Red RC

August 12, 2026

Volker confirmed as new high profile RC Maker signing

Fresh from launching its new SP2 1:10 Electric Touring Car to a very positive reaction, RC Maker will now be represented on the international stage by Ronald Volker with the news the 2016 World Champion has signed for the Australian manufacturer. After almost 6-years with Mugen Seiki, Volker now joins the category’s relative newcomer which was created by one of Australia’s most accomplished touring car racers Ryan Maker. Only entering the touring car kit market in 2024 with the SP1, securing the services of this highly experienced racer is a major boost for the Maker and his ambitions for the brand as it rolls out its new SP2 around the world. While RC Maker has worked with Atsushi Hara previously in a deal that saw the RC Legend race their car at the 2025 TITC, and which was followed up by an SP1 ‘Hara Edition’ kit, Volker joins the team as a full time team driver. Announcing the deal on his social media, Volker posted, ‘RC Maker it is! I first met Ryan at the 2008 Worlds. We became good friends right away, stayed in touch ever since and little did I know back then that we will end up working together! Many of you know how enthusiastic Ryan is about RC. To start up your own RC brand is one thing, but to be where he is now and create a touring car platform is something very special. I know he and his family couldn’t be more proud of what he has achieved, and I am very happy to play my part in the future of RC Maker too! I want to thanks everyone from the past and present for the support, and especially the nice comments and messages I’ve had since my announcement yesterday. I now want to thank everyone involved around the RC Maker brand, along with all my other sponsors for their continuing trust in my racing program and myself! I can’t wait to build up my new SP2 cars and hit the track in Arena33 next week! I can’t wait to meet up with my team and grow something big!’

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August 12, 2026

New Onroad track nearing completion in New Zealand

New Zealand is close to getting a new international spec onroad track with works on the new Taranaki Radio Control Car Club facility in New Plymouth nearing completion. A club that has been in existence since 1978, that uses an existing parking lot style onroad track and also has a dedicated offroad track in the area, have already invested over NZ$300,000 into the brand new purpose built facility. A significant community-driven project that will benefit RC racing in New Zealand and the wider region, their goal has been to create one of the premier RC onroad circuits in the Asia-Pacific region, the facility being designed with major national and international events in mind, including the potential to host future FEMCA-level competitions. Now entering the final stage of the project, TRCCC recently launched their “Road to Opening Day” campaign to help raise the final funds needed to complete the track & its facilities. As part of the campaign, supporters can become one of our Founding 300 Members, receiving a personalised commemorative plaque and permanent recognition on our Legacy Wall at the circuit. This campaign will help to the club raise the final NZ$150,000 to complete the project ahead of its official 2027 opening.

View construction work images here

August 11, 2026

GPZ 1:28 Rubber Tyres for RCP Tracks

New French brand GPZ has released a new range of high-performance 1:28 rubber tyres specially developed for optimal grip on RCP-type tracks. Made in France from exclusive compounds with strict hardness control for every production run, the tyres have been validated by some of the categories leading racers including World Champion José Péquito. Offer in three compounds, the Soft option is made from an ultra-soft compound for maximum grip in ideal conditions. The GPZ Medium tyre provides balance between grip and durability for all RCP tracks. The Hard is a long-lasting compound for extended sessions and abrasive surfaces. Each set of tyres comes in an airtight & reusable packaging designed as a genuine performance tool. With no air exchange & no external contamination, the compound remains stable, session after session.

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August 11, 2026

Volker departs Mugen Seiki

Ronald Volker has announced his departure from Mugen Seiki, the 2016 World Champion having represented the Japanese manufacturer for almost 6-years and brought their Touring Car program to the fore on the international stage. Joining them in October 2020 after a long stint with Yokomo, Volker had worked very closely with fellow German Robert Pietsch on the project, Pietsch announcing his departure from Mugen Seiki at the end of 2025 after 16-years desiging their onroad cars including the MTC platform. He subsequently joined the Infinity design team for the 2026 season. Volker, who earlier this year took his 100th ETS win with the MTC3, announced the news of his departure on Facebook ending the post by stating, ‘it is time to take on a new adventure ahead.’ With the World Championships, which should have been staged earlier this year in China, now 3-months away it will be interesting to see which brand the popular and hugely experienced touring car veteran will represent at Huge RC in Thailand.

Read Ronald’s departure announcement here

August 10, 2026

2026 IFMAR 1:10 IC Track WC Stage 2 Report

IFMAR has published the Stage 2 Report for the upcoming 1:10 Nitro Touring Car World Championship in Italy, the 11th running of Worlds attracting a bumper 129 entries from 21 countries. Cars will hit the track for the first on September 4th with the first of two days of IPD practice which will be followed by two more days of Free Practice. The event gets underway proper on Tuesday, September 8th, with 4 rounds of Timed Practice which is when Red RC will begin its coverage from Gubbio. In addition to a detailed time schedule, the other key points in the Stage 2 Report are details of the handout tyres which are being supplied by Italian manufacturer Hotrace. The tyre specs are 35 shore/62mm fronts and 37 shore 64mm rears. In relation to fuel, drivers will have the option to choose one of 3 different suppliers. Italy’s Pepe Group brand Energy will offer their Thunder 16% EU fuel, with Runner Time, also produced in Italy offering its FAST 16EU. Thailand’s Maxima will supply its Core 16% EU. Fuel for IPD and Free Practice sessions is the driver ‘s responsibility with fuel subject to Parc Fermé regulations from Timed Practice. View the full Stage 2 report here.

Source: IFMAR [ifmar.org]

August 10, 2026

Hall brothers double at British Buggy Nationals Round 5

The fifth round of the British 1:10 Offroad National Championships saw the Hall brothers do the double, Jamie taking the win in Saturday’s 2WD action and Tommy the winner of 4WD on the Sunday. Hosted by Bury Metro Radio Car Club, the event would see Schumacher’s Ben Smith taking the 2WD TQ with two TQ runs ahead of the Team Associated siblings, Jamie securing P2 ahead of Tommy. In the finals it was Jamie Hall who took A1 from Smith. With Smith winning A2, it all came down to A3 in which the Halls took a 1-2 as Smith dropped to P3. Overall this gave Jamei the win from Smith with Tommy, winner of the previous round in Southport completing the podium. In 4WD, Tommy would secure the TQ ahead Thomas Phipps with Round 4 winner Josh Holdsworth completing the Top 3. In the finals, after a P5 in A1 which was won by Phipps from Xray’s Lee Martin, the Top Qualifier & defending National Champion would defend his No.1 starting position to win A2 & 3 to secure his first 4WD win of the season. He was joined on the podium by Phipps and Holdsworth. The overall championships will be decided at the season finale later this month as Batley Buggy Club hosts Round 6 on August 29/30th.

Image: Team Associated [Facebook]

August 10, 2026

Krazed Builds 7XF TRF421 FWD Conversation Kit

Bringing us the A12F Veyron Kit F1 earlier this year, US based Krazed Builds has announced the up coming release of its 7XF kit, an innovative Front Wheel Drive kit designed for the TRF421 1:10 Electric Touring Car from Tamiya. It was designed with the focus of keeping all the original TRF421 parts used and no chasing down random ones from other suppliers. Starting from the ground up they designed a 7075-T6 Aluminium chassis focused on tunability with symmetrical flex in the right places giving control and power where its needed. They have maximised stability in the rear suspension so the front can do its job. Moving the stock motor mount forward they were able to maintain balance with performance and keep all electronics in a nested area for controlled weight transfer. This leaves room for drivers to fine tune their balance on scales. Not being a fan of stacking all the weight over the front tires and hoping the rear stays planted, this helped create what Krazed Builds believe is a better transfer of weight on and off power. The 3D printed bumper has the ability to use popular cylindrical weights with Awesomatix making these in 5 gram and 10 gram units that have a threaded centre hole. Adding a Carbon Fiber upper bumper brace drivers can attach up to 70 grams directly in front of their wheels. They also added a few extra locations towards the rear to attach these weights as well as the popular stick on ones. In addition to the 7075-T6 Alloy chassis, the 7XF kit also includes 2mm Carbon Fibre front and rear top decks while in the rear it comes with a new 4mm Carbon Fibre body mount plus 2 carbon shims for the rear shock tower mounts. You also get two new Carbon Fibre Battery holders plus a belt for the new driveline.

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August 10, 2026

SuperRad Super9RH SR-12 1:12 LMH body

Having released the Super9RH SR-37 for the 1:10 LMH class earlier in the year, US body shell manufacturer SuperRad Competition Bodyshells is now producing it in a 1:12 version, the Super9RH-12. Designed for the emerging 1:12 LMH class, the new shell is produced from .020” polycarbonate, wing, decal sheet, and window mask.

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