October 8, 2023

‘Of course goal is to keep the title’ but ‘the class has changed a lot’ – Neumann on 1:8 GT World title defence

Think Joern Neumann and you think World class offroad racer.  The German is a multiple offroad European Champion, a multiple offroad World Champion Finalist and the only European to ever to win the legendary Reedy Offroad Race of Champions.  Ironically his biggest win in the sport didn’t involve navigating any jump sections, and this coming week the factory Sworkz driver will defend that title despite not having raced in the category since adding the IFMAR World title to his CV.  It’s January 2020 and the World has no idea of two major things that are about to happy – Neumann is going to become an onroad World Champion and a thing called Covid is going to shut down the World just afterwards!

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September 25, 2023

Lot crowned French 1:8 Nitro Buggy Champion

Sworkz driver Jordan Lot was crowned the new French 1:8 Nitro Buggy Champion over the weekend after taking victory at the fourth & final round of the championship which was hosted by Mini Bolides Chanusiens 61.  Having claimed the eBuggy title two weeks earlier, this would be Lot’s sixth win from the 8 National Championship races that made up both championships.   Qualifying second behind Top Qualifier Matisse Peyre for the Nitro title decider, Lot would win his Semi final to start pole in the 45-minute final which he would control to win from the Kyosho of multiple former European & French Champion Reno Savoya with Peyre’s Xray completing the podium.  Overall Savoya would finish runner-up in the championship.

Image: Reno Savoya [Facebook]


September 4, 2023

Canas leads Sworks 1-2 at European Championship

Juan Carlos Canas has finally achieved a major championship title with the rapid Spaniard leading an Sworkz 1-2 at the EFRA 1:8 Offroad European Championship in Redovan, Spain.  In qualifying, Canas was Top Qualifier topping 3 of the 5 rounds at the 2022 World Championship venue.  Reigning World Champion Davide Ongaro was P2 with the fastest time in Q2 with Bruno Coelho P3 having set the quickest time in the opening qualifier.  With Saturday originally scheduled as Finals day, the threat of heavy rain prompted a change of schedule to get the event completed by Friday night.  In the Semi Finals Canas took the first 20-minute encounter from Bryan Baldo while a retirement exited Coelho from proceedings.  In the other Semi, Ongaro took the win from Burak Kilic and Elliot Boots, but a slower race time it was Canas on pole for the final with defending champion David Ronnefalk lining up 6th.  Racing into the night and finishing under the flood lights Canas dominated the 45-minutes adding the fastest lap to his tally on the way to victory by half a lap from his 2-time European Champion team-mate Elliot Boots.  Ongaro’s Team Associated would complete the podium 4-second ahead of Mugen’s Burak Kilic with a similar gap back to Infinity’s Riccardo Berton in fifth.  Ronnefalk’s year long reign as Champion would end in a retirement with 5-minutes remaining.

Image: Sworkz [Facebook]


August 24, 2023

SWORKz S35-4 EVO

Sworkz has a new 1:8 Nitro Buggy with the release of the S35-4 EVO.  The geometry from the Worlds Edition conversion kit provides optimised cornering speeds with a more easy handling feel and maximum traction.  The S35-4 EVO features a T7075 hard anodised and lightened aluminium chassis with a new short wheel base design that was tested for a long time by our factory pilots which guarantee the best speed balance for both front and rear suspensions.  HET differentials are included in the kit while the High Density Clutch Bell system are optional. The new S35-4 EVO comes with a brand new steering Lay-Down Type Steering Bell crank servo saver system. This new Ackerman design provides the driver with better control over the S35-4 EVO buggy.

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August 21, 2023

Boots crowned British Champion for 7th time

Having kicked off his British 1:8 Offroad Buggy title defence with a victory at the season opener at Herts back in May, Sworkz/Reds Racing team driver Elliott Boots wrapped up his 7th National title with a win at the season finale over the weekend.  The 2-time European Champion and World Championship Top Qualifier, secured the TQ at the fifth & final round at Nemo Raceway ahead of Team Associated Neil Cragg before going on to take win number 3 of the season ahead of the Xray of William Skidmore and Agama of Lee Martin. Unfortunately for main title rival Jonathan Skidmore, trouble in the Semi Final put an end to his challenge for win number three of the season.  Winner of Round 2 & 3 of the championship, the Xray driver finished as championship runner 8 points off Boots with brother William 3rd in the final standings.

Image: Elliott Boots [Facebook]


August 15, 2023

Kobbevik takes 16th National title with 1:8 Offroad win

Sworkz’ Daniel Kobbevik claimed his 16th National title over the weekend with victory at the 2023 Norwegian 1:8 Nitro Offroad Championship at 3starRaceway in Nedenes.  Open 2-years, while track is small in size it is fast and features many cool elements.  Having won the title back in 2021 but forced to miss the race in 2022 due to a clash with the 1:10 Offroad European Championships, Kobbevik’s limited 1:8 racing didn’t hamper his efforts as he topped 3 of the 5 rounds of qualifying to become the Top Qualifier.  Mugen’s Vincent Rüger would TQ Q1 & 3 to take pole for the other Semi Final.  With ever changing weather conditions, the Semi Finals proved challenging but Kobbevik won his in the faster time to secure pole for the 45-minute final ahead of Rüger and the Kyosho of Mathias Fink.  Switching to a softer compound tyre for the final, Kobbevik would quickly run out of tyres causing the battle for the lead to heat up with Rüger.  With both drivers adjusting their fuel strategy as the pushed each other unfortunately Rüger would come up short and run out fuel.  This gave Kobbevik breathing space he would hold to finish over half a lap up on Kruger.  With Fink retiring after just 8-minutes of racing, 11th place starter Danny Kwiatkowski would come through to complete the podium with his Kyosho.

Image: Magne Kobbevik


August 9, 2023

Sworkz SST-Pro Aluminum Multi Tire Wrench

Sworkz has modified its 17mm hex wrench design and come out with a new SST-Pro line Multi tire wrench.  The bigger, stronger handle made of aluminium can save your energy when locking and unlocking wheel nuts with the handle also doubling up for multi function usage. These include 2 types of fly wheel nut holder and a slot which is ideal for under 6mm size plastic linkage ball ends.

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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.

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