May 1, 2025

Kato sets early pace at Philippine Masters

Infinity’s Kouki Kato has set the pace in the opening round of seeding practice at the Philippine Masters, the Japanese driver fastest by a decent margin over 2-consecutive laps of this year’s more technical Manila track layout.  The second round of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships, Kato was the winner of last season’s championship finale in Indonesia but this weekend marks his first trip to the legendary Philippines race and it was another of the race’s first timers, Mugen Seiki’s Burak Kilic, who was his closest rival 7/10ths of a second back with the rest of the Top 5 covered by just 2/10ths.  The first of the three seeding rounds that make up Thursday schedule would see Team Associated’s reigning World Champion Davide Ongaro complete the Top 3 ahead of team-mate Alex Bernadzik with Italy’s Mattia Polito fifth as the leading Sworkz driver.

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April 28, 2025

Balestri wins opening Italian National encounter

Infinity’s Dario Balestri took the win the at Round 1 of the two round Italian 1:8 Onroad Nationals held at the Pista Leno track over the weekend.  In qualifying the reigning Italian, European and World Champion would secure the TQ after topping the opening 3 of the 4 rounds.  Team-mate Carmine Raiola took the final qualifier to secure P2 with Serpent’s Andrea Catanzani completing the Top 3 ahead of Mirko Salemi’s Capricorn, the Top 4 going direct to the Main Final.  In that 45-minute encounter it Balestri led from start to finish with Xray’s Filippo Domanin coming through from 6th on the grid to finish second 4-laps off the lead.  Having won the Last Chance Final having failed to progress through the Semi Finals, Lamberto Collari came from 11th to complete the podium with Riola, Catanzani and Francesco Tironi all retiring from the race.   In the Sport Category it was Luca Ielasi who took the TQ and the win ahead of Alessio Forgnoli and Antonio Romano.  The second of the championship races takes place at the end of September at the Fiorano track.

Image: Lamberto Collari [Facebook]

 


April 22, 2025

ABC winners Lutz & Kato bolster Philippine Masters entry

Two of the winners from last year’s Asian Buggy Championships are both set to return at the Philippine Masters later this month with Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz and Infinity’s Kouki Kato bolstering the Manila events already impressive international entry.  The biggest edition Philippine Masters yet is the second round of the four round Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships with last year’s New Zealand round winner Lutz returning to the Circulo Verde Race Track while ABC Indonesia winner Kato will get to experience the famed track for the first time.  The 13th running of Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race meeting, Lutz said, ‘I am so excited to be returning to the Philippine Masters for a second time.  Now knowing what to expect, I can arrive with a set-up that should be very close and with the correct tire compound and tread pattern that I will need to succeed.  I can’t wait to compete again with some of the World’s best on one of the most beautiful R/C tracks in the World.’  Ahead of the Japanese driver’s Philippine Masters debut Kato said, ‘I’m excited to race on that amazing track for the first time! I look forward to seeing you all there.’

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]


April 11, 2025

Matsukura confirmed for Philippine Masters debut

Infinity’s Naoto Matsukura has been confirmed to make his Philippine Masters debut later this month at the 13th running of Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race meeting.  The second round of the Cayote sponsored Asian Buggy Championships, Matsukura got his first taste of the championship last year when he complete at the season finale in Indonesia where Infinity team-mate Kouki Kato took the win.  Now the multiple World Champion will tackle the famed Circulo Verde Race Track in Manila which is the work of track designer and accomplished offroad racer Edward Sio.  Commenting in his Philippine Masters debut Matsukura said, ‘I’m excited for the first time to join the Philippine Masters!  It’s also my first time going to the Philippines.  I’m looking forward to racing at such a great event, and having some good battles with the top drivers.’

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]


April 11, 2025

Infinity Tool Sets

Infinity has released a number of tool sets specific to its various kits.  Offering four options the tool sets are listed for 1F18 1:8 Onroad car, IF15 1:10 Nitro Touring Car, 1:10 Electric Touring car and the IFB8 1:8 Buggy.  Each tool set includes the tools needed to assemble each kit in a hard compact tool case.   Also as part of the Japanese company’s latest release is a new long version Hex Wrench Driver Series lineup.
The new type is 20 mm longer than the previous one, allowing for a wider range of use.  Adding of the range line up is an Exhaust spring tools for GP car assembly and maintenance.

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April 9, 2025

Infinity IF15-2 redesigned F/R Hubs

Infinity has introduced a new version of the front and rear hub of their World Championship winning IF15-2 1:10 Nitro Touring Car.  The front hubs, which replace the conventional front knuckle, are a complete redesign to improve the strength and rigidity of the bearings and other components to significantly enhance front drive stability.  The materials used have also been changed to improve crash resistance.
In addition, the ball screw opening dimensions and shape have been optimised to achieve smoother suspension stroke.  The rear hub is also completely redesigned with a wheel offset of 2mm to accommodate longer arms and additional ribs to improve overall hub rigidity. The change in suspension geometry stabilises the rear behaviour, leading to improved and stable lap times. They require the optional 8.1mm titanium ball screws which has a ball diameter that is optimised for the new rear hub.

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April 7, 2025

Balestri wins Ielasi Tuned International Cup

The annual Ielasi Tuned International Cup took place at Pista Leno in Italy over the weekend where it was Infinity’s Dario Balestri who once again took the 1:8 win ahead of team-mate Francesco Tironi and Capricorn’s Toni Gruber.   In qualifying it was World Champion Balestri who set the pace topping all three rounds with the Mugen Seiki of former World Champion Simon Kurzbuch claiming P2 with a pair of second fastest runs.  Second fastest in Q2, Tironi completed the Top 3 ahead of Gruber.  After some timing issues delayed the start of the final, when it did get underway it was Kurzbuch who got the jump on Balestri to lead early on but contact a few corners later between the pair saw the Swiss driver fly off the track and out of the race.  While Balestri would continue and lead, Gruber would hit the front for a lengthy stint before Balestri retook control approaching the half way point of the 45-minute final.  At the end he would have a 2-lap margin over Tironi who in turn had just 4-seconds on Gruber, the German completing the podium ahead of the Infinity of Thomas Lorenzi and Serpent’s Andrea Catanzani.  In 1:10 Nitro Touring it was Austria’s Gerhard Kandelhart who took the TQ ahead of Infinity team-mate Milan Holthuis.  In the final it was troubled race for Kandi and he eventually retired leaving Holthuis to take the win over the Xray of Stefan Strasser.

Image: Ielasi Tuned [Facebook]


March 7, 2025

Infinity Carbon Fibre Rulers

New from Infinity are these carbon fibre rulers featuring the World Champion manufacturer’s 5-star logo.  Made of carbon fibre, for its strength and no weight, this also ensures no distortion due to heat, allowing for accurate measurements.  The rulers are available in two sizes: 15 cm and 30 cm.

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