Red RC » Racing

March 13, 2026

1:12 & ITSC World Championships in China Cancelled

Unfortunately the news and outcome no one in racing wanted but IFMAR has just confirmed that upcoming 1:12 and ITSC World Championship in China has been cancelled. The World governing body, who has been working hard with the host in the background since issues came to light two weeks ago, made the announcement in its lastest update on the event after the host has as yet been unsuccessful in obtaining he necessary government approvals to host the 2026 IFMAR Electric Track World Championships as scheduled. With less than 2-weeks until the 1:12 Worlds was to get underway at the Hongyu GDC track in Foshan, and no confirmed venue for the race, IFMAR had little option but to cancel the scheduled running of both events. China was announced as the host of the 2026 1:12 and ISTC Worlds in January 2025 and then when organiser Gavin Kwok opened the brand new world class Hongyu GDC in September last year there was huge anticipation for spectacular back to back World Championships. Unfortunately with the out break of the war in Iran raising concerns over the event, ultimately it was to be issues with permits from the Chinese National RC body that ultimately forced IFMAR’s very tough decision. With racers now faced with losing their flights, IFMAR has said they will issue a formal letter, along with supporting documentation, to assist racers with refund requests and potential insurance claims by the end of the weekend. Not a good day for RC racing, having followed Gavin Kwok’s efforts and work input to host these World Championships and create a World class stage on which to see the best drivers in the world fight it out, only to have an element outside of his control bring the whole thing crashing down, we hope Hongyu CDG, can welcome the world through its doors again in the near future. IFMAR say its Board of Directors will now aim for the rescheduling of the 2026 IFMAR Electric Track World Championships later in the year. While Hongyu GDC continues to try and secure the necessary government approvals, IFMAR say they will also consider other potential venue options.

Read full IMFMAR Update here

March 13, 2026

RC Maker announce Brunet as new European Team Manager

Australian manufacturer RC Maker has announced that its leading team driver Antoine Brunet will take over the role of European Team Manager. The French racer, who joined RC Maker as a driver at the end of 2024, takes over the role from Timo Siebert who appointed the touring car newcomer’s first European team manager last Summer. On the announcement RC Maker owner and designer Ryan Maker said, ‘It’s been an awesome first installation year into the highly competitive European Racing Scene! Around a year ago, Timo took on the role of European Team Manager and has helped us to begin making our mark in Europe. He worked tirelessly to get us to the point we are now, and we’re forever grateful for all his hard work. Now that he’s decided to step back and focus on his personal racing, it’s time to turn the page on a new chapter! Antoine Brunet has cemented himself in the heart of our brand, showing us week after week his dedication to moving us forward as a both a manufacturer and a team. He brings with him incredible talent and drive, as well as a passion for procuring a hard working, helpful and motivated team which stands behind the brand. I’m excited to work with Antoine now not only as a driver, but as our European Team Manager! We have lots of exciting announcements ahead as we continue to grow in Europe, and we can’t wait to share them with you!’

Continue reading here

March 12, 2026

2026 Speed King Tour Rd1 – Report

The first round of high profile Japanese Speed King Tour 2026 took place at Super Rajikon Oomiya indoor tarmac track in Saitama prefecture on March 8th. To allow drivers prepare for the upcoming ISTC Worlds in China, the Modified TC0 class didn’t run at the season opener with the TC1 and TC2 classes making up the schedule. Xray driver Rento Sasaki showed his ability at TC1 class (Stock) A final. Rento did perfect start from pole position and never made mistake to take the win. Yuto Sakai and Taku Wakamatsu tried to catch Rento up but couldn’t pull it off. The 2025 TC1 class ‘Speed King’ Champion this was the perfect start to Rento’s title defence. In the TC2 class (G Force motor and ESC), TQ driver Manabu Ota made a good start and led the race until half of the A-Final. Atsushi Fujimaki had been chasing Ota and did brilliant overtake to take the lead. Fujimaki kept his position to the finish and Ota could not get P1 back. Masayuki Higo finished 3rd from No.4 grid. Round 2 of Speed King Tour will be held at New Next Rush Circuit outdoor tarmac track at 26th of April.

Source: Speed King Tour [speedkingtour.com]

March 11, 2026

IFMAR World Championship Update – Original schedule unlikely

IFMAR has just issued an update on the hosting of the 1:12 and ITSC World Championships in Foshan, China, which at present looks unlikely to be staged as originally scheduled. In the update the World Governing body states, ‘While discussions remain ongoing, the matters affecting the event have not yet been resolved and it is now highly unlikely that the championships will be able to take place on the currently scheduled dates.’ With just 2-weeks until the 1:12 Worlds was due to begin at Hongyu GDC, it looks like racers will have to try recoup their flights where possible with IFMAR also highlighting that it is looking at alternative locations and new dates to ensure both classes categories crown World Champions in 2026. IFMAR will provide a further update in the next 48-hours.

Read full IFMAR update here

March 10, 2026

Paloschi wins Senesi GT International GP

Hosted by 2024 EFRA European GT Champion Natanaele Senesi, the Senesi GT International Grand Prix took place over the weekend where Capricorn’s Gabriele Paloschi took the win. The third edition of the race which takes place at the Pista Leno track in the north of the country, qualifying in the Pro Nitro class would see Senesi and his Senesi Motorsport Raptor secure the TQ ahead of Paloschi. The WIRC of 2020 IFMAR GT World Champion Joern Neumann completed the Top 3 ahead of 2023 Worlds Top Qualifier Alex D’angelo. In the half hour final, the Pro class running a controlled Sweep GT2-D40 tyre, after the early retirement for Neumann it was Paloschi who took the win by 5-seconds from the Genius of Leonardo Valente. Having led for the opening 12-minutes unfortunately contact from behind saw Senesi end up on the grass. Losing half a lap, he rejoined in 5th place from where would work his way back up 3rd to complete the podium just ahead of D’angelo. In electric GT, Neumann took the TQ and win while in Open Nitro Manuel Baruzzi took the win from pole.

Image: Senesi Motorport [Facebook]

March 9, 2026

Harper wins season finale to lift 7th EWS Title

Elliott Harper won the final round of the 2025/26 Essex Winter Series this weekend – which meant he also secured a record-extending seventh EWS title. Elliott came into the finale tied on points with Kyle Branson, with Alex Thurston just two points back – meaning any one of the three could win the overall series title in the LRP Modified class. Elliott was the class of the field from the start, setting the best time in the opening three qualifying rounds with his Schumacher to secure the TQ position and put the championship outcome firmly in his hands. Despite some mixed results throughout qualifying, the contenders would line up on the grid in championship order – Kyle starting second with his ToniSport-backed Mugen after winning the fourth qualifier when Elliott rolled his car off the track in the final minute, and Alex starting third for Mugen after second-place runs in Q2 and Q4. Harley Eldridge led the Xray charge in fourth, mixing it with Kyle and Alex particularly in the opening few rounds, with Bailey Graves (Schumacher) rounding out the top five on the starting grid. The single-leg A Final saw Elliott determined to win the championship in style – and he quickly opened a gap over the first few laps of the race. The first to effectively drop out of the championship battle was Alex – a mistake on the opening lap saw him drop down the field, promoting Harley up to third in the race. Elliott built a 3-second lead at the front, which allowed him to cruise to the victory and the championship win. Kyle stayed well ahead of the chasing pack – solidifying his position as the championship runner-up, but not able to bring the fight to Elliott this time. Harley rounded out the podium on the day, securing her fourth in the standings. Daniel Robins moved up the grid in the finals to take fourth in the race, with Alex recovering to fifth place and thus completing the championship podium.

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March 9, 2026

IFMAR Statement regarding Electric Onroad World Championships – risk of cancellation

With calls for the postponement of the upcoming 2026 IFMAR Electric Track World Championships in Foshan, China, due to the current unrest in the Middle East, IFMAR has just issued a strong statement on the matter which it opens by saying ‘IFMAR does not support the postponement or cancellation’ of the championships. Having made a statement last week that it planned to go ahead with the 1:12 and ISTC World Championship, on Saturday FEMCA, the Bloc responsible for the staging of the back to back races at Hongyu GDC, posted that it was requesting the postponement of the event. After talks today between FEMCA and IFMAR, the World governing body has now issued a second statement with more insight on the matter after it transpired that approval for the venue to host the event was revoked abruptly. As it stands the track cannot host the event, and therefore the World Championships are presently at risk of cancellation, but talks are ongoing with the newly appointed administration, with full support of FEMCA and IFMAR, to get the regulatory approvals for the event to proceed as originally scheduled. A further update is expected in the next 48-hours.

Read full IFMAR Statement here

March 9, 2026

Desert Classic wins for Phend & Champlin

Xray’s Dakotah Phend and Schumacher’s Broc Champlin where the main winners at the annual Desert Classic presented By Stick It One. One of 2023 1:10 Offroad Worlds host track Hobby Action’s blue ribbon events, the 10th edition of the Arizona race attracted 325 entries and it Modified 2WD Buggy it was Phend who took the TQ from the Team Associated pairing of 2025 4WD winner Aydin Horne and Finnish visitor Joona Haatanen. In 4WD, taking two of the 4 qualifiers it was Champlin who locked in the TQ ahead of Phend, who topped Q4, and last year’s 2WD winner Chase Lemieux. In the Mains, 2WD would got to the third leg. While Phend won A1, he would finish 3rd in A2 with Haatanen taking the win from Horne who had a DNF in A1. Horne would win A3 from Phend but with his A1 winning time faster it was Phend who took the overall, his first 1:10 win with Matrix tyres, with Haatanen completing the podium ahead of Ryan Cavalieri. In 4WD, Champlin executed an early win taking A1 & 2 with Phend taking A3 to claim second as Haatanen again claimed third. In 40+, Team Associated team manager Brent Thielke completed the double taking both 2WD and 4WD as the Top Qualifier.

Image: Dakotah Phend / JConcepts [Facebook]