O.S. Engine have announced the signing of Mike Truhe to their team for the 2016 season. The multi-time ROAR national champion will use the Japanese engines in his Mugen vehicles and he has the following to say about the deal:
O.S. engines are the best products you can buy. I can honestly say that I feel like I have absolutely no kinks in the armour.
Source: O.S. Engine [osengines.com]
The annual Italian Job Race was held at the IBR Padova indoor facility in Italy over the weekend. As usual the race attracted Europe’s best 1/8th off-road drivers to compete in the premier Nitro Buggy and the supporting 1/8th E-buggy classes. The Pro Nitro class qualifying was a tight affair between Marco Baruffolo (TLR/Picco), Elliott Boots (Kyosho/Reds Racing), Alex Zenchettin (TLR/Reds Racing) and Darren Bloomfield (Agama/Bullitt). In the end Marco would make a clean sweep though with three round TQs to secure the overall TQ from Elliott, Alex and Darren. The E-Buggy class had Agama’s Darren Bloomfield taking the TQ from fellow countryman Elliott Boots (Kyosho) with both ending tie on points. Marco Baruffolo (TLR) rounded out the top 3 result after the qualifiers.
Only days after signing Rick Vrieljinck, F.T. Line have announced another high-class addition to their team. Andrea Pirani will join Rick V. and Francesco Tironi himself to run the F.T. Line .21 engine throughout 2016. The ENS podium finisher has the following to say about the deal:
I am very happy to start this new partnership with F.T. Line. I would like to thank O.S. Engines for the support they gave me in the past two years, with a special thank you going to Mr. Shimazaki and Mr. Yukami. I’m ready to face a tough 2016 season with F.T. Line, sure i’ll be able to better the results achieved in 2015. I also want to thank F.T. Line in the person of Gino Voghera for the chance they gave me. I will be competing in the Euro Nitro Series, European Championship and AMSCI Italian Nationals.
Source: F.T. Line Engine [facebook.com]
Xray is have announced that the multiple European Champion and Worlds finalist Hupo Honigl has joined Xray team to race off-road with their XB4, XB2, XB8, XB8E and on-road with the X12. Hupo, who recently announced his departure from Serpent, will race all Austrian races as well international events such as Euros & EOS. The 30 time Austrian National Champion and reigning 1/12th Stock European Champion had the following to say about the deal:
I’m very happy to be part of the Xray team. I believe that Xray work as hard as a company as I do as a racer. Xray wants to improve their products all the time and I hope I can help them with my 20+ years of experience. After building the first car, I was 100% sure I made the right decision – the quality and the fitments of everything is just unique in the RC industry and none of any other cars I ever built is even close to this. I´m really looking forward to some successful years together and I hope I finally found my new home.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
Serpent have announced the signing of US top driver Scotty Gray to join the on-road team of Serpent America. Scotty will work closely together with Paolo Morganti and the team at Serpent America, focussing on 1/10th electric and nitro classes, as well as GT and 1/8th nitro on-road. Scotty says:
Thanks to Serpent for providing me with this opportunity to be part of the Team, and hope to be successful in the years to come.
Source: Serpent [serpent.com]
Capricorn have announced the return of Brazil’s Flavio Elias to their factory team. The multi-time Brazilian National and South American champion was with Shepherd for the 2015 season and he now inked a 2-year deal with the Italian manufacturer whom he was with before. Flavio has the following to say:
I will run the Lab C802 for the next 2 years and I would like to thank Patrizio for this opportunity. I am very excited for the incoming season.
Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]
Serpent have announced that young and talented US-based driver Griffin Hanna has stepped up to the Serpent Factory Team. Being with Serpent America for a while, Griffin, who is known for his setup ability and great team support, will receive the full factory treatment from now on. As for his race campaign, the 16-years old plans on attending the 1/8th electric nationals, 1/10 electric nationals, Motorama, Alabama Manufacture Shootout, and the Silver State race.
Source: Serpent [serpent.com]
Italian company Capricorn have announced the signing of Robin D’hondt to their factory team. The former BMT racer will campaign Capricorn’s LAB C802 1/8th nitro on-road car in the coming season and he has the following to say about the deal:
I am exited to announce that next season I will be driving the Capricorn LAB C802. My gratitude to Patrizio Rossi for this opportunity and trust. I am sure together we can achieve good results! Also a small word of thanks to Pasquale from BMT for the support last year. See you all at the track.
Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]
