As of today, current IFMAR 1/8 Nitro Buggy World Champion Cody King, current ROAR 1/10 Modified Truck, 1/8 Buggy & Truggy National Champion Jared Tebo, along with current ROAR 1/10 4wd Modified Buggy National Champion Ryan Cavalieri will once again join forces under the Team Orion name. All three drivers have reached that World Championship milestone and are looking to capture more in the upcoming years.
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Triple European Champion Renaud Savoya has gotten in touch to tell us that he will not be renewing his contract with Mugen. Keeping tight lipped about his new sponsor, Renaud, who is currently based in the US working for RB Products, also informed us that he will not continue his driver/mechanic relationship with his father:
After 6 years driving with Mugen, I decided not to renew my contract with the Japanese factory. I’m really happy with all the great results we had together since 2005, being 3 times French Champ’, 3 times Euro Champ’ and 2 times World finalist. I want to thank all the Mugen Seiki Japan and Europe for their support. It’s not without sadness to leave this team who always did all the possible for me. However, I’m really motivated with new challenges and looking forward to the future…More to come… Actually, for personal reasons, “Moustache” and I decided not to follow our “driver-mechanic” relationship. Starting in 1993, my dad has always been on my side to support me and pit for me. I can’t be more thankful for everything he did for me. However, today, our geographical situation and our different goals forced us to stop working together. So I will continue racing on the highest scene on my side… The shark is ready to bite again…
A Main Hobbies today announced that they have signed Chad Bradley to the 2011 A Main Hobbies Race Team. Chad’s main sponsors will be A Main Hobbies and ProTek R/C and his chassis sponsor will be JQ Products. One of the most respected and liked drivers in the 1/8th Off Road buggy class, Chad Bradley was the 2001 ROAR 1/8 Buggy National Champion and has been at the top of the class since that win. In the upcoming 2011 race season Chad will be driving the JQ Products “THE Car”, powered by O.S. Engines, ProTek R/C batteries and bearings, Airtronics radio and servos, Pro-Line tires, Werks fuel, and Upgrade R/C decals. For Chad’s electric classes he will use Novak Electronics speed controls and motors in his Jammin SCRT-10 4WD Short Course Truck.
Source: A-Main Hobbies [amainhobbies.com]
Sin City RC have been in touch to announce that it will be bringing the Silver State Nitro Challenge back to Boulder City Nevada on April 7th through to the 10th. Jimmy Babcock from the JBRL and Hot Rod Hobbies will be the guest announcer for this race we are told they will have the flyer for sign up ready for the beginning of 2011.
Source: Sin City RC [sincityrc.com]
Serpent have announced that former European Championship finalist Mikael Fransson has rejoined their team for the upcoming season, having driven for Mugen most recently. The Swede will run the S120 during the cold winter months before turning his attention to the 733 and 966 in the spring time. He will compete in the Swedish Championships, the Nordic Cup as well as the European Championships for both 1/8th and 1/10th scale.
Source: Serpent [serpent.com]
Italian company Motonica have announced the signing of front running French driver Stéphane Bouche has joined their National team. A 3 time runner up in the French National Championships, last year’s Coupe de France winner hopes to finally capture the National title for his new team. Stéphane had the following to say about the deal:
Firstly, thanks a lot to team Shepherd for their support for the last 3 years. Now it’s a new challenge for me and I’m really happy to join the Motonica team and I will make my best for the next seasons in the different races. The P81 was really performing well and I’m sure that the new RS will be even better for all Motonica’s drivers.
Source: Motonica [motonica.com]
We heard some rumors about his departure from Mugen and today RCAmerica/Xray USA have announced the signing of Mike Swauger for the 2011 season. Mike is a World Champion, Multi-time World’s finalist and has many National titles also. They are very excited with what Mike brings to the table for the 2011 season. Mike will be using the NT1 WE and the all new RX8 this season along with SRC 1/10 and 1/8 tires. The first race out for Mike will be the Winternats in Fort Myers FL and he will also be attending the up and coming 1/8 World Championship in Homestead, FL. Mike had this to say about the deal:
I would like to thank Mugen for the many years of support and wish them the best. I am really looking forward to this next year with RCAmerica/Xray USA. I feel that I will fit in well on the team with follow drivers like Ralph Burch and Paul Lemieux. This will be the start of one of the strongest teams in the US and I am very happy to be part of it. I will be helping Xray USA with R&D and some team management on the West coast. Thanks to everyone that has showed me support thru the years and I am proud to let everyone know that my new home is RCAmerica/Xray USA.
Source: RC America [rcamerica.com]
The Malaysian Shepherd Cup 2010 was held recently at the Niko Race Circuit close to Johor. On Saturday heavy rain hit the track but on Sunday luckily the weather was fine and the race started at 9:30 in the morning with very traction at the beginning. After three rounds of qualifying Shepherd driver Niko Cheng claimed the third position in the grid after having some small problems lapping slower drivers. The start of the final was very smooth and Niko was able to overtake the second placed driver immediately. He chased the leader and on the third lap Niko was able to take the lead and pull away. By half way through the race he had extended his lead to two laps and slowed down a little bit for the rest of the race. After 45 min he crossed the finish line in first position, two laps in front of second placed KS Chu.
Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]
