November 19, 2006

Masami Hirosaka is Japanese EP National Champion

2006 Japanes EP Expert Nationals Podium

As was expected Masami Hirosaka who dominated throughout practice and qualifying has won the 2006 Japanese EP Nationals Expert class held at the indoor facility at the Yatabe Arena. Masami, driving a Yokomo MR4-TC won 2 from the 3 finals to secure himself yet another major title. Second place went to Atsushi Hara, driving his Hot Bodies Cyclone, who finished with 2 second positions and a third to confirm his runner up spot with Shinnosuke Adachi, driving a Kyosho, finishing with a fifth, fourth and a third position to claim the final step on the podium.

View the full results after the jump… content


November 16, 2006

2006 Japanese EP Expert Nats – Thursday

Masami_Atsushi

Whilst the event doesnt officially start until Friday, as with all major events, practice goes on for days beforehand. Already clear at this years event is that it looks like a 2 horse race between RC titan Masami Hirosaka and pretender to his throne Atsushi Hara (what is up with his hair?). The event takes place at a narrowed Yatabe Arena which happens to be Masami’s home track, or as someone on RC Tech mention ‘his home’, so he should be pretty difficult to beat. Also at the event are World Champion Andy Moore and 2004 World champ Marc Rheinard amongst other top names.

We will inform you of the results as we get them but until then you can look at the event images here and a video of Hara in action here.


November 16, 2006

Round 1 Mini Z cup in Bethune, France

Bethune, France

Ok this isn’t so much a racing story or a report but more of a “who the hell thought it would be a good idea to race on pink carpet” type of story. The picture is from the first round of the Northern France Mini-Z cup that was held in Bethune, were there seems to be a surplus of pink carpet. Pretty wicked track though, in scale terms it must be like the old Nurbergring when you look at the amount of corners.

Check out all the images here.

Source: Automodelisme [automodelisme.com]


November 16, 2006

5th Annual Karl Mackie memorial Race Against Cancer

Karl Mackie memorial Race Against Cancer

On the weekend of the 4th of November, the 5th annual Karl Mackie memorial Race Against Cancer took place in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. An event that was started as a tribute to Karl Mackie, who had died of cancer, by his son Tim and 5 other friends has grown from those initial 6 racers to over 100 racers 5 years later. The Stock Touring event was won by Rick Endler and the 19T by Louis Vanderwell but the result doesn’t matter but the coming together to support a good cause that is important here and the event was kindly helped by generous sponsors, even the track location was donated for the day.

DeGroot’s, a local greenhouse/nursery, cleared out one of their greenhouse facilities to provide a venue to set up the temporary ozite track. Classes run at the event included, TC stock, TC 19T, 1/12 scale, Open Micro on-road, and Open Micro offroad, and 4-cell oval. The oval class is a tribute to Tim’s father Karl, as he and Tim ued to race oval together.

Read the full report and view the many event pictures here.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


November 16, 2006

Protoform MazdaSpeed 6 190mm

Protoform MazdaSpeed 6 190mm

Protoform have released the revised version of their Mazda Speed 6 190mm, one of their most successful bodies ever. The new version apparently features ‘better handling balance, increased traction and added driver-feel comfort’, all brought about through subtle changes in the bodies lines plus…

The new body features 2 lower trim lines: one for the slightly taller BRCA rules. All specifications are within the “Global Body Spec” requirements (including those specs of ROAR, EFRA, FEMCA, FAMAR and IFMAR) The add-on wing has clearly marked “slats” that when cut out will increase the wing efficiency. As usual it comes with wing hardware, window masks, decal sheet and protective film.

Source: Protoform [prolineracing.com/protoform]


November 15, 2006

Corally RDX Phi, the beast has a name

Corally RDX Phi

A while back we brought you shots of the new RDX electric touring car prototype from Dutch manufacturer Corally. The car did very well at the Team Orion Speed Weekend and finished first and second at the recent Team Orion Cup in France (see pic above). Well it seems that the new car doesn’t like being called plain old prototype so it looked into the dictionary for a while and named itself……the RDX Phi. About as universally difficult to say as when Prince called himself symbol, the new Φ is actually pronounced ‘Phi’, so really rolls of the tongue then. The official slant on the name is “RDX-PHI :: THE INFINITE #1”, whether it keeps this name when it hits production we dont know but one thing is sure that whatever its going to be called its going to be pretty hard to beat never mind pronounce.

Thanks to syndr0me for the heads up.

Source: Corally [corally.com]


November 15, 2006

EXCLUSIVE – Serpent F180 body shots

Serpent F180 - Red RC
(Click image to enlarge)

Red RC have EXCLUSIVE shots of the new Formula car from Serpent, the F180, that is due to be released in kit and RTR versions in the new year. These pictures have not yet been released and we are privelaged to be the first to get them and be allowed show them to you. In previous pictures there was no body with the car or the body was clear. The 3 pictures of the car, with painted body, that we have really give a clear idea of how it will look on the track and exposes those oh so familiar F1 lines. Thanks to Serpent for giving us the EXCLUSIVE on these images….did i mention EXCLUSIVE….oh yeh i think i did :)

To see more pictures click content


November 15, 2006

Xray secure top 2 places in Curitibano Championship

Brazil Top 2

Having already won the Brazilian Curitibano Championship at the previous round, the pressure was off for new champion Fabiano Franco. This however didnt stop him in winning the last round to cement his position at the top of the Modified standings. Second place at the last round and 5 seconds back on Fabiano was team mate Flávio Salinet who managed to also secure second place in the championship ahead of Otávio Langowski who finished 3rd in the standings.

Sunday morning, with a cold wind, saw the start of the first heat with Flávio in 4th place at the end of the race. Flávio got 1st place with Fabiano Franco in 2nd: both XRAY TEAM DRIVERS. Heat after heat, Fabiano and Flávio were battling until heat 5.

You can read the full report here.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]