Red RC » S-Workz

March 13, 2024

Neumann to lead Sworkz effort at Philippine Masters

Having won the Truggy title at the Philippine Masters last year with Micha Widmaier, Sworkz will be pinning their hopes on Joern Neumann this year at what has become Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race. With Widmaier also finishing runner-up to World Champion Davide Ongaro in the 1-hour Buggy Final, this will be Neumann’s first time to the very 3D Circulo Verde offroad track in the capital city of Manila. The German joins Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz and Sparko’s Ryan Pavidis as the latest international entry for what will be the 12th edition of the race. A race that has a unique vibe that lives up to the nation’s tourism tagline ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’, many of the large international entry combining the race with holidays at the country’s world famous white sand beaches, on the news of his entry Neumann said, “Finally the Philippine Masters fits in my schedule and I am looking forward to racing at this beautiful track. Super excited to meet everyone and it should be a fun race.” The Philippine Masters is the second round of the ambitious Asian Buggy Championship which having already visited New Zealand will also have rounds in Australia and Indonesia.

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]

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 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 12, 2024

Spower Japan B7HP ‘Soul’ Hand Modified .21 Offroad

Following on from the release of its first hand modified racing engine that was specifically for 1:8 GT, Spower has added a second engine to the ‘Soul’ series with the popular B7TT .21 offroad engine undergoing the special treatment. Based on long-stroke B7TT, the new B7HP piston/liner comes with hand modified conventional 3-ports type enabling more torque the power range. The stronger DLC coating on new crankshaft has also hand modified with 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 Spower Japan 75mm Exhaust Manifold + EFRA 2089 pipe, B7HP will provide a lot of power plus best fuel mileage for your offroad racing needs.

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January 15, 2024

Rose gets first win at Southern Indoor Championship

Sworkz’ Brandon Rose claimed the first major win of his career with victory in 1:8 Nitro Buggy at the Southern Indoor Championship in Alabama, and he did it in style beating Top Qualifier and 2023 Triple Champion Dakotah Phend. The RaceTime Entertainment organised event is the first major 1:8 Offroad event of the year and attracted over 500 entries to the indoor venue. Qualifying would consist of three rounds with Phend’s TLR topping Q1 and Q3 for the overall TQ. Taking Q2, Sparko Racing’s Tyler Jones would secure P2 on the grid ahead of the Tekno of Ryan Maifield and with Rose 4th. In the half hour final after Phend led away before Maifield took a turn at front, as the race reached the 1/3 distance Rose got out front where he would stay to the finish for a popular breakthrough win. Half a lap back Phend would take 2nd with Rose’s Sworkz team-mate Mason Fuller completing the Top 3 5-seconds up on Maifield. In eBuggy it was victory for Maifield from Phend while in Nitro Truggy Phend came way with the winner ahead of Camden Lime.

Image: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

January 9, 2024

Fuller brothers join Sworkz

Sworkz has announced the signing of American brothers Mason and Kaden Fuller. The young offroad pairing raced the 2023 season with HB Racing with Mason achieving a number of high profile race podium finishes including the Nitro Buggy TQ & 3rd place at the Alabama Manufacturers Shootout, 3rd place at the Silver State Indoor Championships in Las Vegas and a Truggy double win at Psycho Nitro Blast. On their move to Sworkz, Mason said, ‘Kaden and I are excited to be joining the SWORKz team. Thank you to Max, Brent, and Tim for believing in us and all of your support. Looking forward to a great 2024! First race up is SIC. See you guys in a couple of days!!’. Sworkz boss Max Sonnleitner added, ‘Great to have the Fuller Family in the SWORKz factory team. We are looking forward to have two of the raising talents with us. The whole family totally fits into our team, where working together, friendship and success are the main topics.’

Source: Sworkz [Facebook]

January 3, 2024

Sworkz confirm team for MIBO International debut

Sworkz has confirmed it will be sending its team to this year’s MIBO International Race in Czech Republic. The second running of the event that sees some of the World’s top offroad and onroad drivers race side by side on two large indoor carpet tracks, this will be Sworkz first time attending the 2 and a half day event. Taking place on February 16-18, with practice starting on the Friday evening, multiple European Champion Joern Neumann, Micha Widmaier and Antonia Kovalszki, who all attended the World Championships in Arizona in September, will represent the brand on its debut. A long time dream of former International Touring Car racer Michal Bok to host his own major international event in Hrotovice, the first edition of MIBO International last year saw multiple World Champion Bruno Coelho take double buggy honours at the Sport V Hotel venue while former World Champion Ronald Volker was crowned the Touring Car Champion. After the success of inaugural event, the 2nd edition looks set to attract an even stronger international team entry and Red RC will be there to bring you coverage from both tracks.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]