February 15, 2023

Yokomo add Thurston to Factory Team  

Team Yokomo has bolstered their UK Electric Touring Car market presence with the signing of top British racer Alex Thurston to their Factory Team.  A podium regular in popular and competitive Essex Winter Series, as well as being the British 1:8 Onroad National Champion three seasons in a row, Thurston brings a wealth of experience and speed to the Yokomo Team and will not only represent them in the UK and also other worldwide events with the BD11 touring car platform.  On the news, Thurston said, “I am very excited to join the Yokomo Factory Team! I will be using the BD11 touring car across all major races in the UK and across Europe.  The performance of the car on track has been great since I first drove the car in December.  The car is amazing to build, and I’m very impressed with the quality. See you all at the track again soon!”

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]


February 15, 2023

Matrix unveils initial Offroad Tyre Names

Matrix Racing Tires has unveiled the names of their initial upcoming 1:8 Offroad Tyres releases.  In a 2-minute video on social media, which features team driver David Ronnefalk in the lead role, the Italian manufacturer closes the Space themed video with images unveiling the four new tyres lined up side by side.  Maybe a video that hints more at company founder Cristian Boni having ambitions to become a movie producer, the only specific details given about the tyres are the names which are all Space related – Nebula, Blackhole, Stardust and Nova.  Watch video here

Source: Matrix [matrixtires.it]


February 15, 2023

Max Götzl joins Bayer at Elceram

Following the announcement that Martin Bayer has joined RC electronics newcomer Elceram, the Czech manufacturer has announced he is to be joined my multiple Czech National Champion Max Götzl.  Not only will the young driver bring his racing experience both on the national and international stage to the new project but his electronics knowledge & interest as a student of faculty of electrical engineering. Elceram’s first r/c specific product, the Nitride 1:10 speed controller which s still in the final phase of testing, has received huge interest following the Bayer announcement.  Commenting on the announcement, Götzl said, “I am very happy to be joining ELCERAM RC, the experienced Czech company, new upcoming to the RC world, and to be getting into the process of development of the new NITRIDE ESC. It is a pleasure to work side by side with the people and company from my native country, who are driven by the vision of new innovations coming true and making steps forward in the industry. Also a pleasure to team up with Martin, where I think we can make a move and achieve a lot together.  Since I first saw and tested the product, I immediately saw a huge potential as it is something completely new in the game of electronics, made in Czech Republic.  I am looking forward to what the future will bring.”

Source: Elceram [Facebook]


February 14, 2023

Infinity IF18-2 Chassis & Washer Sets

New from Creation Model is this new optional chassis plate for the Infinity IF18-2 1:8 Onroad kit.  The rigidity of the rear section of the R0340 chassis can be adjusted by adding a flat head screw.  Also new from the Nitro Onroad World Champion manufacturer are stainless steel shims with an inner diameter of 3 mm, outer diameter of 4 mm, and thickness of 0.1 mm. The outer diameter is smaller than that of a standard shim while maintaining an inner diameter of 3 mm, allowing you to make adjustments to the clearance of shafts and other parts that were previously not possible.  Finally they have released 3×8 Aluminium washers in 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5mm thicknesses which are high-precision machined aluminium with black colour alumite treatment. Larger outer diameter (8 mm) than standard aluminium spacers makes them suitable for use in locations where large forces are applied.

View more images here


February 14, 2023

Tekno SCT410SL 1:10 4×4 Lightweight SCT

Tekno RC has announced the release of its latest addition to the short course racing class, the SCT410SL.  The much anticipated vehicle has been in testing and development for more than two years, and has been tested on tracks throughout the United States to ensure that it meets the high standards set by Tekno RC.  The SCT410SL is not a replacement for their popular SCT410.3 short course truck, which has been in production for almost eight years.  Instead, the SCT410SL is a lightweight alternative to the SCT410.3 and is designed for use on racetracks where enhanced agility and a lighter vehicle are advantageous.

View Features & more images here


February 14, 2023

Butterfield wins Florida Winter Nats

Reigning ROAR Fuel Onroad National Champion Bryce Butterfield took victory at the 47th Annual Florida Winter Nats.   Securing the overall 1:10 TQ after five rounds of qualifying at Nuggets Ranch RC Raceway, the factory Serpent driver would take his 750 EVO to a comfortable win in the 30-minute Main Final over the Xray of Franco Desiderio and the Infinity of Jerry Guerra.  With this year’s edition of race attracting over a 100 entries,  in 1:8 Pro Diego Morganti, son of former US Onroad Nitro ace Paolo, took the TQ but his final was short lived ending after just 2-laps.  The No.2 qualifier Ralph Birch would also hit trouble early on, the former 1:10 World Champion retiring after only 8 laps.  Following his 1:10 victory, it wasn’t to be a double for Butterfield as he too retired half way through the 45-minute Main.  In the end it was Eric Dennett who took the win by 6.6 seconds from Joachim Bruneaunnett with Rafael Angulo completing the podium.  In 1:8 GT,  Jose Almonte took the win for Serpent ahead of the IGT8 of Morganti with Carlie Lopez completing te Top 3 at the end of the half hour encounter.

Image: Bryce Butterfield [Facebook]


February 14, 2023

Paul Crompton joins Sunpadow team

Sunpadow has announced that front running British 1:10 Offroad racer Paul Crompton has joined their official Race Team for the new season.  Also joining Xray as his new chassis sponsor for 2023, Crompton will use Sunpadow lipo batteries to power his new fleet in all races and commenting on his new battery sponsor said, “Sunpadow has good reputation for high-quality lipo battery, I am very honoured and full of confidence to join the team.  I believe with the support of Sunpadow, there would be an outstanding season ahead of me.”

Source: Sunpadow [sunpadow.com]


February 13, 2023

JConcepts Tire Reference & Comparison Packet

JConcepts has just published their 2023 Tire Reference and Comparison Packet.  In the fast-paced world of RC tyres, it’s rare to capture all current models, their names, exposition, and available compounds all in one packet.  Celebrating 20-years in business, JConcepts begins the 2023 season showing off their complete line of current models, and playing into the future showing several unreleased, but items so close to release, they couldn’t resist adding them to the fray.  Updates or changes include streamlining the compound line and adding locations for a variety of Aqua compounds.  An update to the application chart now includes when and where to use certain tread and compounds.  They provided an icon which indicates a pre-mounted option or intended future option.  New 2.2 tire crawler tire options have been added, along with SCX6 models, 1.7” and 1.9” RC10 front and rear tires, new XMaxx and XRT high-performance options and a few new items scheduled for release very soon.   Click here for the 2023 JConcepts Tire Reference and Comparison Packet.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]