Red RC

January 15, 2023

Freeman takes Mod win at RC Chili Bowl

Running alongside its full size oval racing counterpart, the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, it was Zachary Freeman who came away with the SC Modified win at the ninth edition of the RC Chili Bowl held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Attracting over 500 entries, the Scotty Ernst organised event is one of the biggest in the industry with its tented indoor pit area packed with manufacturers involved in the R/C oval racing scene. Concluding the 2023 edition of the RC Chili Bowl was the final of SC Modified presented by HobbyWing. All throughout qualifying it had been Zac Rose and Addison Krol, throwing down the heat for the ladies, going back and forth for the top spot with Rose edging out Krol to take the TQ honours. It would be a super smooth start for the 10 car field with all drivers holding their starting positions for the opening laps. A huge pile up in turn 4 however collected almost all the cars and would shake up the entire order creating a completely new race. Third place qualifier Zachary Freeman would come out on top in the lead holding that position to the end with Krol finishing on the same lap fpr second. Dropping back to sixth, Rose would recover to come through to complete the podium.

Image: RC Chili Bowl [rcchilibowl.com]

January 14, 2023

Phend Top Qualifier at Southern Indoor Championship

TLR’s Dakotah Phend has secured the big TQ at the Southern Indoor Championship in Alabama. The first big major on the annual US 1:8 Offroad calendar, the Racetime Entertainment organised indoor event is a big weekend in terms of new driver/manufacturer pairings following some significant driver announcements over the New Year break. In Nitro Buggy, it was Phend who kicked off qualifying with the fastest time ahead of the Ryans, Maifield’s Tekno taking P2 followed by Lutz’s Kyosho with third. Q2 would see Maifield top the time sheets from Sworkz’s Joe Bornhorst with Lutz again completing the Top 3. For Phend it was a bad round 2 as he ended up P5. All coming down to the third & final qualifier, Phend was back to form laying down the outright fastest time of qualifying to secure the overall TQ, 2 rounds from 3 to count. Maifield locked in 2nd overall from Lutz, Team Associated’s Lee Setser and Joe Bornhorst with new team-mate Brandon Rose rounding out the Top 6. In Nitro Truggy, it is Jared Tebo who is Top Qualifier. As the reigning SIC Champion, winning both Buggy & Truggy last year from the TQ, Maifield took the first qualifier from Sworkz’s Camden Lime, Phend and new Mayako signing Jared Tebo. Runner-up last year in Truggy, Tebo would find his stride in the next two qualifiers topping them both for the overall TQ. Again Maifield ends up P2 with Phend 3rd ahead of Lime, Lutz and the TLR of youngster Phi Long Nguyen.

Image: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

January 13, 2023

Kiss Evo14 ‘Soft’ 1:8 rain tyres

Famed Swiss wet tyre producer Kiss Rain Tyres has introduced a new soft compound variant of their 1:8 Onroad tyres. The first version if the Evo14 tyre ran at 25 shore with the new ‘soft’ version has a shore of 15. Providing a high amount of water displacement in the wet, the tyres are build using Kiss’ own core material and Pit Shimizu’s proven D01J tyre for the outer tread.

Source: Kiss Tyres [kiss-tyres.ch]

January 13, 2023

Zeke Ballinger joins Schumacher

American racer Zeke Ballinger has joined Schumacher Racing as the British manufacturer continues to increase its profile in the US Offroad racing scene. The former TLR driver has enjoyed some strong results in the last number of years including the 13.5 4WD class win at the 2021 Desert Classic and 2nd in Stadium Truck. Also a JConcepts Indoor National Series triple podium finisher, and TQ & winner at the 2022 Rumble in the Rockies, on the announcement Ballinger said, “I am so excited about joining the #SchumacherFamily in 2023 onwards. For me personally, a fresh start and a new challenge is something I am really looking forward to. I can’t wait to continue working with Cav and the rest of my new team mates as well. Thank you Muz, Robin, Tris and everyone at Schumacher for welcoming me with open arms.”

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]

January 13, 2023

Wilck departs Arrowmax & Dash RC

Top international touring car driver Viktor Wilck has announced he will no longer be representing Arrowmax and Dash RC in 2023. The multiple World Championship podium finisher has worked with both companies since his days as a factory Serpent driver, both brands being part of the same company that took over the, originally Dutch, pioneering RC manufacturer. Now racing as part of the factory Infinity team, the Swede said, “I would like to say thank you to everybody at Arrowmax and Dash for this last 7-years. We had many success together, highlights as the two times IFMAR world championship podium and numerous wins on international and national races. Special thanks to Mr. Lau and Wing Lau. Always giving me the best quality products to compete and also sharing many good memories together at races. I wish everybody at Arrowmax and Dash good luck for the future.”

Source: Viktor Wilck [Facebook]

January 13, 2023

MR33 A800FX / Evo Carbon Flex T-Brace

MR33, the brand of multiple World Champion Marc Rheinard, has released this Carbon Flex T-Brace for Awesomatix’s A800FX and Evo kits. Due to the pressed-in threaded sleeves, you can mount the brace very easily on the rear of the chassis. Depending on the orientation, the strut can be mounted completely on the chassis, or slightly raised above the chassis. The different mounting points give you several flex options and an additional adjustment possibility for your A800FX. Additional nuts are not needed for mounting.

View more images of brace here

January 13, 2023

Willspeed RF3 Raven Bodyshell

Following the announced of their new RF3 conversion kit for the TLR 22 5.0, Willspeed has given more details on the newly designed body shell for its latest buggy creation. The ‘Raven’ exclusively designed for the RF3, features a super low profile, reduced screen angle and altered cab position compared to the RF2. The new body in both a standard and lightweight version.

View more images here

January 13, 2023

Payne joins Contact Tyres

Contact RC Tyres has announced top 1:12 racer Ollie Payne as a new international team driver. The British driver previously ran with Japanese brand Ulti but following his recent move to new chassis sponsor Schumacher the signing is a logical one given Contact is one of the brands in their portfolio.

Source: Contact RC Tyres [Facebook]