August 5, 2023

Finishline RC Raceway set to host ’24 ISTC World C/ship

With IFMAR having unveiled the provisional 2024 World Championship calendar this week but with no venue or date for Electric Touring Car, it has now been announced by Finishline RC Raceway in California that they have been approved by sanctioning bloc ROAR to host the championship for the category.  Located in Bakersfield, the track stated they ‘have a long way to go to make it official with IFMAR’ but all going to plan they are suggesting a Fall date for the running of what will be the 12th ISTC World Championships.  The third time the championship will visit the USA, the last visit was 2014 when Naoto Matsukura took the win in Kissimee and a certain Bruno Coelho announced himself to the world with the runner-up spot.  A decade earlier, when the US held the race for the first time in 2004, Marc Rheinard came away with a debut World title.

Source: Finishline RC Raceway [Facebook]


August 4, 2023

Coelho to defend European title as Top Qualifier

Xray’s Bruno Coelho is the Top Qualifier for this year’s 1:10 Electric Touring Car Championship in Germany, the reigning World Champion chasing a hat trick of consecutive European Championship titles that would equal the achievement of Ronald Volker who held the title previously from 2016 to 2018.  Having topped the opening two rounds of qualifying, Coelho would have to wait until the fifth and final round to secure pole for tomorrow’s finals at the Türkheim track with a third TQ run.  Behind the Portuguese driver, 7-time Champion Volker will start P2 having taken his Mugen to the top of the times in Q4.  Schumacher’s Michal Orlowski, who just recently claimed the 1:10 4WD Offroad European title, will start 3rd in his quest for a first European Touring Car title after posting a TQ run in Round 3.  In Stock, Simon Lauter is the Top Qualifier after he steered his Awesomatix to the fastest time in four of the five qualifiers.  Xray’s Jan Rathiesky starts P2 followed by 2018 Champion Max Machler’s Awesomatix with reigning champion Olivier Bultynck try to go for three in a row from fifth on the grid.  In FWD the TQ went to Daniel Poehlmann while in Formula Andreas Stiebler’s Schumacher is on pole position.

Image: Bruno Coelho [Facebook]


August 4, 2023

Xray X1‘24

Xray has presented its latest 1:10 Formula car, the X1’24.  The kit features a revised chassis layout with new side braces for additional flex control as well as forward servo mounting position that increases space for electronics and improves weight balance.  It also gets a new front bulkhead that raises the graphite arm mount plate and provides more clearance for steering links and a larger range of bump steer adjustments.  Updated rear pod plate improves durability with additional material around the aluminium pod plate pivot holder mount.  Graphite rear pod plate integrates with new bulkheads and improves tweak resistance in hard crashes.  Stronger graphite rear brace with strengthened wing mounts improves durability in serious crashes.  Lightweight and lower CG bulkheads feature 2 centering pins instead of one for more consistent alignment and tweak resistance.

View the full X1’24 presentation here


August 4, 2023

Protoform Venturi GT 1:28 body

Having released the Venturi GT 1:10 body back in June, Protoform has now released a 1:28 version for high-competition 1:28 racing.  The Venturi combines scale looks with all-out performance on the track for your Mini-Z or other 1:28 scale 98mm wheelbase on-road car.  Venturi GT takes inspiration from a new wave of hypercars, featuring a low-CG, cab-forward design sure to provide exceptional handling characteristics while also looking stunning on the track.  The super low-slung hood and raised wheel arches give the Venturi an aggressive GT-style aesthetic, while the deeply sculpted side panels provide superior side bite and overall body rigidity.  The body is made in the USA from lightweight, high-quality, super-durable polycarbonate and comes complete with decal sheet including windshield headers and number plates and wing mounting hardware.

View more images here


August 4, 2023

Reedy Low-Profile Titanium Gear Brushless HV Servos

Reedy has an all-new Low-Profile Titanium Gear Brushless HV Servos which includes a variety of performance features intended for competition.  Precision titanium gears add strength, reduce weight, and provide silky smooth operation.  A powerful brushless motor produces a combination of lightning quick speeds and maximum torque while an advanced microprocessor improves vehicle control and enhances driver feel.  State-of-the-art CNC-machined aluminium case with integrated fins increases rigidity to ensure consistent driving feel while lowering operating temperatures for fade-free operation.  Two options, high speed or high torque, are available to suit a variety of on- and off-road applications and driver preferences.

Source: Reedy [associatedelectrics.com]


August 3, 2023

PSM TT02S Upper Arm Mounts

German parts & accessories manufacturer PSM has released two Upper Arm Mounts for the Tamiya TT02S 1:10 Touring Car.  With these aluminium options, you are now able to manipulate camber angles front and rear independently. PSM’s Deltagrid design takes away unnecessary weight and provides cool factory looks in combination with the laser etched PSM logo.  These upper arm mounts work extremely well with the company’s Front and Rear NL (No Link) TT02S shock towers.  In addition to the standard version there is also +1mm offset (away from the diff) option for an additional setup alternative.  Set includes 4 pieces for one complete car.  Necessary mounting hardware included.

View mounts fitted here


August 3, 2023

Capricorn LAB C804 SL E.C. 2023 Radio Plate Kit

Capricorn RC is releasing a new radio plate kit for its LAB C804 1:8 Onroad chassis.   The new design allows both servos to be laid down lowering the centre of gravity, improving corner speed and weight balance.  Also in this new option set is a new fuel tank that improves engine consistency and was used by all our team drivers at the EFRA European Championships in Portugal last week.  The new option set was used by Capricorn team drivers with Toni Gruber taking TQ in qualifying and coming third overall.  2022 1:8 European Champion Dominic Greiner also used the set up in order to mount his title defence as well as Mirko Salemi finishing fourth position overall after competing in Super pole.

Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]


August 3, 2023

Yokomo Rookie Speed ​​RS1.0

As part of its continued efforts to offer cars that can help attract newcomers into the hobby, Yokomo has just released an entry level 1:10 Electric Touring car, the Rookie Speed ​​RS1.0.  Having launched its GT1 pan car this time last year, and its Rookie Offroad RO1.0. 2WD buggy kit earlier this year, the World Championship winning manufacturer is now offering this belt driven 4WD touring car as a lower cost stepping stone into the world of competitive electric touring car racing.  The car has all of the design features of a modern touring car but has been able to reduce kit costs through the use of plastic parts over carbon fibre.

View more images here