December 6, 2024

Hamon and Serpent part ways

Jeff Hamon has announced he and his chassis sponsor Serpent are parting ways.  The 1:8 Onroad World Championship finalist joined the iconic nitro onroad manufacturer during the 2019 season and just recently represented them at the ISTC World Championships in California.  Achieving second place for the brand at the 1:8 GT World Championships last year in Sydney,  just two weeks ago he finished on the podium at the Australian Electric Touring Car Nationals.  In announcing the news, the popular Australian said, ‘It’s with a heavy heart to announce that I will be parting ways Serpent.  We have shared some great results and memories over the past 5 years, I have met some fantastic people and had unbelievable experiences that would not have been possible without Serpent.  A huge thank you to Mr and Mrs Lau, Joaquin, Michael, Stef, Grace and Felix for everything – Its hard for me to put into words how appreciative I am for all you have done for me.’

Source: Jeff Hamon [Facebook]


October 18, 2024

Serpent F190 Foam Tyre/Wheel Sets

Serpent has released a range of foam tyre/wheel sets for the unique F190 1:8 4WD Electric Formula 1 Chassis it launched in August.  The new Wheel/tyre sets, which require the use different wheel axles available from Serpent, are developed to provide an even a better driving experience with the F190.  The 85mm (FR/RR) size of these tyres are similar to the kit rubber tyres and maintain not only the same rollout, but also keep the amazing ‘scale’ look of the F190.  Available in 35 and 37 shore, with the foam tyres you will have higher grip on your F190 and achieve faster lap times instantly.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]


August 19, 2024

Hamon completes clean sweep at QLD Champs

Serpent’s Jeff Hamon completed a clean sweep of the Modified Touring Car class at the RC Maker RCRA EP Queensland State Titles over the winning, adding the title to the NSW State Titles he won earlier in the year.  With the Bayside Radio Control Car Club hosted event attracting just shy of 100 entries, Hamon would secure the overall TQ after topping 3 of the 5 qualifiers.  Making the trip from Singapore, factory Yokomo driver Nicolas Lee would be fastest in the other two qualifiers putting him second in the A-Main ahead of team-mate & defending Champion Simon Nicholson.  Setting a new track record in qualifying, Hamon would wrap up the title by taking the first two A-Mains.  Lee would win A3 to finish runner-up with Nicholson completing the podium after winning out on the tie breaker with new ARC signing Brayden Stanley.  In 13.5T, Awesomatix’s Marcus Askell took the title.

Image: Jeff Hamon [Facebook]


August 16, 2024

Serpent F190 1:8 EP Formula 1

Serpent has just announced the brand new and innovative F190 1:8 4WD Electric Formula 1 Chassis.  With the excitement and growth of Formula 1 as it continues  to soar across the globe, Serpent introduces the new kit which was inspired by the legendary Formula 1 cars of the early 2000s.  The Serpent F190 embodies the perfect fusion of nostalgia and cutting-edge technology.  With its meticulously crafted aerodynamic body, precision-engineered chassis, and high-performance components, the F190 is engineered to dominate the track with unparalleled speed, agility, and style.  The F190’s carbon fibre chassis offers the perfect balance of strength and lightweight design, ensuring optimal durability while maintaining agility during high-speed manoeuvres.  This advanced material provides the foundation for superior handling and responsiveness, allowing drivers to push the limits with confidence and precision.  The F190 has been strategically engineered with a 4WD configuration to conquer every type of racing condition, whether on the track or the street.  At the core of the F190 lies a meticulously crafted drive train, where every component is  designed to deliver maximum power and responsiveness. The use of high-quality spring steel and 7075-T6 aluminium ensures exceptional strength and resilience, providing a solid foundation for transferring power from the motor to the wheels with minimal loss. With this combination of materials the Serpent F190 offers uncompromising performance and reliability on the track, battery after battery.

View more images here


July 1, 2024

Catanzani wins Italian National Constructor C/ship

Factory Serpent driver Andrea Catanzani took the win at the AMSCI Italian National Constructor Championship which took place in Gubbio over the weekend.  Racing at the always immaculately presented multiple World Championship host Club Automodellistico 5 Colli track, qualifying would see the Xray of Luca Romagnoli secure the TQ on tiebreak with Catanzani, both drivers posting two TQ runs each over the four rounds. Capricorn’s Mirko Salemi would complete the Top 3.  In the 45-minute final, the opening 10-minutes saw good battle as Romagnoli lead the way closely chased by Catanzani and Salemi.  Having got to the front unfortunately Salemi would eventually have to retire from the race leaving Catanzani who set the fastest lap of the race to take the win by 2/3rd of a lap over Romagnoli.  Having qualified P9, the Mugen Seiki of Massimo Aliprandi would come through to complete the podium ahead of the Serpent of Mattia Collavo.  In the Sport Category young Mugen Seiki talent Luca Betti took both the TQ and the win.

Image: Club Automodellistico 5 Colli [Facebook]


May 21, 2024

Hamon is 2024 NSW State Champion

Jeff Hamon is the 2024 NSW State Champion, the factory Serpent driver defending his title with the perfect trio of the TQ, Fastest Lap and Win.  Racing at the 2023 IFMAR 1:8 GT World Championship host track in Moorebank near Sydney,  this year’s State titles attracted a huge field of entrants making for a great atmosphere.  Unfortunately some delays meant qualifying had to be cut short and run under some questionable conditions.  Running four rounds, Hamon’s Serpent X20 ‘24 would secure the TQ on tie break from the Infinity of Brayden Stanley, also with two TQ runs, with Yokomo’s Simon Nicholson qualifying P3.  A mistake from Hamon in A1 would see Stanley with the win while a number of unfortunate incidents in A2 would see Hamon pull off and save tyres for A3 which he duly lead tone to tone for the overall win.  Winner of A2, the Awesomatix of Jeffrey Mackie finished second with Stanley completing the podium ahead of Nicholson.

Image: Jeff Hamon [Facebook]


May 20, 2024

Butterfield doubles at ROAR Onroad Nitro Nationals

Serpent’s Bryce Butterfield completed a title double at the 2024 ROAR Onroad Nitro Nationals regaining his 1:10 title he lost last year and adding the 1:8 title to his CV.  With rain reducing track time at the Tri-State Radio Controlled Auto Racers hosted event in Ohio, in qualifying for 1:10 200mm Butterfield would top 2 of the 3 rounds to secure the TQ from the Infinity of DJ Apolaro and the Serpent of defending champion Jose Almonte P3.  In 1:8 again it was Butterfield with the TQ from the Mugen Seiki of Ralph Burch and Apolaro.  In the 1:10 final, with Apolaro going out early Butterfield would take a convincing win from David Dunn.  Also a 45-minute encounter, in 1:8 Apolaro would lead the first half of the race with Birch an early retirement.  Posting the fastest lap of the race however Butterfield would hit the front in the second half to do the double taking the title with a 2-lap advantage over Apolaro with Joachim Bruneau completing the podium.

Image: Bryce Butterfield [Facebook]


May 10, 2024

B-Power SRX8 GT’23/TQ Gearbox Kit

Italian company Star RC under its B-Power brand, which specialises in options for Serpent cars, has released its own gearbox kit for Serpent’s SRX8 GT’23/TQ 1:8 GT Onroad chassis.  The kit can be installed without the need to make any modifications and allows you to use the original Serpent 2-speed gears.  B-Power claim that with their gearbox kit, you will always have a perfect gearbox operation, with changes that are always equal and precise.

Source: Star RC [starrc.it]