October 9, 2024

Thunder Alley RC Raceway announces closure

It was the venue of the first ever ROAR 1:8 Offroad National Championships Red RC would attend and we still have great memories of being blown away on arriving at Thunder Alley RC Raceway in 2011, but unfortunately this well known track has just announced that it is to close permanently at the end of 2024.  Reporting on a Jared Tebo TQ and Ryan 1-2 result that year, Cavalieri taking the win ahead of then Associated team-mate Maifield, the world famous track has played host to many great races since with the news a big blown to the hotspot of Offroad racing that is Southern California.  On its Facebook page together with images of its latest track build, the track posted, ‘Here is your last and final layout at the world famous Thunder Alley RC Raceway for the 21st annual Proline Nitro Explosion!  With a heavy heart Im still not sure if I have the best words for this but unfortunately due to circumstances mostly beyond our control as of January 1st, Thunder Alley Rc Raceway will be permanently closing and the park will be repurposing the facility.  With that being said, we still have the rest of the year and a few great events such as our Easy Money Race and our annual Toy Drive as well as a few more club races that we will be scheduling to enjoy the track we love so much!  We will need your continued support threw this time as even closing is a costly process. Currently we are looking at another property, but this will be a long process to get things up and going.  If anyone has any other leads or connections to any other locations please reach out.  We are beyond grateful for the friend and family we have made over the last 20+years and the support from the Rc community world wide.’

View images from 2011 Nationals at Thunder Alley here


October 7, 2024

Ongaro doubles again at Buggyland

Team Associated’s Davide Ongaro has won the 11th edition of the Buggyland, the newly crowed 3-in-a-row World Champion repeating the victory double he achieved last year at the Spanish race.  The Madrid based event would kick off with Tekno’s World Championship finalist Joao Figueredo topping Nitro Buggy seeding ahead of Ongaro.  With three rounds of qualifying it would be another World Championship final who took Q1, Mugen Seiki’s Berkan Kilic fastest from his brother Burak with Figueredo third.  Q2 & 3 however Ongaro lay down the form for the rest of the event with the fastest times ahead of the Berkan.  In the 16 buggy grid 1-hour final that order was maintained with Ongaro taking a comfortable win by 15-seconds over Berkan with the Sworkz of 2021 Buggland double winner Juan Carlos Canas coming from P5 on the grid to complete the podium.  In eBuggy,  the result was a repeat of Nitro with Ongaro taking the TQ and win while Canas and Berkan Kilic switch order on the podium with Canas the runner up.

Image: Mauro Ongaro [Facebook]


October 6, 2024

Donnelly crowned Australian 4WD Offroad Champion

Lachan Donnelly is the 2024 Australian 4WD Offroad National Champion, the long time Team Associated driver reversing yesterday’s 2WD result to beat his 2-time World Champion team-mate Spencer Rivkin to crown at Hills Off Road RC track.  Sunday’s 4WD title action at the Campbelltown Hobbies 2024 RCRA EP Offroad Australian Championships saw the 20-year-old from Sydney secure the 4WD TQ as he topped the opening 2 rounds of qualifying.   Fresh from his 2WD title on Saturday, the US star using the event as practice for the IFMAR Electric Offroad World Championships the Sydney track will host in 12-months time, Rivkin went fastest in Q3 to secure the No.2 spot on the grid.  Rounding out quali by topping the fourth & final round multiple National Champion Ari Bakla’s Xray would line up 3rd on grid ahead of another US visitor Chase Lemiuex.  In the finals Donnelly would put in two faultless drives to secure the title that will go down as one of the National Championships more special years.  Winning A1 ahead of Lemiuex and A2 ahead of Bakla, everything was to play for as to who would stand either side of the new Champion, it an emotional and very popular win.  A great battle between Bakla and Rivkin would ensue, the former looking like he had done enough to get the job done but in the dying moments of the last lap Rivkin executed the pass to secure the win and another Team Associated podium 1-2, Bakla ending up on the third step.  In 4WD Stock, Michael Stone pulled off the double adding to his 2WD title with victory over Justin O Connell and Andrew Selvaggi.

Image: Team Associated Australia [Facebook]


October 5, 2024

Rivkin wins Australian 2WD Offroad Nationals

Not a headline you’d usually expect to read but US offroad star Spencer Rivkin is the new Australian 2WD Offroad National Champion.  Together with promising US racer Chase Lemiuex, the duo have travelled to Sydney to the Hills Off Road RC track which will host next year’s IFMAR Electric Offroad World Championships.  While an official Warm-up Race will take place in April, the timing of the Campbelltown Hobbies 2024 RCRA EP Offroad Australian Championships gives racers the opportunity to experience the same weather conditions as is expected for the Worlds which run from September 29 – October 6, 2025.  With Saturday’s action dedicated to deciding the 2WD Champion, after 4 rounds of qualifying it was Rivkin’s Team Associated that took the overall TQ after topping two rounds while Aussie’s top racers Ari Bakla and Lachlan Donnelly posted a TQ run each to line P2 & 3 respectively.  In the triple finals Rivkin, who will chase his third 2WD World title next year Down Under, cruised to wins in A1 and 2 to added a new title to his CV.  A win in A3 from Donnelly would make it an Associated 1-2 while 2nd in A3 gave Lemiuex the final step on the podium.  In the 2WD Stock title race, Xray’s Michael Stone, the man responsible for last year’s 1:8  GT World Championship in Sydney, dominated to take the win.

Image: Hills Off Road RC [Facebook]

 


October 4, 2024

AX Arena to open as Switzerland’s biggest indoor track

New Swiss RC accessories producer Axxelerate RC has announced that in addition to it products that the soon-to-opened AX Arena in Cham, Switzerland, will be at the heart of the brand.  As the largest indoor RC racing facility in the country, the arena will offer both on-road and off-road tracks, catering to all levels of racing enthusiasts.  Behind Axxelerate RC is a dedicated team that not only aims to provide a world-class racing experience but also delivers top-tier RC racing products.  Currently gearing up for the grand opening on October 18th, the track is already set to host the Swiss Indoor Championship this December.  We will bring you more details and images of the new track once it is near completion.

Source: Axxelerate [axxeleraterc.com]


October 4, 2024

RC-Project 1:8 Brushless Motor Mount

Italy’s RC-Project has released a new fan mount designed for 1:8 brushless motors with diameters ranging from 39 to 41.5mm.  Also compatible with 30mm and 40mm fans, it is made from a single piece of Ergal 7075 T6 offering high structural rigidity and lightweight properties and ensuring resistance to vibrations and stability during operation.  The surface treatment enhances corrosion and wear resistance.  The asymmetric design optimises airflow directed towards the motor, promoting more effective heat dissipation compared to competing solutions, this configuration allows for superior thermal management, reducing the risk of overheating and improving the motor’s operational efficiency and longevity.  An ideal choice for high performance even under demanding conditions.

Source: RC-Project [rc-project.it]


October 4, 2024

T-works 1:10 Lexan 7″ Flat Rear Wing with Center Divider

T-works has introduced a new 1:10 Lexan 7″ Flat Rear Wing with Center Divider.  The Rear Wing is one of the keys to enhancing the performance of your buggy and with Center Divider this can improve downforce, enhance grip and improve manoeuvrability.  The flexible adjustment of the wing allows the buggy to remain competitive in the changing track conditions.  The wing comes vaccum molded as two uncut wings.

Source: T-Works [rc-tworks.com]


October 2, 2024

2024 Asian Buggy C/ships Indonesia Chassis Focus Index

Last weekend Indonesia played host to the season finale of the 4-round Asian Buggy Championships.  The all natural dirt West Side Raceway track, which is owned by very competent racer Adrian Wicaksono, would prove challenging but a big hit with racers, the event bringing drivers from 12 different countries to the capital of Jakarta.  While Kouki Kato took the win for Infinity, overall it was the Sworkz of Australian Christian Wolhuter who became the inaugural Champion of the 2024 season.  Rewarded for his efforts in hosting the race with a podium finish, WicaksonoIt’s Team Associated made it three different manufacturers in the Top 3 at the end of the 1-hour final.  Attracting over 130 entries, we got the chance to photograph 8 buggies from 5 different manufacturers including the Xray of promising 12-year-old Indonesian talent Yansen Wijaya, who, like a certain 3-in-row World Champion, races using a Sanwa stick radio.  In case you missed any of the Chassis Focus’ during our coverage of the race, we have compiled them all in our latest Chassis Focus index.

View Chassis Focus Index here