Just as the nitro onroad season gets underway in earnest, Zen-Racing / Team Shepherd have released an extensive line of 2024 Teamwear featuring the onroad nitro manufacturer’s new logo and branding. Made from high quality materials and in sizes from small to 4XL, the new range features the new new Shepherd Micro Racing logo front and back with the range including a T-shirt, Hoodie, Zoodie and Polo that should be available from your local Shepherd distributor.
Shepherd have started to release some new upgrades for its Velox V8.2 with a trio of new Anti Roll Bars options for the 1:8 Onroad Chassis. Developed in conjunction with the factory team drivers, these new additions to the V8.2 Anti Roll Bar range will give racers extra flexibility and greater tuning options. The new roll bars are offered in 2.3mm, 2.7mm, and 2.9mm thicknesses.
Source: Zen Racing [zen-racing.co.uk]
In the first of a series of new option part releases since its take over last by David Spashett’s Zen Racing, onroad nitro chassis manufacturer Shepherd has released a new Rear Shock Tower Vertical Mounting Set for its Velox 8.2. The new rear Shock mount for its flagship 1:8 onroad chassis offers a much more tuneable option for the rear shock angle.
Source: Zen Racing [zen-racing.co.uk]
Following the recent sale of Shepherd Micro Racing to David Spashett’s Zen Racing, it is good to see that the Nitro Onroad manufacturer is still committed to top level racing with the announcement German racer Lars Hoppe will continue to represent the brand into the 2024 racing season. A World Championship Semi-Finalist and Europe Championship Finalist, Hoppe took the TQ and was runner-up to Dominic Greiner at this year’s German National Championship. Commenting on the announcement, Hoppe said, ‘I am pleased to extend my contract with Shepherd and continue to represent this great brand at various race tracks around the world. I would like to thank Zen-Racing / Team Shepherd for your trust in me and look forward to a good collaboration. I am happy to be involved in the further development of all platforms and am available to answer any questions at the racetrack’.
Team Shepherd claimed a 1-2 in the 2023 British 1:8 Nitro Onroad National Championship headed by Tim Wood, the former champion taking a convincing win over team-mate Karl Dransfield at the season finale over the weekend. Racing at the Cotswold circuit, where the 6 round championship kicked off back in April, qualifying would see Wood secure his fifth TQ of the campaign before going on to take his fourth win of the season. Winner of the penultimate round in Adur last month, Dransfield’s second place would at Round 6 would see him finish runner-up in the overall championship. Having taken over Shepherd Micro Racing earlier this year through his company Zen Racing, David Spashett was on hand to share the championship success in what is now the new home of the long time onroad nitro manufacturer.
Image: Shepherd Micro Racing [Facebook]
Thilo Baldes is the new German National Onroad Champion in the 1:8 Nitro Class 2. With his Reds Racing powered Shepherd Velox V8.2, the 12-year-old talent from Adenau near the famous Nürburgring won the 45-minute final race at the German Nationals in Kirchhain in central Germany with a concentrated and faultless performance. In the heat battle at temperatures around 35 degrees, Baldes relegated Julian Krajuszek (Mugen), who is the same age, to second place on the 230-metre racetrack and thus also secured the title of German Junior Champion in Class 2. Third place on the podium in the performance class 2 went to Sebastian Steck (Capricorn).
Tim Wood made it three from three in the British 1:8 Onroad National Championship, the Shepherd driver taking the TQ and win at Halifax last weekend. Already a winner at Cotswold and Wombwell, Wood would set a blistering pace in qualifying setting a new track record as he put his Hasi Tuned powered Velox V8.2 on pole for the A-final. Behind Capricorn’s Andrew Hastings would line up second with the ARC of Niall Cochran 3rd. In the 30-minute final that order would remain unchanged as Wood took a convincing win from the front. With latest BRCA encounter attracting the biggest field thus far of the season with 47 drivers in attendance, there would be position change for fourth with Jason Frost finding a way passed 4th place qualifier Richard Hicklin. Round 4 of the 6 round championship will take racers to the Adur circuit on July 22-23.
Image: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]
Multiple 1:12 World Champion David Spashett, through his company Zen Racing, has taken over Onroad nitro manufacturer Shepherd and its associated brand Brilliant RC. On making the exciting announcement, having made a more bleak announcement about the company’s future in April, the German manufacturer said, “We are thrilled to announce that a new era dawns upon us as Zen Racing, our esteemed partner and current UK distributor, takes the reins of the legendary brands Shepherd and Brilliant RC. With David Spashett’s extensive experience in the RC industry, including his four prestigious World Championship titles and 13 European titles he, along with the Zen-Racing team, are the perfect visionaries to lead Shepherd into the future. His remarkable achievements and expertise further solidify our confidence in Zen-Racing’s ability to take these brands to new heights. Zen Racing’s long-standing role as a distributor for Shepherd and Brilliant makes this transition a natural progression. They have already demonstrated their dedication and passion for these brands, and we are excited to witness the synergy that will be created as Zen Racing led by David Spashett join forces as the driving force behind the next chapter of the journey. In the coming days and weeks, we embark on a path of transformation and growth. As we navigate this transition, we sincerely apologize in advance if there are any temporary disruptions in our spare parts supply. Rest assured, we are working tirelessly to ensure a seamless transition and to deliver the exceptional service you have come to expect. We invite you to join us on this thrilling new chapter, as Zen Racing bring their unparalleled expertise and passion to the forefront. Together, we will redefine the boundaries of excellence and lead Shepherd and Brilliant RC towards an even more glorious future.”
Source: Shepherd Micro Racing [Facebook]
