Red RC » Horizon Hobby

December 17, 2024

Sontag exits TLR/Horizon Hobby

Reigning 1:10 2WD World Champion Tater Sontag has announced his exit from the TLR/Horizon Hobby race team. With team-mate Dakotah Phend subtly confirmed his departure from his career long sponsors TLR on Sunday with a post that simply read, ‘Bittersweet moment coming up in the next hour for the US Open Nitro Buggy main, Tater gave more detail on his departure from the manufacturer and Horizon Hobby owned Trinity and Pro-line. On his social media the 17-year-old made a widely expected posted saying, ‘This is a post I didn’t see coming in my near future. As many already know headed into 2025, I will no longer be representing TLR, Trinity, or Pro-Line. TLR took a chance on me when I was young, and since then I’ve grown so much as a racer/person, and they’ve helped me all the way to winning a world title. It’s been an unbelievable journey that I only dreamed of growing up. Proline being my longest lasting sponsor dating back to 2015 when I got my first deal, TLR’s been by my side for the past 8. I cannot thank everyone enough for the help along the way (I won’t name names in the chance I leave out a name) and only wish the best for all the companies in the future. As far as what my program will look like moving forward, stay tuned as announcements will be coming soon. I’m extremely excited to see what I’ll be able to do with the new program, see everyone at clash.’

Source: Tater Sontag RC [Facebook]

July 3, 2023

Horizon Hobby acquiring Trinity Racing

Horizon Hobby has announced that it is acquiring iconic motor brand Trinity Racing. In the 90’s Trinity and legend of the sport Brian Kinwald were the global face of 1:10 Offroad racing. The deal to acquire Trinity Racing which was founded by the late Ernest Provetti in 1980, is the latest in a series of acquisitions by the RC industry mammoth. In 2020 it took over tyre manufacturer Pro-line followed shortly by body manufacturer Protoform and then added another of America’s top tyre brands AKA to its line-up in 2021. The company behind the Losi brands, of which their star driver Dakotah Phend has been a Trinity backed racer, Horizon Hobby issued a press release on the acquisition in which they state, ‘This acquisition ensures that Team Trinity and its legacy are preserved. We look forward to seeing Team Trinity continue to win at all levels of RC racing.’

Read full press release here

August 16, 2020

Horizon Hobby acquires PROTOform

This past week Horizon Hobby announced the acquisition of Pro-Line and together with the move, the Champaign, Illinois based company also took over PROTOform in the process. Founded in 1991, PROTOform Race Bodies has captured multiple IFMAR World Champions and countless national, regional, and local championship titles. In 1995, PROTOform made a strategic move by joining forces with Pro-Line Racing to expand its marketing reach and meet the increasing demand for more race-winning on-road and oval bodies. With the recent acquisition of Pro-Line Racing by Horizon Hobby, PROTOform Race Bodies joins the Horizon Hobby lineup of radio control brands.

Continue reading the statement here

August 10, 2020

Horizon Hobby acquires Pro-Line Racing

Horizon Hobby have announced the acquisition of Pro-Line Racing, known for their hugely popular tyres, body shells and accessories. “Pro-Line Racing is one of the strongest RC brands in the world, with over 38 years of providing innovative products,” Chris Dickerson, Horizon’s President, said. “Horizon has a longstanding partnership with Pro-Line. Throughout our relationship, we’ve always admired Pro-Line’s commitment to expanding the customer experience through innovative product design.” Dickerson continued, “Beyond the product, we’ve always admired the Pro-Line team’s passion and feel they share the same values as Horizon. We are very confident this will be a strong cultural fit.” Todd Mattson, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Pro-Line, said, “For over 38 years, Pro-Line Racing has created unforgettable memories for the everyday backyard hero and won 12 IFMAR World Championship titles. We are proud to have built a strong brand with Pro-Line that is known for innovation and quality. Our partnership with Horizon creates significant opportunity for us to take Pro-Line to the next level by leveraging Horizon’s resources, such as global marketing and distribution channels.”

Continue reading the statement here

May 11, 2018

ECX Ruckus MT & SCT V4 RTR trucks

Coming soon from Horizon Hobby are the new ECX Ruckus V4 MT and SCT 1/10th scale 4WD ready-to-run trucks. The factory-assembled trucks feature permanent 4WD, full ball bearings, long-travel suspension components with fluid-filled shock absorbers as well as a quick release battery system, a high-torque 13T motor and Dynamite electronics. The latest generation also comes with new body shell designs and throttle limiter switch to ensure even entry level drivers can handle the vehicles with ease. Not included in the latest V4 generation are the needed NiMH battery and a suitable charger.

View more images here

April 3, 2018

Hobbico continues as Horizon Hobby

Following a first article in The News-Gazette, a Champaign, Illinois based newspaper, Hobbico have announced that they will continue under the Horizon Hobby banner after a bankruptcy court judge approved Horizon Hobby’s purchase of Hobbico’s RC business. Hobbico declared bankruptcy in January 2018 and has initiated a sale process that sees the Great Planes and Tower Hobbies divisions, along with Axial and Arrma brands now being bought by Horizon Hobby. Hobbico employees must reapply for their jobs at Horizon Hobby before the purchase is completed this coming Friday. In a first statement Hobbico had the following to say:

[…] We are excited to share with you that the RC brands from Hobbico that you have come to rely on over the years will continue. The Bankruptcy Court has approved the sale of Hobbico’s RC business to Horizon Hobby, LLC. Horizon Hobby has been in business since 1985 and serves customers in the United States and around the World. Horizon Hobby also maintains a strong online presence and warmly welcomes Hobbico customers to its growing family. With this acquisition, Horizon Hobby looks to build upon Hobbico’s great reputation for providing quality RC products to customers across the country. […]

An official statement by Horizon Hobby is awaited after the sale closes.

Source: Hobbico [hobbico.com] & The News-Gazette [news-gazette.com]

January 12, 2015

Gahan named Horizon Hobby Surface Team manager

Kevin Gahan named Horizon Hobby Surface Team manager

Horizon Hobby have announced that Kevin Gahan has accepted the position of Horizon Hobby Surface Team manager. Kevin’s new role will include responsibility for the TLR/Horizon Hobby/Spektrum Surface Racing teams. In his new role, Kevin will manage team communications, team development as well as help support hundreds of drivers around the world. For over six years Kevin has been an important ambassador for Team Losi Racing within the RC racing community and now he will broaden his responsibilities to cover all surface racing at Horizon Hobby.

I am very excited to once again be a part of the TLR/Horizon team moving forward,” Gahan says. “We have a strong group of drivers that I am looking forward to working closely with the team throughout the racing season and for years to come.” – Kevin Gahan, TLR/Horizon Hobby Team Manager

Kevin will be instrumental in driving the race team into the future while being a great liaison with the R&D/Product Development group at Team Losi Racing and Spektrum. As the race team continues to grow and progress, Kevin will be the individual ensuring its success.

Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.com]

December 9, 2013

Horizon Hobby to be Acquired by Investor Group

Horizon Hobby Inc, parent company to many well known RC car related brands such as as TLR, Losi, Spektrum, Nitrotane etc. have announced that its board of directors has signed a definitive agreement under which the company would be sold to an investor group led by Joe Ambrose, Horizon’s Chief Executive Officer. The investment group includes Armory Capital, LLC and Mill City Capital L.P., two investors that have deep experience with management-led acquisitions. Financial terms were not released.

Read the complete announcement here