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February 16, 2016

JJ Wang announces HPI/HB departure

JJ Wang departs HPI/HB

The recent team driver exodus over at HPI Racing and HB continues with the announcement that JJ Wang is the latest factory team driver to leave. Following the departure of Andy Moore, Freddy Südhoff and also team manager Hiroyuki Kasuya in the past few weeks, JJ parting ways with the Japanese manufacturer leaves just Jilles Groskamp as the sole remaining Factory onroad team member. This is what JJ has to say about his departure:

I would like to inform everyone that I have ended my contract with HPI/HB Inc. The past 6 years has been a life changing experience for me. I would like to give a big thank you to Tatsuro Watanabe, Hiro Kasuya, and Toshihiko Hara for supporting me and believing in me from the start. I also want to give a big thanks to my teammates from all over the world. It was fun meeting everyone and it has taught me that there’s more to a team than just results. I will never forget the laughter we shared and the experiences we’ve been through. It was truly an amazing ride. I am certain that this is a new beginning of my racing career and I am really looking forward to what the future holds for me. I wish HPI/HB the best and I look forward to seeing you all at the track soon!

February 15, 2016

Morganti & Desoto Sr. double at 2016 Winternats

The annual Florida Winternats where held this past weekend at the The Fort track in Fort Myers, Florida. As usual the event attracted some of the country’s fastest gas racers and in the 1/8th Open class DJ Apolaro would take the TQ while the 1/8th Masters category was lead by Joaquin Desoto Sr after the qualifiers. In 1/10th Sedan Paolo Morganti came out fastest while 1/8th GT had Rino Lino taking the TQ honours. In the 45 minute main 1/8th Open class A-main it was Paolo Morganti who came out fastest after TQ DJ Apolaro had to retire around the 35 minute mark. Veteran racer Mike Swauger ended the race on the runner-up spot some five laps down on Paolo. Rafael Angulo completed the top 3 result.

Continue reading here

February 15, 2016

David Ronnefalk teams up with Highest

Korean company Highest have announced the signing of Swedish frontrunner David Ronnefalk to their factory team. The former European Champion joins prominent team mates such as Robert Batlle and Reno Savoya and he will use the company’s servo line from now on. It is understood that his first official outing for his new sponsors will be the forthcoming The Dirt Nitro Challenge.

Source: Highest [highestrc.com]

February 12, 2016

SA 1/8th GT Cup Endurance Series – Announcement

South Africa will soon host their first 1/8 GT Cup Endurance event as part of a new annual series, after recently including the growing 1/8 GT discipline to its National calendar. The first event is a 3-hour endurance race between teams of three to four drivers and it will take place on the 20th of February at the TRAP RC Venue in Pretoria. The race has already received over 10 teams onto its entry list and more information about the event and the series can be found here.

February 11, 2016

Teemu Leino makes switch to Infinity

Creation Model have officially announced Finnish pro Teemu Leino as one of their Factory Infinity team drivers. The former European ISTC Champion and multiple World finalist in almost all categories, brings with him, his skills, competence and experience which will be a great addition to this new company’s future projects. Teemu, who had up until the end of last season driven for HPI/HB had the following to say:

After my old contract runs to the end I decided to have new venture on my R/C career. Creation Model Ltd has some interesting projects coming up and I feel could help them with my know-how from R/C many ways on and off the tracks. Will race with Infinity cars from now on. I look forward to spend next years with them and develop some great products with them. See you at the race tracks.

Source: Creation Model [cm-infinity.com]

February 10, 2016

Yaniv Sivan wins Israeli League Rd6

Round 6 of the Israeli League was recently held at the Nir Moshe racing track. After the three qualifying rounds Yaniv Sivan took the overall TQ from Omer Assayag is second and Tal Siles in third. The 40 minute race started with Yaniv Sivan in pole position, but he made two mistakes in the opening stages, allowing Omer Assayag to take over the lead only to loose it again around the 5 minute mark when Yaniv Sivan was back in the lead. Yaniv then started to open a gap on the rest of the field. Meanwhile an amazing battle for second and third was on between Tal Siles, Ofer Avitan and Aviv Mimon. 10 minutes from the end Tal Siles grabbed the second position in front of Ofer Avitan and this would also be the top 3 positions at the checkered flag. Yaniv Sivan would win the race with Tal Siles finishing in second, only 0.13 seconds behind Yaniv. Ofer Avian rounded out the top 3 result.

View the top 10 result here

February 10, 2016

Andy Moore & Hiroyuki Kasuya depart HPI/HB

In a shock announcement former IFMAR World and EFRA European Champion, Andy Moore as well as team manager Hiroyuki Kasuya have announced their departure from HPI/HB. Both ended their contracts by mutual consent after being with the company for more than 10 years. The news comes after recent problems with the HPI company, in particular HPI Europe which was put in administration in January and we are sure it is not the last team driver to announce his departure in the coming days and weeks. This is what Andy has to say:

I’d like to inform everyone that I have by mutual consent ended my contract with HPI Inc. I want to especially thank Tatsuro Watanabe, Toshihiko Hara and Hiroyuki Kasuya for their help and support over the years. And of course my team mates and work colleagues both past and present for the great times and lots of memorable moments. During almost 12 years together we’ve had some fantastic results becoming World Champions, European Champions, National Champions and multiple TITC Champions along the way. I’d like to wish everyone at HPI all the best for the future and look forward to seeing you all at the track soon.

Read the full statement from Hiro here

February 8, 2016

Graham Alsop teams up with Horizon Hobby

Horizon Hobby UK have announced the signing of UK national front-runner Graham Alsop to their team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him after a race career spanning some 26 plus years. His hunger for success is greater than ever and with the new TLR 8ight 4.0 buggy he will certainly be pushing hard this season to add to his accolades in the race scene. In addition to the nationals, Graham will also be making the trip to Vegas for the IFMAR 1/8th Nitro Buggy World Championships later this year.

Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.co.uk]