Red RC » P On Road

February 7, 2007

Masao Tanaka signs to Motonica for 2007

Masao Tanaka signs to Motonica

Top Japanese racer and multiple World championship podium finisher, Masao Tanaka has been confirmed to race for Motonica for the 2007 season. Tanaka had previously tested the Motonica prior to last years 1/8th Nationals, but decided for the Mugen as he didn’t have time to learn the car, but obviously he liked the car enough to decide to race with it for the 2007 season. Tanaka has been out of a sponsored drive since Ninja motors were pushed upon Mugen team drivers last year which forced Tanaka to make a decision between staying with Mugen or with Kawahara where he works, who just happen to be the Novarossi importers for Japan, he chose to stay in employment. Whats also interesting is the close relationship now between Motonica and Novarossi, with suggestions that they are both pushing to build an all Italian dream team which could possibly include 7 time World Champion Lamberto Collari.

Image: Eco Model [ecomodel.it]

February 6, 2007

GRP/Ninja Fast Link System update

GRP/Ninja Fast Link System

We showed this fast link system from GRP back in December and then you saw it again at Nurnberg, well now we have gotten the official word, this time from Ninja, with regards what types and versions of this springless system will be available. According to the word on the MID site, the new FL system will be made available for 2.1cc and 3.5cc circuit motors as well as for 3.5cc and 4.6cc motors for off road. The circuit pipes will be available with a choice of 3 different length manifolds whilst the off road pipe systems will have a choice of 2 lengths of manifold.

Source: MID [mid-mugen.de]

February 6, 2007

Andy Moore wins Carpet Wars World Cup

Andy Moore wins Vega Cup

World Champion Andy Moore has won this years Carpet Wars 2 Day World Cup, formerly known as the Vega Cup, held at the Black Lion Leisure complex in Gillingham. Andy managed to put his HB Cyclone on the pole position after qualifying, followed closely by Yokomo racer Chris Grainger who had struggled on this track previously, but managed to pull it together for the big event. In the main event Andy Moore won the first two finals with Chris taking two 3rd places heading into the last final.

Final three saw a train of cars behind Andy Moore as everyone circulated in grid order, the racing was close and then got a little to close for Chris as he tapped the back of Andy, the race director had no option but to give Chris a stop and go penalty, by the time Chris was back on track he was down the order and his result left him third over the three legs.

You can read the full race report here. You can also get the full report from round 4 of the Carpet Wars that took place the weekend previous here.

Source: CML [cmldistribution.co.uk]

February 6, 2007

New Ninja .12 and .28 motors

Ninja Motors

MID Mugen in Germany have announced the release of these 2 updated motors from Ninja, the .12 touring car motor (MR12 T01A) and the .28 truggy motor (MR28 M01A), in time for the 2007 race season. The new motors are similar to the .21 buggy and circuit motors that were released near the end of last year in that these new motors also now have been upgraded and sport the ‘A’ suffix at the end of their product number which mostly equates to better tolerances amongst the parts that will improve performance and reliability.

Source: MID [mid-mugen.de]

February 5, 2007

Hot Bodies present some Hot Bodies

Hot Bodies

Hot Bodies have announced that along with their new kits that they launched at the toy fair that they will also be getting back into the bodyshell business. They will release a new updated Moorespeed Mazda 6 bodyshell for 1/10th scale 190mm racing that features several aerodynamic tweaks for more high-speed steering and a longer profile for improved straight-line stability. Also coming out is a new competition body for 1/8th off road that features an aerodynamically-tuned cockpit, sweet speed lines and a sharply angled rear panel. And finally a body for 1/12th circuit racing, a new class that HB will enter, that takes design concepts from a full size LMP car and sports front canard winglets to its super low-slung design and a massive rear wing.

Check out the other new shells here… content

February 5, 2007

iWaver 02M full optional

For those of you who arent aware of the iWaver, it is a pretty wicked alternative to the Kyosho Mini-Z with the standard off the shelve version packing a lot of nice features including a digital transmitter rear shocks and removable steering servo. The car above was photographed at this weekends toy fair in Germany and as you can see this is not your average 1/28th scale racer. It features a fully carbon fiber chassis and top deck as well as aluminium steering rack and adjustable rear springs and looks to be a worthy competitor to a hopped up Mini-Z on the track.

Source: Technical RP [technicalrp.com]

February 3, 2007

Tamiya TRF415 MSXX at NÃ¼rnberg Toy fair

Tamiya TRF415 MSXX

Tamiyas rather neat looking follow up to the ultra successful TRF415 the MSXX, that we talked about some time back, was on display in NÃ¼rnberg this week and RC10.fi got their hands on it and took some pics. I always liked the blue look of this car and the performance is undisputed considering its pedigree but the absolute coolest thing about this car the air scoop that is mounted in front of the motor and takes air from under the chassis and sends it to your precious power plant. In these pictures the speedo and receiver are mounted to the top side of the scoop and therefore raise up at an angle above the chassis plate but you’ll understand what i mean when you see the photos.

Hit more to see some close ups of the car and its air scoop… content

February 3, 2007

Robitronic to release Scalpel sport version

Robitronic Scalpel sport version

At the show on the Robitronic stand was this Scalpel sports prototype that features an red anodised aluminium chassis plate, red anodised aluminium suspension arms and a fibre glass t-bar. All this of course makes for a rather ugly alternative to the beautiful carbon fibre version, albeit a cheaper alternative. One thing is for sure, if Robitronic had come out with this version of the car first i dont think the Scalpel would have been as well received as it has been.

Image: RC Forum [rcforum.co.kr]