July 21, 2007

Robert Batlle is 2007 European Champion

Robert Batlle is 2007 European Champion

Robert Batlle from Spain has won the 2007 European Championship today in Auxerre, France. Having qualified in pole position, the HoBao Hyper 8.5 driver also won his semi final to line up first for the main final ahead of Spanish Mugen racer Borja Hernandez in 2nd, while Portugese Kyosho driver Miguel Matias lined up 3rd. A big upset ws that reigning European Champion Yannick Aigoin didnt make the final, after a problem in his semi put him out while leading, this meant that no Xrays would be present in the final. The final started badly for Batlle with the Spanish driver down the order as the race commenced, meaning he had to push hard to get on terms, this left Matias and Hernandez battle is out front with French driver Savoya joining in on the mix later on. All the while Batlle’s recovery was relentless, picking off racers throughout the race finally coming up behind leader Savoya and taking the lead in the last minutes. Robert Batlle crossed the line to take the title followed closely by French Mugen racer Renaud Savoya, with another Mugen driver, Borja Hernandez completing the podium in 3rd.

Click here to see the final results… content


July 21, 2007

EP Buggy Euros – oOple coverage

oOple covering EP Buggy Euros

Starting next week, Europes best electric buggy racers collect in the center of Finland, in a place called Vaasa, to battle it out in 2wd and 4wd to be crowned the 2007 European Champion. Drivers have already started arriving and our partners oOple are there too, and combined with his racing Jimmy & wife Vicky will be covering the full event. Fridays report is already online, covering the travel to the event as well as the first impressions of the track.

The track is quite large and all ‘features’ are covered in carpet to give a consistent surface. The largest jump is at a slight angle next to the drivers stand. It’s a large double but with a slight step-down on the back side. Neil and Paul had practiced here a few weeks ago and mentioned that it was easy to over-jump this and certainly the take off ramp (on the left) is huge.

Follow the daily event coverage here.

Source: oOple [oople.com]


July 20, 2007

Batlle TQ’s European Championships

Robert Batlle TQ's European Championships

Todays final day of qualifying at the 1/8th scale TT European Championships in Auxerre France started off wet, with the rain continuing to fall until 9.30am, but by 11.30am however the covers were off and the track was ready to go again. Carrying on his form from the final qualifying round yesterday, HoBao driver Robert Batlle of Spain, racing the new Hyper 8.5, claimed the overall TQ position with 2 more great runs today to put him 1 point ahead of 2nd placed qualifier, current European Champion, Yannick Aigoin. The Xray driver had 2 steady runs to secure his position at the sharp end of the field, well clear of overnight pole man Davide Tortorici of Italy. The Crono driver wasnt able to pixk up his pace in order to hold onto his pole position spot as this position is worth nothing but the bragging rights that comes with it, i’m sure he’s happy with his place in the Semi final and he is still very much in contention for the win. Tomorrow sees more sub finals run as well as the main finals, and we hope to bring you the final results at the end of the day when we get them.

Click more to see the semi finalists… content


July 20, 2007

HoBao Hyper 8.5 Pro – Official pictures

HoBao Hyper 8.5 Pro

We showed you pictures of the new Hyper 8.5 Pro 1/8th scale buggy from HoBao on Monday, when the pictures first surfaced on the internet. Well today, the UK importer CML have published the full release information, as well as lots of official pictures, of the car and we have them here for you. This car is currently in action at this years European 1/8th scale TT Championships in France and is currently in 5th, driving by Spanish racer Robert Batlle, who also set the overall fastest qualifying run yesterday in round 3.

Click here for the full information and pictures… content


July 19, 2007

Tortorici heads European 1/8TT qualifying

Tortorici heads European 1/8TT qualifying

With 3 rounds of qualifying completed at this years European 1/8th scale TT Championships in Auxerre, France, it is Italian Crono racer Davide Tortorici that is ahead on points and currently sitting in the pole position spot. His qualifying has been very consistent and would be placed in 2nd, had current European Champion Yannick Aigoin of France, not had troubles in his 3rd run, only finishing in 10th. The Xray driver is currently 2nd, just ahead of Spanish Mugen driver Daniel Vega, while in 4th its another Mugen, that of top French runner Renaud Savoya. The 5th place is currently occupied by another Spaniard, Robert Batlle, who actually set the fastest overall run time today and won the 3rd round, this result doing wonders to his overall position. The top 16 make it straight through the semi finals and the drivers now have 2 more rounds of qualifying on Friday to move themselves up the qualifying order to be in with a chance for the title come Sunday afternoon.

Click here for the current top placings… content


July 19, 2007

O.S. Engines 12TZ & 12TG

O.S. Max 12 TZ

O.S. have announced 2 new engines to fill a vital niche in the stadium truck market with the release of the 12TZ (P) and the 12TG-P. The 12TZ is a turbo engine with a 3-port ABC liner and 3-needle rotary carb, for optimum adjustability, and this motor meets all IFMAR and ROAR 3-port specs. The bore and stroke of this motor provide the widest possible power band and with it the ability to adapt to any track. The 12TG-P is also a ROAR legal motor and works well in cars like the Associated GT2 and HPI Firestorm, and like all 12TG engines it’s easy to break in and very economical, expecting to get up to 14 minutes of run-time on a single tank of fuel.

Click here to see the other motor… content


July 19, 2007

Team Losi XXX-T CR Racing Truck

Team Losi XXX-T CR Racing Truck

Horizon Hobby have announced the release of their latest 1/10th electric stadium truck, the XXX-T CR, claimed to be one of the most technologically advanced race trucks ever developed. The list of new features includes quick change aluminum rear hubs, variable length arms, extra long chassis, titanium nitride hinge pins and the whole car is made from the company’s exclusive EA3 class composites.

Click here for the full release and detailed feature list… content


July 19, 2007

MRC Models 1/10th Buggy wing

MRC Models 1/10th Buggy wing

Russian company MRC Models has contacted us to tell our readers about their new 1/10th scale rear buggy wing that they have developed. Made from 0.75mm thick lexan, the wing fits a large number of different buggies on the market and comes unpainted with a clear protective film on the top side.

Click to see another picture… content