December 4, 2022

Bayers wins GT8E at Miami Electric Grand Prix

Martin Bayer is the 2022 Miami Grand Prix GT8E Champion.  With the electric classes kicking off the annual week long event at Homestead RC Raceway in Florida, the Xray designer secured the TQ with the fastest time in the second of the four rounds of qualifying at the 2020 GT World Championship venue.   Vice Champion in both nitro and electric at the inaugural World Championship, Bayer was the only driver to manage 19-laps in qualifying securing pole for the triple A-Mains ahead of Serpent’s Jose Almonte and Capricorn’s Natanaele Sensei.  In the finals, Bayer would win all three encounters with the big battle being for second between Almonte and Sensei who would finish tied on points with the former listed as P2.  In 1:10 Modified Touring Car, it was also a European winner with Hotrace Tyres boss Nicola Marrone securing the TQ from Felix Law before going onto win all three A-Mains to win ahead of fellow Italian Filippo Domanin with Law completing the podium.  Drivers will now turn their attentions to the Miami Nitro Grand Prix which has attracted a very strong international entry.

Image: Xray [teamxray.com]


November 16, 2022

Simon Kurzbuch joins Mugen Seiki Europe

Following the announcement last month of his departure from long time chassis sponsor Shepherd, it has been announced that Simon Kurzbuch will drive for Mugen after Mugen Seiki Europe announced the former World Champion had joined the Japanese manufacturer’s International team. Describing the Swiss driver as ‘a strong addition’ to the team, he will race their MRX6X throughout all major and international events. Commenting on the announcement Kurzbuch said, “An existing new journey ahead! I’m delighted and honoured to announce to partner up with the iconic Japanese brand Mugen Seiki for the future! The first insights have convinced me and my team entirely and we are looking forward to a close and fruitful collaboration with the whole Mugen Team, with MSE and Stefan Habbecke and of course with one of my childhood idols and car designer Robert Pietsch.”

Source: MSE [Facebook]


November 14, 2022

Urbain wins opening round of MRC Longwy Winter Series

The opening round of the popular MRC Longwy Winter Series took place over the weekend with Lucas Urbain taking the TQ and win.  With a number of international drivers making the trip to France, Urbain would take his Awesomatix to victory at the first of the four scheduled rounds ahead of factory Mugen driver Ronald Volker and Yokomo’s Yannic Prumper.  MRC Longwy will host the 18th edition of their famous GP3 on January 21-22 with drivers using the Winter Series as preparations for the international race.  Round 2 takes place December 11.

Image: Lucas Urbain [Facebook]


October 11, 2022

Lewis Hamilton endorses RC racing for diversity & inclusion in STEM

An interesting feature by F1 broadcaster Sky Sports on the great work being done by RC Vision who are championing our sport and the need for diversity and inclusion in STEM. RC Vision is a social venture working to engage young people who are underrepresented in motorsports careers and STEM industries using the exciting sport of radio control car racing. Having cut his teeth in racing through RC, it is great to see 7-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton showing support for the work being done.

Source: Sky Sports F1


September 20, 2022

Feldmann crowned IFMAR 1:5 Touring World Champion

Markus Feldmann is the 2022 IFMAR 1:5 Touring Car World Champion, the German becoming the first repeat champion in the category. As the ISTC World Championship was taking place in Italy, across the Atlantic the large scale World Championships was taking place at Steel City R/C Speedway, Fontana, USA, the same venue that hosted the 2019 1:8 Onroad World Championship. In qualifying it was Marius Hetland who secured the TQ with his fastest time from the six rounds of qualifying coming in Round 5. Also setting his best time in Q5, 2013 Champion Feldmann qualified P2 to book his place directly into the 1-hour A-Main. Having qualified 6th, track owner Kyle Goodwine would win the first of the Semi Finals ahead of 2019 Champion Marko Grigic and Martelli Gianmarco. In the 2nd Semi Final, pole sitter Andrea Catalani would retire from the lead with less than 10 minutes to go allowing Edoardo Repetti to take the win ahead of Austin Sarnelle. The 11th running of the championship, in the final Feldmann would go to the front after just a few laps and while Hetland got back to the lead twice, Feldmann stayed at the front for the second half of the race to take the title. Enjoying a strong performance on home soil, Goodwine would finish on the same lap as Feldmann to become Vice-Champion with Martelli Gianmarco third for an all Mecatech podium.  Hetland would eventually finish 5th after late issues.

Image: IFMAR [ifmar.org]


August 15, 2022

Yokomo 1:12 GT Series Pan Car

Yokomo is about to release a new chassis for its extremely successful GT series that was conceived as starting point for bringing new people into RC racing.  The category has attracted many racers since its introduction in 2010 thanks to its simple 1:12 chassis.  It was created to give a racy impression while amplifying the fun of competing.  This month, Yokomo are set to introduce a new GT series kit that has an even simpler chassis configuration than before.  Set to sell at ‘a reasonable price’, this new GT1 kit is aimed at getting the beginner up & running and enjoying racing in the shortest time possible.  In their native Japan, Yokomo are planning to hold events at circuits nationwide in order to provide a place to enjoy driving. In addition to the races sponsored by each circuit, Yokomo Grand Prix races are also planned to be co-sponsored in various places, and Yokomo drivers will participate and staff will actively support them. The regulation proposed by Yokomo will ensure a speed range that is easy to control using a newly developed 30.5T motor.

View more images here


August 12, 2022

Xray all new X1‘23 1:10 Formula Chassis

Xray have today unveiled the 2023 edition of their 1:10 EP Formula chassis the X1.  The all new X1’23 gets a new front suspension design featuring innovative CFF upper arms with improved flex characteristics and integrated camber adjustments. A new chassis accommodates the CFF front suspension, a redesigned battery backstop and revised wheelbase setting with reinforced chassis areas. A one-piece central front bulkhead integrates the steering arm mount and optimised wheelbase adjustments for simplicity. CFF front upper arms make the X1 extremely responsive & sharp, generate fantastic cornering speed & traction, and simplify the camber adjustment process for easy setup changes. The front upper arm mount allows for easier caster adjustments and top side installation for much easier assembly and maintenance. Also new is a redesigned centre top deck with easier mounting. The battery mounting system secures the pack without O-ring or tape in a tweak-free, floating manner that improves traction and consistency, and features new low profile lightweight bushings for a sleeker look and lower CG. The car features a redesigned independent wing mount system which is machined from harder carbon fibre material for more stable handling and features 2 centering pins for more secure assembly. New side braces are mounted using low profile bushings to eliminate M3 nuts.

View the X1’23 presentation here for complete details.


August 9, 2022

Tamiya TB Evo.8 – Coming soon

Over five years on from the announcement of the current TB chassis offering, Tamiya has recently released some details of the up coming Evo.8 version of their popular shaft-driven 4WD touring car.  Expected to be released in November, the TB Evo. series has gained numerous fans since its inception in 2000.  Tamiya say the Evo.8 features numerous advances from the previous generation including TA08 design A-type arms and promises even further evolution of the series.

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