August 1, 2023

T-Works X4/BD12 Easy-Snap Battery Holder Sets

T-works has released a number of new battery holders options for both the Xray X4 and Yokomo BD12 1:10 Electric Touring Cars.  Available as a complete battery holder set consisting of carbon and black anodised parts or as a simpler set of 2 Battery Holder posts, drivers can also choose between the standard set or a heavier brass version.

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August 1, 2023

Spower Japan R7GT Factory Modified .21 Race Engine

Reigning 1:8 GT World Champion manufacturer Sworkz has release a new GT specific engine under its new Spower engine line of hand modified engines with it is calling SOUL (魂).  The first GT engine is the R7GT factory hand modified racing engine based on the world famous O.S Speed R21GT II.  Spower made some modification work and took it to another level.  Based on IFMAR regulations it comes standard with 5 scavenging and 3 exhaust ports.  The stronger DLC coating on new crankshaft has also 2 tungsten counterweights contributing to consistent idling and quicker RPM response according to the throttle movements.  It also comes standard with Spower’s Boost rear cover plate which helps this high RPM engine work more stable from the top speeds to the lower range.  The new printing technology not only makes the cooling head colourful but also makes it blend in with your car.  The factory combo setup with Conical Exhaust Manifold + EFRA 2165 or 2115 pipes, R7GT will provide a lot of power for your GT racing needs with the best fuel mileage.

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August 1, 2023

Kyosho ’87 JJ Ultima Replica 60th Anniversary

As part of celebrating their 60th Anniversary this year, Kyosho has announced the release of the ’87 JJ Ultima Replica 60th Anniversary Edition.  Part of the famed Japanese manufacturers Vintage Series, it celebrates the success of the car and one of the sport’s great drivers Joel Johnson.  American Johnson won his first 2WD class world title at the 2nd Electric Off-Road World Championship in England in 1987 driving a modified Kyosho ULTIMA.  It also, TQ’ed this event and finished 1st, 2nd & 3rd and became known as the ‘JJ Spec’ and was popular with its custom suspension, main chassis and front-rear shock stays that enhanced performance and styling. Only third-party conversion kits were available at the time and even then, it was extremely difficult to completely reproduce the JJ specifications.  Now the ‘JJ Spec’ is honoured as the 13th model in the Vintage Series to commemorate Kyosho’s 60th anniversary.

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July 31, 2023

Collina wins Italian National Trophy

Schumacher’s Mattia Collina took the win in the Italian National Trophy for EP Touring Car held at Minicar Fontanellato track near Parma over the weekend.  A sanction event of ACI Sport, the Italian motorsport & RC Car Racing Federation and member of the FIA, the two day event attracted 70 racers who had to contend with high temperatures that kept them busy in trying to find the optimal set-up.  Already this year’s Italian Indoor Modified Champion, Collina would take the outdoor trophy win ahead of the Xray of World Championship finalist Alessio Menicucci with Alessio Tolomelli driving an Awesomatix completing the podium.  In Stock, Orlando Fenili took the TQ and win with his Xray ahead Alessandro Bianchi and Federico Collina.  The FWD win went to the Awesomatix of Top Qualifier Riccardo Laletta with  Andrea Tonini and William Carrato joining him on the podium.  Andrea Tonini took advantage of some technical problems for the very young pole sitter Edoardo Guarneri to take the GT class win over Mon-tech Racing’s Alberto Montecchi and Massimiliano Musetti.

Source: ACI Sport [acisport.it]


July 31, 2023

Ongaro takes Italian Championship title

Davide Ongaro is the 2023 AMSCI 1:8 Buggy Italian National Champion, the Team Associated driver securing the title with victory at the third & final round of the championship at RC Off Road Volandia track in Somma Lombardo.  The Top Qualifier and winner of the opening Round 1 of the Championship, but missing Round 2 due to racing at the Philippine Masters in Asia, Ongaro needed a good run at the season finale.  In qualifying it was points leader and Round 2 winner Mattia Polito who took the TQ with his Sworkz ahead of Ongaro with Infinity’s Riccardo Berton.  In the 45-minute final the World Champion had the fastest car and was able to take the win ahead Berton and Polito  to lift the National title.

Image: ModellismoRC [modellismorc.net]


July 31, 2023

Neumann to defend 1:8 GT World title in Australia

Joern Neumann is to defend his IFMAR 1:8 GT World Championship title in Sydney, Australia in October.  The factory Sworkz driver claimed the inaugural World title for the category in 2020 in Florida just before the World would shut down due to Covid.  Better known for his exploits in Offroad racing, the German confirmed his participation over the weekend giving a major boost to the New South Wales Radio Controlled Racing Car Club as they ramp up their preparations for the first of two World Championships that will be hosted at the John Grant international Raceway.  Next year the track will host the IFMAR Large Scale World Championship.  Top Qualifier in the USA, Italy’s Alessio Mazzeo is another high profile EFRA Bloc entry along with Neumann’s closet challenger 3-years ago Martin Bayer.  Newly crowned 1:10 Nitro Onroad European Champion and Top Qualifier at the 1:8 Onroad European Championships over the weekend, Toni Gruber can be counted in being in the mix too.  Heading the local challenge will be the Serpent of 1:10 & 1:8 Onroad Worlds Finalist Jeff Hamon who was the winner of the official Worlds Warm-Up race back in April.  With the second running of the 1:8 GT World Championships taking place from the 8-15th of October, international drivers intending on making the trip down under are being requested to make contact with the host club regarding fuel and tyre requirements for the race.  Red RC will be travelling to Sydney to tell the story of how the race unfolds.

Source: NSWRCRCC [Facebook]


July 31, 2023

T-Works RC10 Alu 13mm Shock Spring Retainers

T-Works has produced these aluminium Shock Spring Retainers for Team Associated’s B74.2 & B6.4 1:10 buggies.  Machined from high quality aluminium and finished with black anodising, intended for 13mm big bore shocks they come as a 2 piece set in 0mm, 5mm and 9mm height options.

Source: T-Works [rc-tworks.com]


July 31, 2023

Phend, Maifield & VanDalen win at The Wicked Weekend

Another of RaceTime Entertainment’s big 1:8 Offroad events, The Wicked Weekend race in Gainesville, Georgia produced three different wins of the three main categories.  Attracting 659 entries, in qualifying it was Tekno’s Seth VanDalen who was the man in form as he secured the overall TQ in both nitro and electric buggy.  In Nitro, HB Racing’s Cole Ogden took the opening qualifier but had to settle for P2 as VanDalen took the next two with TLR’s Dakotah Phend P3 with two P2 runs.  In eBuggy, VanDalen also posted two TQ runs with second going to Phend, fastest in Q1, with Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz completing the Top 3.  In Nitro Truggy, Tekno’s Ryan Maifield took the TQ from Phend, Lutz and VanDalen.   In an intense 30-minute Nitro Buggy final, Phend would deny VanDalen the win on the last lap with Sworkz Brandon Rose completing the podium just ahead of WRC Racing’s Ryan Cavalieri.  The eBuggy finals saw VanDalen win the first of the two 10-minute encounters from Mason Muller with that order reverse second time round however a faster Race 1 time gave VanDalen the overall win with Phend completing the Top 3.  In the half hour Nitro Truggy final Maifield converted his TQ into victory ahead of the HB Racing of Fuller who came through from 12th on the grid.  Mayako driver Jared Tebo completed the podium.

Image: JConcepts [Facebook]