Following the release of their new 1:8 Nitro Competition Buggy earlier this month, WIRC Racing has now released the electric version of the SBX4 platform. The SBX4E gets new rear suspension system and reinforced front hubs like the nitro model, but on the electric side get a new motor and electronics layout. It also get new adjustable battery pack holders.
VP Pro is now offering their 1:8 Shock Boots in a range of vibrant colours. Intended to protect exposed shock absorber shafts against flying rocks, dirt, and mud, they can also enhance the scale appearance of your suspension. Made of high quality rubber material their flexible accordion style results in better durability and easier installation. Following the initial stealth black release, there are now more bright colours with fluorescent yellow, retro pink, forest green and vibrant orange. They are sold as a bag of 4pcs as front or rear boots.
Source: VP Pro [vp-racing.com]
Avid Racing Concepts has released a new line of 2.5mm 3 Hole Pistons for Team Associated’s new 13mm shocks. The thicker 2.5mm style. offer a conventional setup but with a perfectly machined round piston and square 90° edges for a tight-fitting piston that has little blow-by creating more pack on jumps. The AE piston has a slightly rounded outer edge and the holes are chamfered which results in harder landings. Over the years here at Avid, we have developed a process of keeping all the edges sharp with little to no burrs to keep your confidence high when landing big jumps. The pistons are offered in packs of 2 pieces in 1.4mm, 1.5mm, 1.6mm, and 1.7mm options.
Source: Avid [avidrc.com]
Intended for the RC8 B4.1 1:8 Buggy from Team Associated, T-Works has released a new third version 16 degree KPI Front Shock Tower kit. The kit includes a 5mm carbon fibre shock tower with
Xray’s Dakotah Phend has pulled of a trio of ROAR National Championship titles ending a successful week of racing at the 2026 World Championship host track Thornhill Racing Circuit by taking the 1:8 Nitro Buggy title. Having won Nitro Truggy and eBuggy earlier in the week in Texas, getting to the big one Phend would secure the TQ ahead of Tekno pairing Seth VanDalen and Ryan Maifield, the defending 2024 double 1:8 offroad Champion. In the 1-hour final, the first 30-minutes saw Phend lead comfortably but then a flameout during a fuel stop promoted Maifield into the lead. On Phend’s return to the track, he chased down Maifield but mistakes prevented a pass, that was until the final 3-minutes. Maifield got the triple wrong and ended up on his roof allowing Phend back into a lead he would not relinquish. With Phend re-taking the title he last held in 2023, outgoing Champion Maifield took second 1.5-seconds back with the podium completed by VanDalen.
Image: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]
FX Engines have announced that Michal Orlowski will be racing the Slovakian made engines. The Polish driver will us the Hudy owned brand of engines to power his upcoming 1:8 Offroad campaigns at the Polish Nationals and EFRA European Championships in Portugal. On the announcement Schumacher’s Electric Onroad and 1:10 Offroad ace posted, ‘Looking forward to having some fun with nitro in the next few weeks with my Schumacher prototype! Thanks FX Engines!’
Source: FX Engines [fx-engines.com]
Following the introduction of its RS-940 Front Bumper for Mugen Seiki and Team Associated 1:8 Buggies, VP-Pro has expanded the range to offer to cover more manufacturers. Now they are producing the bumper to fit the Tekno NB48 2.2, Xray XB8, the new Hong Nor X5B, the HB819 and the Agama N1. Made from high-quality material for durability, the bumper is specially designed to protect your buggies front end and chassis in the event of knocks and crashes, and minimise contact with the track on jump landings. It is shipped with 2 pieces per bag.
Team Associated rising talent Marcus Kaerup had a successful weekend in his home country with a double win at the NXC Grand Prix. Hosted by Hillerød RC Racing at their track north of the Danish capital Copenhagen, the event has double in size since 2021 with this year’s edition attracting a record 188 entries drivers from Sweden, Norway, Germany, Iceland, England, and Denmark. As the defending Champion Kaerup secured the TQ after topping 3 of the 4 nitro qualifiers with Xray’s Hampus Berg second having topped Q4. Hampus would book his position directly into the 45-minute after winning Superpole. The Mugen Seiki of Pelle Culmsee line up 3rd having win his Semi final while winning the other Semi 15-year-old Oscar Berg’s Xray started P4. Kaerup carried his form into the final but was kept honest by Culmsee, the separation at the finish 8-seconds. Having dropped down the order early on Berg set the fastest lap of the race as the Swede recovered to complete the podium. In eBuggy Kaerup also took the TQ and win with Berg second and Culmsee third.
Image: Marcus Kaerup [Facebook]
