Red RC » Racing

January 2, 2026

Haatanen switches to RUDDOG Racing Electronics

Top Finnish Offroad racer Joona Haatanen is making the switch to Ruddog Racing electronics for 2026. The career long Team Associated team driver has run the US manufacturer’s package of Reedy Electronics but following his joining of Ruddog Distribution as a full-time employee in early 2025, he will now run the German based Team Associated distributor’s full range of own brand Ruddog Racing electronics in his AE cars. This full performance package includes the RXS speed controller, Ruddog Racing motors, servos and LiPo packs.

Source: Ruddog [ruddog.eu]

January 1, 2026

ORCA signs Sawada

Electronics brand ORCA has announced the signing of top Japanese Touring Car driver & recently crowned 2025 FEMCA Asia Touring Car Spec Champion Shin Sawada. The Xray team driver, who finished fifth at the 2024 IFMAR World Championships in the Spec Class and previously ran for Hobbywing, will join the likes of Naoto Matsukura, Akio Sobue, and Lucas Urbain, in representing the ORCA brand in 2026. A World Championship year, Sawada will be one of ORCA’s key challengers for the Spec title at the Hongyu GDC track in China next April.

Source: ORCA [orcarc.com]

January 1, 2026

Butterfield joins Team Associated

Having announced his departure from Serpent last week, multiple US Nitro Onroad National Champion Bryce Butterfield will race for Team Associated in 2026. Racing both nitro and electric programs during his 5-years with Serpent, the 24-year-old will now form part of Team Associated’s Electric Touring Car team, the US manufacturer only returning to competitive racing with the TC8 which went on release in April of 2025. Sharing the news on his social media, Butterfield who finished runner-up at the 2025 ROAR Modified Touring Car Paved Championships, said, ‘2026 brings a new chapter, Team Associated! Super excited and proud to be a part of this iconic brand! Thank you to BT and everyone behind the scene for allowing me to represent. I’m looking forward to working with the team with a focus on the TC8 and onroad with some off-road sprinkled in here and there. It’s gonna be a great, but busy year! Feel free to come check out my TC8, and hit me up online if you have any questions regarding Team Associated products. See everyone at the track!

Source: Bryce Butterfield [Facebook]

December 31, 2025

EXO Design Updated Optima Mid LWB Conversion Kit

To support the re-release of the Kyosho’s Turbo Optima MID Special, Buggy conversation specialist EXO Design has released an updated version of its Conversion Kit for the 1:10 4WD Buggy. This new version has received significant design upgrades including Belt Relief Groove, this recessed groove preventing friction between the belt and the chassis plate. It also gets a Transverse Battery Setup which retains the stock Rere holder but upgrades to Metal Battery Holder Nuts for a secure, zero-risk fit. The updated chassis design now accommodates the installation of the Kyosho #30623 Turbo Optima MID Special under tray. In addition to the updated kit, EXO Design also confirmed its 1:10 FF Buggy will officially release in 2026. The final production version features several design changes compared to the prototype previously shared. Targeting a release in Q2 2026, once the shipping schedule is confirmed, they will launch a pre-order campaign.

View more images here

December 24, 2025

Wolhuter joins Team Kyosho International

Kyosho has announced that Australian 1:8 Buggy racer Christian Wolhuter has been signed to their International race team. The 2024 Asian Buggy Championships Champion from Australian previously represented Sworkz and now joins the iconic Japanese manufacturer where he will team up with drivers line Ryan Lutz, Riccardo Berton, Marco Baruffolo, FEMCA Champion Phi-Long Nguyen, and of course the MP11 designer Yuichi Kanai. Runner-up at this year’s Australian National Championships behind Caleb Noble, the deal with Team Kyosho International represents a massive opportunity for the 19-year-old from Perth with 2026 a World Championship year for 1:8 Nitro Buggy.

Source: Kyosho [kyosho.com]

December 24, 2025

Hudy Series Asia – 2026 Announcement

After a successful introduction in 2025 under Xray factory driver Nicolas Lee together with race announcer Daryl Thong, the Hudy Series Asia is expanding for 2026. As part of the organising team behind Singapore’s annual international touring car race ‘eSIC’, Lee & Thong brought the inaugural Hudy Series to six countries, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, and China, and now expands that to nine. Joining the calendar for the second season is Thailand, Japan and Taiwan, with Huge RC in Bangkok opening the ’26 Series in March.

View full calendar here

December 22, 2025

Weiss joins RC Maker for racing return

Former European Championship Top Qualifier & Vice Champion Steve Weiss is returning to competitive Electric Touring Car racing with Australian manufacturer RC Maker announcing the signing of the German driver. After almost nine years away from active competition, Weiss will support RC Maker as a Technical Advisor, assisting the team at all major races. With his deep knowledge of car setup, car development, and race strategy, he will play a key role in helping the team grow stronger and move forward. On the announcement Weiss said, ‘I am very proud to be part of this young and talented team. I first met Ryan in 2008 at the IFMAR World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, and now, 18 years later, we are working together again. Even though I stopped my active racing career in 2016, my passion for the sport never stopped. I have followed RC Maker from the beginning, starting with the release of the SP1. I am really impressed by the design, the performance on track, and how fast the brand has grown in such a short time. Being part of this journey means a lot to me, and I am proud to work together with RC Maker. I am fully motivated, ready for this challenge, and excited about what’s coming next.’

Source: RC Maker [rcmaker.com.au]

December 19, 2025

Nitro Party 2026 China – Registration Open

Fresh from hosting the biggest Asia Touring Car Championship in FEMCA history last weekend, all visiting drivers hugely impressed by the massive multi track facility, Hongyu GDC has announced that registration for the inaugural Nitro Party on January 24-25, 2026, is open. Since the Chinese venue announced it would host the nitro onroad race on its large 80m X 43m track, Nitro Party has attracted world wide interest with 2024 European 1:8 GT Champion Natanaele Senesi the first international driver to confirm he will travel to the city of Foshan to fight for 1:8 GT honours. With a number of manufacturers expressing interest in sending drivers to the race it is expected to be one of the biggest nitro onroad races in Asia. With China lifting Visa entry requirements for many European countries and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) one of the country’s main international airports attending the race is very accessible. Hongyu GDC is also within walking distance of a number of hotel options making it very convenient for racers and their crews. With classes for 1:8 Onroad, 1:8 GT Nitro and Electric, and 1:10 Nitro Touring Car, the race will feature spec tyres and controlled fuel. Teaming up with RC racing registration platform RC Race Pal (RRP), you can register your entry here where you will also find more details about each of the classes that will make up the inaugural Nitro Party. Having just recently covered the IFMAR 1:8 Onroad World Championship in Chile, Red RC is excited that we will be returning to the very impressive Hongyu GDC track to cover the Nitro Party and we are very much looking forward to experiencing the unique sounds & smells of top level nitro onroad racing again.

View track images here