Following on from the bad reception that the recent EFRA rule clarification received, which stated that pit stops would become mandatory in 7 minute qualifying heats, EFRA 1/10th section chairman Franky Noens has retracted the clarification. This means the rule will remain as it was originally drafted.
Click here to read the full statement
Multiple US National Champion Josh Cyrul has been in touch to let us know that he has departed Motonica, a manufacturer with which he has much success in the past year. Josh had to the following to say about the move:
Last year saw wins at the Motonica GP, Byron’s Challenge and Great Lakes Challenge with Motonica but as we tried to work into 2009 we weren’t able to come to an agreement to continue on so I have decided to move on to find a better solution for the 2009 season. I would like to thank Motonica and especially Garen at Motonica USA for all the hard work and effort. I wish them the best of luck and sucess with their new cars in 2009 and beyond. Soon, I should have details of my new sponsor looking forward to the 2009 season and World Championships.
The first round of the Italian regionals took place last weekend in Paternò, and it was multiple Italian national winner Giusepppe D’angelo that took the win. Racing for his new team with Mugen Seiki, SM engines and Matrix tyres he took the win from former European B Champion Alessio Mazzeo, the Serpent driver racing for the first time with his new JP Racing powerplant, having previously raced for Max Power. The battle for 2nd was a close one and Mazzeo just beat Novarossi powered Team Magic driver Raimondo Gilletti who ended up in 3rd.
Having recently reviewed the gas powered SC8 from Team Associated, the company have now released an electric powered kit version, called the SC8e. Like the SC8, the SC8e was designed to meet the scale specifications and handling of full-size short course race trucks. It’s all there, a durable and realistic clear race truck body, KMC wheels with realistic off-road tires, scale suspension travel, full roll-cage and functional mud flaps result in an unparalleled scale experience. Good looks mean nothing without the engineering to back it up. Team Associated’s engineering team has developed a practical chassis design that incorporates the same exceptional strength, durability, cornering capability, jumping ability, and rough track handling that characterize the nitro SC8. With special features such as a hard anodized machined chassis, correctly balanced and optimized weight distribution, composite Big Bore shocks featuring 4mm gold shafts, and upgraded steering system, the SC8e is right at home on the race track – just like its full-size counterparts. Scale realism and electric power make the SC8 the must-have truck in 2009.
Adam Drake was in contact to let us know about the first round of the Team Losi Winter Series that attracted 147 entrants at Revelation Raceway in Ontario, CA last weekend. After qualifying it was Losi/GRP racer Adam Drake that took the pole position for the 20 minute pro truggy final, which he went on to win by just less than a lap from Jim Pierce in 2nd, with Kyle Johnson taking 3rd. All drivers were using the Losi 8ight T 2.0.
Two time Spanish National Champion and European A Finalist, Oscar Cabezas has inked a deal to use Italian made Enneti tires in 2009. This is the latest in a line of new deals for the former Serpent driver who has joined Motonica cars as well choosing to use Novarossi engines in both the Spanish Nationals and the upcoming 1/8th scale World Championships in Lostallo, Switzerland, this summer.
Source: JB TRC Racing [jbtrcracing.com]
Following some apparent confusion over the new EFRA ruling that sees the length of European Championship and Grand Prix qualification heats to 7 minutes, EFRA 1/10th section chairman Franky Noens has issued a clarification on the rule 2.4 of these new guidelines. The updated ruling states that ‘a pitstop, refuelling is mandatory’ in a 7 minute heat, wording that was not initially included in the rule.
Click here to read the full clarification
Gene Hickersen sent us the following report from the 3rd round of the ROAR Florida State Off Road Series hosted by Hurricane R/C Club in Lutz Florida. This is usually the largest race in FL every year and 2009 was no exception with 196 entries. All of the best drivers in the South East were there to test their skills on the tight & technical layout at the world famous Lake Park track. Thursday night brought some rain, which kept the moisture in the track all weekend for the blackest blue groove I have ever seen. Team VP Pro USA was in attendance with myself, Joey Perez, and even Ryan Lopez driving down all the way from Georgia. Jason Rouna and JR Mitch from J-Concepts were there as well as Leon McIntosh from Pro-line and Ryan Eckert from AKA Tires and many other fast drivers from various manufactures.
