Red RC » Xray

October 27, 2023

Xray X12 ‘24

With the IFMAR 1:12 World Championship just over a month away Xray has released their latest 1:12 chassis, the X12 ’24. What Alexander Hagberg will use at Beachline Raceway in Florida in his quest for a second World title in the category, the most visual difference on the new car is the all-new 3D printed rubber bumper. This improves body shell support for more aerodynamic efficiency and the 3D printed material doesn’t fold or break, and improves front grip by allowing more airflow under the body. Also new are graphite front lower suspension arms that are 2mm wider each side and improve cornering speed and handling precision. Thinner 2.0mm side braces increase traction for more forgiving handling and new side spring retainers, made from steel instead of composite, produce more precise and more consistent side dampening action. Another improvement on the X12 ’24 is the centre shock gets new geometry with the mounting point moved further back for quicker direction change, as well as improved on-power steering. The shock features a new stiffer spring for improved steering and response.

View the full X12’24 presentation here

October 16, 2023

Branson wins EWS season opener

Xray’s Kyle Branson took the win at the opening round of the Essex Winter Series presented by Ruddog over the weekend. The opening round of the popular British indoor series which runs over 5-rounds, the race attracted a capacity entry with back to back Champion Branson leading the Modified Touring Car entry. In qualifying the Champion stamped his authority on proceedings with TQ runs in all five rounds. Behind Yokomo’s Alex Thurston, winner of the last season’s finale, would secure P2 on the grid ahead of the Schumacher of racing returnee Elliott Harper and Hayley Eldridge. With a single A-main, Branson would convert his pole position into the win with the Top 5 remaining unchanged over the 5-minutes. In Pro Stock, Zak Finlay took the TQ & win from Tony Broad while in FWD it was also a win for the Top Qualifier with Ben Moorey taking max series points ahead of Aaron Rose.

Image: Kyle Branson [Facebook]

October 16, 2023

Kuenning crowned ROAR 1:8 Onroad National Champion

Max Keunning is the new US 1:8 Onroad National Champion, the Xray driver having the perfect weekend at the ROAR On-Road Fuel Nationals in Texas over the weekend. Racing at N-Control RC Racing Circuit, in qualifying Keunning, who is better known for his electric onroad exploits, would takes his RX8 to TQ runs in 3 of the 4 rounds. The only other to post a TQ run was Chris Kemper when he topped Q4 as Keunning had a DNF. Lining up on pole for the 45-minute final ahead of Kemper and former World Champions Ralph Birch and Joel Johnson, he would go on to win with Johnson, the only other driver to hit the front during race, finishing second 2-laps down at the end. With Birch an early retirement, Kemper would complete the podium ahead of Scotty Barrera in fourth. In 1:10, Serpent’s Jose Almonte went one better than last year, when he was second to Bryce Butterfield, to take the title. Having struggled with the balance of his 750 Evo in qualifying, he had it sorted for the final, setting the fastest lap of the race en route to victory over Scott Barnes.

Image: Max Keunning [Facebook]

October 13, 2023

Ronnefalk joins Xray

Xray has announced that the 1:8 Offroad World and multiple European Champion David Ronnefalk has joined their factory team. The Swede’s program with the Slovakian manufacturer will see him race not just 1:8 and 1:10 offroad but all 1:10 Touring car classes. Having departed Mayako after 2-years stint with the brand, commenting on his move to Xray Ronnevalk said, “I’m very excited and happy to announce the news of me joining XRAY. It’s no secret what this brand is capable of in terms of its development program in creating quality products achieving the best results. I’m really looking forward to be a part of this process and to work close with the team to achieve our common goals. I feel very confident starting the new chapter of my career together with XRAY, I’m sure we will be able to make great things happen together. Can’t wait to start to work and meet up with everyone again.”

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

October 12, 2023

Senesi takes Q4 at GT Worlds

Natanaele Senesi became the third different driver to TQ a round of qualifying at the 1:8 GT World Championship, the Xray driver topping the fourth round on a hot morning in Sydney where the temperatures on Day 2 of qualifying are set to hit 33 degrees. It was to be dramatic top heat that started with an early mistake from Q3 winner Andrea Catanzani, costing him over 2-seconds. Next it was Jeff Hamon who was in trouble, the Serpent driver have brake issues for a third time of the event and he was out after 3-minutes. Setting the fastest lap of the run as the only driver to run a 17-second lap, soon Catanzani was back in the hunt but he had Toni Gruber all over him, the Hong Nor driver having to lift on the straight so as not to run in the back of the Serpent. With Catanzani opening to allow Gruber passed, shortly after the German would all on his own go off the track and across the grass losing over a second. Catanzani looked like making it two TQ runs in a row but on the last lap he would run out of fuel with Senesi crossing the line to take it by 1.9-seconds from Gruber with the Genius pairing of Bernard-Alain Arnaldi and Alex D’angelo third & fourth ahead of Lachlan Donnelly who was running in the second fastest heat.

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September 29, 2023

Xray X4 ’24

Xray has just presented its latest 1:10 Electric Touring Car, the X4’24. With factory drivers Bruno Coelho and Alexander Hagberg officially debuting the new car at the Monaco RC Race Of Champions at Luca in Italy this weekend, the kit features new suspension arms with relocated shock positions improve lower arm flex and reduce twist under load. Inner shock locations improve weight distribution with the shocks closer to the vehicle midline. Lower arms use under arm anti-roll bar mounting and reduce shock height by 4.5mm for ultra-low CG while the upper arms are shaped for clearance around the new shock position while maintaining proper suspension geometry and rigidity. The front and rear shock holders use shims to adjust shock positions in finer increments with 3 different shock holder mounting options provide chassis flex alternatives to tune responsiveness and grip while active or fixed rear shock holder configurations provide two dampening alternatives in one mount. A simplified shock absorber installation uses a fixed set screw to secure the threaded shock mount stud and prevent movement in the mount during maintenance. The car gets front steering plates with improved Ackermann positions integrate with the new arms and shock positions. Rear ARS plates move the link forward for improved rotation. An improved ECS drive shaft case uses a C-clip to secure a new aluminium sleeve that captures the coupler pins without the use of set screws for improved reliability and easy assembly. A narrower chassis design reduces cornering drag, while additional material in the central motor area improves durability and reduces chassis fatigue. Updated chassis layout matches the new lower arms, shock holders and motor mount attachment points, while also moving the battery holder mounting points closer to the centreline to reduce chassis width 3mm centering pins and an additional forward motor mount attachment point improve durability and expand flex adjustments to provide improved stability on high grip black carpet tracks. Additional motor mount clearance for ESC wiring allows cleaner electronics installation. Bulkhead anti-roll bar locations are moved lower, along with a new ARS link position on the rear bulkheads, to match the improved suspension geometry. Rear graphite body post holder improves durability and stability, and offers 8 adjustment steps for even more precise horizontal body mount positioning.

View the full X4’24 presentation here

September 15, 2023

Coelho tops first seeding round

Bruno Coelho has topped the opening round of seeding practice at the 2WD Offroad Worlds, the Xray driver fastest over 3-consecutive laps from Broc Champlin. The Portuguese driver improved on his free practice pace by over 1.5-seconds being the only one to run 56-seconds and having half a second on Champlin’s effort. TLR’s Brennan Schimmel put in a strong run to set the third fastest time just ahead of team-mate Cole Tollard. Defending Champion Spencer Rivkin led the Team Associated challenge, posting the 5th fastest time. Having set the pace in the four rounds of Free Practice, team-mate Davide Ongaro would have a problem with a broken rear tyre insert that meant he could only go 12th fastest and now finds himself down a set of tyres.

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September 9, 2023

‘It’s going to be super hard’ – Coelho

This time last year Bruno Coelho successfully defended his Electric Touring Car World Championship title with a dominant performance in Italy. His rivals were always battling for second place. Tomorrow he will begin the defence of another of his World Championships when he looks to retain the 4WD Offroad title he won for Xray at their home track in Slovakia in 2019. This time however one could say the Portuguese ace is the one on the back foot this time as the battle will take place at the home track of Spencer Rivkin on a surface that generally should favour US drivers over the Europeans. Coelho is fully aware of this admitting, ‘It’s going to be super hard’.

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