Red RC » Eoghain O Briain

February 4, 2015

Driver changes to spice things up in ETS Round 2

This weekend (6-8 Feb) Round 2 of the Yokomo Euro Touring Series travels to Muelheim-Kaerlich in Germany with the big interest of the weekend set to be on the debut performances of a number of the championship’s leading drivers who since Round 1 last December in the Czech Republic have switched teams. The most significant of these new signings is that of multiple ETS race winner Viktor Wilck. Racing with championship’s most winning manufacturer Tamiya Racing Factory as long as the ETS has been in existence, the Swede will strengthen Serpent’s aspirations to be a winner in the premiere class as he joins podium finisher Marc Fischer. With the German round again as it did last year breaking a new record in terms of the size of the event with over 420 entries, the other big debuts to watch will be those of Freddy Sudhoff and multiple World Championship finalist Elliot Harper.

Continue reading the announcement here

February 4, 2015

Serpent confirm long term deal with Viktor Wilck

Having just earlier today announced that he was to leave long time sponsor Tamiya, Viktor Wilck has been confirmed at Team Serpent. The Swedish ace has signed a long term deal with the Dutch brand to run their complete lineup of cars, both on and offroad, and will be making his touring car debut this weekend at the 2nd round of the ETS in Muelheim Kaerlich, Germany. The deal sees Serpent further strengthen their factory race time with Wilck joining Marc Fischer on the EP TC team, Greiner, Mazzeo, Green and the Sahashi brothers in the Gas TC team and Mike Truhe, Hupo Honigl and a soon to be confirmed German superstar on the offroad team. Viktor had this to say about his new deal:

I’m happy to reach this agreement with Serpent and HP Hobbyprodukter. I felt there was time for a change and after a close relationship with Swedish distributor this opportunity came a long that I could not pass on. I have seen the quality of there products from racing Serpent’s nitro cars and was impressed by their performance so I am really looking forward to this new partnership and to the prospects of achieving good results together over the coming years.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]

February 4, 2015

Martin Hofer joins Yokomo for 2015

Yokomo have announced that Touring Car racing stalwart Martin Hofer will be returning to the team. The 2011 ETS Pro Stock Champion is an ETS A-final regular, and a top contender at any major race he attends. Bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, Yokomo are excited to have him on board. He has this to say:

I am very happy to be part of Team Yokomo, again. This return feels a lot like coming home, back to what is one of the most professional teams in our sport. I am really looking forward to putting my knowledge and experience to good use. Aiming to give the competition a run for their money, the ETS Rd2 will be a debut I’m very excited about. Special thanks to Toni Rheinard and everyone at Team Yokomo for making this adventure happen. Stay tuned!

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]

February 4, 2015

Viktor Wilck announces departure from Tamiya

Viktor Wilck leaves Tamiya

Joining team mate Jilles Groskamp, top Swedish racer Viktor Wilck has also announced that he has left Team Tamiya TRF. The multiple ETS race winner and Worlds finalist leaves the team following 7 years, his entire professional career, with a decision on his next move not yet known. Running for Serpent in Nitro onroad, could we see him make a switch to also running for them in the ISTC class? Viktor had this to say about his departure:

As of today I will not be driving for Tamiya anymore! I have decided not to renew my contract for the 2015-2016 season. I must say its with mixed feelings I leave Tamiya after 7 years. I raced for Tamiya my whole professional RC career so far and I can’t thank all the people at Tamiya enough for the dedication and support the last years. I’m sure TRF will always stay strong and play an important part in RC and I’m sad to leave all my teammates Marc, Jilles, Satoshi, Kiyo, Takayuki and Akio who become like family to me and I wish them all the best for the future!

February 2, 2015

Neumann ends Durango partnership with EOS win

Making his final appearance at the controls of a Durango at Round 2 of the Euro Offroad Series, Joern Neumann signed off on the ultra successful partnership by taking the 4WD win in Berlin. With an announcement on which manufacturer the German ace will join imminent, the win brings his total of wins from the 13 EOS races run since its creation in 2012 to a very impressive 11. Having racked up his 10th TQ in qualifying, Neumann sewed up the overall victory with a win in A2 over Lee Martin putting the 3-time back to back champion top of the points table. Second overall in the German capital would go to the weekend’s 2WD winner Martin and A3 winner while David Ronnefalk’s debut for HB would see him complete the podium.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete coverage here.

February 1, 2015

Neumann survives last lap error to win A1

Joern Neumann survived a last lap error and benefited from great sportsmanship from Lee Martin to win the opening 4WD A-Main at the Euro Offroad Series in Berlin. Top Qualifier for the race, Neumann looked on target to for a tone to tone win despite being shadowed every lap by Martin. On the final lap however the defending champion would jump short at the table top putting his Durango out of shape on the landing while Martin who had no such issues carried his momentum and ran into the back of the German. Not at fault for the incident, Martin would still wait to allow Neumann to resume the lead. This would allow David Ronnefalk to join the battle but two corners later with the three cars covering the same piece of track Martin would land on the rear wing of the Swede’s HB causing it roll but again the British ace waited. While Neumann continued the second incident gifted Robert Batlle second as Ronnefalk got third leaving Martin fourth.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete coverage here.

February 1, 2015

Neumann 4WD Top Qualifier at EOS

Joern Neumann is the 4WD Top Qualifier for Round 2 of the EOS after the defending champion took a closely contested fourth & final qualifier in Berlin. Top Qualifier & winner when the championship visited the German capital city last year, the German went into Q4 as the only driver who could deny Lee Martin his second overall TQ of the weekend coming out with the required result despite both Martin and David Ronnefalk swapping the TQ pace with him over the 5-minutes. Neumann’s 10th EOS pole position in 4WD it will be yesterday’s 2WD winner Martin who will start second, the Yokomo driving losing out on the tie as they both had two TQ runs each, with Ronnefalk making his HB debut in the championship from third on the grid.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete coverage here.

February 1, 2015

Neumann finally produces TQ run at EOS Berlin

After a bad opening qualifier at the second Round of the Euro Offroad Series Joern Neumann claimed his first TQ run of the Berlin event when he topped the penultimate qualifier from Q1 & 2 pace setter Lee Martin. Improving from 25th fastest in the first qualifier to record the second fastest time in Q2, the defending champion finally hit the top of the time sheets outpacing Martin by just over a second to record the new fastest TQ pace. With 2 of the four qualifiers to count, it means the final round will see Neumann go head to head with Martin for the overall TQ honours. Behind them after also having a bad opening qualifier Team C’s Robert Batlle repeated his Q2 result by claiming another 3rd fastest time.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete coverage here.