August 2, 2023

Smokem Racing A10-23 RS chassis

Smokem Racing has announced the latest chassis in their RS Series with the release of the RS chassis for the ARC A10-23 1:10 Electric Touring Car.  Through their R&D process and thorough testing with team drivers using the ARC A10, they have refined the shape of the chassis to deliver the best combination of flex characteristics while minimising scrub as much as possible.  In testing they also found improved lap speed and consistency over a wider range of conditions.  As with all the RS Series chassis, the A10-23 RS is CNC cut from 100% premium quality 2.2mm carbon fibre.

Source: Smokem Racing [smokem-racing.com]


August 1, 2023

Iris Race Team Hat

German electric touring car manufacturer Iris has brought out a new team hat to allow owners of it One chassis to show off their team spirit.  The Iris Race Team Hat is designed in a grey shade and features the Iris icon on the front in red, embroidered in 3D.  The stylish Iris logo is also embroidered on the side.  The hat is a real statement piece that elevates any outfit and shows off your team affiliation in a stylish way. Thanks to its adjustable size, the hat fits most head circumferences and is ideal for all Iris fans and team members.

Source: IRIS [iris-racing.com]


August 1, 2023

Spower Japan R7GT Factory Modified .21 Race Engine

Reigning 1:8 GT World Champion manufacturer Sworkz has release a new GT specific engine under its new Spower engine line of hand modified engines with it is calling SOUL (魂).  The first GT engine is the R7GT factory hand modified racing engine based on the world famous O.S Speed R21GT II.  Spower made some modification work and took it to another level.  Based on IFMAR regulations it comes standard with 5 scavenging and 3 exhaust ports.  The stronger DLC coating on new crankshaft has also 2 tungsten counterweights contributing to consistent idling and quicker RPM response according to the throttle movements.  It also comes standard with Spower’s Boost rear cover plate which helps this high RPM engine work more stable from the top speeds to the lower range.  The new printing technology not only makes the cooling head colourful but also makes it blend in with your car.  The factory combo setup with Conical Exhaust Manifold + EFRA 2165 or 2115 pipes, R7GT will provide a lot of power for your GT racing needs with the best fuel mileage.

View Specs and more images here


July 31, 2023

Neumann to defend 1:8 GT World title in Australia

Joern Neumann is to defend his IFMAR 1:8 GT World Championship title in Sydney, Australia in October.  The factory Sworkz driver claimed the inaugural World title for the category in 2020 in Florida just before the World would shut down due to Covid.  Better known for his exploits in Offroad racing, the German confirmed his participation over the weekend giving a major boost to the New South Wales Radio Controlled Racing Car Club as they ramp up their preparations for the first of two World Championships that will be hosted at the John Grant international Raceway.  Next year the track will host the IFMAR Large Scale World Championship.  Top Qualifier in the USA, Italy’s Alessio Mazzeo is another high profile EFRA Bloc entry along with Neumann’s closet challenger 3-years ago Martin Bayer.  Newly crowned 1:10 Nitro Onroad European Champion and Top Qualifier at the 1:8 Onroad European Championships over the weekend, Toni Gruber can be counted in being in the mix too.  Heading the local challenge will be the Serpent of 1:10 & 1:8 Onroad Worlds Finalist Jeff Hamon who was the winner of the official Worlds Warm-Up race back in April.  With the second running of the 1:8 GT World Championships taking place from the 8-15th of October, international drivers intending on making the trip down under are being requested to make contact with the host club regarding fuel and tyre requirements for the race.  Red RC will be travelling to Sydney to tell the story of how the race unfolds.

Source: NSWRCRCC [Facebook]


July 31, 2023

Takanashi new JMRCA 1:10 GPT-S National Champion

Kai Takanashi is the new JMRCA 1:10 GPT-S Japanese National Champion, the Capricorn driver taking the title at the Sagamido Racing Track (SRT) over the weekend.  In qualifying Takanashi took three of the four rounds with his Nuclear engined C04 to become Top Qualifier with Q4 pace setter Katsuhiro Mihara’s Mugen securing P2 to book his direct starting place in the Main final.  P3 in qualifying was Kenya Yanai but the Infinity driver had issues in his Semi Final that prevented him from making the 40-minute title decider.  Leading the early part of the race race, Takanashi would be passed by Mihara but with 10-minute remaining the new leader would hit problems and drop down the order eventually finishing P5.  Up front Takanashi took the win by a lap over Kyosho’s Shogo Tomioka with the Shepherd of Hiroyuki Okumura completing the podium.

Source: JMRCA [jmrca.jp]


July 29, 2023

Balestri wins his 3rd 1:8 Onroad European title

Infinity’s Dario Balestri has retaken the 1:8 Onroad European Championship title today in Portugal with a dominant and control victory in Portugal today.  Having lost the title to Dominic Greiner last year in Spain, starting from second on the grid the Italian would take control of the 45-minute final after getting by the Capricorn of Top Qualifier Toni Gruber in the opening lap.  Once in front and opting for a single tyre change while his rivals stopped twice, the 2014 & 2019 was able to control the race from the front with the former World Champion eventually winning by lap from Mugen’s Simon Kurzbuch.  Looking to emulate Greiner’s 2022 double of winning both the 1:10 & 1:8 Onroad Nitro titles, new crowned 1:10 European Champion Gruber would have issues while chasing Balestri from P2 to eventually take the final step on the podium.  Running second in the race for some time, unfortunately as the race reached the final 10-minutes Greiner would retire from the final.  Robert Pietsch was another notable retirement, the 2013 Champion at the same Vila Real track seeing his race last only 12-minutes this time round.

Image: Julie Thurston


July 29, 2023

Bittydesign ZL-21N body for Arrma Infraction V2

New from Bittydesign for the Arrma Infraction V2 1:7 Onroad chassis is the ZL-21N body shell.  Making reference to world’s most famous oval Championship, they took inspiration to design the lines of the ZL-21N body adapted to the production needs, the phase of refinement took several months to optimise every detail.  The body gives your Infraction a true race car look and made from 1.5mm thick high quality and genuine polycarbonate Lexan, it is also compatible with the Traxxas XO-1 and Hobao Extreme VTE2 chassis.

View more images here


July 28, 2023

Gruber Top Qualifier at 1:8 Onroad European C/Ship

Toni Gruber is the Top Qualifier for the 1:8 Onroad European Championship in Portugal, the German driver taking his Ielasi Tuned powered Capricorn to the fastest time in 3 of the 5 rounds of qualifying.  With Infinity’s Dario Balestri holding the overnight TQ after the opening two rounds at the Vila Real track, Day 2 kicked off with a second TQ run from the Italian ahead of Mugen’s Robert Pietsch.  In Q4 however newly crowned 1:10 Nitro Onroad European Champion Gruber pick up were he started and having took Q1 went fastest in the final two rounds from Balestri.  Overall Balestri would conclude qualify P2 ahead of Pietsch, Infnity’s Jilles Groskamp and the Capricorn of Mirko Salemi.  All four would get the chance to secure a direct place in tomorrow’s 45-minute title deciding final via the Super Pole shoot out which former World Champion Balestri duly took with the fastest lap from Pietsch who will start the Semi A from pole with Groskamp on pole for the Semi B encounter.  Having qualified 7th, defending Champion Dominic Greiner will line up 3rd in the Semi A encounter behind Pietsch and Salemi.

Images: Ielasi Tuned [Facebook]