January 8, 2023

Herbert wins Hudy Indoor Champs

Keven Hebert has won the Hudy Indoor Champs at ProLevel RC in Chesterfield, Missouri.   Attracting more than 150 entries over the classes, in Modified Touring Car it was a battle between the factory Xray drivers of Hebert and Alexander Hagberg.  Setting a fastest time of 32/5:00.870 in the fourth & final round of qualifying, Hebert would secure the TQ from Hagberg who put in his best run in Q3 when the Swede set a time of 32/5:02.688.  Behind, the Awesomatix of Kemp Anderson secured third ahead of Donny Lia, both also posting their fastest times in Q3.  In the single Main, the top three remained unchanged with Hebert having a 2.3 second advantage over his team-mate at the finish.  Behind Anderson, Andrew Ellis got passed Lia for fourth.  In 1:12 Mod, it was a reverse of the TC podium with Top Qualifier Anderson taking the win from former World Champion Hagberg and Hebert.  In Stock Touring Car Billy Sydor took the win while in Stock 1:12 Fabio Evangelista was the victor.

Image: Xray [teamxray.com]


January 8, 2023

Polito wins ‘OneRace OneMan’ at IBR Padova

Having only announced his move from Kyosho to Sworkz just after Christmas, Italy’s Mattia Polito has opened the 2023 season with the Pro Buggy victory at the annual ‘OneRace OneMan’ event at IBR Padova in Italy.  In qualifying it was Mugen’s Berkan Kilic who claimed the overall TQ, but winning his Semi from Berkan’s brother Burak, Polito took pole for the 45-minute final.  Finishing second to Berkan in the other Semi, Kyosho’s Renaud Savoya would split the German brothers on the grid with 3rd.  In the final it would be Burak who would prove to be Polito’s closest challenge moving up to finish 2nd with Berkan completing the podium.  Behind HB Racing’s Theo Lemaire took fourth from Max Hesse and fellow Frenchman Savoya.  For defending champion Riccardo Bertin, it was a tough opening to the new season as he had to win the LCQ final to make the A-Main.  Despite setting the fastest lap of the final, the Infinity driver would finish P13 and last.  In E-Buggy it was again Berkan who took the TQ, this time being able to convert that into the win ahead of his brother and the Tekno of former Champion Marco Barufollo.

Image: Burak Kilic [Facebook]


January 7, 2023

Ongaro confirmed for Philippine Masters

The organisers of the Philippine Masters have announced back to back World Champion Davide Ongaro is confirmed to make the trip to Manila for the April 28-30 event.  Ongaro is a previous winner of the Philippine Masters and the attendance of the high profile Team Associated factory driver is a major boost for the Asian 1:8 Offroad scene.  As with previous editions of the race, the entry list is expected to be bolstered by further high profile driver announcements.  Making its post Covid return to the international racing calendar, the Philippine Masters has established itself as one of Asia’s major international events with 2023 the 11th running of the event.  Hosted by QCRCCC and directed by the voice of RC Scotty Ernst, the event takes place in the heart of the capital city at the beautiful Circulo Verde track.  Already close to reaching its 120 entry capacity, the race has attracted many of Asia’s top drivers with a strong contingent of Australian racers signed up to enjoy both the racing and hospitality in Manila.

Source: Philippine Masters [philippinemastersrc.com]


January 6, 2023

Schumacher Eclipse 5

In a busy week for Schumacher with driver announcements, the British manufacturer has also managed to kick off the first week of 2023 with the release of the new Eclipse 5 1:12 chassis.   The Eclipse cars are the current reigning 1/12th scale IFMAR World and EFRA European Champions in both modified and stock classes with the new Eclipse 5 featuring an extensive list of refinements, making it even faster and better handling.  Schumacher describe the Eclipse 5 as ‘the ultimate professional LMP12 racing chassis kit’.  Pre-Orders are being taken with the kits due late January. 

View more images and all features here


January 6, 2023

Payne signs for Schumacher

Top international 1:12 racer Ollie Payne has signed to race with Schumacher, the news concluding a big week of driver signings for the British team.  The former Roche driver, who spent most of his racing career with the Hong Kong manufacturer, will work alongside Schumacher designer & racer Andy Murray and its worldwide team at UK, USA, European, and World events with the Eclipse 1:12 platform as well as its Mi8 touring car.  A former EFRA European Champion, IFMAR Worlds Finalist, and winner of the Cleveland US Indoor Champs and New York GP, Payne said, “I am very excited to be joining Schumacher for 2023 and beyond. Thanks to Robin and Andy for the opportunity!”

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]


January 6, 2023

T-works X4 Brass Motor Mount Weights

Coming from T-Works and made for Xray’s X4/X ’23 electric touring car is this brass motor mount weights set.  The 3 piece set contains 4, 4.5 & 8 grams brass weights machined to specifically to fit around the drive train components and place the weight towards the centre of the car.

View weights mounted here


January 6, 2023

Avid RC8B4 Carbon Arm Inserts

American company Avid Racing has released carbon arm inserts for the RC8B4 1:8 Buggy from Team Associated.  Made from 2.0mm carbon fibre, the inserts are an addition set-up tuning option reducing the flex and twist in the arm.  A common setting is to run them just in the front or just the rear to dial in the feel of your buggy. The left and right inserts are interchangeable.

View front arm inserts here


January 5, 2023

Tebo joins Mayako in dual role

Jared Tebo has been announced as a new signing at 1:8 Offroad newcomers Mayako.  After his departure from Tekno before Christmas it was widely rumoured the America star was headed to Mayako with the announcement finally being made today.  Tebo will represent the brand both on the track and off it, filling the role of Mayako USA Community Manager as well as international factory driver.  On the announcement Tebo posted, ‘Really excited to finally announce that I’m joining Mayako for 2023 and beyond.  I’m excited to be a professional driver for them, and also take on the role of Mayako USA Community Manager. Working with Robert, David, Joseph and all the Mayako staff has been great so far. See you all at the track soon!’  Mayako added, ‘We are proud to continue our by welcoming our third World Champion, Jared Tebo, to our community’.

Source: Mayako [mayako.com]