September 15, 2026

Wicaksono joins Sworkz team

Sworkz, who just released their latest S35-5 buggy platform, has announced the addition of well known & accomplished Indonesian 1:8 Offroad racer Adrian Wicaksono to its official team line-up.  The Indonesian National Champion and multiple FEMCA Championship Finalist is also the host of his home country’s Asian Buggy Championships round at his ‘bucket list’ track West Side Raceway in Jakarta.  Responsible for designing and building the track which last month concluded the fourth season of the Asian Buggy Championships, Wicaksono work was highly praised by the races biggest international field to date.  Switching from Team Associated to Sworkz for the 2026 season, on the official announcement of his team driver status, Wicaksono said, ‘First off, I would like to thank Scott Yang and Sworkz for giving me the opportunity to run for an incredible brand!  Having Sworkz believing in my racing program has given me the confidence to push for new limits. I hope we can achieve many incredible things together here in the region.  See you all at trackside!’

Source: Sworkz [sworkz.com]


September 2, 2026

Sworkz S35-5 1:8 Buggy Kit

Sworkz has released details of the 5 generation of their competition 1:8 Buggy platform, the S35-5 and S35-5e.  The next evolution in 1:8 Buggy racing builds on the proven success of the S35-4 EVO platform, with the well-known and successful geometry of that predecessor having been carefully optimized in key areas for the S35-5.  This delivers higher cornering speeds, increased traction, and a more forgiving driving feel-without changing the fundamental driving character. Sworkz say this result is a buggy that remains predictable and easy to control, while offering increased consistency and confidence across a wide variety of track conditions.  The S35-5 is built around a lightened T7075 hard-anodised aluminium chassis, based on the proven wheelbase layout of the S35-4 EVO, which has been extensively used by their factory drivers.  In addition, an optional +3 mm extended chassis will once again be available.. This longer version is ideal for fast, high-grip tracks, providing improved stability and easier handling at high speeds.  The buggy gets a redesigned radio tray that offers multiple receiver battery mounting options, flexible receiver positioning, is compatibility with various switch types, and has two transponder mounting locations.  This all ensures clean installation and easy setup customisation.  The S35-5 is equipped with LCD (Large Caster Design) front upper arms, which were already available as an option on the S35-4 EVO and have proven their performance and durability over several years of racing. To improve durability and cleanliness, plastic covers for the front and rear lower suspension arms are included. These covers provide effective protection against dirt and debris while also giving the buggy a cleaner and more aggressive appearance.  The shock system of the S35-5 has been completely updated, with new high-quality X-rings for smoother shock action and improved sealing.  The kit also gets new double-line shock towers, the Upper line based on the proven S35-4 EVO design and the Lower line optimised for high-grip tracks, offering a lower center of gravity and more precise handling.  All-new Samurai Competition spring line has been developed specifically for improved balance and consistency.

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August 17, 2026

Boots celebrates 10th National title with Shrewsbury win

Sworkz/Reds Racing/GRP factory driver Elliott Boots celebrated a landmark 10th British 1:8 Nitro Buggy National title over the weekend with victory at the fifth & final round of the 2026 Championship.  Racing at Shrewsbury with 123 racers in attendance, the 2-time European Champion and World Championship Top Qualifier, secured the TQ as he topped 3 of the five qualifiers. Winner of Round 3 at Slough, the Agama of Erik Lykke was fastest in Q4 to secure second while fastest in the opening qualifier Xray’s Jonathan Skidmore, winner of Round 2 at Blackpool, competed the P3.  Winning his Semi Final from Skidmore, with Lykke winning the other Semi to line up P3, the duo would battle it out for the win over the 45-minutes with Boots eventually taking his 3rd win of the season by less than 2-seconds.  From sixth on the grid, William Skidmore would take the final step on the podium with Lykke, the winner of Round 3 at Slough, dropping back to 5th.  Overall Lykke would finish the championship 3rd in the overall standings behind Jonathan Skidmore and Boots, for whom this was his 5th consecutive BRCA RallyX title win.

Image: Elliott Boots [Facebook]


July 13, 2026

Boots takes British Championship Round 4 win

Sworkz/Reds Racing/GRP factory driver Elliott Boots came away with the win at the fourth & penultimate round of the BRCA 1:8 Nitro Buggy Championship held at Brookthorpe track over the weekend.  Winner of the season opener at Herts, the defending British Champion claimed his second win of the season after starting on pole having won his Semi Final in the fastest time.  In Qualifying it was Xray’s Jonathan Skidmore, winner of the Round 2 of the Championship, who secured the overall TQ, with Boots securing P2 ahead of the Agama of Round 3 winner Erik Lykke.  In the 45-minute final, with Skidmore lining up P2, Boots lead from start to finish as Skidmore suffered a steering issue that cost him 5-laps to fix and left him with a P9.  At the end it was Lykke who claimed second to lead the championship standings with WIRC’s Jack Willets completing the podium.  The final round of the 2026 championship takes place at Shrewsbury on August 15/16.

Image: Elliott Boots [Facebook]


June 29, 2026

Canas reclaims European title as Spanish legend Batlle bids farewell

Sworkz’s Juan Carlos Canas has reclaimed his title as EFRA 1:8 Nitro Buggy Champion on home soil, the 44th running of the championships also marking the 20th & final European Championship appearance of Spanish Offroad legend Robert Batlle.  Racing at the Fuencarral in Madrid, where last October Canas took the win at track builder Miguelo Izquierdo’s Buggyland race, qualifying would see 4 different drivers top the times over the 5 rounds.  With rain causing a 3-delay during the qualifiers, it was Canas who opened proceedings with the fastest time in Q1.  World Champion Davide Ongaro went to the top in Q2 before Batlle marked his final event with a TQ performance in Q3.  Fastest in Q4 and again in Q5, it was Italian Mattia Polito who was the Top Qualifier ahead of his Sworlz team-mate Canas, Ongaro, Sparko’s Adrian Pariente, and Batlle, with defending Champion David Ronnefalk qualifying his Xray in P9.  Unfortunately for Polito his event would go downhill after qualifying.  Problems in the Semi final put him in the LCQ race from which he would retire, Mayako’s Pekko Iivonen getting that win to line-up 13th in the main event.  Winning his Semi in a fractionally faster time than Ongaro’s win of the other Semi, it was Canas on pole for the 45-minute encounter with Mugen Seiki’s Berkan Kilic lining up 3rd in front of Adrian Pariente.  While Ongaro would find a way to the front early in the final, Canas got the spot back with Pariente, who set the fastest lap of the final, making it a Spanish one-two 6.9-seconds back as they crossed the finish line.  First to congratulate an emotional Canas on his win was Batlle, the 2012 World Champion & 3-time European Champion signing off with an 11th place after a tyre issue.  Ongaro would complete the podium, the European title once again eluding the 3-time World Champion, while Ronnefalk took claimed 4th ahead of Burak Kilic, his brother Berkan retiring from the race just before the half hour mark.

Inage: Sworkz [sworkz.com]


June 8, 2026

Polito wins ‘The Italian Race’ ahead of Ongaro

Sworkz’s Mattia Polito was the Nitro Buggy winner at the annual ‘The Italian Race’ hosted by the Ospyteam Offroad track in Gussago in the north of the country.  In qualifying it was Team Associated’s Davide Ongaro who secured the TQ ahead of Polito, WIRC’s Andrea Trevisan and Mugen Seiki’s Kilic brothers, Berkan securing P4 ahead of Burak.  Qualifying in P6 but winning his Semi Final in the fastest time, it would be Kyosho’s Riccardo Berton who started the final on pole ahead of Berkan, Polito and Ongaro, the latter the winner of the other Semi final.  Over the 45-minute final Berton led early on before Berkan took a stint at the front but it was to be Polito and Ongari that would battle it out for the win.  Despite the World Champion’s best efforts over the closing laps he couldn’t deny Polito the win.  Behind it was Berton who completed the podium.  In eBuggy it was Polito who secured the TQ ahead of Ongaro and the Sworkz of Elliott Boots and Berton.  Using the traditional Nitro format of Semi Finals, it was to be Ongaro who after winning his 10-minute Semi secured pole for the final ahead of Polito, winner of the other Semi, Trevisan, Boots and Kyosho’s Marco Baruffolo.  With a single 10-minute A-Main, it would be Baruffolo after taking the lead from Ongaro on lap 6 who took the win.  Boots completed the podium.

Image: Matrix Tires [Facebook]


June 1, 2026

Sworkz S35-4/e EVO Alu Steering Bellcrank Plate

For the 2026 Summer racing season, Sworkz brings a new steering bell crank option for the S35-4/e EVO and T2/e EVO series in the form of this Alu Steering Bellcrank Plate.  The CNC machined aluminium plate provides a more solid reinforcement for hard crashes and creates a smoother steering response.  It also comes in new Samurai Black colour with diamond cuttings for a high quality look.  Additionally Sworkz has also released a new 3D-Printed Low & High Downforce Front Wing Set.  This includes two front wings (low & high downforce) to fine-tune your setup. and increase front grip and corner speed depending on track conditions.  Another new release for the S35 platform is a Durable Carbon Centre Diff Plate with bigger bearings for the brake cams to increase durability and lifetime.  Finally there are also a set of 4 Performance Carbon Rear Wheel Hub Easy Handling Adjustment Plates.  Optimised the rear hub geometry, they deliver a more stable rear end while maintaining steering, resulting in a smoother and more consistent driving feel across several track conditions.

View more images here


April 7, 2026

Canas wins ‘Neoland’ on iconic race’s return

Sworkz’s Juan Carlos Canas has won Neoland, the Spaniard taking the Nitro Buggy win on the return of racing to Harper Adams in the UK over the Easter weekend.  The spiritual home of Philip Mortstedt’s Neo Race, a race that was widely referred to as the 1:8 Buggy Indoor World Championships, well known international track builder and Buggyland race promoter Miguelo Izquierdo Rodriguez resurrected the Neo event after a decade, and while he was somewhat under the radar for most of the weekend Canas came good when it counted most to win the 45-minute final.  In qualifying it was the Xray of David Ronnefalk who secured the TQ, topping 2 of the 3 rounds, ahead of Team Associated’s Davide Ongaro, fastest in Q3 and also taking the overall eBuggy TQ. The Sworkz’s Mattia Polito would line-up third ahead of Canas with Mugen Seiki’s Berkan Kilic and Team Associated’s Marcus Kaerup completing the Top 6 on the 15-car grid.  In the final Ronnefalk would lead the way for the first 20-minutes with Canas pushing him ever harder.  The pair would tangle but resume in the same order only for Canas to execute the pass he was trying to line up shortly after.  Once in front he took charge of the race to win by 3.5 seconds from Ongaro.  Making a wrong call on tyre compound, Ronnefalk would eventually drop to P6 with Ongaro taking second and the Sworkz of 7th place qualifier Elliott Boots completing the podium just ahead of Kilic.  In Easter Sunday’s eBuggy encounter, while Ongaro won A1 it was Ronnefalk who took the title with wins in A2 & 3.  Behind Ongaro in second, eBuggy World Champion Kaerup completed the podium from P10 on the grid with Kilic finishing fourth.

Image: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]


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