September 8, 2023

AKA Lux 1:8 Buggy Tyre

AKA has released the new Lux tyre which it is describing as a whole new breed of 1:8 buggy tyre.  It combines the best of both worlds by seamlessly integrating bar and pin-style treads, setting a new standard for performance and versatility.  The Lux is engineered to provide unparalleled traction, control, and durability on a variety of racing surfaces.  Its unique hybrid tread combines the aggressive bite of pin-style treads with the stability and consistency of bar-style treads, resulting in a tire that excels across different track conditions and terrains.  By strategically positioning rectangular pins both laterally and radially throughout the tire, the Lux not only ensures maximum traction even in the harshest dust-filled environments but also promotes even tread wear, extending the lifespan of the tire.  The Lux is currently available in AKA’s most popular rubber compounds for 1:8 racing: Clay, Super Soft Long Wear, Soft, and Soft Long Wear.

Source: AKA [horizonhobby.com]


September 8, 2023

Ronnefalk & Mayako part ways

While en route for our coverage of the IFMAR 1:10 Offroad World Championships in Arizona, former 1:8 Offroad World Champion David Ronnefalk and chassis manufacturer Mayako has announced they are to part ways.  Ronnefalk made a surprise departure from long time chassis sponsor HB Racing and joined the new brand 2-years ago.  Formed from the JQ brand, the new partnership delivered a European Championship and 2nd place at the World Championship in the hands of the Swede in 2022 however this year they haven’t been able to build on the initial success.  Issuing a joint statement Mayako said, ‘The 2023 season is coming to an end, and Mayako Performance International would like to thank David Ronnefalk for his contribution to the successful launch of the brand over the last 2 years. This included a European Championship, RCGP Championship, 2nd place at the IFMAR World Championships, DNC eBuggy Win, and numerous other wins and podiums.  We would like to wish David all the best for the future, and look forward to many tough battles on the track.’

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September 8, 2023

JConcepts ’87 Ford F-250 BIGFOOT Street Cruiser body

JConcepts has released a 1987 Ford F-250 pick-up truck body that fits the popular Axial SCX24 and is intended to use with small scale crawlers and chassis layouts.  The brick nose, popular to current day, served as a cross-over from complete square body designs in to a new era of truck looks and detail. The single cab truck shell is “Built Ford Tough” and aims at a market that garners a look, fit, and finish to tackle rough terrain.  The passion at the JConcepts factory for early model trucks runs very deep. When called upon, the design team steps up to the plate with licensed designs, clever takes, and innovative approaches to the Golden era of pick-up trucks. The 1987 Ford F-250 for scale RC trucks is a bit new but carries a tradition of classic looks while maintaining performance. In cooperation with BIGFOOT 4X4, JConcepts is also offering, in the package, a BIGFOOT logo decal sheet. In addition, a separate Street Cruiser decal with finely detailed blue and gold trim stripe decal package lays out beautifully on the side of the body shell.

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September 7, 2023

‘I’ve learned a lot since then’ – Phend

In 2019 Dakotah Phend would achieve his best World Championship result when he finished runner-up to Bruno Coelho in 1:10 4WD at the Hudy Arena in Slovakia.  Four years on, asked what is different about the Dakotah of today as we get set for the return of the 1:10 Offroad World Championship at the end of this week, the American’s reply is, ‘I’ve learned a lot since then’.  Making his World Championship debut way back in 2008 in 1:8 Nitro, his debut in 1:10 Electric came in 2011 when the now 26-year-old put his cars in both A-Mains in Finland.  With an impressive National Championship trophy collection in what is undoubtably the super power of nations when it comes to offroad racing, Phend’s sheer outright speed has always been spectacular to watch.  Now the TLR driver believes he is much better at managing that speed and calculating risk versus reward.

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September 7, 2023

JConcepts JCI Power Master cab only 12.3″ W.B

JConcepts has introduced a new cab only body for the crawling and scaling enthusiast who appreciates a hard-nose and retro vibe.  The Power Master follows along the success of popular shells like the Creep and CreepER styles by the team from Groveland, Florida.  The concentration of the platform is for versatility and offering clearance for an abundance of rigs who are in kit form or highly modified for the trails and technical courses.  The start of the design begins at the grille, a short overhang provides a lot of options in terms of aftermarket bumper options.  The V-shaped front-end allows for more tire clearance with minimum overhang for less snags and space for truck geometry and grippy tires.  The cab has a real retro vibe, the round shape, front to back and side to side, pay dividends in sketchy terrain or when the truck turns over.  The window style has split dividers capturing trucks from yesteryear when venting and structural construction depended on it.  Small wheel well flares are built into the design to give structural stability and a seasoned and professional appearance.  The Power Master includes window mask, detailed decal set including miscellaneous JConcepts and Power Master logos.

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September 6, 2023

‘Definitely the strongest team we have ever had’, says Orlowski


Michal Orlowski goes into the IFMAR 1:10 Offroad World Championship at the end of this week confident his Schumacher team is fielding what is ‘definitely the strongest team we have ever had’ for a Worlds.  12 years on from making his World Championship debut in Vaasa, Finland, the Polish driver is expected to be a leading contender in the European challenge to deny the US drivers victory on their very own doorstep.  Only racing 2WD at the 2011 WC because he couldn’t get hold of Tamiya’s 511 4WD kit at the time, the recently turned 22-year old heads up a strong Schumacher team going to Hobby Action RC Raceway in Arizona.  With the vastly experienced Ryan Cavalieri & Lee Martin, a very on form Broc Champlin, and Daniel Kobbevik as team-mates, he is also coming off the back of his own very successful run of results, in both off and onroad.  Winner of last weekend’s most recent Euro Touring Series encounter at Marc Rheinard’s home circuit Arena33, he travels to the US as the European 4WD Offroad Champion having regained the title back in July 8-years on from first holding it.

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September 5, 2023

Yokomo MO2.0 1:10 4WD Buggy

Following the release of its SO2.0 2WD Buggy last month, Yokomo has introduced its latest 4WD kit with the release of the Master Off-Road MO2.0.  Features of the new kit include a wheelbase that has been extended, a revised Ackermann ratio, and a COL (centre one-way limiter) slipper unit which the Japanese manufacturer says is the highlight of this new kit.  This releases excessive traction to the front when landing from a jump or entering a corner, preventing sudden movements.a centre one-way slipper has been adopted to improve stability.  It is possible to run high.  In particular, the newly developed one-way slipper activates when landing from a jump or entering a corner, eliminating over traction on the front tire and making the bike’s behaviour milder.  The front and rear bulkheads have been made lighter but also have been improved in strength by reviewing the rigidity balance.  Furthermore, the capacity has been dramatically improved by adopting 13mm big bore shocks, which reliably absorbs shock with the track and improve the feeling of ground contact.

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September 5, 2023

Elceram Nitride ESC due for October release

It sparked lots of interest when it was initially revealed as part of the new start-ups announcement of former 1:10 European Offroad Champion Martin Bayer joining its team,  and today Czech company Elceram has announced that their Nitride 1:10 ESC is due for October release.  The Nitride is a new generation electronic speed controller for BLDC motors.  Using Advanced Cooling Technology based on Aluminium Nitride Ceramic cooler, Nitride is characterised by excellent thermal conductivity and at the same time it is the first ESC with TFT LCD color display ever.  These properties provide it with revolutionary features.

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