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January 5, 2026

Champlin joins FlySky in new radio deal

2WD Buggy World Champion Broc Champlin is to use FlySky as part of his 2026 race package, the factory Schumacher driver making the announcement on his new deal with the Chinese radio manufacturer at the 2026 Clash of Champions event over the weekend. With FlySky having made huge market gains and and made quite a name for itself over the last two years, on becoming the latest World Champion to join the brand, Champlin posted, ‘I’m proud to announce my radio sponsor for the year of 2026 and beyond, Flysky RC. I first tried this radio in April of 2025 and was instantly sold. Due to the 2025 World Championships, I chose to stay with what I was most familiar with but after the Florida Carpet Championships, I began the switch. Whether they would end up as my sponsor or not, I chose this radio because it has all of the features I like best. I’m ecstatic to be apart of the fastest growing radio brand in competitive RC racing. I can’t wait to see all of my personal improvements and help the team provide a more quality and refined product for our community of racers. See you all at the races!’ It was a good official race debut for Champlin as he took the 4WD Mod TQ & Win at the Clash of Champions.

Source: Broc Champlin [Facebook]

January 5, 2026

Rocket-RC Gecko PRO Micro Crawler Power Combo

Surpass Hobby has released this Rocket-RC Gecko Series PRO Micro Crawler Power Combo. Featuring their Gecko 1212 PRO Brushless Motor and MINI24 PRO ESC, this combo is tailor-made for micro crawlers 1:16 and smaller and integrates professional-grade power core and all-round adaptive technology. Whether tackling rugged mountain roads, rocky cliffs, or complex obstacle terrains, it delivers precise power output and stable performance to unlock pure crawling fun. The compact size 1212 PRO Brushless Motor features selected insulated copper wire windings with 220℃ temperature resistance, paired with 0.2mm ultra-thin silicon steel sheets, greatly reducing eddy current loss, significantly boosting magnetic flux density, and achieving more efficient power conversion. It is also equipped with imported Japanese NMB precision bearings and a top-tier engineer-designed magnetic circuit system, the three core components work in synergy to maintain consistent and stable output even under extreme operating conditions, maximising durability. The rotor undergoes high-precision dynamic balance calibration, resulting in nearly zero operational vibration, excellent low-speed linear control, and outstanding energy efficiency, delivering smooth and responsive handling feedback. The compact 15.8×21 mm frame packs a maximum power of 120W, with a no-load speed of 3500KV combined with high-torque characteristics, balancing low-speed crawling capability and high-speed burst performance that far outperforms peers in the same category.

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January 5, 2026

Takashima D-13 X4 | Speciale 1.2mm Spring Steel Chassis

In its latest release of 1.2mm spring steel chassis for electric touring cars, Takashima D-13 has now expanded their offering with chassis designed for the Xray X4 and the Infinity IF14 Speciale after completing sample testing. With excellent feedback from that testing, all the chassis offerings in the range are produced from a specially selected steel that offers an optimal balance of strength and durability. The chassis features ultra-flat precision grinding with nanometer-level accuracy and a mirror-finish surface treatment for exceptional performance and consistency. Designed to be used with 120-degree flat head screws, this greatly improving cost efficiency and ease of availability, Takashima D-13’s own customised 120-degree, 12.9 grade carbon steel screws work perfectly with their chassis.

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January 2, 2026

GRP Tyres sign Boots

In a major signing for GRP, the Italian tyre manufacturer has announced that multiple European Champion and World Championship Top Qualifier Elliott Boots will represent the brand in 2026. Unveiling the factory Sworkz/Reds Racing driver, GRP posted, ‘After the launch of the new 1:8 Buggy line last May, we weren’t simply looking for a driver. We were looking for the right driver. Fast when it matters, solid in development, with real experience, a true racing mindset, and real weight in the international Buggy scene. Profiles like this are rare. Very rare. Among them all, Elliott was an immediate choice. We’ve known each other for years—we know what he can deliver on track and off track. He immediately understood the direction of the project and embraced our proposal with enthusiasm and determination. I, Maurizio, together with Susi and Sara, owners of GRP, are proud and excited to announce Elliott as the new official GRP Factory driver for the 2026 season. This is not just a new driver. It’s a step forward in our Buggy program. And it’s only the beginning.’ Reacting to his new tyre deal Boots said, ‘I’m so excited to share with you all that I will be joining GRP Tyres for the 2026 season. I’ve known Grp for many years, but since Maurizio, Susi, and Sara took over eight years ago, everything has changed for the better. I visited the company personally and found it to be truly impressive. They produce everything in-house, have direct control over the compound formulation, the laser-finished molds are fantastic, the tires they produce are unmatched on the current market, and their quality control is obsessive. Despite having many years of experience, I was impressed by their quality and enthusiasm. I’ll publish several tutorials in the coming weeks to better explain all the technical characteristics of the various components. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and really looking to our first race together.’

Source: GRP [grpgandini.it]

January 2, 2026

Hong Nor X3GTS’26 1:8 GT

World Champion manufacturer Hong Nor has released images of their latest 1:8 Nitro GT kit the X3GTS’26. Due for release at the end of January, the ’26 is an evolution of the WC edition which was released after Toni Gruber’s 2023 World title win in Australia. The most significant upgrades are increased rigidity from the new 4mm 7075-T6 chassis. The kit also features a new radio tray design, Carbon Top Deck, and CNC Machined Chassis Brace Mount, with the combined overall result of the new parts being improved corner speed. Running a 13/44T Spiral Bevel Gear, the’26 also gets a new fuel tank that has been fitted with a fuel pick up that can also function should the car flip.

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January 2, 2026

Haatanen switches to RUDDOG Racing Electronics

Top Finnish Offroad racer Joona Haatanen is making the switch to Ruddog Racing electronics for 2026. The career long Team Associated team driver has run the US manufacturer’s package of Reedy Electronics but following his joining of Ruddog Distribution as a full-time employee in early 2025, he will now run the German based Team Associated distributor’s full range of own brand Ruddog Racing electronics in his AE cars. This full performance package includes the RXS speed controller, Ruddog Racing motors, servos and LiPo packs.

Source: Ruddog [ruddog.eu]

January 1, 2026

ORCA signs Sawada

Electronics brand ORCA has announced the signing of top Japanese Touring Car driver & recently crowned 2025 FEMCA Asia Touring Car Spec Champion Shin Sawada. The Xray team driver, who finished fifth at the 2024 IFMAR World Championships in the Spec Class and previously ran for Hobbywing, will join the likes of Naoto Matsukura, Akio Sobue, and Lucas Urbain, in representing the ORCA brand in 2026. A World Championship year, Sawada will be one of ORCA’s key challengers for the Spec title at the Hongyu GDC track in China next April.

Source: ORCA [orcarc.com]

January 1, 2026

Butterfield joins Team Associated

Having announced his departure from Serpent last week, multiple US Nitro Onroad National Champion Bryce Butterfield will race for Team Associated in 2026. Racing both nitro and electric programs during his 5-years with Serpent, the 24-year-old will now form part of Team Associated’s Electric Touring Car team, the US manufacturer only returning to competitive racing with the TC8 which went on release in April of 2025. Sharing the news on his social media, Butterfield who finished runner-up at the 2025 ROAR Modified Touring Car Paved Championships, said, ‘2026 brings a new chapter, Team Associated! Super excited and proud to be a part of this iconic brand! Thank you to BT and everyone behind the scene for allowing me to represent. I’m looking forward to working with the team with a focus on the TC8 and onroad with some off-road sprinkled in here and there. It’s gonna be a great, but busy year! Feel free to come check out my TC8, and hit me up online if you have any questions regarding Team Associated products. See everyone at the track!

Source: Bryce Butterfield [Facebook]