March 12, 2023

Xtreme Aerodynamics ‘Italia’ FWD Bodyshell

As part of two big releases Xtreme Aerodynamics has unveiled its ‘Italia’ 1:10 FWD bodyshell.  While the Italian manufacturer gives little information on the new design, Monaco RC says that after the success of the 2021 released She-Rock, which was banned from some European racing circuits but still dominates in Asia, the development team decided to create a new model that is EFRA-approved and has amazing performance.  They say the feedback so far has been very positive but add ‘the market will be the ultimate judge’.  News of Xtreme Aerodynamics second body release, the ‘Redhawks’ is expected tomorrow.

View more images here


March 12, 2023

3D printed 1:12 at ROAR Nationals

Supporting customers of his 1up Racing products trackside at the ROAR Electric On-Road Carpet Nationals, Randy Caster, a stalwart of the onroad racing scene in the US, has picked up on an interesting car competing in the event – Scott Jakes 3D printed 1:12.  Taking place at Eric Anderson’s Apex Raceway in Tennessee, Jakes is racing his latest project in the 13.5 1:12 class and as Caster points out in his social media post about this 3D printed car this could well be a glimpse of the future of the hobby.

View more of Randy Caster’s images here


March 12, 2023

Orlowski does double at British Off Road Grand Prix

Michal Orlowski has completed the double at the British Off Road Grand Prix, the factory Schumacher driver holding off the challenge of Xray’s Bruno Coelho in 2WD and 4WD Buggy.  Organised by SilverstoneRCMCC and taking place at the Centre:MK shopping centre in Milton Keynes, Saturday’s action saw Orlowski claim the TQ honours from last weekend’s MIBO International double winner Coelho with reigning European Champion Tommy Hall securing third ahead of Lee Martin and Norwegian Daniel Kobbevik.   In the triple finals, Neil Cragg surprised everyone coming from 7th on the grid to take the A1 win from Orlowski but in A2 & A3 it was the Polish star who lead the field to claim the first title of the event which exposes RC Racing to thousands of weekend shoppers.  Coelho would take second with Hall’s Associated completing the 2WD podium.  In 4WD, again it was Orlowski who took the TQ topping all five rounds of qualifying before going on to an early victory by taking the opening two A-Mains.  Coelho would win A3 to give him with tie breaker for second overall from the Associated of Dane Marcus Kaerup.  In Truck, Jorn Neumann took the TQ and win with Lee Martin and Phil Sleigh joining the Sworkz driver on the podium.

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]


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