Kyosho America has announced that it has recruited up & coming 1:8 Offroad talent Phi-Long Nguyen. Having earned the nickname ‘Little Bump’, the 12-year-old joins the iconic Japanese brand having announced earlier this month after AMS 14.0 that he was departing HB Racing after 5-years. Nguyen will team-up with Ryan Lutz in representing Kyosho on the busy US Offroad race calendar.
Source: Kyosho America [Facebook]
American niche bodyshell producer BOKI Racing has unveiled a rare find to the vintage RC racing community with the release of the XX4 X5 Conversion Kit Body. Crafted to seamlessly integrate with the original kit, the XX4 X5 Conversion Kit Body offers an unparalleled fit. The kit includes a clear, uncut, unpainted body, complete with window masks and paint masking, all expertly constructed from .030 Lexan made in the USA. Designed originally by Josh Cyrul, the XX4 X5 body embodies the X-Factor philosophy of prioritizing function above all. Despite initial reservations about its aesthetics, the design’s prowess becomes evident when working with and painting the shell, ultimately growing on enthusiasts. Notable features include a prominent motor cooling hump, providing ample space for a motor heat sink beneath the shell. The driver’s cockpit is strategically positioned in the center, with a rearward swoop to enhance downforce. The team behind the XX4 X5 body asserts its significant contribution to the car’s aerodynamics, promising a noticeable performance boost on the track.
Source: Boki Racing [bokiracing.com]
Former 1:8 Buggy World Champion Ty Tessmann has announced he has been dropped by Xray and their US distributor RC America. The Canadian driver will depart after a 7-year stint with the Slovakian manufacturer whom he joined after a lengthy stint with Hot Bodies. Posting confirmation of the much rumoured news, fuelled by the recent signing of his former HB team-mate David Ronnefalk, on his social media, Tessmann said, ‘There have been a lot of rumors about my future with Xray. For the last 7 years I have raced for and been committed to Xray and RC America, my Dad and I helped develop the Xray offroad cars, and grow the Xray brand in North America, and we have had a lot of successes over the last 7 years with their cars’. Listing his achievements with the brand which included the TQ & 2nd at the 2018 1:8 World Championships in Australia, he continued, ‘That being said I will not be continuing with Xray for 2024 and beyond, this was not my choice, but Xray and RC America have decided to not renew my contract. I would like to thank Xray and RC America for the opportunity and support over the past 7 years. Stay tuned for an announcement on what 2024 holds for me.’
Source: Ty Tessmann [Facebook]
Team Associated has announced that the body used on the original RC10 1:10 2WD electric buggy is available again. It fits the RC10 classic, RC10 re-release, and upcoming RC10CC Clear Classic car. The body comes with window masks.
Source: Associated [associatedelectrics.com]
In a major boost for the offroad racing scene in the Philippines, after a long absence the country hosted National Championships for 1:10 Offroad with the event attracting a record entry for a Nationals. With over 100 entries for the 2-day event at the Circulo Verde track in Manila City, home to Asia’s biggest annual offroad event the Philippine Masters, in qualifying it was Sworkz driver Dino Jacinto who took the 4WD TQ with the 2WD honours going to Jomil Dela Cruz at the end of the three rounds of qualifying. In the triple finals, Jacinto would win the opening two encounters to secure the title early ahead of Dela Cruz and Tyler Cheung. In 2WD, Dela Cruz would also convert the TQ into the title albeit needing the win in A3 to do so. He was joined on the podium by Rains Viola and A2 winner Gerome Ling. The event also marked a major improvement for the track with its new oiled surface a game changer. More and more racers/hobbyist are enjoying the track with it now having good grip anytime of the day and most of all, it’s rubber friendly. The existing layout and surface will be used for 2024 edition of the Philippine Masters which takes place on April 18-21.
Image: Edward Sio [Facebook]
Having announced the re-release of its 1980’s ‘Super Dog Fighter’ 1:10 4WD Buggy in October with a CAD image, Yokomo has just released images on social media of the production buggy which is set to be with distributors in December. The Japan company is the latest manufacturer to enter the retro market after many requests from passionate fans. Having considered commercialisation many times but with no resin part molds left from that time, it was a big undertaking for the company. Although new parts have been remade, the settings have been made to recreate the atmosphere of the time as much as possible. In order to be able to drive with current power sources, it will be equipped with a gear differential, slipper clutch, Lipo battery, etc., but it also have a slot for a Sub-C size battery, natural-coloured resin parts, and aluminium die-cast front and rear parts. The bulkhead, hard-anodised aluminium shocks, and other features give you the feel of the time.
Bruno Coelho has taken the 4WD Buggy win at the EOS season opener in Hann Münden, Germany. The Xray driver led a 1-2 for the Slovakian manufacturer ahead of new team-mate David Ronnefalk with Saturday’s 2WD winner Michal Orlowski completing the podium for Schumacher. In qualifying it was Ronnefalk who topped the first of the four qualifiers. Having TQ’d 2WD, Orlowski went fastest in Q2 before Ronnefalk hit the top again Q3. With Coelho taking the final round it was overall TQ for Ronnefalk ahead of his team-mate with Orlowski lining up P3 ahead of the Team Associated of newly crowned World Champion Davide Ongaro. In the first of the finals it was Coelho who eventually took the win. The former World Champion went to the front after a roll over from Ronnefalk approaching the half way mark but was overtaken again by the Swede when he had a mistake of his own a few laps later. With Ronnefalk out front and looking like he had the win, another mistake in the dying moments was enough to allow Coelho through to take it. A2 would see Ronnefalk again lead out the field but again a mistake allowed his team-mate through to the front only this time the Portuguese ace kept things clean to the finish for the overall win. Winning A3, Ronnefalk would finish second with Ongaro completing the podium line-up.
Image: EOS [eos.racing]
Team Associated driver Kouki Kato is the new double JMRCA 1:10 Offroad Japanese National Champion. 17-year-old Kato went into the event at the indoor RC Park Gojo as the reigning 4WD Champion taking the TQ for his title defence ahead of 2WD Champion Yui Kaino. Team Yokomo driver Kaino would also start his title defence from pole position but in the opening A-Main encounter it was Kato fro P2 who took the win. Able to convert the TQ to the win in A2 as Kato finished third, the 2WD title went to A3 for a thrilling finish that saw Kato snatch the win and title on the last lap by just 0.005 of a second. Mugen’s Yusuke Sugiura would complete the podium. In 4WD, Kato carried his qualifying form through to the A-Main winning the opening two encounter to retain his National title. Winning A3, Kaino would finished runner-up with the overall Top 3 completed by the Xray of Nana Kaiho.
Image: Kouki Kato [Facebook]
