Capricorn has released these new optional aluminium Shock Spring Retainers for their LAB GT2 1:8 GT Onroad platform. Suitable for use on both the nitro and electric version, they are finished in the Italian manufacturer’s trade mark red anodising, and as well as giving the LAB GT2 a much cooler look, the new retainers guarantee a lighter shock weight.
Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]
RC Atomic driver Jose Pequito completed a title double at the PNWC to be crowned World Champion of 2WD Mod and Pan Open classes at the 1:28 scale event. Taking place in Vélizy Villacoublay, France, the 2024 PNWC attracted 270 entries made up of 130 drivers from 19 counties, but it was Portuguese driver Pequito who came away the biggest winner. In 2WD Mod, he would take the title ahead of French RTRC driver Guillaume Loie with American John Dickson completing the podium. It was the same trio who would make up the podium also in Mod Open, Dickson managing 2nd ahead of Loie. Close to a hat trick of titles, Pequito would finish 2nd in AWD Mod, with that title going to RTRC driver Thomas Robin from France with Clement Coquel completing the podium.
Image: MOD Media [Facebook]
Hosting its AGM over the weekend in Brussels, Belgium, EFRA, the governing body for RC racing in Europe, has released a provisional 2025 race calendar of which the European Championships are the highlights. Made up of 13 European Championship deciding events, it will all kick off with the 1:12 EC in Belgium at the end of March and concluded with the only remaining European B Championship for 1:8 Buggy which takes place at the end of September in Italy. EFRA also announced the awarding of 2026 European Championship to tracks with the Fuencarral circuit in Madrid, Spain, home to the annual international Buggyland race, set to host the 1:8 Buggy Championships. Other confirmed 2026 locations include Bourg-en-Bresse in France which will be the venue for the 1:8 Onroad Euros while Steyregg in Austria has been selected to host the 1:10 Offroad Championships. Electric Touring Car will return to Mini Circuit ‘Ville de Luxembourg’, the iconic Luxembourg track having last hosted the Euros in 2009. Two significant points to come out from the EFRA AGM include the 1:12 section making the decision to modernise the bodyshell rules in coming years, bringing in the styling and design of modern LMDh/IMSA endurance racing cars. In 1:8 Offroad, control tyres will now be mandated for the 2025 European B 1:8 Buggy Championship. The new rule allows each tyre manufacturer to nominate control tyres for use during the event.
Hong Kong based 1:28 specialists GL Racing has released its new GL Formula One having spent almost 2 years from originating the idea, designing the chassis and to finally completing it. This newly designed F1 incorporates some innovative features that have not been used in mini F1 in the market. The chassis has a four independent dampers suspension system with double arms front suspension and the rear camber and toe in adjustable. With a Gearbox transmission system and ball differential, the Ultra low CG chassis is compatible to both hard and lexan body shells, the chassis kit not including a body. GL Racing have also designed new low profile rims for the car.
Xray has unveiled its latest 1:10 2WD Competition buggy with the release of the 2025 iteration of its XB2 platform. Available in both Carpet and Dirt editions, the platform features a thinner 2.0mm aluminium one-piece chassis which improves traction while a Unified mid-length chassis balances rear traction & steering response. The rear chassis section has been widened to improve stability and a new unique Flat Chassis Brace adds tunable flex control. Redesigned RF (C) arm holder integrates with Flat Chassis Brace. Updated longer side guards extend flex control & include a new fan mount position. The new 3G gearbox has been updated for the lower chassis brace and the buggy also get a new lowered motor mount. An Aluminum rear roll center holder adds a 3rd roll center position & clearance for the rear anti-roll bar collar. Other updates include shorter front arms for improved handling characteristics while redesigned rear arms add a 3rd shock mounting location for additional tuning options.
View the full XB2’25 presentation here
JConcepts has officially released its latest 1:8 Buggy body shell design with the introduction of the P2 for the Sworkz S35-4 Evo. Debuting it at the 2024 Mugen Challenge and then bringing it to the recent IFMAR 1:8 Offroad World Championship in Spain, the P2 was originally created for the 1:10 racing. The Florida company built up a prototype using styling cues from the World Championship winning body used by Spencer Rivkin in 2019, and reaching back to 2010, they experimented with a tall stabilising fin on the rear of the body. For a fresh season of competition, JConcepts has incorporated a small mini fin placed behind the rear of the cab that does not interfere with the engine head. In the rear, the ramping feature that is so popular on the P2, creeps up behind the cab and engine head to create extra force and stability. At the front of the body, the powerful and wide cab of the Punisher series pushes the P2 through the corners with speed. The top of the cab is reinforced, and the fin stabiliser whisks through the turns and has a driving sensation like the S15. The sidepod has built-in clearance with heavy chamfering at 2 angles and multi-angle S15 winglets. The windshield has a large format, completely recessed, and includes railing up the front and over the cab. In front, a deflection shield stands strong supporting the front of the body and allowing multiple angles for aerodynamic catch.
View more images of P2 in Juan Carlos Canas paint scheme here
Italy’s Fenix Racing has released this Large Lipo Conversion Kit for its Pro10 chassis, the G56.2. This is aimed at drivers that want more run time in the standard class or more power in Mod class. The kit allows you to use standard Touring lipo in traverse mode in the G56.2 and works with both the SWB chassis and SSWB chassis, with standard and low cg lipo.
View conservation kit assembled & fitted here
Triple back to back 1:8 Offroad World Champion Davide Ongaro is the latest driver to be confirmed for the SIGP International Offroad Grand Prix in Xiamen, China. It will be factory Team Associated driver’s first time to travel to China and the impressive 3-circle ARC International RC Racing Track, the Italian & current 1:10 4WD Buggy World Champion not yet racing 1:10 electric when the track hosted the IFMAR World Championship in 2017. With Germany’s Joern Neumann and American Ryan Lutz as past Champions, 2024 will be the first running of the SIGP post Covid with organisers confirming last week that Xray’s Bruno Coelho, winner of the SIGP Onroad event earlier this year, will return for its offroad event which takes place from December 11-15th.
Source: Sunpadow [sunpadow.com]
