Having updated their 1:8 GT platform in May for the first time since the 2024 model, Xray has added this 1 Dot 3mm Carbon Steering Block Plate as a tuning option for the GTX. The revised ackermann geometry allows maximum steering angle and is designed to increase steering angle of the outside wheel, generating increased overall steering. The more linear steering characteristic provides more aggressive steering and improved front-end response.
After a disappointing Round 5 at Adur and European Championship in France, Shepherd’s Tim Wood bounced back to take the Round 6 win of the BRCA British National 1:8 Onroad Championship at Wombwell over the weekend. In qualifying, 25-drivers making up the 1:8 Nitro class, it was Wood who would secure the TQ being the only one to manage a 15-lap run around the 50-year-old track over the 4 rounds of qualifying. Behind him Andrew Hasting would secured second on the grid ahead of David Spashett and Karl Dransfield. In the half hour final, setting the fastest lap Wood would dominate from the front to claim his 4 win of the season. Spashett and Round 5 winner Craig Hook would complete the all Shepherd podium with Hastings dropping to fourth. The penultimate round of the 8 round championship will see racers return to Halifax on September 5/6th where it was reigning Champion Alex Thurston who won the the season opener.
Image: Shepherd Micro Racing [Facebook]
Adding to its world famous set-up system range, Hudy has introduced these Aluminium set-up wheels designed for precise and repeatable tweak adjustment on 1:10 Pan Car chassis. The rigid aluminium construction eliminates inaccuracies caused by rubber or foam tires, allowing accurate chassis balance checks. Foam tyres used on pan cars can vary significantly in diameter after each run, making reliable tweak measurement difficult. Aluminium set-up wheels eliminate these inconsistencies and allow precise chassis balance checks. With a 61.7mm diameter and featuring a machined in wheel weight, each wheel is CNC-machined to exact tolerances and perfectly matched within the set for maximum setup precision.
New from Ielasi Tuned come these Team Editions of its GT and Pista .21 engines. The Pista Team is an upgrade from the previous version while the Gran Turismo Team comes fresh after its European title win in Portugal with Andrea Catanzani. The Gran Turismo Team is a new addition to the range as there was no Team version of this engine until now and will join to the standard Gran Turismo currently on sale. The engine will also feature a HD-treated crankcase, a new crankcase cap, Ielasi Tuned top needle, WIB ceramic bearing, a 7mm Short Venturi, a new exclusive Ielasi Tuned underhead, and a new cooling head with more heat dissipation material and one more fin than the standard version. The new Pista Team differs from the previous version mainly in the HD-treated crankcase, the new crankcase cap, and the different exhaust timing using a shim under the cylinder already included. Being the top-of-the-range version, the engine will always include the WIB ceramic main bearing, the Ielasi Tuned’s reinforced connecting rod, and Short 9mm V2 venturi. Pre-orders for the new engines are open with both units due to go on sale from September 14th.
Attracting 220, the 2026 NZRCA Indoor Offroad Nationals took place over the weekend with young Team Yokomo driver Dylan Toia coming away as the big winner. Hosted by the Hamilton Radio Control Car Club which is located in Hamilton City on New Zealand’s north island, qualifying on the carpet track would see Toia secure the TQ for 3 of the 8 classes before going on to claim three National titles. Converting his 17.5T Stock 2WD Buggy and 17.5T Stock 4WD Buggy TQs into victories, he would also win the 2WD Mod Buggy title ahead of the Schumacher of Top Qualifier Jarod Ment with older brother Logan Toia completing the podium with his Yokomo. In 4WD Mod Buggy, Ment would secure the title from the TQ with Dylan and Xray’s Nicolas Lee from Singapore joining him on the podium. In 17.5 Stadium Truck it was Jackson Coombes who put his Hobbywing powered Yokomo on pole before going on to take the title ahead of Scott Brownhill.
As now is pretty standard in the buggy market, R1 Wurks has released this optional -4 mm chassis for their R1B 1:10 2WD Buggy. Made from high strength 7075 T6 aluminium and finished with a durable black hard anodised coating, it moves the rearward portion of the chassis and weight distribution forward by 4 mm, shortening the wheelbase and resulting in a more nimble, quicker-rotating handling feel. It is best suited for track conditions where quicker rotation and faster direction changes are needed and drivers looking for a more responsive and aggressive handling feel. When using the -4 mm chassis, some of the rearmost battery mounting options may no longer be available. Availability is also dependent on the electronics form factor being used.
Sworkz/Reds Racing/GRP factory driver Elliott Boots celebrated a landmark 10th British 1:8 Nitro Buggy National title over the weekend with victory at the fifth & final round of the 2026 Championship. Racing at Shrewsbury with 123 racers in attendance, the 2-time European Champion and World Championship Top Qualifier, secured the TQ as he topped 3 of the five qualifiers. Winner of Round 3 at Slough, the Agama of Erik Lykke was fastest in Q4 to secure second while fastest in the opening qualifier Xray’s Jonathan Skidmore, winner of Round 2 at Blackpool, competed the P3. Winning his Semi Final from Skidmore, with Lykke winning the other Semi to line up P3, the duo would battle it out for the win over the 45-minutes with Boots eventually taking his 3rd win of the season by less than 2-seconds. From sixth on the grid, William Skidmore would take the final step on the podium with Lykke, the winner of Round 3 at Slough, dropping back to 5th. Overall Lykke would finish the championship 3rd in the overall standings behind Jonathan Skidmore and Boots, for whom this was his 5th consecutive BRCA RallyX title win.
Image: Elliott Boots [Facebook]
Fresh from celebrating victory for its electronics at the China National Championships in the hands of Modified Touring Car driver Kenrick Fong, Hong Kong’s Team Powers has announced the upcoming release of its 30mm & 40mm Hemicycle Fan Shrouds. Engineered for maximum efficiency and durability, their maximised airflow evenly distributes air to lower motor temperatures fast. Made from heat-resistant premium thermoplastic this prevents warping under high temperatures. Their universal fit means the Hemicycle design fits most standard 30mm and 40mm fans.
Source: Team Powers [team-powers.com]
