December 13, 2023

Kocher to race for Hong Nor GT team in 2024

1:8 GT World Champion manufacturer Hong Nor has announced the signing of Swiss racer Michael Kocher for its 2024 line-up.  Kocher is best known for his collaboration with Italian designer Andrea Contarini in bringing the Raptor 1:8 GT chassis to market and in particular for racing the non production nitro version of the car at the 1:8 GT World Championships in Australia this year.  Now joining the Taiwanese brand, Kocher said, “I am very happy to join the Hong Nor family and factory Team for upcoming season.  I started 4 years ago in GT8 Nitro Racing.  I had the chance to cooperate with an Italian designer and produced my own racing car brand – Raptor Racing.  After 3 years of building cars for customers, I didn’t spent much time on the track.  I think it’s time to start a new journey.  During the Worlds held in Australia this year, I had the chance to test with different cars.  Among all the cars I’ve tested, I had the best experience with Hong Nor’s X3GTS 2023 World Edition, fast and easy to drive.  After a really nice meet with Hong Nor’s two bosses – Tony Chen and Hsiang Lin, it was clear to me to go forward with this great brand.  Hope the winter season pass soon, and I could be back on the track with the car.  See you on the track.”

Source: Hong Nor [hongnor-racing.com]


December 13, 2023

Avid ‘In Betweens’ Silicone Oils

Avid Racing Concepts has added to their popular Silicone Oil Line with the highly requested “In Betweens”.  Adding 375, 425, 475, 525, 575, 625, 1K & 9K CST to the range, their silicone shock and diff oils are certified and laboratory tested by Ultimate Racing using the linear viscosity measurement of centistokes (CST).  Each 75ml sized shock oil bottle is printed with the conversion of CST to both the AE and the TLR weight system.

Source: Avid [avidrc.com]


December 12, 2023

Yokomo hand carry car bag

Yokomo has produced a new hand-carry bag featuring the Yokomo Racing Factory logo for transporting your RC car to the race track.  The bag is large enough to hold not only touring cars and drift cars, but also wide offroad cars.  The bag is also equipped with a belt to easily hold the machine for safe transportation.  The nylon material is stain-resistant, and cushioned rubber is added to the inner lining to prevent it from losing its shape, enhancing a sense of security.  There is enough room for an offroad car, so tyres, spare body, parts case, etc. can be all in one bag.  Use of the new carry bag in conjunction with a racing pit bag or similar bag will dramatically increase storage capacity.

View inside bag here


December 12, 2023

Reds Racing 721 Scuderia Pro Gen4

Reds Racing has introduced its latest 3.5cc offroad engine designed, the 721 Scuderia PRO Gen 4.  The engine boasts Reds Racing’s revolutionary 3 needle carburetor, only available on Gen 4 Scuderia engines.  This carburetor not only facilitates superior tuning in diverse conditions but also ensures a more consistent and linear power delivery. Each carburetor is equipped with a special sealing ring, enhancing both sealing and tuning stability.  The 721 Scuderia Pro Gen 4 is a high-torque engine crafted to significantly reduce fuel consumption. Its features include a long-stroke geometry of 16.2×16.9 mm, 7 scavenger ports, and a single exhaust port cylinder sleeve that collaborates with the crankcase, delivering enhanced low-to-middle-range torque.  The 721 Scuderia PRO is hand tuned undergoing meticulous hand-tuning by M. Rossi, including a silicone-filled, balanced, and tuned crankshaft.  Each engine is individually inspected and compression checked by Mario and Marco Rossi.  Other features include a double seal front bearing engineered for heightened durability and idle stability and Reds 9 balls rear ceramic bearing which enhances overall performance.

View technical specs here


December 11, 2023

Rivkin & Phend turn RC teachers for a day!

They are two of the biggest names in offroad racing and represent two of the biggest manufacturers on the international stage but last week both Team Associated’s Spencer Rivkin and TLR’s Dakotah Phend became RC teachers for a day as part of two different events.  Two time World Champion Rivkin was taking part in the launch of Hobbywing Tech Explorers.  Held at World Championship venue Hobby Action Raceway, it marked the first collaboration with a school outreach program.  Rivkin touched on his journey with RC, overcoming challenges, and dreaming big.  He also discussed the mechanics, electrical aspects, and disciplines of the hobby, along with the incredible values it’s brought into his life – from friends, mentors, and unforgettable experiences.  On his social media Rivkin said he was ‘So thankful to have had the opportunity to hold my first public gathering and launch a new program with Hobbywing North America called Tech Explorers! Meeting and seeing these kids remind me what it was like when I first laid eyes on RC cars.  I want to personally thank Larry and Hobby Action RC Raceway for letting us utilise the track and rental cars.  I’m totally looking forward on doing many more of these!’   Phend brought his 1:10 Electric and 1:8 Nitro buggies to a middle school as part of a career day where he shared his story with pupils.  On his Facebook page he posted, ‘I was able to be apart of career day earlier this week at Angola Middle School.  I went over how I was able to turn a passion into a career.  There are a lot of great and unique opportunities in today’s world!’.  It is great to see both drivers promoting RC racing in this way and well done to everyone involved in inspiring the future generation.

View Mr.Phend taking his class here


December 11, 2023

Gandin wins Miami RC Grand Prix

While the 1:12 World Championships was being decided in Cocoa, Florida, further south in the state the annual Miami RC Grand Prix was taking place where Italy’s Jonathan Gandin took the big win in 1:8 Onroad.  The Ielasi Tuned team driver took his Infinity to the TQ with the fastest time and only 16-lap 4-minute run from the five rounds of qualifying at the former World Championship hosting Homestead RC Raceway.  Behind it was Serpent’s Bryce Butterfield who set the second fastest time to line up P2 for the 45-minute final ahead of Infinity’s Francesco Tironi, Capricorn’s Thilo Diekmann and the Xray of Filippo Domanin.  In the final, Butterfield was an early retirement going after 12-minutes, but upfront Gandin was in charge albeit being kept honest by young Domanin who set the fastest lap of the race.  Completing the podium Tironi would finish 3rd ahead of the Capricorn of Florida racer Diego Morganti.  In 1:10 Sedan, it was Top Qualifier DJ Apolaro who took his Infinity to the win.

Image: Ielasi Tuned [Facebook]


December 9, 2023

Kemp sees off late Rheinard attack to win A1

Kemp Anderson held off an intense late attack from Marc Rheinard to win the opening A-Main of the IFMAR 1:12 World Championship in Florida.  Starting from the pole, Andersson would initially gap the field as second place starter Michal Orlowski was occupied with trying to keep a hard charging Rheinard at bay, the pair swapping paint but holding order.  Approaching the mid point of the 8-minute Orlowski would find his rhythm, the Schumacher driver closing Anderson’s over 1-second gap down to nothing.  Coming on to the straight, the Polish ace would make a pass for the lead on the inside of the Awesomatix driver but his car shot to the outside and he hit the boards.  With a tweaked car he was then passed by Rheinard.  Having survived the Orlowski challenge, now Anderson was ready for a second attack on his lead this time from the reigning World Champion.  The German was all over and even got in under his team-mates car but in a display of why he is a 5-time World Champion was able to back out of it quick enough that they both continued with minimal disruption.  While Rheinard would make a second attempt at taking the lead, Anderson kept his nerve to take a popular win, while 5-seconds back Orlowski completed the Top 3 some 7-seconds ahead of Alexander Hagberg in P4.

Continue reading here


December 9, 2023

Bittydesign Mini-Z 1:28 bodies

Bittydesign has announced three new bodies designed to offer Mini-Z enthusiasts a wider choice according to their preferred style: Supercar, Touring and FWD.  The Italian manufacturer has scaled down their three best-performing 1:10 bodies by adapting the proportions in order to allow perfect installation on 1:28 scale chassis.  The three body styles meet every need: for maximum performance the ARES-1 is the best choice, for a touring there is the Eptron and for a real front-wheel-drive race car look with enlarged ‘TCR’ style wider fenders there is the CA45.  Made with high quality 0.8mm polycarbonate, the bodies are universal and fit all 1:28 scale chassis with 98mm wheelbase.  Sold clear with protective film outside and a pre-cut decal sheet and window masks, the kit includes a set of screw/nuts/washers to fix the rear wing.

View individual bodies here