October 11, 2023

Gruber TQ’s opening qualifier at GT Worlds

Having laid down his intentions with the fastest time in this morning’s final practice, Hong Nor’s Toni Gruber delivered a TQ run in the opening round of qualifying at the 1:8 GT World Championship in Sydney.  Despite run time for the 7-minute qualifiers a concern for everyone, the early pace was blistering and drivers would later pay.  Gruber pushed hard by Andrea Catanzani clearly managed the situation best as extra hot temperatures today added to the challenge and his work with engine tuner Daniele Ielasi clearly paying off.  A whole host of drivers came to a halt in the dying moments as they ran dry, the first of them being defending World Champion Joern Neumann.  Behind Gruber it would be Alex D’angelo who was second fastest as the Genius Racing team looked to have finally found their way.  Team-mate Bernard-Alain Arnaldi also had a strong Q1 securing P4 behind Top Seed Jeff Hamon who would suffer his second brakes issue of the event.

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September 25, 2023

Hong Nor Covered Serrated Wheel Nuts

Hong Nor has released new Covered Serrated Wheel Nuts.  The brand which has become heavily involved in the 1:8 GT category is offering the wheel nuts in black or red colour options with the texture design on the bottom of the nut allowing the wheel rims to be locked tightly.

Source: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]


September 7, 2023

Hong Nor X3 GTS 13-46T Spiral Bevel Gear Set

Hong Nor has added a new optional 13-46T Spiral Bevel Gear Set for its X3 GTS 2023 1:8 GT kit.  Hong Nor has added the new ration in order to adapt to racetracks around the world with the 13-46 gear ratio assisting drivers to achieve higher speed in medium and small scale tracks, and also reduces the load on the engine to attain better fuel consumption.

Source: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]


June 28, 2023

Hong Nor sign Mirko Morgenstern

Following on from the signing of former Large Scale World Champion Russell Grenenger last month, Hong Nor has announced that former front running nitro onroad racer Mirko Morgenstern has joined their team.  The German driver will campaign Hong Nor’s electric GTSe ’23 1:8 GT chassis and commenting on his move to the team said, “I’ve been watching Hong nor for a while. The Gruber-Racing team has done a great job over the last 2 years and has consistently placed the chassis further ahead in the races. in addition, the development of the chassis is really great. After a few talks with team manager Pasquale Kögel, who explained the chassis to me in more detail, I made everything clear with team boss Toni Gruber I’m also looking forward to the time with the GTSe ’23 and hope for maximum success.”

Source: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]


May 30, 2023

Hong Nor sign large scale World Champion Grenenger

In this 1:8 GT World Championship year, Hong Nor has made a significant signing in Australian driver Russell Grenenger.  In collaboration with with Speedy RC, the 2015 IFMAR Large Scale World Champion joining the Hong Nor Factory Team and will drive the new Hong Nor X3GTS 2023 World Edition at future Australian state and national events to prepare for the GT 2023 IFMAR World Championship in Sydney, Australia.  Commenting on joining Hong Nor, Grenenger said “I’m delighted to join the team and take on this new challenge. Hong Nor has been amazing to deal with, and very supportive of feedback and testing. I look forward to seeing how my many years of on-road large-scale, and more recently 1/8th IC on-road transfers over into the 1/8 GT class. I would like to thank Hong Nor and SpeedyRC Online Store for this opportunity”.

Source: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]


March 29, 2023

Hong Nor Alu Nickel Coated GT Clutch Bell

Coming from Hong Nor is this Aluminium Nickel Coated X3GT-61I Adjustable Clutch Bell intended for 1:8 GT use.  The light weight 2-speed clutch bell is made of 7075 aluminium alloy material allowing for engines to run more efficiently with lower operating temperature.

Source: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]


March 17, 2023

Hong Nor X3GTS 2023 Nitro GT World Edition

Hong Nor has released a video previewing their upcoming 1:8 GT Nitro release, the X3GTS 2023 Nitro GT World Edition.  With 2023 a big year for the onroad category as Sydney hosts the second IFMAR World Championship in October, the brand will be hoping its latest release can capitalise on the World Championship interest and the growing pockets of GT scenes around the world.  Very active in the Asian GT racing market, their own 2022 Hong Nor Master Championship in Taiwan attracted more than 90 entries with Germany’s Toni Gruber taking the win.  From the video the key features of the new car are adjustable angle C-hubs, improve transmission efficiency, quick release radio box, adjustable aluminium rear hub set and a low profile carbon radio tray.  Watch the video here.

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December 7, 2022

Hong Nor adjustable GT Clutch Set

With plenty of interest in the 1:8 GT class and a World Championship for the category to look forward in 2023, chassis manufacturer Hong Nor has just released the X3GT-61 Adjustable GT Clutch Set.  The new clutch set allows the engine power output to be changed by adjusting the tightness of the clutch spring.  It has been a busy few days for Hong Nor, who hosted their 2022 Hong Nor Master Championship in Taiwan over the weekend which attracted more than 90 entries.  Top European nitro onroad racer and Hong Nor team driver Toni Gruber made the trip over taking the TQ & win with his Ielasi Tuned powered K3 GTS.

View Gruber’s Hong Nor Master Championship win here