Red RC » Kyosho

March 8, 2007

King and Lutz sign with Sirio and KO Propo

King and Lutz

We are going to run with the Kyosho press release as it tells you everything you need to know about whats going on this cool promo photo.

Kyosho America factory drivers Cody King and Ryan Lutz have signed with Sirio and KO Propo for the 2007 racing season. Both drivers will be running the new Sirio Evo III STI off-road engine in the buggy and truggy classes, and using the latest KO Propo EX-10 Helios C2 Limited Edition radio system. The power of the Sirio engine and precision of the KO Helios C2 means both drivers will have top-quality support equipment, virtually eliminating concerns about reliable control, consistent performance and maximum horsepower, which gives them more time find the fastest line around the racetrack. It’s World Champion hardware for the next generation of champions!

Source: Kyosho America [kyoshoamerica.com]

March 6, 2007

Takaaki Shimo leaves Sirio

We have heard whisperings that former Japanese National Champion and World Championship Vice Champion Takaaki Shimo has left Sirio engines with immediate effect, although we have yet to receive confirmation of his new engine supplier. Shimo as we all know is a top Kyosho racer and very close to the factory and with this latest move further confirms a split between the Japanese car manufacturer and the Italian engine manufacturer, no matter how much Star Motor wants to deny it. Shimo joins fellow Kyosho racers Bertin, Collari, Cyrul who have all left Sirio with Collari choosing Novarossi and Cyrul and Bertin going for the Team Orion CRF engines to power their cars. We have talked a lot about this matter in the past and believe that there is definitely a shift within Kyosho to move away from Sirio but until we receive some official confirmation from either party we cant say for sure.

February 16, 2007

Kyosho Ultima RB5 – full details

Kyosho Ultima RB5

During the Nurnberg toy fair a few weeks back we showed you some pictures of Kyoshos all new 2wd competition buggy, the Ultima RB5. We didnt have any more information on the car other than what we could see and the little bits that we had read, so now that Kyosho have released the complete details of this completely new car we have decided to post all the information right here for you reading and viewing pleasure.

To view all the pictures and the full product release go here… content

February 15, 2007

Hirosaka prototype Kyosho Stallion TF-5

We’ve written briefly about Masaaki Hirosaka, father of multiple World Champion Masami and top RC mechanic, before and the fact that he makes some pretty cool well thought out products. Well here is his take on the Kyosho Stallion TF-5 which takes a different approach to that used by Josh Cyrul who’s car we saw at the Snowbirds. As you can see from the pictures, the batteries have been set further back than normal and where the top deck connects with the front bulk head is pretty unique too, although i cant tell you exactly why. Also note that the rear body mount is bolted directly to the bulkhead which means the downforce generated by the body shell is pushed straight down onto the chassis, its mounting position also protecting it from crashes.

Masaaki has also created patent pending one touch total length adjustment shock absorbers. I cant tell how they work either but i have included pictures of them below.

Click more to check out more pictures of the car and shocks… content

February 12, 2007

Kyosho Sirio partnership still strong says Andrea Rossi

Kyosho Sirio happy

Last week we suggested that the partnership between Kyosho and Star Motor Engineering, makers of Sirio motors, may be on the rocks following constant rumours suggesting so and the fact that their 2 World Champions had stop running their motors. In an interview with Italian website Unoadieci, Andrea Rossi set the record straight and suggested that these rumours were aimed to cause damage to the companies reputation and the partnership between itself and Kyosho and cause doubt in the market. He says that the working partnership is as strong as ever and their team will remain the same for this season as it was last season with the exception of Adrien Bertin. He also took the opportunity to state that their competition engine development continues with the release of 4 new motors for on road and off road.

UPDATE: Just when you think everything is pleasant in Sirioville, RMV Deutschland, who are heavily involved with Kyosho Europe, have issued a statement on their site stating that as of last Sunday their contract to supply Sirio ran out and that they no longer wish to continue selling their products and will instead only concentrate on RB Products. See statement here (in German).

Source: Unoadieci [unoadieci.net]

February 8, 2007

Josh Cyrul modified Kyosho Stallion TF-5

More car sightings from the Snowbirds, this time we get to see Josh Cyruls self modified electric touring car, which looks based on a Kyosho Stallion TF-5. I don’t know if this car has been seen before, but what is very interesting (click image to make larger) is the one piece carbon fiber bulkhead and chassis stiffener. This layout allows you to run without a high C of G top deck, yet still benefit from a stiff chassis, and I’m pretty sure its a lighter system than the conventional approach taken by other manufacturers. The car also features other self made parts including the chassis, steering blocks as well as the entire, centrally mounted, steering system.

To view more images of this car, click more… content

February 7, 2007

Kyosho and Sirio partnership close to an end?

Kyosho and Sirio

We have been hearing this rumour for a while now and from a number of sources, the fact that the partnership between Kyosho and Star Motor Engineering, makers of Sirio, was strained and may even be coming to an end. Things started to be mentioned when World Champion Lamberto Collari didnt renew his contract with the Italian engine manufacturer and jumped ship to Novarossi, followed relatively closely by fellow World Champion Adrien Bertin who left his job at Sirio and moved to Team Orion in Switzerland. Rumour has it that Francesco Tironi, a Collari protegÃ©, has also left his position in the company but this hasnt been confirmed as yet. All the previously mentioned racers are heavily backed by Japanese manufacturer Kyosho and seems like too much of a coincidence to be not related to their engine and car sponsors relationship going sour.

Now i dont pretend to know why this could be happening but the shift could see Team Orion and their range of CRF Wasp motors taking over the supply of motors to the Japanese teams drivers with Bertin and fellow Kyosho team driver Josh Cyrul already running these motors and the unannounced news that another top European Kyosho racer, that we havent mentioned, will also jump from Sirio to Team Orion in the coming weeks. We will watch and see how this unfolds and update you when we hear more.

February 3, 2007

Kyosho to release RTR Lazer ZX-5 buggy

Kyosho Lazer ZX-5

More electric buggy news and again from Kyosho. The Japanese manufacturer has announced that they will release a RTR version of their popular ZX-5 buggy. The ZX-5 is a shaft driven 4wd buggy that has done very well on the International racing scene in its kit form and therefore as a ready to run should be a great platform for anyone getting started in the sport. As always, as we get more information we will let you know.

Click more to see the chassis pic… content