August 21, 2024

1:8 Buggy World Championship preview by Scott Guyatt

While attending this year’s Philippine Masters we had the pleasure of meeting Scott Guyatt who has been working as part of the media team behind Scotty Ernst’s Asian Buggy Championship this year.  Talking all things RC and sharing old RC stories with this Aussie over dinner each night while in Manila, talk of him creating some content for Red RC was floated.  Having worked with Scott on content from the ABC and now with the greatest spectacle in RC, the IFMAR 1:8 Offroad World Championship, just around the corner, when Scott put together a preview of event for his own Action R/C podcast we thought what a great opportunity and way to introduce his writings to Red RC readers.  Sharing his thoughts is the ideal way to start building up this great race as we get ready to build up to our own coverage from Spain which is presented by Ruddog.  So take it away Scott – What will almost certainly be the most-watched race of 2024, the IFMAR IC Buggy World Champs, is just a few weeks away. You have to believe we’re excited about this one, and can’t help but cast an eye over the field to preview the event. We’ll do it by producing our own Tier List for the event (yeah, we know Tier Lists are a bit 2018, but we’re so old-fashioned that we’re still all about the long-form story here, so let’s go with a Tier List as well). We’ve picked the drivers we think most likely to run up front, those aiming for a semi- or quarter-final, and a few wild cards with enough talent to up-end the predictions completely. Disclaimer: We used the most recent entry list we could find – so forgive us if some we’ve named don’t make it to Redován come September.

Continue reading Scott’s preview here


August 20, 2024

Avid Ringer Shock Collar Sets

Avid Racing Concepts has released 12mm or 13mm Shock Collar Kits to allow you to run either 12mm or 13mm springs on AE 13mm, TLR G3/3.5, and Schumacher LD3/L1R shock bodies.  The kit includes 4 threaded shock collars that feature offset laser-etched Avid logos for ease of matching spring tension left and right in 1/4 turn increments with a silver ringer highlight machining.  These collars will ensure proper spring fitment without the use of 3d printed adapters and feature standard internal oring design for holding the collar in position.

Source: Avid [avidrc.com]


August 19, 2024

Hall adds 2WD to 2024 BRCA National titles

Having successfully defended his BRCA British 4WD Buggy National Championship title with his fourth consecutive race win at Round 4 at the end of June, Team Associated’s Tommy Hall has added the 2WD title to his 2024 tally at the championship’s 6th & final round over the weekend.  Racing at Boughton Raceway, Hall and defending 27 time British National Championship Neil Cragg came into the final round equal on points following Cragg’s win at the penultimate round.  In qualifying it was Hall who took the TQ over his main rival with Schumacher’s pairing of Ben Smith and Lee Martin lining up P3 & 4.  Taking A1 & 2 ahead of Smith, Hall claimed his third win of the season allowing him to complete the title double, something Cragg was the last driver to pull off in 2019.  Overall Smith would end the season as the 2WD Championship runner-up from Cragg, Martin and Holdsworth brothers Josh and Luke.  In Sunday’s 4WD action Cragg would claim his first win of the season ahead of 13-year-old Daniel Pole to finish runner-up to Hall in the final standings.

Image: Schumacher [Facebook]


August 19, 2024

Neumann adds 15th German 4WD National title

Sworkz’ Joern Neumann added yet another German National title to his CV over the weekend, the multiple European Champion taking the 1:10 4WD Buggy title for the 15th time at the distinctive blue surface ESV Bischofsheim outdoor track.   Winning the title for the first time in 2005,  in qualifying Neumann topped all 5 rounds to secure the TQ ahead of the Schumacher of 2021 Champion Marcel Schneider and Xray of Elias Jordan.  In the triple finals that order would stay the same for the final podium line-up.  Also racing in 2WD Stadium Truck, the results of both qualifying and the final was a repeat of 4WD Buggy, giving Neumann the double.  The 2WD Buggy Nationals are held separately with Neumann the reigning Champion.

Image: Joern Neumann [facebook]


August 19, 2024

Champlin doubles at ROAR Carpet Offroad Nationals

Broc Champlin is the new ROAR Electric Carpet Offroad Nationals double Champion, the Schumacher driver taking the titles in both 2WD and 4WD Buggy at Coastal RC Speedway in Virginia.  Having claimed a trio of 3rd place podium finishes at last year’s Nationals in Florida, this year Champlin would dominate proceedings.  Securing the TQ in 4WD Buggy ahead of the TLR of defending Champion Dakotah Phend, he also secured the top spot in 2WD, ahead of the Xray of Chase Lemieux and Phend.  In the finals, Champlin wrapped up the 4WD title with wins in the first two encounters with A3 winner Phend finishing runner up ahead of Lemieux.  In the 2WD Finals, Champlin had a little more work to do after Lemieux took the win in A1 but staying out front in A2 & 3 he would completed the title double.  After his strong start, Lemieux would end up with a P4 and P7 in the next two.  With the Team Associated of fourth place qualifier David Batta claiming the runner-up spot with two P2 finishes, Lemieux just held off World Champion Tater Sontag to complete the podium.

Image: JConcepts [Facebook]


August 19, 2024

Yokomo SO2.0 Dirt Edition 2WD Buggy

Yokomo has released a new ‘Dirt Edition’ of its SO2.0 1:10 2WD Buggy. Sharing the same fundamental components as the standard SO2.0 which as launched this time last year, the ‘Dirt Edition’ edition has been optimised for dirt surfaces with several key modifications.  The rear suspension arms have been shortened and equipped with dirt-specific springs, allowing the vehicle to better adapt to uneven and loose dirt surfaces.  For enhanced rear traction the buggy features a hard graphite-molded gearbox coupled with a ball differential. This setup is specifically designed to increase rear traction, ensuring stability and control even in challenging dirt conditions.  The hard graphite gearbox not only boosts rear traction but also contributes to the overall balance of the vehicle.  By adjusting the chassis weight distribution, the Dirt Edition achieves a perfect blend of cornering precision and acceleration performance.  Other changes over the standard SO2.0 include a ball differential that is now included as standard equipment for improved traction and control.  The Dirt Edition comes with newly developed springs specially designed springs tailored for dirt track conditions.  Included in the kit is JConcept F2 Body plus a 7-inch Astro High Clearance Wing providing improved downforce and stability. Combined these updates make the SO2.0 Dirt Edition uniquely suited for dirt track racing.

View more images here


August 13, 2024

Avid B7 Titanium Slipper Screw

A new addition from Avid Racing Concepts to its range of aftermarket parts for the Team Associated RC10B7 2WD Buggy is this Titanium Slipper Screw.   Thinned out in the centre for less rotating mass, it has a 2mm hex on the head so you can more easily tighten your slipper while the motor fan is installed.  Made from billet 6Al-4V Titanium it is nearly 50% lighter than the kit steel screw.

Source: Avid [avidrc.com]


August 13, 2024

Tekno RC EB48 2.2 1:8 Electric Buggy

Following the release of their latest 1:8 Nitro Buggy last month, Tekno has now added the 2.2 version of its EB48 electric 1:8 Buggy.  As with the NB48 2.2, the EB48 2.2 is the culmination of over two years of extensive testing and development on tracks across the United States and Europe.  With this the eighth iteration of the EB48 series, which first debuted in 2012, Tekno’s team of designers utilised feedback from professional drivers and loyal customers to enhance this version, resulting in a vehicle that has already proven its ability by winning the ROAR 2023 1:8 Electric Off-Road Nationals. Among the standout features of the EB48 2.2 are the new flex-tuned Split Design 7075 CNC Machined Shock Towers, which enhance vehicle consistency on medium to low grip tracks.  The 93.5mm Rear Universal Driveshafts contribute to improved stability and support, while the Precision Molded Shock Pistons and Guides reduce internal shock friction, resulting in better bump handling.  The Reduced Ackermann Spindle Plates are designed to improve steering predictability mid-corner, and the Adjustable Sway Bar Deadband Bushings help bump handling by allowing suspension movement prior to stabilisation.

View more images here