Mugen Seiki has released a new optional hard US aluminium chassis for its MTC2 1:10 electric touring car platform. The rigidity of the chassis has been increased by removing pocketing and the weight is also increased by 8grams. Tested by Ronald Volker, the new hard chassis makes the MTC2 more precise and predictable to drive resulting in lap times become more consistent.
Source: Mugen Seiki [mugenracing.com]
Mugen has released new optional clutch shoes for the E2723 V2 Clutch (4-Shoe). The 1 dot aluminium clutch shoe has a slightly smoother feeling on acceleration because it slips less than the standard E2718 aluminium clutch shoe. The 1 dot shoe work well for buggy and on lower grip conditions. The 2 dot aluminium clutch shoe has a slight more aggressive feeling on acceleration without slipping. The 2 dot shoes work well for buggy and truck when you need more aggressive acceleration or when traction is high. The combination of two carbon shoes (E2717) with one 1 dot aluminium and one 2 dot aluminium shoes is a great combination for most conditions.
Source: Mugen Seiki [mugenracing.com]
Fresh from his win ahead of Bruno Coelho and Christopher Krapp at the EWS International in the UK last weekend, Ronald Volker has carried that form on carpet into the first ETS Indoor encounter of the season by securing the overall TQ for Round 5 in Germany today. The Mugen driver secured pole position from longest standing rival Marc Rheinard with both drivers enjoying two TQ runs each from the four qualifiers. With Volker taking the opening round, this would prove to be the fastest round giving him the tie breaker. Behind the two Germans, ETS Luxembourg winner Lucas Urbain will start the finals from 3rd ahead of the factory Yokomo pairing of Yannic Prumper and Krapp.
File Image: Ronald Volker [Facebook]
Another much anticipated switch up for the 2023 season, Mugen has confirmed that star driver Ryan Maifield joins Robert Batlle in leaving the manufacturer. Officially posting the announcement on Facebook, it read, “Mugen Seiki Racing would like to make Ryan Maifield’s exit from the factory team official ahead of the 2023 season. Maifield joined Mugen Seiki Racing at the beginning of 2017 where he made history being the first racer to do the impossible by sweeping all three pro classes at The Dirt Nitro Challenge. Still being the only driver in history to sweep The Dirt Nitro Challenge, Maifield and Mugen Seiki did it again in 2021. Maifiled and Mugen Seiki’s success together includes multiple Silver State Nitro Challenge titles, winning both classes at the 2021 1/8th Fuel Nationals, winning every ROAR 1/8th Electric Buggy National Championship Maifield competed in during his time at Mugen Seiki, and multiple IFMAR World Championship finals including a podium finish. It’s been an honour to have worked with such a talented and committed racer like Maifield, and Mugen Seiki Racing wishes Ryan the best with his future endeavours.”
Source: Mugen Seiki Racing [Facebook]
Former World Champion Robert Batlle has announced his much anticipated departure from Mugen, a combination that triumphed at the 2012 IFMAR 1:8 Buggy World Championships in Argentina. The Spaniard’s announcement ends a lengthy and fruitful 12-year stint with the Japanese manufacturer. Batlle made the announcement on his Facebook page in an open message to Mugen.
Read Batlle ‘Letter to Mugen’ here
Mugen Seiki has announced some new optional parts for their MRX6X 1:8 Onroad chassis with the release of new front springs and two rear lower mounts options. The new 1.9-6.5 Front Shock Springs improve the steering characteristics of the car on tracks with low grip. The new Rear Lower Shock Mounts are offered in both 7075 Aluminium and Carbon Fibre. Both 0.5mm thicker than the kit standard 2.5mm mount, the carbon fibre version helps improve rear traction and crash resistance. The aluminium version further increases rear traction further making it suited to tracks with low grip.
Source: Mugen Seiki [mugenracing.com]
Ronald Volker says there is “no pressure” despite the German carrying the hopes of Mugen as they make their electric touring car World Championship debut in Italy next week. After a hugely successful run of seasons with Yokomo that finally culminated in him claiming the sport’s greatest prize in China in 2016, Volker believes he goes into the 11th running of ISTC Worlds “a better all round driver”. The years of the Umino and Ronald partnership at Yokomo were the envy of many. Ronald simply drove the car that was meticulously engineered & prepared by Yukijiro Umino.
Mugen has released two new aluminium clutch shoe options for its MBX8R 1:8 Buggy’s standard 4 shoe-clutch. The ‘Dot 1’ option engages the clutch a little faster than the kit standard E2718, but clutch slippage at high revs and high loads is reduced. With the ‘Dot 2’ version the point where the clutch connects is the same as the kit standard E2718, but the connection is a little slippery from the bottom to the top. By combining 3 types of aluminium clutch shoes, it becomes possible to respond to various track conditions and layouts.
Source: Mugen Seiki [mugenracing.com]
