December 26, 2023

Power HD signs 1:8 onroad racer Ermen

Power HD has announced the signing of top Dutch 1:8 nitro onroad racer John Ermen to their factory team.  Having only announced last week a new radio sponsor in FlySky,  the 6-time Dutch Champion and multiple European finalist will use Power HD high end servo GTS-3 for throttle/brake and servo GTS-6 for steering, which is compatible with Flysky Noble Pro radio, to setup the servo parameter and monitor servo usage condition.  On the announcement Ermen said, ‘I would like to thank Power HD to give me the opportunity to race for them. I tried the servos and I’m really impressive with servos’ performance and quality. I am excited to be on the team and will represent Power HD in track.’

Source: PowerHD [chd.hk]


December 23, 2023

New date confirmed for IFMAR 1:8 eBuggy World Cup

After being forced to cancel the event just days before its planned date of last September due to a lack of entries, IFMAR has announced the new date of April 5-7, 2024, for the first ever World Cup for 1:8 Electric Buggy.  Concerns were raised when the initial date was announced as it was just 1-week after the 1:10 Offroad World Championships in Arizona which was probably one of the biggest contributing factors to it getting only 15 confirmed entries but the new date should allow for a much stronger entry.  With eBuggy a hugely important category for manufacturers while 1:8 nitro has enjoyed World Championship status since 1986, the World Cup will be the first step for the electric category to become a World Championship category in 2025.  The World Cup will be hosted by the Club ACDB “OS BEIROES” at their 310m track in Guarda, Portugal whichk previously hosted the 2010 EFRA European 1:8 Nitro Buggy Championship when Reno Savoya took the third of his European titles.  View the updated Stage 1 report here.

Source: IFMAR [Facebook]


December 23, 2023

2024 Philippine Masters registration opens

Having established itself as Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race, the organisers of the Philippine Masters have announced the opening of registration for the 12th edition of the high profile Manila based event.  A sell out event in 2023, the race saw World Champion David Ongaro win the Buggy title for Team Associated while Sworkz’ Micha Widmaier came away with the Truggy victory.  With the Philippines famed as a holiday destination, the event has a truly unique vibe living up to the nations tourism tagline ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ with many of the large international driver entry combining the race with holidays at the country’s world famous white sand beaches.  Along with Ongaro and Widmaier, Robert Battle, David Ronnefalk, Adam Drake, Ty Tessmann, Atsushi Hara and Kyle McBride are just some of the other international drivers to enjoy both the racing and hospitality in the capital city.  Again a capacity entry is expected to be reached quickly as the Philippine Masters plays host to the second round of the Asia Buggy Championships which after kicking off in February in New Zealand will also visit Australia and Indonesia in 2024 and at the end of which there will be an overall Champion of the region crowned.

Source: Philippine Masters [philippinemastersrc.com]


December 22, 2023

1:1 Tamiya Wild One MAX – Top Gear first drive

We are sure the thought of what would it be like to actually drive an RC car has crossed many an RC racer’s mind.  Well legendary motoring TV show Top Gear has just done that, sort of.  Back in July we ran the news that British based The Little Car Company was releasing a full adult size versus of Tamiya 1:10 2WD Wild One MAX buggy from 1985.  Now Top Gear have had the opportunity to test the new creation with Jason Barlow getting behind the wheel and summing up the experience by saying, ‘Honestly, I think that is the most fun I’ve had in any car all year’.  Watch the test drive on the Top Gear Youtube channel here.

Source: Top Gear [Youtube]


December 22, 2023

RUDDOG 2.4GHz 4-Channel Receiver

New from RUDDOG is their RR492 2.4GHz 4-channel FH5 receiver that has been specially developed for compatibility with selected latest generation Sanwa remote controls.  The RR492 is the ideal choice for anyone looking for an affordable but high quality alternative Receiver for their Sanwa remote control.  Compatible with the Sanwa M17, MT-5 and MT-R transmitters, it supports both FH5 and FH5U to seamlessly works with select Sanwa radio systems.  With a compact and lightweight design it is only 18.5 x 20.5 x 28.0 mm and weighs just 5 grams.

View receiver content here


December 22, 2023

Senesi leaves Xray

1:8 GT Specialist and World Championship finalist Natanaele Senesi has announced he is leaving Xray after just one year with the Slovakian manufacturer.  Taking the GTX8 to fourth place having topped a round of qualifying at the recent World Championship in Sydney, Australia, the Italian had done a lot of own development work on the car and appears this is one of the reasons for both parties having decided not to continue into 2024.  On his social media he posted, ‘Here it ends.  After only one year with XRAY both the company and I have decided to parts away.  I think that this season we really showed the potential of the cars, but after trying to develop and doing my best to improve the car even more I found myself very tight in the team.  For this reason I decided to not continue with the brand and move on.  In this cases you should ready “stay tuned for an announcement”, but no announcement this time since I decide to don’t team up with any brand that knocked at my door.  What does this mean? Well… stay tuned to discover on what we are working.  Now I need to rest and prepare for the next season.  Cheers Guys!’

Source: Natanaele Senesi [Facebook]


December 22, 2023

Elias back with Capricorn for 2024

Capricorn RC is to welcome back international 1:8 Onroad Nitro racer & World Finalist Flavio Elias to its team for 2024.  After four years away from the Italian manufacturer, the Brazilian stalwart of the category rejoins to race their latest LAB C804R as well as now using their ONE brand of engine.

Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]


December 22, 2023

Sontag departs Fantom Racing

Newly crowned 2WD Buggy World Champion Tater Sontag has announced his departure from electronics sponsor Fantom Racing.  Racing with the US brand two years, the highlight of the partnership was the 16-year-old winning the 2023 IFMAR World Title at Hobby Action Raceway in Arizona using its Pro 2.0 ESC. Normally also running their motors and batteries, a lack of IFMAR approval of their products meant he had to use a Hobbywing motor and ProTek batteries.  Announcing his departure the TLR driver said, ‘With the 2023 season coming to a close, unfortunately so does my time with Fantom Racing.  I started with Fantom 2 years ago and we have had some awesome results and amazing times. Fantom helped me win races from a club race, all the way to clinching a World Championship. I could not be more thankful for what Troy, Craig, and everyone else at Fantom did for me the past 2 years.  It’s been an awesome journey, but unfortunately everything good has to come to a close eventually.  With that being said stay tuned for my announcement for my 2024 electronics!’

Source: Tater Sontag RC [Facebook]