November 26, 2024

Sworkz Performance S14-4 Brake Steering System Slipper

In the first release under their new Sworkz Performance parts label, Sworkz has introduced this S14-4 Brake Steering System featuring a special slipper that allows individual adjustment of front brake force.  Sworkz Performance is a new product series from Sworkz that consists of special factory tuning parts that have been tested and developed by our factory team and significantly improve the car at a high level of competition.  The S14-4 Brake Steering System improves cornering speed by reducing front axle braking, minimising front-end dive and allowing freer wheel movement under braking.  It also enhances landings before corners by preventing front wheel lock.  It is ideal for high-grip carpet racing and was successfully used by the Sworkz factory team at the 2024 EFRA Euros in September and the recent Florida Carpet Championship in the USA.

Source: Sworkz [sworkz.com]


November 26, 2024

2024 Speed King Tour Rd6 – Report

The popular Japanese based Speed King Tour travelled to the World JAM indoor carpet track in the Gumma prefecture for the sixth & final round of 2024 where factory Xpress driver Yugo Nagashima took the TQ and win at his home track.  Another local star Toyoki Yamada would finish second in the TC0 (Modified) class with Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa completing the all Xpress podium.  Overall it would be Ryosuke Yamamoto who becomes the Series Champion.  In the TC1 (Stock) class, Top Qualifier Mizuki Sekiguchi made small mistake handing first place to Tsubasa Yoshimura who stayed ahead of Sekiguchi who then cane under pressure from Keisuke Kaneko but couldn’t get by and had to settle for third.  The overall title would go to Akihiro Onoda.  In the TC2, the stock class running a G Force motor & ESC, Hironori Kurishima showed untouchable speed to take the win ahead of Kouji Imai. Kouji Nishimaki completed the podium from 9th on the grid. The TC2 title was taken by Rento Sasaki.

View more podium images here


November 26, 2024

Orlowski to defend MIBO International Touring Car title

Defending MIBO International Touring Car Champions Schumacher and the British manufacturer’s star driver Michal Orlowski are to return to the third edition of the Czech based race next February to defend their title.  Orlowski took the 2024 title when he beat the Mugen Seiki of inaugural MIBO International race winner Ronald Volker at the unique indoor event.  While a lack of mechanic hampered Orlowski’s plans to race both Touring Car and Offroad this year, the recent Florida Carpet Championships winner and reigning 1:10 2WD European Champion has entered to do both in 2025, the race taking place at the Sports V Hotel in Hrotovice on February 07-09.  Organised by former international touring car racer Michal Bok, having only opened registration for the annual event less than a week ago, the 2025 MIBO International has already surpassed 125 entries.  With a capped entry limit allowing for a relaxed schedule and plenty of time in the evening to wind down and socialise over dinner after each day’s racing, the race is officially a two and a half day event and gets underway on the Friday evening with practice to allow for travel Friday morning.  The Offroad track will cater for 2WD and 4WD Buggy and ‘Offroad Kids’, while on the onroad track the racing action will cater for Modified, Stock & FWD Touring car with a 1:12 GT 13.5T class as well as ‘Onroad Kids’ being introduced for 2025.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]


November 26, 2024

Tekno RC ET48 2.2 1:8 Electric Truggy

US offroad kit manufacturer Tekno RC has announced the release of its ET48 2.2, the latest evolution of their 1:8 electric truggy lineup.  Over three years in development, the ET48 2.2 has been rigorously tested on tracks across the United States and Europe to ensure peak performance and reliability.  This fourth-generation update builds on the legacy of the ET48 platform, originally introduced in 2013, incorporating valuable feedback from team drivers and customers.  The ET48 2.2 stays true to Tekno RC’s tradition of delivering enhanced performance, predictability, and durability.  Upgraded to full 2.2 chassis specifications, the truggy shares near-complete compatibility with the latest EB48 2.2 and NB48 2.2 buggies, ensuring flexibility and parts commonality for racers.  The ET48 2.2 now comes standard with lightened 7075 CNC machined shock towers, improving weight balance and agility.  Full universal driveshafts, including new 140mm rear universal driveshafts, enhance consistency across all conditions.  The updated precision-molded shock pistons and guides, revised Ackermann spindle plates, and adjustable sway bar bushings further refine the truggy’s handling and stability.  The chassis plate has been redesigned to support 4S shorty battery packs and accommodate the new rear pivot braces, making the ET48 2.2 a versatile powerhouse on the track or in the backyard.  Other standard new components include revised front and rear A-arms, -2mm bulkheads, and the 2.2 spec differential parts.

View more images here


November 26, 2024

Yokomo Super Dog Fighter Works ‘91

Yokomo has announced that it will soon be releasing a reproduction kit of its Super Dogfighter Works ’91.  Offering vastly improved performance when it was it was originally launched over the YZ-870C, a buggy the Japanese company has already done a reproduction run of, at the 1991 World Championships in Detroit, the Super Dogfighter Works ’91 achieved an impressive 80% rate in the A-main.  A buggy that had major influence on 1:10 4WD buggies from the 1990s onwards, the latest reproduction in Yokomo’s Vintage range will be available at the end of December with pre orders set to open soon.

View Specs and more images here


November 26, 2024

JConcepts Arina 1:8 Buggy tire

A new design from JConcepts is the Arina 1:8 Buggy tire that features a unique elliptical pattern scattered throughout the tire surface.  Available as pre-mounted in sticky green compound on bright white or fluorescent yellow rims, it produces heavy forward bite.  The centre section, called the “marina” has parked back-to-back shaped pins that provide the difficult task of holding the grip during high-speed expansion.  In-between, the half-height, dog bone shaped pins create more contact patch after initial tire wear is complete.  A large and patterned arrangement of horizontal style pins complete the entire carcass giving it performance characteristics like JConcepts legacy tires like the Crossbow.  Each pin has a slight and divided recess which gives multiple edges of bite during fresh outings on the track.  The crisp nature of the pins is excellent in slightly fluffy conditions, fresh water, and outside loam is where the Arina excels above many others.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]


November 26, 2024

Team Losi Racing 2025 Racing Announcement

With much talk in racing circles about Team Losi Racing’s future commitment to competitive racing, the famed brand has just made an announcement on its ‘New Vision’ for 2025.  In the announcement the offroad manufacturer, which is part of the RC model industry giant Horizon Hobby, state that for 2025 they are committed to developing a new 2WD platform including a Stadium Truck while also ‘refreshing’ its 4WD, and ‘refining’ the 8X.  The announcement opens on the subject its race team stating that as the ‘racing landscape continues to evolve’ they are evolving their race team program ‘to ensure its sustainability, growth, and long-term success’.  While winners of a World Championship as recently as 2023, when Tater Sontag took the 2WD Buggy title at Hobby Action in Arizona, TLR has not been the force it once was in racing so lets hope this announcement results in TLR being back at the forefront of international offroad competition once again.

Read full announcement here


November 25, 2024

Fenix Mistral 3.5 1:10 Formula Kit

Italian manufacturer Fenix Racing have released a new version of its 1:10 Formula Chassis, the Mistral 3.5.  After 3 years of the Mistral 3.3, it was time for it to be given a ‘tech refresh’ using the immense experience of Dutch F1 racer Jitse Miedema.  The new car incorporates most of the evolution made on the 3.3 during the last year, plus a brand new main chassis.  From the “IDFM” front end, to the revised shock position that gives more room to the electronics, to a new system on the sub-frame chassis.  The car keeps the 3.3 trademark of the variable wheelbase.  The 3.5 is the same car that allowed Jitse Miedema to become Dutch Champ again.

View more images here