Red RC

January 1, 2026

ORCA signs Sawada

Electronics brand ORCA has announced the signing of top Japanese Touring Car driver & recently crowned 2025 FEMCA Asia Touring Car Spec Champion Shin Sawada. The Xray team driver, who finished fifth at the 2024 IFMAR World Championships in the Spec Class and previously ran for Hobbywing, will join the likes of Naoto Matsukura, Akio Sobue, and Lucas Urbain, in representing the ORCA brand in 2026. A World Championship year, Sawada will be one of ORCA’s key challengers for the Spec title at the Hongyu GDC track in China next April.

Source: ORCA [orcarc.com]

January 1, 2026

Butterfield joins Team Associated

Having announced his departure from Serpent last week, multiple US Nitro Onroad National Champion Bryce Butterfield will race for Team Associated in 2026. Racing both nitro and electric programs during his 5-years with Serpent, the 24-year-old will now form part of Team Associated’s Electric Touring Car team, the US manufacturer only returning to competitive racing with the TC8 which went on release in April of 2025. Sharing the news on his social media, Butterfield who finished runner-up at the 2025 ROAR Modified Touring Car Paved Championships, said, ‘2026 brings a new chapter, Team Associated! Super excited and proud to be a part of this iconic brand! Thank you to BT and everyone behind the scene for allowing me to represent. I’m looking forward to working with the team with a focus on the TC8 and onroad with some off-road sprinkled in here and there. It’s gonna be a great, but busy year! Feel free to come check out my TC8, and hit me up online if you have any questions regarding Team Associated products. See everyone at the track!

Source: Bryce Butterfield [Facebook]

December 31, 2025

EXO Design Updated Optima Mid LWB Conversion Kit

To support the re-release of the Kyosho’s Turbo Optima MID Special, Buggy conversation specialist EXO Design has released an updated version of its Conversion Kit for the 1:10 4WD Buggy. This new version has received significant design upgrades including Belt Relief Groove, this recessed groove preventing friction between the belt and the chassis plate. It also gets a Transverse Battery Setup which retains the stock Rere holder but upgrades to Metal Battery Holder Nuts for a secure, zero-risk fit. The updated chassis design now accommodates the installation of the Kyosho #30623 Turbo Optima MID Special under tray. In addition to the updated kit, EXO Design also confirmed its 1:10 FF Buggy will officially release in 2026. The final production version features several design changes compared to the prototype previously shared. Targeting a release in Q2 2026, once the shipping schedule is confirmed, they will launch a pre-order campaign.

View more images here

December 31, 2025

Phend confirms switch to Matrix Tires

Having announced that he was leaving JConcepts after 6 seasons with the US tyre brand, Dakotah Phend has been confirmed at Matrix for 2026. The Xray driver joins reigning 1:8 Offroad World Champion Davide Ongaro in running the Italian manufacturer’s tyres. On sharing the announcement Phend posted, ‘With time comes change and with change comes opportunity and I’m extremely excited for what the future holds. Cristian, the owner of Matrix, has been great to work with and I can’t wait to help the brand grow and flourish over here in the states. First race up will be Clash with the newly announced Matrix slick tires!’

Source: Dakotah Phend [Facebook]

December 31, 2025

JConcepts Micro-T Finnisher body w/Rear Spoiler

Ending out the 2025 year, JConcepts has released their Finnisher body for the popular 1:28 Micro-T from Losi. The body incorporates pre-dimpled locations for the mini truck and has a slight cab forward, raked windshield and aggressive stance that highlights a performance-oriented core. The front hood scoop allows plenty of clearance for mini front-end geometry and body mounts while smoothing out the front down force area. Front chin spoiler, headlight, and grill protect the front-end from unwanted up-drafts during flight. Just like the larger trucks, the Micro-T body has all the performance-based features like air-escape passages which can be trimmed by the customer for better “in-flight” characteristics. Recessed windows look heavy and add to the depth of the Finnisher styling. Heavy bracing between the back of the cab and rear shock tower humps connects the features and add some rigidness to the design. The rear spoiler is included as part of the rear of complete body assembly mold. To assemble the rear spoiler, it’s necessary to use the standard mounting hardware and brace included with Micco-T kit. Each body receives window mask and a decal sheet.

View more images here

December 31, 2025

Genius XR5.26 1:5 Touring Car

Italian Large Scale and 1:8 GT chassis manufacturer Genius has unveiled its latest 1:5 Touring Car, the XR5.26. They say the XR5.26 represents the most advanced evolution of their 1:5 platform developed through over two years of design, simulation, and intensive on-track testing under real race conditions. The project was developed from a blank sheet, with the goal of creating a dynamically more efficient car, capable of delivering consistent performance, ease of setup, and a high level of control for the driver. Featuring a completely new, it is designed to operate with controlled and uniform flex along its entire length. The introduction of the new centralised engine mounting system, developed specifically for the Diablo R engine, allows for optimal mass centralisation and a significant lowering of the centre of gravity. The new chassis architecture enabled a complete redesign of the suspension geometry, with particular focus on the management of the front and rear roll centres. The steering assembly has been redesigned with new Ackermann angles and optimised linkages making the steering response more direct yet more predictable.

View more images here

December 31, 2025

Pietsch leaves Mugen Seiki after 16-years

Having brought them World Championship success both as a driver and then as a designer, Robert Pietsch has announced that he is leaving Mugen Seiki after 16-years working together. The German Nitro Onroad racer won the 1:8 Onroad World Championship in Miami in 2011 and was Top Qualifier in 1:10 Nitro Touring Car a year earlier among a host of other successes before taking up the role of designer with the Japanese manufacturer. His most recent design work the MRX7 won the 2025 World Championship on its debut in Chile with Shoki Takahata who used Pietsch’s previous design to win the 2019 title. Pietsch has also been instrumental in Mugen Seiki’s Electric Touring Car programme also regularly accompanying Ronald Volker to races around the world. Having had the pleasure of working with Robert both as a World class racer & a designer, and being there to witness him winning the biggest prize in our sport in 2011 and all the other highs & lows of racing along the way, Red RC wish him well with his ‘new challenge’.

Read Robert’s full post here

December 31, 2025

Pepe Group ‘Fast Cleaner’ engine cleaner

Best known worldwide for their Energy racing fuel brand, having supplied controlled fuel for both the 2025 IFMAR 1:8 GT and 1:8 Onroad World Championships in Chile, Italy’s Pepe Group has released a new RC engine cleaner. They say that PG Fast Cleaner sets a new benchmark in professional RC engine cleaning with the solution engineered as a High-performance technical cleaner for internal and external use on micro engines. Featuring deep degreasing power, Zero residue, and safe on silicone and plastics due to being specifically formulated not to damage them. PG Fast Cleaner comes in a 600 ml spray can with high and consistent pressure for application of the technical cleaner.

Source: Pepe Group [pepegroup.net]