March 10, 2024

Phi-Long Nguyen crowned FEMCA Champion

Up & coming offroad star Phi-Long Nguyen added the most significant win yet of his promising career with the Kyosho driver taking the 2024 FEMCA 1:8 Offroad Championship title today in Vietnam.  The 12-year-old secured the overall TQ during qualifying where youth and the promising talent pool of Asia shown through at the front of the field.  Going on to win his Semi Final from second place qualifier Hyunkyu Jung from Korea, the Vietnamese born & now American based driver secured pole position for the 1-hour final at the L.A Track.  In the other half hour Semi, former Nitro Onroad World Champion Meen Vejrak from Thailand took the win ahead of third place qualifier & another of the championship’s young guns Christian Wolhuter.  In the title deciding final, Nguyen would take his Ielasi Tuned powered MP10 TKI3 to victory recording the fastest lap of the race as he lapped the field up to second place which would go to Team Associated’s Jung.  Getting his Sworkz passed Vejrak, 17-year-old Australian Wolhuter would complete the podium which has a combined age of just 42-years!

Image: Martin Wolhuter


March 9, 2024

Hotrace announced as 1:10 IC Worlds tyre supplier

The organisers of this year’s IFMAR 1:10 Nitro Onroad World Championship to be held in Costa Rica have announced Hotrace Tyres as the official controlled tyre supplier.  Scheduled to take place from November from 14-24 at the Mini Autodromo Las Cruces just outside the capital city San Jose, the Italian manufacturer will supply a 37sh front and a 40sh rear tyre for 10th running of the championship which was first hosted in 2004 in Brazil.  While still to finalise the best diameter for the tyres, it is 90% expected that based on information provided by the track that they should be 64mm rears and 62mm fronts.  This will be second consecutive 1:10 Nitro Onroad World Championship that Hotrace has been awarded the supply of the controlled tyre.  In 2020, Nicola Marrone’s company supplied the tyres for event when it was held at RC Addict in Thailand where Infinity’s Tadahiko Sahashi gained Nitro Onroad’s elusive ‘Double Champion’ status with victory over Dominic Greiner and Jilles Groskamp.

Source: 2024 IFMAR 1/10 Touring World Championship [Facebook]


March 9, 2024

Phi-Long Nguyen TQ at FEMCA Championship

Kyosho’s Phi-Long Nguyen is the Top Qualifier at the 2024 FEMCA 1:8 Nitro Offroad Championship which is taking place at the L.A Track in Vietnam.  The federation race crowns the Champion of Asia with this year attracting an impressive entry of more 110 drivers from across the largest continent in the World.  Counting Atsushi Hara and Kyle McBride amount its past champions and this year it appears to be a battle of the future stars of the sport in qualifying.  Over the six rounds 12-year-old Nguyen topped four qualifiers to secure the overall TQ with 17-year-old Australian Christian Wolhuter getting P2 after topping Q2 & Q3 with his Sworkz.  Completing the Top 3 for qualifying would be new Team Associated signing Hyunkyu Jung, the Korean teenager having finished runner-up at last year’s championship in Taiwan.   With reigning FEMCA Champion Jeff Wang not present in Vietnam the race will decide a brand new champion.

Image: Martin Wolhuter


March 8, 2024

MonTech 499 LM 1:12 body

Having brought us the 499 LM 1:10 190mm body last September, the team at MonTech have scaled things down with the release of a 1:12 version of the Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercar it is based on.  After the resounding success of the LMH series in 1/10 scale, the Italian company is now offering you the same series in 1:12 scale with this the first model of the small scale LMH series, the new 499 LMH for 1:12 Pan Car.  It will be available in two versions, the Standard version and the “La Leggera” with the kit including all decals/masks and fixing screws for the rear wing.

View more images here


March 8, 2024

Xray XB8‘24

Xray has released its latest 1:8 Nitro Buggy with the 2024 iteration of its popular XB8 platform.  The Slovakian manufacturer introduced the first XB8 in 2004, and two decades later the main new feature of the buggy is an all-new shorter chassis with specially milled flex areas significantly improves traction on all surfaces.  The chassis is an important component that affects the XB8’s handling characteristics. The chassis’ dimensions and flex characteristics are selected for the best blend of stability, traction, and steering.  It also fits both Soft and Hard composite radio boxes without chassis modification for additional flex tuning choices. The chassis is CNC-machined from  high-quality 3mm Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium.  This is strategically machined in low-stress areas and then anodised to make it as light as possible without affecting strength or rigidity.  Also new is the Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium rear shock tower which increases stability on all surfaces while improving strength & reliability.  The front & rear shock towers are CNC-machined from 4mm aluminium and feature an additional row of shock absorber positions for super fine shock angle adjustments.  The lower row creates less chassis roll for higher corner speed, while the upper row increases roll to help generate additional traction when needed.

View the full XB8’24 presentation here


March 8, 2024

Volante V9XE Evolution Asphalt Tyre 2024 Compound

Korean 1:10 onroad tyre manufacturer Volante has announced an all new 2024 compound for its V9XE Evolution Outdoor Asphalt Tyres.  The inner profile dimension and inner belt design is entirely new with a more grip compound rubber.  Testing on a large size track, in both high and low bite conditions, revealed stunning stability, amazing cornering ability and a great ease of driving performance.  Designed to offer an improved life span the “V9XE” is intended to perform two times longer than the previous V9X.  Sold as a set of 4 pre-glued tyres they are offered in 32 and 36 shores.

Source: Volante [volantetire.com]


March 8, 2024

T-works MBX8R fuel tank guard

New from T-Works and intended for the Mugen MBX8/MBX8R 1:8 nitro buggy is a new version of their carbon fibre fuel tank guard.  Tailor-made to fit the fuel tank, the guard provides added protection against heat, debris and more.  The guard is cut from high-quality carbon fibre and it comes including mounting hardware.

View guard fitted here


March 8, 2024

ZooRacing Gorilla MAX FWD body shell

New from Germany’s ZooRacing is the Gorilla MAX 190mm 1:10 FWD body shell.  Designed to push the boundaries of performance in the ever-evolving front-wheel drive touring car class, the Gorilla MAX represents a leap forward in aerodynamic efficiency and handling prowess. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, the Gorilla MAX features a sleeker, more aerodynamic roofline that optimises airflow to the rear wing, resulting in higher top speeds and enhanced stability on the track. The redesigned front end exudes modernity and sophistication, while the closer-fitting wheel arches minimize turbulence at the rear, enabling smoother cornering and improved overall handling.  With a shorter rear section, the Gorilla MAX offers unparalleled agility, allowing drivers to navigate tight corners with precision and confidence. Its increased wheelbase aligns seamlessly with current touring car chassis designs, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.  Furthermore, the Gorilla MAX boasts smoothed surfaces along the side windows, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and reducing drag for an even more dynamic driving experience.  The Gorilla MAX is already EFRA approved for 2024.  Available in 0.5mm and 0.7mm polycarbonate options, part of the package are window masks in a new more flexible and stickier quality, that will ensure window frames of pro quality. The body package is topped of by high-quality wing mounting hardware and a highly detailed sticker sheet including grill, head and tail lights.

View more images here