January 10, 2017

Tim Benson teams up with Serpent

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]

January 9, 2017

Ralph Burch returns to Serpent

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]

January 9, 2017

Boots & Ongaro get The Italian Job done

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

January 8, 2017

Arrowmax sign Simon Kurzbuch

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]

January 7, 2017

Alex Zanchettin switches to Energy Fuel

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.

January 6, 2017

Davide Ongaro joins AKA through to 2018

AKA have announced the addition of young Davide Ongaro to their team. The newly-signed Team Associated driver will use AKA rubber in in 1/8th and 1/10th scale campaign that will span through to 2018. Davide’s first race for his new sponsorship package will be at this weekend’s The Italian Job race in Padova, Italy.

Source: AKA Europe [racing-experience.fr]

January 6, 2017

Team Associated & Reedy sign Mark & Ryan Pavidis

Team Associated and Reedy have welcomed Mark and Ryan Pavidis to their team. Mark, 1995 IFMAR 4WD Buggy World Champion with Yokomo and Reedy, has a long winning history with AE and the Reedy brand and following many years with TLR he now comes back, together with his son Ryan, to what he calls his home. Both will campaign Team Associated and Reedy products and Mark has the following to say:

An opportunity presented itself to come back to my racing roots at Associated. The entire program for electric and nitro is very well balanced. So here we are, almost 13 years later, and I am happy to say that Ryan and I will be representing Team Associated and Reedy once again. The memories created racing with Team Associated and Reedy in the late 80’s through the 90’s are unforgettable. I am excited now to give Ryan the opportunity to create those same memories! Ryan and I are both looking forward to sharing this experience, and we want to thank AE for the opportunity to come back home.

Image: Mark Pavidis

January 6, 2017

AKA sign Jared Tebo & Dakotah Phend

Following their departure from tyre sponsors Pro-Line, Kyosho’s Jared Tebo and TLR’s Dakotah Phend have found a new home at AKA. Jared’s stint at PL was pretty short-lived, having joined the prestigious company at the beginning of 2016, while Phend’s relationship dates back to 2012. The two kick off their campaign with AKA at this weekend’s CRCRC race.

Mibosport
VP Racing
T-Works