Yokomo has released a new aluminium motor mount for use on its SO1.0 or YZ-2 series of 2WD Buggies. It is thicker than the kit’s standard motor mount and is designed for heavy-duty use and withstand from bending during heavy crashes.
Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]
Lee Martin has announced his departure from Yokomo. The news the British driver will not continue with the Japanese brand into 2023 is the second such announcement in recent days with Ryan Maifield also out of their factory squad. Martin spent nine years representing the brand collecting plenty of championship titles in that time and was particularly important in establishing the brand in Europe in more recent years. Making the announcement on social media in which he hints a new manufacturer announcement is imminent, the multiple European Champion said, ‘With 2022 almost over, it’s time to say a massive thank you to Yokomo as our time together has come to an end. We have spent a fantastic 9 years together and brought some fantastic results, products, experiences and more! 3 x EOS series championships, 2 x European championships, BRCA National Championships and IFMAR worlds podiums to name a few. I would like to thanks Mr. Tom Yokobori for trusting me back in 2014 to lead the charge and then of course Shinno for being by my side throughout our time there together. We built a great team and made so many friends. I have some exciting news coming, so don’t think you have seen the end of me on the top step! 2023 is going to be a good year and it starts very soon’.
Source: Lee Martin [instagram]
Leading Japanese Electric Touring Car racer Souta Goto is departing Yokomo with the news that his contract will expire at the end of this month. Claiming the All Japan Touring Car Championship and representing the manufacturer on the international stage, most recent of which was competing at IFMAR World Championship in Italy, Goto joined Yokomo in 2015. Announcing the news, Goto said, “At the end of December 2022 I will be terminating my driver contract with Mr. Yokomo, Ltd. Yokomo has given me valuable experience for 7 years and 3 months since joining the team. Ever since I joined the team, I was able to experience things that I couldn’t achieve on my own, winning the JMRCA All-Japan Championship, challenging the IFMAR World Championship, and winning the SPEED KING TOUR series title. I’m beyond thankful to Yokomo Co., Ltd. for supporting my immature self. And I would like to express my gratitude again to Mr. Fujii, the former president, who invited Team Yokomo at the time. I will continue to work hard in the radio-containing industry to achieve a big goal, so I ask for your continued support.
Source: Souta Goto [Facebook]
Yokomo has released a new optional aluminium chassis for their BD11 Factory Edition 1:10 Electric Touring Car. The CNC aluminium chassis is made of high quality material with additional flex spotted mainly at the rear to provide more rear traction. Traditionally, aluminium chassis are used for high-grip surfaces such as carpet. This chassis has a traction balance closer to the rear, making it suitable for driving on asphalt surfaces as well. Aluminium material is also superior to graphite in terms of absorbing micro-vibrations during driving, to improve the feeling of ground contact when cornering.
Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]
Yokomo has announced the release of the new BD11 Factory Team Edition. Driven by Christopher Klapp to the runner-up spot at the 2022 World Championship, the kit is now available in a new Factory Team version tuned to the specifications required by Team Yokomo drivers! This kit is equipped with the parts used in the World Championships, as well as further newly developed parts. The graphite suspension arms, the most distinctive feature of the BD11, have been further refined, and the arm length has been changed by +0.5mm at the front and -1.0mm at the rear to achieve both traction and response. In addition, the newly developed hard-type sway bar has a linear effect, and in combination with the 6-hole piston, responds sensitively to even the slightest suspension movement. Springs of 2.80 in the front and 2.70 in the rear were selected for optimum machine balance. Other features include a rear belt tensioner, a must-have for team drivers, and newly developed upper deck bushings. In addition to the graphite chassis version, a new aluminium chassis version designed for indoor carpeted surfaces is also available. Upper deck bushings are standard to secure the upper deck and improve turning performance. Racing-tuned suspension arm lengths, sway bars, springs, and shock pistons rebalanced. Rear belt tensioner, regularly used in team settings, is standard equipment to reduce tooth jumps during sudden acceleration.
Yokomo has release a number of new options parts for their BD11 1:10 Electric Touring Car platform. Used by team drivers at the IFMAR Worlds in Italy, where Christopher Krapp finished runner-up, they have new front & rear graphite suspension arms. The front arms are 0.5mm longer on each side to reduce load on the tires. The rear arms are 1mm shorter on each side to increase rotation. A new upper deck bush is available that is installed in place of the bearing on the top deck in to increase rigidity in the rear. This makes the car more predictable, and improves stability around the corner. Aluminium horizontal body post mounts allow fine-tuning during installation with eccentric adjustments. Making it more convenient upon using the horizontal body post. Finally a selection of hard sway bars available in 1.2-1.4mm enhances response and improves stability around the corners.
Team Yokomo has announced Dominic Vogl as a new member of their international touring car team, the Austrian a leading driver in the touring car stock category. Returning to racing after a few months of a break, he will drive the BD11 when he make his official team debut at this weekend’s ETS race in Germany. Commenting on joining Yokomo Vogl said, “First and foremost, I want to thank Toni Rheinard for the exclusive opportunity to run whatever chassis I preferred in the past years. Many thanks for this unique support since years! After a small RC break for me in the last months, I received the great chance to join the Yokomo factory team and I couldn’t be happier that everything came together that fast. I want to thank Yokomo, especially Christopher Krapp and Yannic Prümper, which are as well great friends off the track to put the trust in me. For sure I am motivated more than ever before to help the team achieving great results! My first race will be the ETS already this weekend, and I am really looking forward to it with my brand new BD11!”
Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]
P Stickers, a personal sponsor of Team Yokomo star and World Championship runner-up Christopher Krapp, have a very nice team clothing collaboration going on with Team Yokomo and Team Yokomo Europe. Having done work for the brand previously, they are now offering the opportunity for racers to get hold of this range with drivers able to register their interest by contact Team Manager Krapp for more details.
