July 13, 2023

Smart Starter GT Version

Smart Workshop has released a new version of their Smart Starter intend for 1:8 GT use.  The extended front tips are capable of accommodating GT models with a higher body shell height.  Like the original glow plug starter, it is a high efficiency high frequency synchronous step down DC/DC regulator capable of delivering up to 6A output current. It integrates main switch and synchronous switch with very low RDS (on) to minimise the conduction loss, Internal Soft-start Limits the Inrush Current.  It uses a replaceable 3.7V 1800mAh Lithium Iron Rechargeable Battery (Size 18500) with JST connector with build in protection board to prevent over charge and discharge.  One touch button to show five levels of the battery capacity. Red and Green indictor to show the charging progress.  Changeable Inner hexagon contactor use direct plug-in design without locking, user can insert or remove fast and smoothly during operating. In order to reduce the phenomenon of flashover and oxidation, Inner spring power contactor come with gold plated and both contactors make by 100% copper to minimise internal resistance.

View more images here


June 7, 2023

Rheinard signs radio deal with Flysky

In a major signing for Chinese radio brand Flysky, they have announced Marc Rheinard will officially represent the company and race with their Noble Pro transmitter and receiver.  The multiple World Champion made his race debut with his new radio over the weekend securing the TQ at the opening round of the ETS but unfortunately the Awesomatix driver would have issues in the finals including a broken rear belt in A2.  Commenting on the announcement Marc said, ‘A big thank you to the Flysky team for taking me on board.  I tried the Noble Pro a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I loved it from the first moment. The feeling and handling of the radio is perfect and the menu is like on a smartphone, super easy to use’.

Source: Flysky [flysky-cn.com]


May 25, 2023

Senesi Motorsport 1:8 GT Rear & Side anti-tuck stiffners

Italian based Senesi Motorsport, owned by top Italian 1:8 GT racer Natanaele Sensei, has released two new products specially designed for 1:8 GT bodies.  The GT8 Rear and Side Ant-Tuck are 3D printed stiffeners joined with a thin carbon rod that allows you to stiffen the side and the rear of all 1:8 GT bodies.  In fact, when using 0.7mm bodies the car is way more nimble and agile but at the same time the body is very flimsy.  For this reason Sensei Motorsport decoded to offer these packs of stiffness so that you can still have all the benefits of a light body but with the rigidity of a thicker one.

Source: Senesi Motorport [senesimotorsport.com]


May 8, 2023

Clements wins West Coast Onroad Nationals

Brandon Clements took the win at the West Coast Onroad Nationals over the weekend, the event the first major race to be hosted by Finishline RC Raceway.  The impressive facility in Bakersfield, CA, which is a joint venture between Track Time Hobbies and Finishline Signs, attracted almost 200 entries with the grids set over 4 rounds of qualifying, with 2 to count.  In Modified Touring Car, it was Clements who set the pace taking the first three rounds to secure the overall TQ with 1Up Racing’s Randy Caster hitting the top of the time sheets in the final qualifier for second on the grid in the triple A-Main ahead of David Mayhew, Lex Tyler and Aaron Lewis.  From the front Clements was untouchable winning A1 from Jacob Cruz before wrapping things up with victory in A2 over Lewis.  Having opened with a P5 and suffered a DNF in A2, Caster would win A3 but overall it was Lewis and Cruz who joined Clements on the podium.

Image: 1up Racing [Facebook]


April 15, 2023

Hagberg Top Qualifier at 1:12 European Championship

Alexander Hagberg is the Top Qualifier at the 2023 EFRA 1:12 European Championship.  The Xray driver, who is chasing his 8th European title in the Modified class, secured top spot for the triple finals by topping 3 of the 6 rounds of qualifying in Eastbourne, England.  With three drivers going into the final round vying for pole position, the former World Champion took the deciding round with his Hobbywing powered X12 from reigning Champion Michal Orlowski and current World Champion Marc Rheinard.  Overall having TQ’d Round 1 & 5, Schumacher’s Ollie Payne will start second followed by team-mate Orlowski with the Awesomatix of Rheinard lining up in P4.  In the Stock class, Orlowski will defend his title from the TQ having topped the opening four qualifiers with fastest times in the final two rounds securing Payne 2nd with Louis Parker making it an all Eclipse 5 top 3.  Awesomatix’s Mark Stiles will start fourth.

Image: Xray [Facebook]


April 6, 2023

PRO1RC Tires enters 1:8 Offroad Market

American company PRO1RC has announced its entry into the US tyre market with the launch of a US designed range of 1:8 Offroad tyres.  PRO1RC Tires will initially offer four buggy models for all track conditions, the DIRT-00, DIRT-01, DIRT-02, DIRT-03 with Truggy versions to follow shortly.  As a new entrant into the USA market they say they will be the first brand that will offer customers to buy the tyres separately from the insert, an option they highlight will save customers money as they can recycle previous insert. In terms of the tyre design one feature is they covered the inside with some bridges that cross the entire tyre which they claim saw made the tyre become much more consistent with the passing of the laps than just with the usual 3 lines, and, it resulted in extended tyre life.  Another feature they have implement in the design are the sidewalls of the tyres, adding 40% more bridges, this helps to be able to accelerate much more strongly in the corner supports.

Source: PRO1RC [pro1rc.com]


March 16, 2023

‘Download – Print – Race’, Club Race Hero launched

Download and print your next 1:12 chassis!  Last weekend we featured the 3D printed 1:12 chassis of Scott Jakes that he was racing at the ROAR Electric On-Road Carpet Nationals and it generated huge interest.  Now you can download the files to print and race Jakes creation yourself as he has launched a website called Club Race Hero where as they tagline states you can ‘Download – Print – Race’ one of three designs.  Within the first 12 hours of going live with the site over 400 chassis had been downloaded.  An interesting concept which is sure to be watched very carefully by both the industry and racers.

Source: Club Race Hero [clubracehero.com]


March 12, 2023

3D printed 1:12 at ROAR Nationals

Supporting customers of his 1up Racing products trackside at the ROAR Electric On-Road Carpet Nationals, Randy Caster, a stalwart of the onroad racing scene in the US, has picked up on an interesting car competing in the event – Scott Jakes 3D printed 1:12.  Taking place at Eric Anderson’s Apex Raceway in Tennessee, Jakes is racing his latest project in the 13.5 1:12 class and as Caster points out in his social media post about this 3D printed car this could well be a glimpse of the future of the hobby.

View more of Randy Caster’s images here