501)
• 5.5mm hex driver (Team Associated AS1507)
• Thread lock (Team Associated AS1596)
• Polycarbonate-specific paint for body customisation
• Soldering iron (for electrical connections)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Team Associated RC12L Graphite Kit suitable for beginners or only experienced racers? — This is a kit requiring full assembly and demands significant building expertise, making it best suited to experienced RC enthusiasts and competitive racers rather than complete beginners. However, dedicated newcomers with patience, proper tools and access to detailed building guides can undertake the build with careful attention. You will need to source and fit a motor, ESC, servo, radio system and battery separately, which requires electronic knowledge and soldering skills. The complexity of setup and tuning is also substantial, requiring understanding of suspension geometry, differential adjustment, and fine-tuning techniques.
• What battery does the RC12L Graphite Kit require? — The kit is designed around a 6-cell NiCad battery in a 3x3 saddle pack configuration. This is the traditional battery format used in 1/12-scale on-road racing and provides the voltage and current characteristics needed for the platform. You will need to source a peak detection battery charger suitable for NiCad or NiMH batteries separately.
• What is the wheelbase and overall size of the RC12L Graphite Kit? — The RC12L features a wheelbase of 310mm (12.2 inches), with an overall length of 356mm (14.02 inches) and width of 165mm (6.5 inches). These compact dimensions are typical of 1/12-scale on-road pan cars and allow racing on both indoor carpet tracks and outdoor asphalt circuits.
• What is included with the RC12L Graphite Kit and what must I source separately? — The kit includes the complete chassis, suspension, drivetrain, wheels, tyres, body, decals and hardware, but does not include the radio system, ESC, motor, servo, batteries or charger. You must source these components separately, which is standard for RC racing kits and allows you to choose components matched to your skill level, budget and performance requirements.
• How does the RC12L Graphite compare to other 1/12-scale on-road racing kits? — The RC12L Graphite Kit is distinguished by its proven championship heritage, winning the IFMAR World Championship in its original 1986 release and again in 1988 and 1990. It features carbon fibre chassis construction, a ball joint T-bar rear pod design that was revolutionary when introduced, and Varilok differential technology. The kit represents the Pro-spec carbon fibre version that was favoured by world championship-winning drivers, making it technically more advanced than the original standard fiberglass variant.
• Is the RC12L suitable for indoor carpet track racing or outdoor asphalt racing? — The RC12L is ideal for both applications. It features independent coil-spring front suspension tuned specifically for on-road racing and is particularly well-suited to indoor carpet tracks whilst also performing excellently on outdoor asphalt surfaces. A comprehensive range of tyre compounds, coil springs and gear ratios are available separately for fine-tuning performance to your specific track conditions.
• What tools will I need to assemble the RC12L Graphite Kit? — Essential tools include the 2mm and 5.5mm hex drivers (available separately as Team Associated AS1501 and AS1507), thread lock (AS1596), a soldering iron for battery and electronic connections, and standard RC building tools such as screwdrivers, pliers and possibly a gyro calibration tool. You will also need polycarbonate-specific paint for the included clear body.
• Can I purchase spare parts and option parts for the RC12L Graphite Kit? — Yes, Team Associated offers an extensive range of spare and option parts for the RC12L, including alternative suspension components, different tyre compounds, replacement bearings, alternative gear ratios and specialised parts like the RC12L body set, front axle and suspension arms. These are available separately to allow ongoing customisation and maintenance.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the TEAM ASSOCIATED RC12L GRAPHITE KIT AS4022 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.