T-Works have introduced a range of hard-coated lower shock mount pins for a range of 1/8th off-road vehicles. Machined from aircraft-grade 7075 aluminium and sporting a hard-coated surface for wear the lightweight pins reduce unsprung weight and they are available in four piece sets for the Kyosho MP9, HB Racing D815 and the Serpent S811 and GT.
View the HB Racing & Serpent related parts here
Hot Bodies have announced the re-naming of their brand to become HB Racing. The change comes after the split from parent brand HPI Racing and goes along several other changes including a new management that is taken care of by Swiss company Neidhart S.A. The HB Racing products will be designed by Torrance Deguzman in California while former IFMAR World Champion, Kent Clausen will take care of all marketing aspects. Another World Champion, Adrien Bertin, was announced as HB Racing’s technical manager. On the racing side of things, IFMAR World Champion, Ty Tessmann and EFRA European Champion, David Ronnefalk will represent HB Racing at major events around the globe with additional driver signings being awaited for the near future.
Read the statement in full here
Coming from X Factory’s Infinity line of option parts are carbon fibre shock towers for the HB D413 buggy. Designed to replace the standard front and “B” rear shock tower both show small but significant improvements as there is more material on top of the shock mount holes and more outside the last hole to reduce possibility that the shock mount bolt will rip out landing a jump. This also helps with abrasion when the car is up-side-down. “A” and “C” shock towers are available on request.
Source: X Factory [XFactoryStore.com]
Available soon from HB is the D815 V2 1/8th nitro off-road buggy. The follow-up model of the IFMAR World Championship winning car includes a range of option parts such as an extended chassis plate that adds 4mm of length to the rear end to allow for a longer wheelbase while also shifting the weight distribution for improved stability especially in high-speed corners. Additionally also the standard chassis plate is included in the kit to make for a wider setup range from stock. Along with the +4mm chassis comes a +4mm centre driveshaft plus a range of other optional parts such as carbon fibre suspension inserts, additional carbon fibre camber plates for the rear hubs as well as the “high” rear wing mount and the #4 carbon fibre Ackermann plates that provide a different Ackermann angle for more all-round steering, especially on high-traction or very technical tracks.
View the included option parts here
Made for HB’s D413 1/10th 4WD buggy are heavy duty aluminium C-hubs from Exotek. Offering an increased caster of 15 degree and being machined from high-quality 7075 aluminium the hubs are ideal for high-grip astro and carpet racing. Machined down to 5.5 grams per hub for lightness they are still much stronger and stiffer than the stock plastic hubs for optimum suspension action and reduced play. They come polished and anodised in factory orange, are laser etched for easy left right identification and accommodate an opitonal set screw for the hinge pin.
HB Europe have announced the addition of former European Champion and multiple Portuguese National Champion, Miguel Matias to their team. The former Xray driver recently left the team after being with the Slovakian manufacturer since 2014. It is understood that Miguel will attend both national and international 1/8th off-road events with HB’s range of vehicles.
Source: HB Europe [hbeurope.com]
HB Europe have announced the signing of Morgan Renzi to their nitro on-road team. The Italian will campaign the company’s R8 1/8th nitro on-road car and he plans to attend at all major races in Italy while also providing technical support for HB racers with the help of Alessandro Sabbatini.
Source: HB Europe [hbeurope.com]
The recent team driver exodus over at HPI Racing and HB continues with the announcement that JJ Wang is the latest factory team driver to leave. Following the departure of Andy Moore, Freddy Südhoff and also team manager Hiroyuki Kasuya in the past few weeks, JJ parting ways with the Japanese manufacturer leaves just Jilles Groskamp as the sole remaining Factory onroad team member. This is what JJ has to say about his departure:
I would like to inform everyone that I have ended my contract with HPI/HB Inc. The past 6 years has been a life changing experience for me. I would like to give a big thank you to Tatsuro Watanabe, Hiro Kasuya, and Toshihiko Hara for supporting me and believing in me from the start. I also want to give a big thanks to my teammates from all over the world. It was fun meeting everyone and it has taught me that there’s more to a team than just results. I will never forget the laughter we shared and the experiences we’ve been through. It was truly an amazing ride. I am certain that this is a new beginning of my racing career and I am really looking forward to what the future holds for me. I wish HPI/HB the best and I look forward to seeing you all at the track soon!
