January 2, 2024

Tessman calls time on career after 20-years of racing

2014 1:8 Buggy World Champion Ty Tessman has called time on an impressive career that puts him up there among the greats of offroad racing.  The Canadian announced the decision to retire from the sport after 20-years of racing as he is set to become a father in 2024.  Never an easy decision for any sports professional who has dedicate their live to achieving success, the decision by Xray to drop him at the end of 2023 after a 7-year partnership would certainly have played a factor in his departure from the sport.  A driver who only represented two manufacturers during his extensive career, Tessman paid tribute to Hot Bodies for giving him the opportunity to turn professional in the sport with his father Gord and mother Leann a pivotal part of the ‘Team Tessman’ journey, the highlight of which was his World title win in Italy 10-years ago.  Having witnessed and reported on many of Ty greatest wins over the years, Red RC would like to thank the Tessmans for the memories (late cold nights at the Dirt Nitro Challenge pitting in the Pro-Line tent particular stand outs!!) of some epic race battles and wish Ty all the best in his new family life.  Who knows maybe the story will repeat itself in years to come.

Read Ty’s full announcement here


January 1, 2024

Mächler announced in dual role with Team EAM

Team EAM has announced that newly crowned 1:12 Spec World Champion Max Mächler has joined the brand in a new dual role as both a team driver and Team Manager.  The German will the fill the role of Team Manager and becomes the first factory driver for Team EAM Europe as Eric Anderson expands the American brand in 2024.  Having a hugely successful World Championship last month in Florida, where Kemp Anderson took the TQ in Modified and 6 of the 10 Finalists used its battery, EAM has partnered with RCK to push its racing activities in Europe with Machler, with an established record with Awesomatix, taking the role.  Announcing Machler, EAM said, ‘By stepping up our efforts in the European market with the addition of RCK as our European distributor, we were in need of a leader for our racing activities.  Max’s strategic vision and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our team’s goals.  His leadership skills, coupled with a profound understanding of RC car racing, will undoubtedly enhance our team’s performance.  He’s someone who goes out of his way to make sure all of his team drivers are taken care of, they have everything they need to succeed and he gives whatever it takes to make this happen.  We couldn’t be happier about having Max on board and we know that very soon, Europe will find out what Team EAM batteries are all about.’

Source: Team EAM [teameamotorsports.com]


January 1, 2024

Phend officially no longer to race Spektrum radios

Coming as no huge surprise given he used a Sanwa radio at the 1:10 Buggy World Championships back in September,  Dakotah Phend has officially announced that he is no longer a Spektrum driver.  The 26-year has used Spektrum radios throughout his professional career as part of his Horizon Hobbies package which are also the owners of his chassis sponsor TLR.  Announcing the end of long running sponsorship, Phend posted on Facebook, ‘With the end of 2023 approaching so does my time with Spektrum. We have been partnered up for 16 years through thick and thin. I appreciate everything that they have done for me and the support that they have given. Sometimes a change is needed and I felt like now was the right time to do it. Moving forward for 2024 I will be headed in a different direction for radios and servos.’

Source: Dakotah Phend [Facebook]


December 30, 2023

Burak Kilic departs Yokomo Offroad team

Burak Kilic has announced his departure from Team Yokomo factory offroad team.  The German racer had been the Japanese manufacturer leading driver in international 1:10 Offroad competition in recent times bringing them a win in the EOS in 2022 and a podium at the EFRA European Championship this year.  The manufacturer’s leading representative at this year’s World Championships in the United States achieving a Top 25 finish, Burak together with his brother Berkan joined Yokomo at the beginning of the 2022 season.  Making the announcement on his Facebook page,  Burak said, ‘Today I want to make an announcement that I will not re-sign my contract with Team Yokomo and will not run for the team in the new year.  Massive thank to Mr.Taguchi und Christopher Krapp for everything you have done for me your hard work and passion. With out them I wouldn’t be there now where I m with the 1/10 cars! Big big thank you I wish you all the best for in the future!  Here is a few results to with Yokomo!  EOS win, Multiple EOS finals, podiums.  European championship P3/4wd. And P5 2wd.  EOS overall season 2022/23 P7 2wd/4wd and P2 truck.  Worlds top25.  National wins.  Thank you and stay tuned.’

Source: Burak Kilic [Facebook]


December 30, 2023

Roche Rapide P12V wider Lower arm | Chassis weight set

Specialist 1:12 manufacturer Roche has released two new optional parts for its Rapide P12V in a new wider graphite front lower arm and Chassis weight set.  Increasing the width of the graphite front lower arm by 3mm, the new arm gives less aggressive steering making the car easier to drive.  The 6gram X 2 Chassis weight set allows for tuning chassis roll to suit different track conditions. Weight on each side provided more smooth steering response for a more stable and easy to drive car.

View Chassis Weight Set images here


December 30, 2023

Brunet joins Yokomo for 2024

Team Yokomo has announced top French touring car racer Antoine Brunet has joined their factory team for 2024.  Having represented Xray for the past number of seasons achieving an ETS podium in 2021, numerous French Championship race wins and a podium at the inaugural Mibo International Race this year, on his move to the Japanese manufacturer he said, “I’m very pleased and honored to join an iconic brand like Yokomo.  I can’t wait to hit the track with the car.  I’m highly motivated for the next races and see what I can achieved with this beast!  Thanks to Christopher and Naoya to taking me onboard!  I hope we will achieved some great things together.  See you soon on track !”

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]


December 30, 2023

JConcepts Finnisher polycarbonate pre-trimmed 1:8 wing

JConcepts has introduced a new Finnisher polycarbonate pre-trimmed 1:8 offroad rear wing.  Responding to the wing development, it has come up with a technically advanced alternative for 1:8 racing.  The wing features a brand-new design incorporating a multi-height layout which allows the wing to sit in a lower stance.  The side-dams feature a surface which has a recessed section for increasing rigidity. The pre-trimmed polycarbonate wing formed in heavy-duty material, has been in the JConcepts line previously as the “Hybrid” wing.  Now, it has been refined with taller side-dams, and taller rear gurney.  Angular sections blend nicely into the high-performance shape giving a location for that initial step and transition to the wing’s gurney position.  At the rear of the wing rests 7 individual ribs which support the wing’s upper section as it transitions to the gurney.  The wing is extremely light weight, formed in 1.5mm polycarbonate, the Finnisher has a lot of competition elements rolled into one.

View wing mounted here


December 29, 2023

Dankel joins Awesomatix️

Awesomatix has announced the addition of experienced German racer Eric Dankel to its Factory Team.  Previously teammate to Ronald Volker at Mugen Seiki, Dankel brings a wealth of experience to the manufacturer which he will now represent both regionally and at European level.  Commenting on the announcement, Dankel said, “First of all I want to thank everybody at Mugen Seiki for their support in the past years.  I decided to start a new challenge, and I am more than happy to join the Awesomatix Team for the upcoming season.  Thanks everyone for your support.”

Source: Awesomatix [awesomatix.net]