The Italian UISP 1/8th GT Championship was held at the Quarto Il Cavallino track and in the Expert class Roberto Molle, starting from pole position, would take the win from teammate Enrico Crescenzi. Roberto Catanzani would round out the podium in 3rd place for an all-BMT podium.
Source: BMT [bmt-team.com]
T-Works have a new floating steering servo mount for the Xray XB4’15 buggy available. Doing away with the need to run the standard parts that connect the servo with both the chassis and the side pod the mount makes for a more equal left-to-right chassis flex as it utilises the “floating”, centre-mounted design most of today’s touring cars use. Included in the set comes an aluminium centre mount, an outer aluminium post and a sturdy carbon fibre upper plate.
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New from JConcepts comes the Ruptures 2.2″ crawler tyre for vehicles such as the Axial Yeti. The extremely tacky yet versatile tyre offers a layout of individual “large islands” that react to directional and forward loading characteristics like a soft gummy candy. The long horizontal attack bars are connected with solid sidewall detail which braces the sidewall for the high impact situations. The centre “mini islands” help maintain spinning speed and at half height provide some space to sling clean during those dirtier runs. The entire top level of tread has built-in cuts and recesses which provide a sharp edge. A sidewall radial rib connected with a dual position arrow help maintain stability and help the driver squeak out of a tough situation. The carcass itself is extremely pliable which conforms to the vast majority of obstacles. Inside the carcass, the tyre features a connected “Y” loop ribbing design which blends carefully into the sidewall. The bracing supports the lower half of the tire while maintaining the upper flex characteristics. The 154mm tall tyres include a soft open cell foam insert capable of standing up the super soft compound but flexible enough for sharp terrain.
Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]
Shepherd have announced the expansion of their range of lubricants with another product, the Premium Thrust Bearing Grease. The mineral oil based, water resistant and rust inhibiting lubricant can be used under high temperatures while thanks to its good mechanical stability only a small amount of grease is needed to extend the life and reduce the wear of any thrust bearing. The lubricant comes in a handy 6g container with a sticker on the lid for easy identification.
Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]
The inaugural Ulster GP was held at the UMCC track in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. Drivers travelled from all over Ireland and further afield to compete. Ballymoney is a compact technical track and the UMCC had done a superb job of preparing the venue including sugar watering the asphalt for the first time. Saturday practice was held in superb conditions and with track temperatures soaring the track was surprisingly fast. Sunday the track conditions were less than optimum and in the first A-main Andrew Smith (Xray) brought home a leg win. The second final saw a start to finish win for Mark Gilliland (Xray) and going into the third and final A-main three drivers, Mark Gilliland, Andrew Smith and Alan Bickerstaff (Team Associated) all had a chance of winning. The track had almost fully dried and grip was up to standard. The pace was hot at the front and despite close attention Mark came out the winner with a very quick 25 lapper off a standing start. Andrew Smith finished in 2nd while Alan Bickerstaff rounded out the top 3 result.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
The second round of the Swedish 1/8th Off-road Cup was hosted by the MHF Skarpnäck club and it had HB’s David Ronnefalk coming out successful in the 45 minute main of the Nitro Buggy class. Mugen’s Christoffer Svensson finished the final in 2nd while Robert Gustafsson (Agame) completed the podium result.
Click here to view the final result
The warm-up race for the 3rd round of the Italian Nitro Off-road Championship was held in Fermo and saw Marco Natale taking the day’s win some two laps in front of Fabrizio Teghesi. Davide Tortorici would round out the podium in 3rd place in front of Alessio Arioli and Stefano Rossi in 4th and 5th respectively.
Click here to view the final result
Ronald Volker has claimed his fifth consecutive Euro Touring Series championship title, the Yokomo driver declaring that Season #8 of the world famous championship was ‘definitely the hardest season’ yet. Coming into the event with only long standing arch rival Marc Rheinard able to deny him the title, Volker said this season the level of world class drivers at each of the six rounds was higher than ever and this was the title he was most proud of. With the sixth & final round at the Hudy Racing Arena in Slovakia netting Team Xray its first ever 1-2 finish Bruno Coelho taking the win from Alexander Hagberg, Volker said while this weekend was not a good race for him he still got what he came for and he was delighted to win ‘a hard fought fifth title’.
Continue reading this report here or our full event coverage here.
