November 4, 2025

Gabrielli joins Hong Nor

Continuing to expand their team driver line-up following the release of its new X5B buggy, Hong Nor has announced that EFRA European B Championship podium finisher Dario Gabrielli will race for the Taiwanese manufacturer.  The 21-year-old Italian, who previously raced a TLR buggy, qualified second at the this year’s Euro B Championships hosted by the Ospyteam R/C Off-Road Circuit in Italy and would go on to complete the podium line-up with 3rd position.  In moving to Hong Nor Gabrielli joins another of the Euro B finalists 19-year-old Mirko Carrettin who switched to the X5B buggy after the September event and on the news Gabrielli said, ‘I’m very proud to be part of the Hong Nor family and I can’t wait to take on this new challenge and get on the track as soon as possible, see you there.’

Source: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]

October 30, 2025

Duraes joins Hong Nor

Taiwan’s Hong Nor has announced that Portuguese international 1:8 Offroad racer Carlos Duraes will represent the brand and race their new X5B buggy.  Having campaigned a Mugen Seiki previously, Duraes now has a completely new race package having joined Ielasi Tuned engines earlier this season.  On joining Hong Nor, who marked the 35th anniversary of the company’s first buggy with the release of the all new X5B this Summer, Duraes said, “I’m extremely happy to join HN racing team! It’s a new challenge for me, with a completely new platform and I’m looking forward to hit the track to see what we can do together. Thanks to HN and see you on a race track”

Source: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]

October 24, 2025

Hong Nor X5B Alu Center Diff Brace

Continuing with the release of upgrade parts for its recently released X5B 1:8 Nitro Buggy, Hong Nor have added this Aluminium Centre Diff Brace.  A direct replacement for the kit standard plastic brace, the machine aluminum version offers great rigidity which helps improves braking and helps improve bearing life.

View additional image here

October 15, 2025

Hong Nor X3-GTS 2025 Conversion Kit

Hong Nor has released a 2025 conversion kit for its World Championship winning 2023 X3-GTS 1:8 GT kit.  The new parts had been developed for the recent IFMAR 1:8 GT World Championships in Chile for their factory driver Toni Gruber however the German was a late withdrawal from the event.  As part of the the conversion kit you get a new increased rigidity 4mm 7075-T6 material chassis with new hole positioning and cutouts.  The car gets a new fuel tank that has been fitted with a fuel pick up that can also function should the car flip.  The other key feature of the 2025 conversion is a new radio tray design with the combined overall result of the new parts being improved corner speed.

View more images here

October 9, 2025

Hong Nor X5B Alu 4-Degree Steering Blocks

Following the release of their brand new X5B 1:8 Nitro Buggy, Taiwanese manufacturer Hong Nor has released these optional aluminium 4-degree Steering Blocks.  Offering increased king pin inclination on the X5B, they help improve overall buggy stability.  Machined from 7075 material and with a black anodising they include clear 4-degree markings.

Images: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]

October 8, 2025

Hong Nor 1:8 GT/Buggy Kashima Coating Shock Bodies

Car manufacturer Hong Nor has released a range of 1:8 Shocks bodies featuring Kashima Coating.  The 1:8 GT and 1:8 Buggy manufacturer is offering the 16mm Shock Body in a rear and two front options.  Kashima coating is a treatment (Hard Anodising) available for Outer Tubes & Shock bodies for suspension applications and it reduces corrosion/nicks and scratches, increases lubrication, and reduces friction extending the overall life of your suspension.

View other shock body options here

September 14, 2025

1:8 GT World C/ship coverage presented by Sweep, Energy, and Hong Nor

Having covered our first ever 1:8 GT World Championship in Australia 2 years ago, Red RC is excited to be travelling to Santiago, Chile, for the next chapter in IFMAR GT class history.  Drivers will not only battle it out to become the 3rd Nitro GT World Champion but also the inaugural eGT World Champion as the electric class gains World Championship status in 2025.  Taking place at the very impressive Club de Aeromodelos de Chile (CACH) facility, our coverage of how these championships unfold is being made possible thanks to Sweep Racing, Energy Fuel and reigning GT World Champion chassis manufacturer Hong Nor.  Sweep Racing are the official controlled tyre supplier for the event while Italian fuel manufacturer Energy is the controlled fuel for not only the 1:8 GT Worlds but also the 1:8 Onroad Worlds which also take place at CACH later in the year.  Red RC is looking forward to travelling to South America, our last trip to this part of the world being for the 2012 1:8 Buggy Worlds in Argentina.  Chatting to the winner of that World title, Robert Batlle, at the recent inaugural 1:8 eBuggy Worlds in Portugal about the upcoming GT Worlds, the Spaniard described CACH as the best facility he has ever visited – and he has raced at a lot of tracks around the world!  Our coverage of the 2025 IFMAR 1:8 GT World Championships will, after a full day of travel, begin this Wednesday, September 17th, with the first round of qualifying.  We hope you enjoy following our coverage as we get to tell the story of how the sport’s latest World Champions are crowned.

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