Alphaform Reds JQRacing have announced that Schumacher will be their team’s official electric offroad partner for 2015. JQ himself is running the 4wd Schumacher Cat K1 Aero at this week’s Reedy race and along with his team drivers Bradley Baird and Rayan Medjoubi will race the full line of Schumacher offroad vehicles at their respective National Championships as well as the Euros in the UK this Summer.
Source: JQRacing [jqracing.com]
In what came as a major shock to the sport, Horizon Hobby have now officially confirmed the departure of Adam Drake, a driver revered as one of the greatest ambassadors for the TLR brand. In the official statement they said, ‘Horizon Hobby wishes to thank and acknowledge Adam Drake for his dedication and commitment throughout the years to Team Losi Racing and Horizon Hobby. Adam’s association with Team Losi Racing dates back to the early 1990s and his on-track speed and off-track sportsmanship have been consistent trademarks for over two decades. Adam has been a great asset to the team and ambassador for Horizon Hobby/Team Losi Racing and they wish him the very best for the future, both personally and professionally.’
Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.com]
Xray have announced that long time team driver and multi-time US champion Paul Lemieux has renewed his contract to stay with the team for 2015. Paul’s 2015 campaign will see regional, national and international races with Xray’s line of 1/12th, 1/10th and 1/8th vehicles in electric and nitro classes. His busy calendar will include all the US electric and nitro on-road nationals, the Snowbirds and all other major races in the States. Paul says:
I am excited about the continued partnership between myself and the Team Xray. I am especially excited to continue on with all of individuals that make up the Xray family as I know it. To me the “work hard but have fun” atmosphere which we have achieved at events around the globe has been the driving force in what keeps me racing. With several great achievements and another wins last year I am fully motivated for the upcoming 2015 season.
Check out Paul’s Xray profile video by clicking here
Italian company BMT have announced the signing of Robin D’Hondt to their team. Robin will use the BMT 984 1/8th scale car after being with Motonica for six years and he has the following to say about the deal:
To begin with I would like to thank Maurizio Ficcadenti for the cooperation over the last 6 years with him and Motonica. It was time for me to go a new way and in in this I choose to drive the BMT 984 car next season. I have already built the car and I am very content with the quality of the product as well I am sure to have a good cooperation with Pasquale Iuliucci who I wish to thank for this opportunity. [I am] Feeling confident to start the new season.
Source: BMT [bmt-team.com]
Yokomo have announced the signing of Germany’s Oliver Franke to their team. The multiple ETS Pro Stock winner and podium finisher is backed by several stock class titles and he will race both nationally and internationally in his 2015 campaign that will include the ETS, LRP TCM and selected national events. Oliver has the following to say:
My goals for this season are to participate at international events like the ETS, LRP TCM and also National events, to get the best out of the car and help strengthen Yokomo’s presence in the Pro Stock category. I would like to thank Team Yokomo’s Robert Itoh and Yukijiro Umino for giving me the opportunity to become a member of a very strong team. I am looking forward to many international events and being successful there. So far I am very impressed with the solid build and awesome quality.
Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]
Pro-Line have announced the signing of Yuichi Kanai to their factory racing team. The Japanese is one of the most respected and talented designers in all of R/C and he is backed by a World Championship title back in 2000. Pro-Line is proud to welcome Yuichi back for the 2015 racing season and look forward to great success with the Red Army.
Source: Pro-Line [prolineracing.com]
Team Kyosho International have announced that 4-time World Champion Naoto Matsukura has joined their factory offroad team. The multiple time Japanese National offroad Champion and current 4wd Vice World Champion will use the company’s line of 2wd and 4wd buggies. Naoto left Yokomo at the end of last year having raced both on and offroad for them and has subsequently joined Tamiya to race their electric touring car.
Source: Kyosho [kyosho.com]
Xray has announced that European Vice-Champion and multiple Austrian Champion Martin Wollanka will continue to be part of the Xray factory team to race 1/8th and 1/10th off-road classes in 2015. Martin will race at the 1/8th and 1/10th Euros and Austrian Nationals as well as selected international events and the EOS series. Martin says:
The 2014 year was the first year for me being part of the Xray factory team and I could not be happier for the support and the great handling car which allowed me to win all the National races as well gaining the title of European Vice-Champion. I am very happy to be part of the very professional and hard working team. The dedicate work of Juraj and entire team motivates me to improve all the time and I hope for even greater results this season. I am looking forward the 2015 races, see you soon.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
