Coming from Xray and made for the use with the XB4 4WD buggy is a 82mm centre driveshaft dogbone. Made from Hudy spring steel the 82mm variant is used when utilising the rearward motor position that requires a shorter rear driveshaft. The hardened dogbone comes with a black surface treatment for reduced wear, it sports laser-etched size markings for easy identification and it has to be used in combination with the 95mm front centre driveshaft.
The recent team driver exodus over at HPI Racing and HB continues with the announcement that JJ Wang is the latest factory team driver to leave. Following the departure of Andy Moore, Freddy Südhoff and also team manager Hiroyuki Kasuya in the past few weeks, JJ parting ways with the Japanese manufacturer leaves just Jilles Groskamp as the sole remaining Factory onroad team member. This is what JJ has to say about his departure:
I would like to inform everyone that I have ended my contract with HPI/HB Inc. The past 6 years has been a life changing experience for me. I would like to give a big thank you to Tatsuro Watanabe, Hiro Kasuya, and Toshihiko Hara for supporting me and believing in me from the start. I also want to give a big thanks to my teammates from all over the world. It was fun meeting everyone and it has taught me that there’s more to a team than just results. I will never forget the laughter we shared and the experiences we’ve been through. It was truly an amazing ride. I am certain that this is a new beginning of my racing career and I am really looking forward to what the future holds for me. I wish HPI/HB the best and I look forward to seeing you all at the track soon!
The fourth and final round of the French Electric On-road Indoor National Championship was held in Zillisheim over the weekend. In the Touring Stock 13.5T class Laurent Desperries took the TQ after the qualifiers and he would hold on to the win in the mains to grab the victory from runner-up Hai Long Tran. With the win Laurent also secured himself the championship title in the 13.5T class. The final podium spot at round four went to Renaud Brusselle from fourth placed Sylvain Lammaing.
Source: HRC Distribution [hrcdistribution.com]
Vigor RC have introduced a new fan protector and heat sink for the fans of electronic speed controllers. CNC-machined from 7075 aluminium and coming black anodised and with machined silver details the add-on protectors are meant to increase the airflow pressure while adding cooling surface, which can lead to an eight to ten percent lower ESC temperature. The protector is available for 25mm and 30mm fans.
Awesomatix have announced the signing of former HPI/HB driver, Freddy Südhoff to their team. The multiple ETS A-finalist was under contract with the Russian company already from 2012 to the end of 2014 and he will race Awesomatix’ new A800 car at all major European races including the European Championships as well as the World Championships in Beijing. Freddy had this to say about the deal:
I am really happy to announce that I have signed a contract with Awesomeatix. Immediately after testing the new Awesomatix A800 car, I feel very exciting to come back to this team. The fact that we know each other from previous years working together will help us to become even more close. I am looking forward to a great racing time with Awesomatix. Special thanks to Oleg Babich and Max Mächler for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the team.
Source: Awesomatix [awesomatix.com]
The annual Florida Winternats where held this past weekend at the The Fort track in Fort Myers, Florida. As usual the event attracted some of the country’s fastest gas racers and in the 1/8th Open class DJ Apolaro would take the TQ while the 1/8th Masters category was lead by Joaquin Desoto Sr after the qualifiers. In 1/10th Sedan Paolo Morganti came out fastest while 1/8th GT had Rino Lino taking the TQ honours. In the 45 minute main 1/8th Open class A-main it was Paolo Morganti who came out fastest after TQ DJ Apolaro had to retire around the 35 minute mark. Veteran racer Mike Swauger ended the race on the runner-up spot some five laps down on Paolo. Rafael Angulo completed the top 3 result.
JConcepts have introduced the LiL Chasers 1/8th buggy tyre. Relying on a tread scaled down from the original Chasers, the small, rectangular lugs are angular in multiple directions, giving the tyre the ultimate bite for outdoor racing. It also has a lower, closer lug arrangement which gives exceptional responsiveness and bite in medium, high and low grip conditions. The wet and dry condition tyre has small recessed cuts in the top of the tread for extra edges and increased formability over terrain while the centre’s overlapping bar treatment increases durability in the highest wear region. The tyre is available in blue, green and black compound including Dirt-Tech inserts and also as pre-mounted green compound tyre.
Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]
The opening round of the Swiss Electric Off-road Nationals was held in Stäfa near Zurich. One of the biggest races of the year the event attracted over 150 entries from Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Multi-times Swiss national champion, Patrick Hofer would dominate both the 2WD and 4WD Buggy classes as he not only took the TQ spots after the qualifiers but he also came out fastest in the triple A-mains from Fabian Luca Widmer. In 2WD it was veteran racer Sven Zünd who came in third while the 4WD class podium was rounded out by Philip Jeisy.
Source: HRC Distribution [hrcdistribution.com]
