March 10, 2023

Fake Online Store Warnings

The RC Racing community is being warned about fake online stores posing as legitimate retailers of reputable RC manufacturers.  Both Yokomo and Awesomatix have today issued warnings on their social media after fake websites ( Yokomo-shop. com / rcawesomatix . com ) offering heavily discounted prices on products came to their attention.  www.Yokomo-shop.com As they say ‘if it is too good to be true it probably is’.  Such sites are common in mainstream consumer brands but it appears the scammer have taken an interest in RC market so double check the source and if you are ever in doubt check with the manufacturer to verify if the site is legitimate.

Update – Schumacher Racing has been in touch to let us know that they have found a fake online store ( schumacherus .com ) and they are in the process of trying to have it taken down but as with all these scams they will have a new site up & running within hours.

Source: Yokomo & Awesomatix [Facebook]


March 10, 2023

Xray XB8E ’23 Buggy

Having announced the details of his XB8 ’23 1:8 Nitro Buggy a few days ago, today Xray has released the presentation of the electric version of their popular buggy platform.  Like its noisier sibling the XB8E ’23 features all-new front & rear semi-split bulkhead with quick differential access without disassembling suspension and new front & rear diff height adjustment through eccentric bushings.  A redesigned chassis layout offers the ability to place the motor and central assembly in a front or rear position to alter the weight balance depending on the track conditions.  The new chassis layout was tested on all kind of surfaces to increase performance in any track situation.  The shock towers are redesigned with the front & rear lower suspension holders having new mounting position with the front upper suspension holder matching the new servo saver.  A redesigned wing holder fits the new semi-split rear bulkhead and the Wickerbill rear wing allows quick downforce adjustments and pre-marked airflow holes to reduce downforce.

View the full XB8E ’23 presentation here


March 10, 2023

T-Works X4 Titanium BB Driveshaft Adapters

From T-Works comes these titanium BB Driveshaft Adapters for Xray X4 ’23 1:10 Electric Touring Car.  Machined from 64 grade titanium, they are offered as both Solid and Gear Diff adapters and are a direct replacement for the standard unit used with Xray’s ECS Ball Bearing driveshafts.  On the scales, a set of the T-Works adapters offers a weight saving of 3.6 grams on the Gear Diff adapters and 3.3 grams with the Solid adapters.

View more images here


March 10, 2023

Ongaro set for 1:8 GT Worlds with Gimar Engines

Best known for his offroad exploits, back to back 1:8 Buggy World Champion Davide Ongaro has announced a 1:8 GT only programme with Italian engine brand Gimar.  Ongaro is the star driver for Team Associated and Japanese engine manufacturer OS Engines in offroad and has added two 1:8 Buggy World titles to both brands illustrious history but is joining forces with Giovanni Crea’s Gimar engines for a GT campaign that includes both the European and World Championships.  A huge boost for the GT category which will run only its second ever World Championship later this year in Sydney, Australia, having Ongaro on the grid will be a massive profile raiser for the class.  Kicking off his onroad exploits next week at the Italian GT Nationals, his Gimar Venus engine will be fitted to the chassis of another Italian brand Genius Racing – this same engine & chassis combination used by France’s Alain Arnaldi to become the 2022 European GT Champion.  Like Ongaro, another driver best known for his Offroad achievements, Joern Nuemann is the reigning 1:8 GT World Champion.

Source: Gimar [rcgimar.com]


March 9, 2023

IFMAR 1:8 Onroad World Championship Stage 1 Report

Later this year the IFMAR 1:8 Onroad Nitro World Championship will return after a prolonged 4-year break with the Infinity International RC Speedway in Japan hosting the 23rd edition of the RC racing’s original World Championship.  The organisers of the event, lead by legendary race mechanic Masayuki Miura, has issued the Stage 1 Report and highlighted some important points for overseas drivers.  Drivers are reminded to check whether they require a visa to enter Japan from their home country.  With Covid, Japan was closed a long time and they have only opened up recently so there are still some rules around Covid and currently you need to be vaccinated to enter.  This situation could change so persons planning to travel for the October 27 to November 5 event should check the ‘Visit Japan‘ website for latest government rules.  Another important issue is the fuel. The organiser has two fuel brands available, Maxima and Nitrox from OS Engines.  For logistic reasons they need to know asap the choice of each driver.  Japan last hosted the 1:8 Onroad Worlds in 2013 when Tadahiko Sahashi took victory for Serpent.  Last year he joined Adrien Bertin as the only driver to do the nitro double when he won the 1:10 Onroad title in Bangkok with Infinity.  Winning the title in 2019 at the no longer existing Steel City RC Speedway, reigning 1:8 Champion & factory Mugen driver Shoki Takahata will be the first Japanese driver to try and defend his title on home soil.  Japanese drivers have won the title 3 times since inaugural Worlds was held in 1977.

View Stage Report here


March 9, 2023

Yokomo BD11 Option Parts

Yokomo has released a number of new optional parts for its current BD11 1:10 Electric Touring Car.  First up is a new hard type plastic body mount set for the BD11.  For those chasing marginal weigh savings they have also added a set of titanium lower shock mounts for BD11 and which can also be used on the MD1.0 drift car.  Finally for the perfect balancing of your chassis there is a new 30G battery weight which is nicely finished with the Yokomo Factory Team logo.

View more images here


March 9, 2023

Nedrebø and Dahle crowned Norwegian Champions

Last weekend Stavanger Modelcar Club played host to the 2023 Norwegian Championships for 1:12 and Stock Touring Car with almost 90 drivers making the trip to Stavanger Raceway.  While the focus was on the two official titles up for grabs the event also had support 1:12 Stock, FWD and 21.5 Touring Car.  After four rounds of qualifying it was Andreas Byrne who secured the 1:12 TQ while Olav Dahle was Top Qualifier in Touring Car.  The titles would be decided over triple mains with Mathias Nedrebø getting the better of Byrne to win the 1:12 title while Martin Sørlie completed the podium. In Touring Car Dahle made it a clean sweep to be crown Norwegian Champion from Fredrik Håvardsrud the original Touring Car Viking Helge Johannesen!

View Touring Car Podium here


March 9, 2023

Pirani RC ‘Turbo Effect’ INS-Box

Pirani RC has released a new ‘Turbo Effect’ INS-Box design for 1:8 and 1:10 onroad competition.  EFRA approved, homologation number INS202301,  the new design is 20% lighter, 8mm lower and 3mm less in diameter than other INS-boxes.   Made of light weight ABS,  internally the sponge filter is low profile to reduce the total height of the ins-box.  The air inlet has two 8mm holes from where air pass through the “turbo effect” and goes into the carburetor with more speed and more pressure.  This increase of air pressure makes the top speed rising of 2km/h, more constant carburetion and more torque.  All combined with new aero design, especially designed for new 1:8 onroad bodies.

View technical images here