Red RC

February 13, 2023

2023 Philippine Masters track build revealed

The organisers of the Philippine Masters have after much hard work revealed the new Circulo Verde Race Track which will host one of Asia’s most high profile 1:8 Offroad events from April 27-30th. After a two year break due to Covid, 2023 will be 11th running of the event and 5-weeks of very hot work has resulted in the creation of this impressive sculpted track on the site which is located in the centre of the country’s capital Manila. This year will see reigning back to back World Champion Davide Ongaro and former World Champion Robert Batlle return to the Philippine Masters and lead the capacity 120 entries under the watchful eye of Race Director Scotty Ernst.

View more track images here

February 13, 2023

SuperRad SR-05 and SR-03L 1:12 LMP bodies

American race body manufacturer SuperRad Competition Bodyshells has released two new 1:12 LMP models to its line up, the all new SR-05 and the redesigned SR-03L. The SR-05 is the result of several months of testing and development and offers balanced handling and stability and is ideal for stock and super stock racing. Fitting all 1:12 cars, it is available in SuperLite .015” and Lite .020” polycarbonate and is ROAR, BRCA, and EFRA approved.

Read SR-03L details and more images here

February 13, 2023

Sworkz SB800 Twin Power Offroad Starterbox

Sworkz has introduced its new SB800 Twin Power Starter Box that has been specially developed for off-road use. With its two 775 engines, it is one of the most powerful starter box on the market. The structure of the box is simple and very robust. The starter contacts and the starting mechanism have been tested for longevity and flawless function in tough racing conditions. A newly developed battery holder allows the use of different battery variants with Sworkz recommending a single 4S Lipo or 2 x 2S Lipos for optimal power supply. As standard, the SB800 is intended for 2x2S with XT60 connections. Depending on the battery configuration, different adapter cables can be used (EC5, T-connector, etc.) The two 775 motors drive the starter pulley via high-strength toothed belts. Manufactured from non-marking rubber, this disc can be easily replaced if necessary. The aluminium housing of the SB800 is coated and finished with a dynamic Sworkz design. With the 4 plastic brackets supplied, the most diverse chassis shapes can be optimally positioned on the SB800 so it can be used for numerous 1:8 off-road vehicles. A fault-prone main switch was deliberately omitted. The carrying handle has a holder for the glow plug connector.

View more images here

February 13, 2023

Avid Alu and Steel 5.5mm wide/5mm Bore Pinions

New from Avid are these pinions that are specifically designed for the drag racing scene using 4 pole motors with 5mm bore shafts. What makes these pinion unique is that Avid made the teeth 5.5mm wide instead of the tapered teeth that end up being around 4mm. This allows for more surface area resulting in fewer stripped gears, especially when you mate this pinion with Kimbrough spur gears. The pinions are available made out of 7075-T6 aluminium & hard-anodised to reduce wear and friction, as well as steel. In drag racing, the choice between aluminium and steel pinions often comes down to the specific needs and goals of the vehicle. The majority of racers opt for aluminium pinions due to their lighter weight, which results in quicker acceleration. However, in cases where the vehicle experiences difficulties maintaining traction or keeping its nose down during launches, a steel pinion may be a better option. Steel pinions help balance the vehicle by limiting torque at the start, thereby improving horsepower and top-end speed.

Source: Avid [avidrc.com]

February 12, 2023

Hagberg wins penultimate round of EWS

Alexander Hagberg has won the fourth & penultimate round of the Essex Winter Series. The Swede continued Xray’s winning streak in the popular indoor British based series as he became the third different winner of the current season on a guest appearance at the Deanes Sports Centre. In qualifying it was Xray team-mate Harley Eldridge who got out of the blocks first as she topped the opening qualifier. Hagberg got up to speed by Q2 to take control, and secured pole position. In the Final, Alexander had a unchallenged lights-to-flag win, whilst behind some close racing led to some side-by-side action, allowing Schumacher’s Chris Grainger to take second from reigning champion, & winner of the previous two rounds.

Continue reading & more podium photos here

February 12, 2023

Ongaro dominates Montpellier GP

Davide Ongaro has opened the 2023 1:8 Offroad season proper in Europe with a dominant performance at the Montpellier GP in France. The Italian secured the overall TQ on Saturday and kicked off Sunday’s finals action with a win of his 20-minute Semi Final over Juan Carlos Canas that secured pole for the Main event. Winner of the other Semi Final, Elliot Boots would line up third on the grid behind his Sworkz team-mate Canas but they would be no match for the World Champion over the 1-hour decider. Setting the fastest lap of the final, the Team Associated driver would go on to lap the entire field at Circuit du MBM. Boots managed to get the better of Canas to finish half a lap up on the Spaniard as they lined up either side of Ongaro on the podium. Finishing fourth would be Infinity’s Riccardo Berton, the Italian have a lap over new Mayako signing Robert Batlle in fifth.

Image: RCMag [Facebook]

February 12, 2023

Orlowski wins 2023 Charity Race

Michal Orlowski has won this year’s ‘Charity Race’, the 2023 edition of the Italian race marking the 12th running of the annual event that has raised thousands of euros for local charities. Racing at the RC Landia indoor carpet track in Scandiano, the Schumacher driver took the TQ from team-mate Mattia Collina, both drivers notching up two TQ runs each from the four rounds of qualifying but with his Q2 pace the fastest time recorded it was Orlowki who would line up on pole position. In the finals, the Polish driver completed a clean sweep of wins while behind Collina and Luca Romagnoli had a close battle for P2. In the end it would be a Schumacher 1-2 with Collina getting the tie breaker to secure second with Romagnoli’s Xray completing the podium ahead of Germany’s Marco Kaufmann.

Image: Michal Orlowski [Facebook]

February 11, 2023

Ongaro Top Qualifier at Montpellier GP

The European 1:8 Offroad season kicks off this weekend with the traditional running of the Montpellier GP in France where Davide Ongaro is the Top Qualifier. The World Champion took the top spot in qualifier with TQ runs in Q2 and Q3 after the Team Associated driver opened proceedings with a P5. The opening qualifier would be topped by Sworkz’ Elliot Boots, the multiple European Champion backing that up with 3rd in the final round to secure 2nd overall. Boots’ team-mate & former Montpellier GP Champion Juan Carlos Canas ended qualifying third overall thanks to being 2nd fastest in Q1 and 3rd fastest in Q2. Kyosho’s Joao Figueiredo was next up ahead of Infinity’s Riccardo Berton with HB Racing’s Thomas Musso, who leads the French charge, completing the Top 6.

Image: File Image