Red RC

November 21, 2023

Hoppe continues with Team Shepherd

Following the recent sale of Shepherd Micro Racing to David Spashett’s Zen Racing, it is good to see that the Nitro Onroad manufacturer is still committed to top level racing with the announcement German racer Lars Hoppe will continue to represent the brand into the 2024 racing season. A World Championship Semi-Finalist and Europe Championship Finalist, Hoppe took the TQ and was runner-up to Dominic Greiner at this year’s German National Championship. Commenting on the announcement, Hoppe said, ‘I am pleased to extend my contract with Shepherd and continue to represent this great brand at various race tracks around the world. I would like to thank Zen-Racing / Team Shepherd for your trust in me and look forward to a good collaboration. I am happy to be involved in the further development of all platforms and am available to answer any questions at the racetrack’.

Source: Zen Racing [zen-racing.co.uk]

November 21, 2023

Chinese National Champion Ma confirmed for FIRC

Having announced a number of top international drivers for the inaugural Foshan International Invitational RC Championship in China on December 15-17, the organisers have confirmed that leading national onroad talent Marco Ma will also contest the event. The 19-year-old, who joined Xray in 2021, was the 2019 Chinese National Champion in both electric and nitro touring car and just recently added the National 1:8 GT title to his CV. Having announced Hobbywing as a main sponsor of the event which will take place at new 800 square metre GDC Indoor Race Club track in Guangdong, the organisers expect over 100 entries for inaugural running of FIRC. Already having confirmed 2016 World Champion & Mugen Seiki team driver Ronald Volker, Japanese Xpress factory driver Yugo Nagashima, and Team Yokomo’s newly crowned Australian Champion Simon Nicholson, this international invitational championship is not only an international competitive event but also an opportunity to promote the development of RC competition in China. With the sponsorship and support from brands such as Hobbywing, the organisers are confident RC racing will be promoted positively among more people, adding new excitement to the development of sport in China.

Source: Foshan International Invitational RC Championship [Facebook]

November 21, 2023

Kyosho 2024 Teamwear

With winter coming Kyosho has announced its new 2024 zip up hoodie. A simple design that just features the Kyosho logo on the front, the hoodies are available in three colours including of course the Japanese company’s trademark red. Also available in navy and black, they are offered in sizing from S to 3XL and will be available later this month.

Source: Kyosho [Facebook]

November 21, 2023

Exotek TX Drag Slash carbon chassis conversion set

New from US Drag Racing specialists Exotek Racing is their TX Drag Slash carbon fibre chassis conversion set. The Lightweight ‘Street Eliminator’ drag chassis conversion set is intended for use with Traxxas Drag Slash, 2WD Slash or Bandits kits and vonverts your Drag Slash to be race ready for the ‘Street Eliminator / Slash No Prep’ race class. It provides the legal 13″ wheelbase to fit under the hottest new no prep bodies that are on the market. This pro chassis conversion set features a 4mm thick glossy carbon fibre chassis deck, centralized servo mounting for improved balance and a simplified direct to servo steering for less slop and reduced weight. The kit contains a 4mm thick rear gear box riser to lower the chassis ride height. You also get multi position shorty lipo mounting to adjust for wheelie/ no wheelie balance as well as multiple weight balance options to maximise grip on the street or on the track. Includes steel hex hardware which require high quality metric 2.0 & 2.5mm hex tools.

View conversion set components here

November 21, 2023

Novarossi engines ‘for sale by mid-2024’ – Statement

After making a number of social media posts that forced Nova Engines to issue a statement to clarify some ‘very confused’ rumours, Novarossi has today published a much clearer statement about the rebirth of the iconic Italian engine brand. The statement published on the Novarossi World Facebook is from Massimo Rossi, the grandson of Ugo Rossi founder of the Rossi Company and who’s brother Cesare Rossi was the driving forced behind Novarossi in its heyday. Apologising for the previous Novarossi posts made on the matter, Massimo outlines the new generation of Novarossi engines will be entirely produced in Italy with the first engines ready for sale in mid 2024.

Read statement here

November 20, 2023

Reedy Sonic 540-M4 Driver Edition

Reedy has introduced a new ‘Driver Edition’ of its Sonic 540-M4 series of motors which was created with input from their international racing team. The 540-M4 Driver Edition is technically identical to the standard 540-M4, but is instead equipped with the popular #27447 rotor. This rotor is the lowest strength option, which is reported to improve throttle feel and consistency, resulting in better overall race times. Four versions featuring the most popular “dirt” winds will be available initially, with the potential for more to follow. All Sonic 540-M4 versions are ROAR, EFRA, BRCA, and IFMAR approved.

Source: Reedy [associatedelectrics.com]

November 20, 2023

2024 ROAR Nationals Calendar Announced

ROAR, the the sanctioning body for RC racing in the United States & Canada, has announced the track locations and dates for its National Championships in 2024. The season kicks off with the 1:10 Carpet Onroad Championship at 997 RC Raceway in Pennsylvania on March 7th-10th and will see a further 6 events held across the year. A powerhouse nation in the world of offroad racing, the 1:10 Offroad Nationals will take place in April at Beach RC & Hobbies in South Carolina with the 1:8 Nitro Offroad one month later at HRCR in Idaho from June 19th-23rd. While the venue for the Paved On Road Championship is set as N-Control RC Racing Circuit the date is to be confirmed while for nitro onroad ROAR is still actively looking for a host track.

View full National Championship calendar here

November 20, 2023

Gruber agrees 2-year deal with Capricorn

In a significant driver announcement, Toni Gruber and Capricorn have agreed a new contract that will see the German ace continue with the Italian chassis manufacturer for the 2024 and 2025 nitro onroad seasons. After 4-years with Shepherd, Gruber joined forces with Patrizio Rossi’s team for the 2023 season with the 27-year-old going on to have an outstanding season. In 1:10 Nitro Touring he secured the European Championship title which he then followed up with the TQ and a podium finish at the 1:8 Onroad European Championships. Adding his first ENS Championship title in 1:8 and then becoming the 1:8 GT World Champion in Australia with Hong Nor, he was to be title contender at the 1:8 Onroad World Championships. Having made his first World Final appearance at the previous World Championships in the United States in 2019, in Japan he was in the mix from the start and after one of the most intense and heavily stacked Main Finals in the category’s history he finished Runner-up just 7.5-seconds off Dario Balestri after 1-hour of racing. After such a season the continuity with Capricorn and also engine sponsor Ielasi Tuned should see Gruber become even stronger in 2024.

Source: Toni Gruber [Facebook]