Max Power have announced the addition of Italian frontrunner, Dario Balestri to their team. The multiple national and European champion recently joined the ever growing Infinity team and following several years with Capricorn and after using Max Power-built Tesla engines last year, he will now be running Max Power branded power plants in his 1/8th and 1/10th scale rides for 2017.
Source: Max Power [rcmaxpower.com]
The Spessart Race Park in Waldaschaff, Germany recently held their 7th annual Winter Race in snowy, icy conditions. The Winter weather with temperatures down to -9°C made for challenging racing conditions for drivers and machines and it was the Wende family that excelled with Marcus and Vanessa taking the top 2 positions after the qualifiers. Both then also won their respective semifinals with Marcus grabbing the pole position for the main final by one second from daughter Vanessa. After the 30-minute main final things looked a bit different up front as young Vanessa took the win from Marcus while Andreas Heublein completed an all-Xray podium lock-out.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
Energy Fuel have announced the signing of Simon Kurzbuch to their team. Reigning World Champion, double ENS and Swiss National Champion, Simon will be a great addition to an already strong team as he will join the likes of Pirani, Ielasi and Zanchettin to run the complete range of Energy products. Simon’s 2017 race program will include the ENS events, the EFRA GP Series, the Worlds in France and of course the Swiss Championship as well as other select international races.
Source: Pepe Group [facebook.com]
Serpent have announced the signing of Germany’s Tim Benson to their team. The ETS A-main finisher will focus on campaigning the Project 4X touring car at all major national events and at the ETS races and he will also run the 748 nitro touring car during several occasions. The former long-time Kyosho driver has the following to say about the deal:
First of all I want to thank Kyosho for the last years. It has been a great time, but its time to move on. I was able to test the new Project 4X car and it felt great at the track. With all the diffent setting possibilities it makes the car very interesting to work with, different but very easy! The feeling of the Project 4X car is very nice and made me change to Serpent. Changing to Serpent also means a change of the Nitro 1/10 onroad car to the Natrix 784-WC which shows great performance at many races. I am looking forward to the new season 2017.
Source: Serpent [serpent.com]
Serpent have announced the signing of 2010 IFMAR 1/10th Nitro Touring World Champion, Ralph Burch to their team. The 32-times ROAR National Champion will return to Serpent as driver and also sales promoter, campaigning the manufacturers Project 4X touring car and later on also Serpent’s nitro on-road kits. Additionally Ralph will also be working for Serpent America/Desoto Racing as sales promoter and to support dealers and drivers with all Serpent-related matters.
I’m really excited to be returning to Serpent America. I look forward to working with the team and Serpent America dealers. Serpent has always had some of the best engineered cars in the industry, so I cant wait to get started. See you at the track soon.
Source: Serpent [teamserpent.com]
The 2017 edition of the annual The Italian Job Race was held at the IBR Padova track this past weekend. In the premier Pro Nitro Buggy class it was newly-signed Tekno driver, Alex Zanchettin who took the TQ from the TLR duo of Marco Baruffolo and Renaud Savoya. Elliott Boots and Riccardo Berton (both Kyosho) would complete the top five with Martin Wollanka (Xray), Robert Batlle (Mugen) and Lee Martin (Infinity) coming in sixth to eighth place. The 60 minute main final was then run without top qualifier Zanchettin who ran into issues before his semifinals and so the race for the win was on between Ongaro and Boots. Davide looked to hold the upper hand in the opening stages but fading shock absorbers would lead to several mistakes by Ongaro, allowing Boots to take the lead while Marco Baruffolo was able to take profit of Ongaro’s issues and so the TLR driver was able to take the second spot some 20 minutes from the end. Up front, Elliott Boots brought home the win with Marco Baruffolo in second and Davide Ongaro in third.
View the Pro Buggy and E-Buggy results here
Arrowmax have announced the signing of reigning 1/8th Nitro On-road World Champion, Simon Kurzbuch to their factory team. The Swiss Shepherd driver will use Arrowmax’s full line of tools and accessories to build, maintain and setup his rides in the 2017 season and he has the following to say:
I want to thank you and Arrowmax for the opportunity to using your awesome tools and accessories. I absolutely like the black/gold edition which gives the tools and your working place an amazing look.
Source: Arrowmax [arrowmax-rc.com]
Energy Fuel have announced the signing of new Tekno team driver Alex Zanchettin to their Offroad program. The 2014 Worlds finalist and former Italian Champion will use the complete range of Energy products and will be available trackside to support customers at all major Italian and International Offroad races. The former long time MLC supported racer is making his debut with the new fuel at this weekend’s Italian Job Race in Padova.
