November 20, 2024

Gruber catches World by surprise with opening TQ run

Toni Gruber caught the world by surprise this morning after the Capricorn driver TQ’d the opening round of qualifying at the 1:10 Nitro World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.  Having struggled in yesterday’s seeding, ending up only 18th and in the second fastest heat, a very deflated Gruber surprised even himself with his 7-minute effort in the first of the six scheduled rounds of qualifier.   Having been so far off the pace in seeding,  Gruber’s performance would also catch out Jilles Groskamp.  Topping the fastest heat from Infinity team-mate Francesco Tironi, Groskamp admitted afterwards he thought he had TQ’s the round and it wasn’t until he looked up the times afterwards he realised Gruber’s impressive turn around in form.  As the Top Seed for qualifying reigning World Champion Tadahiko Sahashi was running the Top 3 but his car came to a stop after running out of fuel.  1:8 World Champion Dario Balestri also had a rough start to Day 1 of qualifying traction rolling and then suffering a flame out.  Topping the final seeding round yesterday, Teemu Leino also had a flame out.

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November 20, 2024

Matsukura confirmed for FEMCA Championship in China

Former Electric Touring Car, Nitro Touring Car and 1:12 World Champion Naoto Matsukura has been confirmed for the 2024 FEMCA ISTC Championship which takes place in China next month.  The Infinity driver joins newly crowned triple Touring Car World Champion Bruno Coelho in leading the international entry for this year’s Foshan International Invitational RC Championship (FIRC), which after a successful debut last year, will now host ‘Asian Championship’ title race.  Last December the GDC Indoor Race Club in Guangdong, China, hosted the inaugural FIRC where Mugen Seiki’s Ronald Volker took the win and announcing in July the 2nd edition would take place December 5-8 the race has since been award the FEMCA ISTC Championship status.  One of the four blocs that make up IFMAR, FEMCA represents 15 nations in Asia and Australasia however the FEMCA Championship has been open to drivers from across the globe with entries from the likes of Coelho and Matsukura helping to put the spot light on the Asian racing scene.

Source: FEMCA [Facebook]


November 20, 2024

JConcepts JCI Tucked 1979 Ford F-150 body

JConcepts has added another body shape to its crawler line-up with a Tucked version of the classic 1970’s Ford body.  The iconic body style shaped and revised by Ford, specifically for the 1979 model year, features rectangular headlights and a one-piece centre grille.  JConcepts meticulously set their sights on the 1:1 vehicle replicating the finest details of 1979.  The heavily chiseled, square body look with enlarged, flat-top wheel wells set this body off as a favourite.  The recessed body line extends down the entire side of the standard cab body and the included decal sheet details this section to appear like the chrome trim of yesteryear.  The wrap-around front windshield, recessed side windows are outlined to perfection while the body lines are all in place to show off that vintage look.  For crawling enthusiasts, the team from Groveland, Florida adapted the Tucked style to the front and rear sections of the vehicle. The vision for the project is for those wanting to replicate an original, but also be ready for competition equipped vehicles.  The recessed bed area allows plenty of space for a variety of mounting applications as well as storage or placement of other scale accessories (not included).  Large wheel well openings allow an assortment of tires ranging from 4.19” to 4.75” overall diameter tires.

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November 19, 2024

Sahashi opens WC title defence as Top Seed in Thailand

Infinity’s Tadahiko Sahashi is the Top Seed at the IFMAR 1:10 Nitro World Championship in Thailand, the reigning World Champion topping the ranking after today’s four rounds of seeding practice at the Huge RC Circuit in Bangkok.  With drivers counting the best two points from the four rounds, having posted the fastest time in SP1 Sahashi would top seeding from team-mate Teemu Leino, the Finn setting the fastest 3-consecutive laps of the fourth & final practice.  While not topping a round and crashing out of SP4, it is reigning European Champion Dario Balestri who will carry the No.3 on his Infinity in the top qualifying heat tomorrow having posted the second fastest times in SP1 & 3.  With a different driver topping each of the seeding rounds, the fastest time in the penultimate round would see Takaaki Shimo fourth ahead of Australian Jesse Davies with Jilles Groskamp completing the Top 6.  The other driver to top the time sheets today when he went fastest in SP2, local Gamee Mongkolpan concluded seeding in 7th ahead of Swede Viktor Wilck.

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November 19, 2024

Defending Champion Sahashi leads way in early seeding

With seeding practice underway at the IFMAR 1:10 Nitro World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, it is defending Champion Tadahiko Sahashi who leads the way with 2 of the 4 rounds completed. The Infinity driver who secured his title 2-years ago on the opposite side of the capital city, set a fastest 3-consecutive laps of 45.540 as driver grapple the Huge RC Circuit’s challenging high grip levels that constantly change over the day. With Sahashi second attempt 3/10ths slower, it would be Thai driver Game L. Mongkolpan who would set the pace of SP2 6/100ths of a second up on Sashasi. With drivers best two points scores to determine the order of tomorrow’s qualifying heats, overall it is free practice pace setter Teemu Leino who holds P2 at the halfway mark ahead of fellow Scandinavian Wilck Viktor with Mongkolpan holding fourth having only managed the 13th fastest time in SP1. While Sahashi comes into the 10th running of these World Championships aiming to become the first driver to defend their title, current 1:8 Onroad World Champion Dario Balestri will chase the record of becoming the first driver to hold both title simultaneously with the Italian completing the Top 5 ranking going into the lunch break.

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November 19, 2024

SuperRad SR-31 Super2RS 1:10 Frontie Body

US competition body shell manufacturer SuperRad has released its first 1:10 Front Wheel Drive Touring Car Body, the SR-31 Super2FT.  Silhouetting the shape of Renault Megan Trophy car, the body is available in both a regular 0.7mm and Lite 0.5mm polycarbonate option and is BRCA approved.  The clear unpainted body shell comes complete with a lights & grilles decal sheet , wing, and window masks.

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November 19, 2024

Team Associated DC10 RTR 1:10 Drift Car

Having released its new competition level DC10 1:10 RWD Drift Car kit back in July, Team Associated has announced it is now offering an RTR version of the car.  With an arsenal of suspension and chassis tuning options at your fingertips, you can fine-tune your ride to perfection. From camber and caster adjustments to kingpin inclination (KPI) and the exact placement of your motor, servo and battery, the DC10 1:10 RWD RTR is designed to give you the ultimate drifting experience.  Additionally the DC10 RTR comes with a high-performance 3300kV Reedy brushless motor system, set up in a sleek low motor configuration for maximum speed and control.  Upgrading and customising your DC10 RTR is a breeze with a full range of optional and Factory Team parts that fit seamlessly onto the car.  For those who crave unbeatable control and stability, the DC10 RTR is equipped with Team Associated’s brand-new competition Drift Tires and a precision-tunable gyro to keep you glued to the track and enjoy the fastest-growing categories in RC racing.

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November 18, 2024

Payne returns to British 1:12 Nationals with Round 2 win

The second round of the 2024/25 BRCA British 1:12 Nationals saw Schumacher’s Ollie Payne return to the championship and take the win in Stafford.  Having missed the opening round as he was in Belgium racing at the annual Masters of Foam, defending Champion Payne opened his title defence by securing the TQ ahead of the Awesomatix of Mark Stiles with the Schumacher of Round 1 winner Louis Parker qualifying third in the FTQ format.  Payne continued his form into the triple finals winning A1 & 2 to collect maximum points for his championship defence with Parker winning A3 to finish second overall and extend his championship lead with Stiles once again completing the podium as he did at the season opener.  Drivers will travel to Crewe for the next championship encounter on December 7/8 with the event the first of three double headers events on the calendar.

Image: Schumacher [Facebook]