March 29, 2010

Luis Cortez wins opening Portugal Regional

Luis Cortez wins opening Portugal Regional

Last Sunday the first round of the Portuguese Regional was held in the Circuito Automodelismo do Funchal. This year the qualifying rounds were extended from 5 to 7 minutes making the fight for the pole position very close. Team Magic driver Mario Oliveira took the pole position but the first seven drivers all managed to complete 21 laps. Mugen driver Luis Cortez, who had engine problems all weekend and opted to change to a Siro XXX for the final, started from 4th position and took the early lead of the race and managed to win the race with 87 laps. Kyosho driver Paulo Rodrigues lost six positions following a driver error, but drove a very good race managing to get the 2nd position of the podium on the final lap. The current regional champion Duarte Faria, who started from the second position on the grid, set a new track record but at the final stage of the race didn’t have any rear tires left and he ended up in 3rd.

Thanks to Paulo Rodrigues for the report.


March 29, 2010

Xray Premium-quality ceramic balls

Xray Premium-quality ceramic balls

Xray have released a set of 12 premium-quality ceramic balls made from extra-hard Si3N4 silicone nitride ceramic. Available in 2.4mm and 3.175mm they significantly improve differential lifespan while reducing friction and vibration. High-speed ceramic diff balls have very high durability, when properly lubricated, due to reduced slip and heat and with ceramic being approximately 60% lighter than steel, ceramic diff balls have a significantly lower rotating mass.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


March 28, 2010

Ronald Volker takes 2010 LRP TCM title

Ronald Volker takes 2010 LRP TCM title

This year’s LRP touring car masters took place this weekend in Eppelheim, attracting top drivers from around the World. In qualifying it was European Indoor Champion and DHI cup winner Ronald Volker that took the TQ spot in front of Tamiya team mates, current World Champion Marc Rheinard and current European Champion Jilles Groskamp. Freddy Sudhoff and Atsushi Hara completed the top 5. In the finals, it was Marc Rheinard that won the first A-main following a roll by Volker which allowed Groskamp also to move up to second. A mistake by Jilles allowed Ronald back through and that was how it finished. In A-main leg 2 Ronald kept it clean up front and took the win, while behind Marc made a mistake letting Groskamp through to 2nd and despite some pressure by the World Champion he couldn’t get passed and the order was to remain the same. In the final deciding final, Ronald kept his cool once more and could take the win to clinch to overall title, while behind pressure from Jilles on team mate Marc resulted in a crash. Groskamp waited and let Rheinard back passed and that was how it finished with Rheinard taking the overall runner up spot with Groskamp in 3rd.

Click here for videos of all the action


March 28, 2010

Tricks of the Trade – Announcement

Tricks of the Trade - Announcement

We have been sent information that some of the UK’s most talented and respected 1/12th scale drivers are organizing a tips and testing day. Drivers who wish to learn more about preparing, setting up and driving 1/12th scale cars are invited to go along and spend a day at the Ardent Raceway in Kings Newton, Leicestershire on Saturday 22nd May from 10am until 6pm.

Continue reading for more information


March 27, 2010

T.O.P. Racing report on Swiss Nats Rd1

T.O.P. Racing report on Swiss Nats Rd1

T.O.P Racing Switzerland are reporting on a superb weekend for the team at the first round of the touring car nationals, having placed 4 cars in the Stock A main Final, showing the potential of the car, while in modified Mangiaracina Antonino took 13th overall, a result which was affected by some bad luck in qualifying. In the stock class it was a fantastic battle our front and at the end of the day Stutz Beni won, closely followed by fastest TOP driver Helbach Stephan in 2nd and Hagnauer Philipp 3rd.

Source: HS Online [hsonlinedistribution.com]


March 27, 2010

Mugen Germany boosted into new on-road season

Mugen Germany boosted into new on-road season

Mugen has boosted its German team for the 2010 on road season. Since years Sebastian Buerge, Rene Puepke and Philipp Sting have been pillars of  Mugen Team Germany which has now seen Christian Wurst coming home to the Japanese manufacturer as well as Joerg and Uwe Baldes as newcomers. Needless to say that factory driver Robert Pietsch will also keep the Mugen flag flying on German tracks, as well as Steven Cuypers from Belgium.

“We have a strong and experienced team to enter races in Germany and of course on an international level”, says Stefan Habbecke of Mugen Seiki Europe (MSE) located in Gelsenkrichen/Germany. “We are ambitious and committed. Not only success is our aim but also to convince with an exemplary teamwork as a benefit for all Mugen racers”.

Continue reading the release here


March 27, 2010

F1 RCGP 2010 Round 2 report

F1 RCGP 2010 Round 2 report

The 2nd round of the F1RCGP was held in the well known Yatabe Arena Circuit at Ibaraki last month. The world’s biggest indoor RC circuit attracted big names like multiple World and National Champion RC legend Masami Hirosaka, National Champion Shinnosuke Adachi and National finalist Takashi Kato, Kazuki Endo and Takao Mizumizo.

Continue reading the report here


March 26, 2010

Fastom Peugeot 908 body shell

Fastom Peugeot 908 body shell

Fastom, owner of Motonica, Xtyres and Vox brands, have released a new body shell for 1/8th scale on road competition cars. Based on the Peugeot 908 (EFRA 31516), this body shell, developed in collaboration with young Italian driver Nicola Marrone, was presented for the first time last week at Locorotondo Warm Up ending up second thanks to Dario Balestri’s Motonica.

Source: Fastom [motonica.com]