Red RC » P On Road

March 6, 2024

O.S. Engines MAX-B21 1:8 Offroad/GT engine

Japanese engine manufacturer O.S. has introduce their new MAX-B21 which is intended for 1:8 Offroad 1:8 GT Onroad use. The MAX-B21 is easy to use from entry-level users to sports users and has excellent cost performance. Based on the O.S.SPEED series engine, it has a well-balanced combination of smooth speed and power delivery that can be used in both onroad and offroad racing situations.  The engine head is based on MAX-21XR-B VER.3, it has been reduced weight for better performance and finish in O.S.’s trademark blue colour. Also the shape of the combustion chamber of the inner head has been revised to improve combustion efficiency and response in the low speed range.  In addition has improved stable idling and an easy to adjust carburetor.

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March 5, 2024

Fenix FWD prototype debuts at ‘Charity Race’

Best known for its Formula 1 chassis and in particular its classic body shells, Italian company Fenix Racing has revealed some details about its new prototype FWD car that was spotted whiled competing at the annual ‘Charity Race’ in over the weekend. Commenting to Red RC on the project, Fenix Racing owner Giorgio Favaretto said, ‘It is not yet a real production model, but something rather different than usual. It is clearly reminiscent the mid 90’s Yokomo at the rear, while the front it’s a bit different from the field.’ Check out the photos of the prototype taken by Francesco Redaelli during the event.

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March 5, 2024

Orlowski wins ‘Charity Race’

While all the world’s attention was on the TITC in Bangkok over the weekend, Michal Orlowski was in Italy where he took yet another win at the annual ‘Charity Race’. One of the few manufacturers to not have a team driver at the TITC, Schumacher instead sent their star driver as the reigning ‘Charity Race’ Champion to the RC Landia indoor carpet track in Scandiano. The 13th running of the event, it has been raising thousands of euros over the years for local charities. In qualifying Orlowski took the TQ, and in the finals gave the British manufacturer’s new prototype car yet another win, it having dominated at the recent MIBO International in the Czech Republic. Joining the Polish driver in the podium would be Xray pairing Alessio Menicucci in 2nd and Luca Romagnoli in 3rd. The closest challenger to Orlowski over the four qualifiers, Filippo Domanin would finish P4.

Image: Michal Orlowski [Facebook]

March 5, 2024

Lens Bodies Maestrale GT 1:8 GT body

Lens Bodies has released digital renders of its first 1:8 GT bodyshell, the Maestrale GT. Going beyond the norm to explore new horizons, this is the basis of the design of the Maestrale GT. Freely inspired by the Tuatara SSC, the Maestrale GT calls into question the forms and functions of the bodyshells currently on the market. At the front end it has less aerodynamic resistance meaning more speed in a straight line (about 2km/h from track tests) and in turn lower fuel consumption. The sinuous shapes work together between the front and rear to generate excellent down force. Once trimmed and fitted on the car, the rear axle facilitates its advancement and gives an excellent feeling in fast corners without penalising tight sections. Engine cooling is improved by the linearisation of the air flows on the roof thanks to the ‘reverse intake’. The shaped bellies make it more stable on a straight line and facilitate the expulsion of exhaust gases on the engine side, moderating the quantity of oil that smears the rear wheel. To facilitate assembly, axes of symmetry are imprinted on the bodyshell. The Maestrale GT will be available in 2 different options of Light 0.75mm and Standard 1.0mm and is EFRA approved.

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March 3, 2024

Record equalling 4th TITC win for Coelho

Bruno Coelho has taken a record equalling fourth TITC win but his victory at the 20th edition of the race is set to be remembered for incidents rather than the result equalling record achieved in Bangkok. Having qualified second behind Top Qualifier Ronald Volker, the Xray driver would make contact with his Mugen Seiki rival in the opening two A-Mains resulting in a wide open race going into A3. This time however Volker would spin on his own early on allowing Coelho to take the leg ahead of team-mate Alexander Hagberg, winner of A2. Giving Xray an overall 1-2 in the legendary touring car race, it also sees Coelho join Atsushi Hara as the races most winning driver. The benefactor of the Top 2 qualifiers’ clash in A1 but retiring from A2, Marc Rheinard would complete the podium at RC Addict for Awesomatix with a P3 in the final encounter ahead of Volker. For Volker, the high of taking the TQ honours after his B-Main appearance last year was overshadowed by the disappointment of being classified 6th overall. As a race that has become the most significant in the World for touring car racing & its manufacturers, and which is on par if not exceeding the dept of competitiveness of the World Championship, going forward it might be time for ‘the World’s biggest local race’ to consider appointing a referee to ensure the amazing atmosphere that surrounds the TITC is not overshadowed by incidents on track.

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March 3, 2024

Lauter gives Awesomatix 4th consecutive TITC Open Brushless win

Simon Lauter executed the perfect TITC race debut by taking the win in the Bangkok race’s biggest class Open Brushless realising a fourth consecutive win for his chassis sponsor Awesomatix. Having secured the overall TQ at RC Addict over the Xray of Adam Izsay, it took all three A-Mains to decide the overall winner with some intense and at times aggressive driving with even the crowd getting involved in expressing their disappointment for a lack of respect being shown by drivers. In A1, Izsay armed with new tyres would take the win ahead of Lauter after late contact from the Hungarian robbed the Top Qualifier of what was looking like a well defended win. In A2, Lauter capitalised on new tyres to take a convincing win by over 3-seconds from team-mate Louis Kretschmer as Izsay dropped down to 4th. With all to play for in A3, it was again advantage Izsay as he had new tyres. While the German again tried to defend from the front, Izsay made contact with him again ruining Lauter’s race and earning Izsay a Stop & Go penalty. With Kretschmer taking the third win, Lauter’s A2 winning time would give him the Title ahead of his fellow countryman with Izsay completing the podium. With an unwritten TITC rule that the winner of the Open Brushless can’t race the category again, Lauter has already confirmed his intentions to return to the TITC in 12 months time and step up to the Modified class.

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March 3, 2024

Coelho & Volker clash again handing Hagberg A2 win

Having made contact in A1 and handed the win to Marc Rheinard, A2 at the TITC once again saw a clash between Bruno Coelho and Ronald Volker only this time it was Alexander Hagberg who was there to pick up the pieces. A result that leaves the 20th edition of the legendary Bangkok based race wide open going into A3, the second encounter saw Top Qualifier Volker and Coelho again the class of the field with a much improved Hagberg able to hang with them as they pulled clear. Watched on by a huge crowd at RC Addict, as the race approached the final minute mark, Coelho was putting huge pressure on Volker who ran wide in a number of corners. As they exited the S section on the right side of the track on Lap 15, Coelho attempted a pass on the inside of the German with a tighter line but as they got on the power contact was made sending both cars into a spin. While Coelho again allowed Volker to resume position, with Hagberg going by to take lead, another broken anti tuck rod meant Volker’s race was done. Pulling up in front of the drivers stand the former World Champion vented his anger & frustration at Coelho, the current World Champion and defending TITC Champion continuing the final to finish P2 ahead of Infinity’s Naoto Matsukura.

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March 3, 2024

Rheinard wins A1 as Volker & Coelho tangle at TITC

Marc Rheinard has taken the win in the opening A-Main at the TITC, the Awesomatix handed the lead after Bruno Coelho made contact with Top Qualifier Ronald Volker as he challenged the Mugen driver’s lead. With the Top 2 quickly pulling clear off the field, Rheinard’s passage to the front started when he capitalised on a mistake from a struggling Alexander Hagberg to go to third. Starting third on the grid, Hagberg afterwards described his car as being ‘like driving on ice’ before contact from Naoto Matsukura put him out of the race with a broken car. With Volker and Coelho still locked in battle at the front as the race passed the half way distance, Rheinard would be gifted the lead as Coelho ran into the rear of Volker after the chicane. With enough of a gap to resume racing in the lead, unfortunately the impact had broken the anti tuck on Volker’s car and as the German tried to turn around having been spun his car flipped. As Coelho waited on Volker, Rheinard went to the front where he would stay finishing 1.6 seconds ahead of the Infinity of Matsukura. Battling their way back up through the order Volker would finished 3rd with Coelho right behind in 4th.

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