February 18, 2024

Neumann takes surprise 2WD win at MIBO

Joern Neumann came out the surprise winner of 2WD Buggy at MIBO International, the Sworkz driver having lined up 5th on the grid for the three action packed A-Mains at the Czech Republic race.  With team-mate Micha Widmaier leading the challenge of the Sworkz team in qualifying, holding the overnight TQ and one of four drivers to go into Sunday morning’s fifth & final qualifier in contention for pole position, Neumann was running well under the radar.  The first of the finals changed all that as the multiple European Champion picked up the pieces as those ahead cracked under the pressure and he took the win, even the German himself having a smile of surprise on his face as he went to out marshal afterwards.  A2 was a similarly incident filled race, this time Neumann following home the Xray of fourth place qualifier Martin Bayer to finish P2 helped by late contact between the top 2 qualifiers Daniel Kobbevik and Joona Haatanen.  Top Qualifier Kobbevik would finally deliver in A3 taking his Schumacher to the win ahead of Widmaier but a late incident between Bayer and Haatanen who define the outcome of the podium.  Running second at the time and with a faster winning time than Neumann, the incident cost Bayer the overall win as he finished 3rd on tie break with Kobbevik as Neumann became the Champion of the second edition of the MIBO International.

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February 18, 2024

Kobbevik & Zalewski secure TQ honours at MIBO

Schumacher’s Daniel Kobbevik and Xray’s Bartosz Zalewski are the buggy Top Qualifiers at MIBO International.  While the TQ honours on the onroad track were settled yesterday with Michal Orlowski dominating proceedings, it was an intense fifth & final qualifier this morning on the offroad track with four drivers vying for pole position.  In 2WD Buggy it was Sworkz’s Micha Widmaier who led away the decider from Xray’s Martin Bayer, Kobbevik and Team Associated’s Joona Haatanen.  Under pressure, with Kobbevik quickly on his rear wing, it was Bayer who was first to bow out with a mistake.  Shortly after Widmaier’s challenge was over with the two Scandinavians continuing the battle with Kobbevik getting it done by 6/10th as P2 secured Haantanen second on the grid ahead of Widmaier and Bayer.  In 4WD,  it was a three way battle which quickly became two as Kobbevik pulled up after a mistake.  A mistake from Bayer then took the pressure off Zalewski and last year’s 2WD Top Qualifier took the round and a 4WD pole position this time round.

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February 17, 2024

Bayer on provisional MIBO TQ in 4WD

Martin Bayer is the provisional Top Qualifier overnight at MIBO International, the Xray driver being denied locking in the overall TQ with a mistake that allowed Schumacher’s Daniel Kobbevik to top the fourth round and be part of the battle for pole position tomorrow morning in Q5.  Posting a TQ run in Q1 and Q3, Bayer was on target for a third in Q4 but keying an eye on the very fast Sworkz of Micha Widmaier and distracted by a mistake from the overnight 2WD TQ holder, Bayer made a mistake that cost him more than 3-seconds allowing Kobbevik to grab max points.  With Bayer still managing a P2 2.6-seconds off Kobbevik, the Top 3 would be completed by Team Associated’s Joona Haatanen but the Finn won’t contend for the overall TQ in Q5, instead it will be Bartosz Zalewski who is part of the three way fight.  The double runner up here last year to Bruno Coelho, the young Polish talent was on a competitive Q4 run until be popped a steering link.

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February 17, 2024

Widmaier holds overnight 2WD TQ at MIBO International

Sworkz’s Micha Widmaier holds the overnight TQ in 2WD Buggy at MIBO International with today’s four rounds of qualifying producing TQ runs from four drivers all representing different manufacturers.  Having opened the second edition of the Czech event with a TQ run, Widmaier holds a 1 point advantage over the Xray of Martin Bayer who topped the time sheets in Q4.  Equal on points with Bayer, having taken max points for Q3, is Schumacher’s Daniel Kobbevik for whom a last lap error cost him a potential second TQ result as he finished just 2/10ths back from Bayer.  Setting the pace in Q2, Team Associated’s Joona Haatanen is one of four drivers in contention for the overall TQ in Sunday mornings fifth & final qualifier.

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February 17, 2024

Widmaier & Bayer take opening MIBO qualifiers

Sworks RC’s Micha Widmaier and Xray’s Martin Bayer have taken the opening round of offroad qualifying at MIBO International.  In 2WD Widmaier took the TQ ahead of Bayer by less than 2/10ths while Bayer got the better of Schumacher’s Daniel Kobbevik to TQ the first 4WD encounter by 7/10th of a second.  Having opened Day 2 of the event by topping seeding in both 2WD and 4WD, mistakes on both of his opening qualifying runs would see Bartosz Zalewski end up third fastest in both categories.

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February 16, 2024

Smokem ARC A10 top decks

Smokem Racing has released a number of top decks for the ARC A10 and A10’23 1:10 Electric Touring Car.  The RS-X 1-piece top deck is a slight departure from their normal RS design (which ARC had adopted with the release of the A10) and has slightly stiffer but longer flex than factory top deck, yet is not as stiff as the split top deck setups.  The RS-X is more responsive under certain conditions yet still offers a smooth feel, which was preferred by some of our drivers.  Included in the latest release are the RS Split Top Decks that feature a slight taper and a thin cutout for a more linear flex.  The Rear Split Top Deck features Smokem’s trademark recessed V-shaped brace for slightly more flex than the stock split top deck for improved corner speed. While for the front, there is a standard design with a long thin cutout for a softer, smoother steering feel. To compliment that there is a version with a recessed W-shaped brace delivering improved steering response.  Finally the RS X-Low Rear Shock Tower is designed for racers that prefer traditional vertical body mounting.  This shock tower offers a stiffer mounting platform than the factory horizontal body post brace for superior rear down force compared to the factory design.

View more images here


February 15, 2024

Xray X4 Rubber 3D Bumper with Inner “H” Profile

New from Xray for its X4 1:10 Electric Touring Car platform is the Rubber 3D printed bumper with Inner “H” Profile.  Exceptionally light as well as durable, the “H” profile allows for the cells of the bumper to be made super thin yet still lightweight and carry the desired compression characteristics.  The 3D printed material doesn’t fold or break in crashes, and allows more airflow under the body, with the high aerodynamic efficiency improving front traction.  It fits all X4 kits.

See Cut a way view here


February 15, 2024

Pro-Line Sector 1:10 2WD & 4WD Buggy Bodies

Pro-Line has a new 1:10 body design with the release of the Sector in both a 2WD and 4WD offering for TLR and Team Associated’s latest competition chassis.  Available to fit the 2WD TLR22 and Associated’s B6.4, and in 4WD the 22X-4 and B74.2, the Sector lineup of race bodies features a ground-up redesign to optimise the handling of your buggy in the trickiest of track conditions.  The low-slung design features a laid-back windshield and long centre fin for ideal stability and side bite, lowering your lap times.  The overall rake of the body contributes to the planted yet drivable feel of the Sector, while the body has the right amount of clearance around the gearbox, chassis, and bulkhead.  Included with the Sector body is the Air Force 7″ Wing with its ultra-wide wing design a perfect blend of downforce and low drag, with durability and tunability built in.  Ample tire clearance is designed into the outer edges, along with 2 diagonal ribs to keep the wing true at high speeds.  The trailing edge of the wing features 3 rear chord trim heights to tune to your specific track conditions. Each body includes a 2-pack of wings formed from ultra-durable 1mm thick material.

View more TLR22 body images and AE B74.2 example here


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