April 25, 2023

Shepherd to cease business

Onroad nitro stalwarts Shepherd has made the sad announced that it is to cease business at the end of June.  The German based manufacturer was a pivotal brand in the racing scene and was also a great supporter of racing with CEO Patrick Schafer, a accomplished racer himself, one of those who played a major role in the establishment of the Euro Nitro Series.  That support helped the ENS grow into a major Worldwide series that attracted drivers from around the globe really raising the profile and interest in the category during its peak years.  Shepherd Micro Racing was originally set-up by Patrick’s father Werner, who loved his racing and being track side, but since his passing the ‘fire of passion’ in the company has dwindled and following 15-years as CEO Patrick is making the difficult decision to stop the business.  That said they are in talks with several interested parties about keeping the Shepherd legacy alive.  Having had the pleasure of working with Patrick and his father over the years, visited their factory,  and enjoyed the height of the Kurbuch/Shepherd era, Red RC would like to thank Patrick for all he did for nitro onroad racing and wish him well in his new projects.  Thanks for the memories.

Read Patrick’s full statement here


April 25, 2023

RDRP B74.2 Ultra Battery Mount Set

Revolution Design Racing Products has released this new B74.2 Ultra Battery Mount Set as the perfect solution to replace the original battery mount.  The kit supplied mount uses an O-ring to secure the battery while this RDRP set is a high-quality and precise alternative made from CNC-machined aluminium and carbon.  With this set, you can still accurately determine the battery position using the original inserts.  The advantage of this improved mount is the ease of handling when changing batteries.  The upper carbon plate can simply be swung to the side without the need for tools.

View assembled mount here


April 25, 2023

Zoo Racing GOAT Touring Car body

Germany’s RC-KleinKram has announced that its Zoo Racing brand has a new high performance 190mm touring car body shell, the GOAT. Developed from the experience from the super successful Dogsbollox body it is a more compact and shorter design to generate more rotating for a more fluent driving.  Key areas, like the new, shorter nose and hood design are optimised and also the rear section is more compact and much lower to make cornering faster and have a stable rear at the same time.  The new and more pronounced rear spoiler generates more downforce, and gives the car more stability when exiting corners.  The more homogeneous airflow behind the roof reduces drag and turbulences.  New inverted fin design on the trunk reduces turbulences and increases static stability at the rear section and results a better approach flow to the new curved designed rear wing.  The rear wing design is curved according the body lines and has a stepped design to improve stability.  The result is less flex and more downforce on high speeds.  Handling of the GOAT body is less aggressive, than the Wolverine and rotates better than the Dogsbollox and produces a well balanced side bite.  Perfect for tracks with low to medium grip and modified racing.

View more images here


April 25, 2023

Puse joins Yokomo in dual Australian role

Team Yokomo has announced John Puse as part of their growing on-road team in Asia.  A multiple Australian National Champion in the Stock category, Puse is now racing mainly modified and has stepped up to assist the racing community down-under.  On the announcement he said, “It’s an honour to represent Team Yokomo as I know the innovation is never ending, the quality is never overlooked, most importantly, the teamwork and the fun never stops.  Taking both a team driver and management role in Australia, we will continue to grow, succeed and develop our leading products as a leading team.”

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]


April 25, 2023

ARC A10-23 1:10 EP Touring Car

ARC has released its latest 1:10 Electric Touring chassis, the A10-23.  The main features of the new car are all new X-Low Shocks, new shorter rear lower arms, new V3 upper A-arms, a new rear horizontal body post and new 5.8mm Pivot Balls.  The car also now comes as standard with the previously option Kevlar transmission pulleys and the new V2 Caster Gauge is included with the A10-23 kit.

View more details and images here


April 25, 2023

JConcepts ’78 Chevy & ’95 Ford Tucked bodies

JConcepts has release two ‘Tucked’ bodies intended for 1:10 RC crawlers, the 1978 Chevy K10 and the 1995 Ford F-150. Designed by JConcepts, the Tucked body layout creates more tire space, less overhang. Fitting the Traxxas TRX-4 Sport, Enduro, Axial 12.3″ wheelbase, on the Chevy the identifiable design detail of the retro piece is the center bulged section that runs the length of the shell. A vertical signal marker can be added thanks to the included and pre-trimmed JConcepts decal sheet. Extending off the center structure of the body, the blend flows nicely into the cab with large windows which are recessed for increased realism. The large front windshield produces a lot of scale visibility to look forward to the Tucked front nose for better handling characteristics. On the Ford, the design began by emulating body lines and language from various photos around the world and real world vehicles. Body panels feature slight curvature, upper notch familiar with early generation Ford trucks, and edged and kicked rocker panel at the bottom.

View images here


April 24, 2023

Balestri wins EFRA GP

Dario Balestri took the 1:8 win at the EFRA GP race in Leno, Italy, over the weekend, the Infinity driver leading home the ARC of Silvio Hächler and Capricorn of Mirko Salemi.  In qualifying, it was Balestri who took the TQ ahead of fellow World Champion Simon Kurzbuch with Francesco Tironi, Hächler and Toni Gruber making up the Top 5 places on the grid.  In the 45-minute final it was Balestri who control the race taking victory from Hächler, a late mistake from team-mate Tironi ending the potential for an Infinity 1-2 finish.  Having come through from the last chance final to secure P11 on the grid, Salemi came through to complete the podium.

Image: Dario Balestri [Facebook]


April 24, 2023

Phend & Rivkin take ROAR Carpet Offroad National titles

Dakotah Phend and Spencer Rivkin took the three main titles at this year’s ROAR Electric Carpet Off-Road Nationals over the weekend.  Hosted by Beachline Raceway in Florida, in qualifying it would be Phend who would take the TQ for both buggy classes, the 2WD pole position decided on tie breaker with Rivkin who would claim the TQ in Mod truck.  In 2WD Finals, reigning World Champion Rivkin would get by his rival in A1 and repeat that in A2 to clinch the title early.  Behind Phend in second Schumacher’s Broc Champlin would complete the overall podium.  In 4WD, Phend, having taken the TQ ahead of Xray’s Ty Tessmann, was untouchable  in A1 and 2 securing the title ahead of 4th place qualifier Champlin and Rivkin with Tessmann ending up 4th.  In Mod Truck, Phend got the better of pole sitter Rivkin while Champlin made it a trio of podiums in Florida.

Image: ROAR [Facebook]