January 21, 2025

Sparko 1:8 Offroad program for Ben Mohamed

Up & coming French teenage offroad talent Noha Ben Mohamed has joined 1:8 Offroad chassis manufacturer Sparko complimenting his previously announced new 1:10 Offroad program with Schumacher.  On the announcement the Tawianese manufacturer said, ‘At Sparko, we believe in nurturing young talent and pushing boundaries—values that perfectly align with Noha’s vision.  Together, we’re ready to accelerate into the upcoming season, aiming for new milestones on and off the track.  Follow us as we embark on this exciting journey with Noha and Sparko Racing.  The future starts now!’  On his new 1:8 deal announcement, the former Xray driver added, ‘This is an exciting moment for me.  Joining a young and developing team like Sparko Racing 1/8 was a wish, and it’s come true.  I’m looking forward to working with such an innovative team and taking on new challenges together.’

Source: Sparko Racing [Facebook] 


January 21, 2025

Philippine Masters ’25 track revealed

The organisers of the Philippine Masters has revealed the Circulo Verde Race Track which will host Asia’s most high profile 1:8 Offroad event of the year from April 30-May 4.  The 13th running of the Philippine Masters, track designer and accomplished offroad racer Edward Sio has overseen the work which includes the track being newly re-surfaced and oiled.  Tweaking the layout in some sections and they have also added some additional jumps for more actions on this always popular track.  Last year the Manila event was once again won by World Champion Davide Ongaro in a final that saw the legendary Atsushi Hara lead for almost half the final.  With the Philippines famed as a holiday destination, the event has a truly unique vibe living up to the nations tourism tagline ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’.  Holding the same status as the TITC in Thailand does among onroad racers, once again Philippine Masters ’25 will form part of Scotty Ernst’s Asian Buggy Championships as the second stop of four races that make up the championship’s third season.

View more images here


January 20, 2025

Ogden joins Sparko

1:8 Offroad chassis manufacturer Sparko has announced that World Championship Finalist Cole Ogden has joined its team for 2025.  The American, who was a long time HB Racing team driver but ran 2024 without a chassis sponsor, will now help lead the US efforts of the category’s relative newcomer who after launching their first buggy in 2023 started the 2024 season by signing Ryan Cavalieri and Ryan Pavidis.  On the announcement Ogden said, ‘I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Sparko family.  Taking a much needed break throughout the entirety of 2024, has made me realize that my time here isn’t complete.  I still have the passion and drive to compete and spread knowledge about racing.  Traveling the world, racing and helping others has always brought me extreme satisfaction.  Forming relationships with other racers at all levels drives me, and is an important part of what us drivers do.  Racing, and development is my duty moving forward, as well as what I previously stated.  I’m looking forward to a busy year ahead, and I’m ready to go to work!’

Source: Sparko Racing [Facebook] 


January 19, 2025

RC Chili Bowl crowns Dean as Oval World Champion

This past week the pinnacle of the RC Dirt Oval World, the RC Chili Bowl, gathered the best racers from across the United States to find out who was the best and would be crowned World Champion with Nathan Dean claiming that honour.  Running alongside the famous Chili Bowl Midget Nationals held annually in Tulsa, the sold-out RC Chili Bowl’s Invitational Class was decided over sixteen rounds of heads up Reedy Race format racing.  In the 8 rounds of Late Model, Dean managed two wins before adding another three in Sprint with his best 14 from 16 results giving him a total of 32 points.  With 3 wins and a total of 34 points Robert Chapman finished runner-up.  Claiming the most wins with 6 to his credit, JConcepts’ Tyler Hooks also had to count two P6 results and he completed the podium.

Image: RC Chili Bowl [rcchilibowl.com]


January 18, 2025

‘Rising Star Program’ reaches Oval Racing at Chili Bowl

The ‘Rising Star Program’ has reached out into Oval Racing with 12-year-old Jordyn Mann the first recipient of the prize at the 2025 RC Chili Bowl where no less than 19 RC brands supported the new initiative.  Starting out in 2018 as an initiative at the Canadian National Championships and growing ever since, the latest presentation being made at the U.S Indoor Champs, its spin off into the world of dirt oval racing came about after Ryan Combden of Team Zombie Canada, who has been the main driving force behind the ‘Rising Star Program’, appeared on the RC Underground podcast.  They loved the program so much they did a spin off which was present to Jordyn at the massive sell-out RC Chili Bowl which runs alongside the famous Chili Bowl Midget Nationals held annual in Tulsa.  Taking up racing 4-years ago, Jordyn has been impressing with her talents and being awarded the ‘Rising Star Program’ is sure to help her rise up the ranks in the world of Dirt Oval RC Racing.

View Dirt Oval ‘Rising Star Program’ supporters here


January 16, 2025

1up Racing Lead Product Development role for Cavalieri

1up Racing has announced the promotion of multiple offroad World Champion Ryan Cavalieri to the role of Lead Product Development Driver and Brand Ambassador.  A close friend of 1up Racing founder Randy Caster, ‘Cav’ has been a supporter of the growing California based company since it’s beginning in 2017 and was involved in testing what became their very first 1up product, 1up Gold AW Grease, on his cars way back in 2015.  This new role will see Cavalieri play a key player in future product development for 1up in addition to his driving duties.  Announcing his departure from chassis sponsor Schumacher at the end of 2024, his new 1:10 Buggies and Touring Cars will be equipped with every 1up Racing accessory possible and he will be working closer with Joe Pillars and Caster, a trio that has won multiple IFMAR Worlds and ROAR National Championships as Driver/Team Manager/Mechanic combinations.  He will be attending major 1:10 offroad Races along with select onroad races including the full 1up Cup Series and ROAR Paved Nationals.

Source: 1up Racing [1upracing.com]


January 16, 2025

Kilic goes Nova Engines

Having announced last week he would longer be running Mugen Seiki’s own Ninja brand of engines, Italian engine manufacturer Nova Engines has announced they will power 1:8 Offroad World Finalist Burak Kilic in 2025/26.  Entering into his 6th season with the Japanese car manufacturer Kilic has until now used Ninja engines taking the combo to 6th at last September’s World Championship in Redovan.  One the announcement, the older of the Kilic brothers posted, ‘Lets Go! Nova Engines for 2025/26. Thank you very much for this Rossi Mirko and Andrea Rossi. Cant wait to hit the track here in France tomorrow with Zak Medjoubi and Andrea.’

Source: Nova Engines [nova-engines.com]


January 16, 2025

Ultimate Racing engines for Batlle

Having made the move to Sworkz, for whom he will not only race but also fill the role of team manager, Robert Batlle’s 1:8 Offroad program will be powered by engines from Ultimate Racing for 2025.  The former World Champion has a longtime relationship with Ultimate Racing having been supported heavily by the Spanish brand’s owners Modelix Racing during his early European Championship reign.  Having run Corsatec engines as part of his stint with Mayako, on his new engine deal Batlle posted, ‘We go back to the origins, the one of things that are to come, you will love them. Back to the beginning, so excited about all news coming soon.’  Already supported by Modelix’s fuel brand Nitrolux, Batlle will continue to use this with further collaboration to be announced.

Source: Robert Batlle [Facebook]