November 13, 2023

2024 ISTC World Championship Stage 1 Report

The organisers of the 2024 IFMAR ITSC World Championship have published the Stage 1 Report for the 12th running of the title which will be decided at Finishline RC Raceway in Bakersfield, California.  With the dates for Electric Touring Car listed as ‘To be Confirmed’ on the provisional calendar issued by IFMAR back in August, the dates are now confirmed as November 5th to 10th.  Constructed in December 2022, Finishline RC Raceway is a joint-venture between Finishline Signs and Track Time Hobbies with the 40.2m x 18.2m asphalt track designed specifically to host 1:10 electric and nitro onroad racing.  Back to back reigning World Champion Bruno Coehlo will travel to Finishline RC Raceway next year with the chance to make it three in a row, a feat not yet achieved by any driver in the category.

View Stage Report here


November 1, 2023

Schumacher LD3 Alloy Differential

New from Schumacher is this Alloy Differential for their recently launched LD3 1:10 2WD Competition buggy.  Also compatible with the ST2, LD2, LD, KD and Cougar KR models, this optional diff gives super precision and strength and has a larger oil volume for more consistency during a run.  Available as a complete diff build with all necessary parts included, it can also be purchased as a conversion kit that includes all the parts to form a new diff using your existing kit parts.

View Alloy diff conversion kit here


October 5, 2023

EFRA seeks support on EU nitro fuel petition

EFRA, the federation for RC racing in Europe, is seeking the support of racers and the industry with a petition submitted to the European Parliament to amend the rule regarding nitro fuel for model car racing.  The petition is titled “Petition No 0519/2023 by Markus Dirks (German) on amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors” and is opposed to the reduction from 25 % nitromethane content to 12% in the fuel used by model sport pilots and model sport car drivers.  The petitioner claims that this would lead to thermal problems in engines and prevent European or World Championships from being held in Germany and calls for exemptions and for paragraph 10 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors to be adapted.

View & sign petition here


September 28, 2023

TDK Edge Tire Sauce

Arizona based TDK Repair has added a new tyre additive to its range with the release of TDK Edge Tire Sauce.   A safety focused company that offers high performance products that are safe, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, TDK Edge is engineered to deliver the utmost traction on sealed track surfaces.  Ensuring minimal tyre deformation, TDK Edge is crafted to keep your tires in optimal shape, ensuring consistent performance throughout your races.  While it excels on sealed tracks, it also performs admirably on normal clay surfaces, making it a versatile choice for racers who demand excellence across various terrains.

Source: TDK Repair [tdkrepair.com]


September 24, 2023

’23 Offroad World C/ship Chassis Focus Index

With the dust now settled on what was a fantastic & exciting 1:10 Offroad World Championships at Hobby Action RC Raceway, we have put together a full index of all the buggies we were able to photograph for our ‘Chassis Focus’ during our time in Arizona. While we request chassis focus with all the manufacturers, some are forced to decline to protect prototype parts or developments they were trying at the Worlds. We are always happy to respect this as in this modern era it has become easy for parts to reverse engineered from online images and made available before the chassis manufacturer, who has invested the time & funding into the buggy, has fully tested and signed off the final design of parts. Sworkz was one manufacturer who was unable to provide their buggies because of a new suspension parts they had for the event.

View Chassis Focus Index here


September 15, 2023

Maker.rc Lightweight hex set with 3D Tool Holder

New from Maker.rc is their Lightweight metric 4 piece hex set with 3D tool holder.  This 4-piece set includes 1.5/2/2.5/3 X 120mm tools and the high-speed steel material provides superior strength and durability, while the black body and red tail cap give the wrench an eye-catching appearance.  The included 3D tool rack is perfect for organising and storing wrenches in a safe and secure location.

View tools in stand here


September 11, 2023

Phend heads seeding at 4WD World Championship

Dakotah Phend heads seeding at the 4WD Offroad World Championship at the end of the opening day of action in Arizona.  The TLR driver’s opening time remaining the quickest as 1:8 Buggy World Champion David Ongaro set the pace in the second seeding to move up to P2 with one more seeding round in the morning.  Despite improving on his second fastest time set in the opening round, Broc Champlin dropped to P3 while Dustin Evans enjoyed a good run to jump up to fourth.  Another to make a big improvement was Joern Neumann whose Sworkz means four different manufacturers in the current Top 5 seeding.  For defending Champion Bruno Coelho it was a tough first day at Hobby Action with the Xray driver currently set to line up in the second fastest heat for qualifying and in need a good final practice in the morning.

Continue reading here 


August 22, 2023

1985 handmade Hudy Special 4WD 1:8 Onroad chassis

With IFMAR’s original & longest running World Championship taking place later this year in Japan, photos shared by Juraj Hudy of one of his early 1:8 Onroad creations grabbed our attention.  Being raced at the recent veteran’s race at the Czech Nationals, the handmade Hudy Special 4WD car is from 1985, the year Rody Roem was crowned World Champion in Japan.  With our own introduction to RC racing being through the category in the late 80s, it is interesting to see how chassis design has evolved over the last four decades when compared to the latest cars.  Having had the pleasure of getting into an in-depth conversation with Juraj about all things engineering and what goes into the production of a chassis kit while waiting in airport lounge in Buenos Aires for our return flight from covering the 2012 1:8 Offroad World Championships, one year later we got to visit the lock up that was Juraj’s very first workshop.  There he shared his story of the journey to the impressive high tech factory of Hudy & Xray and Hudy Racing Arena that is now just a few hundred metres away.  Red RC will be travelling to Infinity International RC Speedway in Japan at the end of October as part of our 2023 Worlds coverage to tell the story of how the 23rd 1:8 Onroad World Championships unfolds.

View more Hudy Special 4WD images here