Hot Race Tires have announced the addition of former European B Champion Mirko Salemi to their official factory team. The Italian will be using Hot Race Tires products throughout the 2014 season, in which he will take part in the European Championships, select rounds of the ENS series and of course the Italian National Championships.
Source: Hot Race Tires [hotracetyres.com]
Shepherd announce that top Italian racer Marco Vanni joins their team for the 2014 season. After finishing second at the Trofeo Picco in Fiorano at the end of last year and finishing in 5th place at the recent Winter Nationals in Fort Myers, Marco decided to run the 2014 season with the German-based squad. Planning to race the full Italian championship, the European championship, two ENS races and some selected international races he will be a great ambassador for Shepherd. Marco had the following to say:
I’m very happy to join this great team with their succesful high quality products. Thanks to Team Shepherd for this great opportunity especially to Armin who arranged everything. I’m already very happy with the car and really looking forward to the upcoming races.
Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]
Xray announce that the multi-time Portuguese champion Bruno Coelho has re-signed with the Slovakian manufacturer to be part of the team in 2014. Bruno is a multi-skill driver who successfully races all kinds of classes and therefore he will use Xray’s full range of nitro and electric cars and buggies in his 2014 campaign. This is what Bruno has to say about the deal:
I finally managed to realize a big dream that I had for some time. I want to say thank you to Xray for helping me achieving my goals and expectations for this season. I promise that I will work hard in order to add even more titles to this great brand that has evolved so much in the world of RC and also give my contribution to the advancement of the Xray technical level.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
Following the announcement of joining Xray’s factory team Tyler Vik now also has a new nitro engine supplier. FX is the manufacturer of choice and Tyler will use their F5 engine at all regional, national and international races including the World Championship, starting his campaign at this week’s Dirt Nitro Challenge. Tyler has this to say about the deal:
Despite FX Engines being brand new, I didn’t hesitate to give them a try, and was surprised by the speed and the reliability. With the World Championships this year, I want to be absolutely confident in my engine choice, and the power, fuel mileage and ease of tuning of the FX 5K is exactly what I’m looking for. I’m looking forward to the 2014 season and can’t wait to run these engines this year.
Source: FX Engines [fx-engines.com]
Xray announce that multiple Italian champion Francesco Martini has re-signed with the Slovakian company for the 2014 season. Francesco is an extremely dedicated touring car racer and an important R&D member of the T4 platform. Francesco says:
During these past years I have got the chance to work in close contact with Juraj and Martin; their expertise and contagious passion led me to love this hobby more and more, and to chase perfection as the only possible result. Only those who know them can understand how strong and contagious their desire to always improve is. Martin’s further involvement in the touring project allowed the work team to get even more tight-knit. And now everyone works hard but with a smile on his face. Of course, also the development of the models has benefited of this mood. I think that our highest aim is to continue on this path.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
Xray announce that top US off-road racer Tyler Vik has joined their factory team. The multi-time off-road nationals finalist will race the company’s 1/8th and 1/10th scale nitro and electric buggies and trucks at events such as the ROAR nationals, the Dirt Nitro Challenge and the 1/8th IFMAR Worlds beside other selected events. This is what Tyler has to say about the deal:
I’m excited to become a part of the Xray factory team, and look forward to showing the performance of the cars throughout the 2014 racing season. Over the years, I’ve watched the Xray off-road program and team grow. After testing the cars and running them as a privateer, I was more than surprised with the performance and reliability of the cars. I am looking forward to work with the US team as well as the European team including Reno Savoya and Martin Bayer. I’m very confident in the support of the team, as well as the cars, and I’m looking forward to the 2014 season. I’d like to thank the Hudy family, as well as Ralph and Bryan at RC America for making this possible.
Source: Xray [teamxray.com]
9-time World Champion Lamberto Collari has been in contact to give us an update on his current situation heading into the 2014 season, answering the many requests he has received concerning his race package. For the first time in many years the Italian RC legend will run the season without a chassis sponsor which will allow him to evaluate what car best suits him ahead of the 2015 World Championships. In terms of engine, he hopes to remain with long time sponsor Novarossi, but no deal has yet been finalised. Those who are onboard so far for the new season are previous sponsors Sanwa and Protoform, while new for this year are Hudy tools and Zac Project tires.
View the statement from Lamberto in English & Italian here
Following Jesper Rasmussen and Joakim Nicolaisen Team Associated announce the signing of another up and coming Scandinavian talent in the form of Niclas Mansson from Sweden. Niclas is a long standing and loyal Team Associated driver and has committed to the team for 2014. “Mr. Nice” will help spearhead the younger members of the team and brings with him a wealth of experience. Niclas is a well respected, meticulous and likeable young man with exceptional car preparation. This is what Niclas has to say about the deal:
I’ve raced the Team Associated products for many years now and it’s fantastic for me to be part of the Scandinavian team. I’m so excited and cant wait to get my hands on the new cars and have a fantastic summer. Everybody in the team are pumped up and can’t wait to get racing together. Its a fantastic opportunity for me and the rest of the Scandinavian guys to join the team and race the products that are very universal for the tracks here in Europe. I’m really happy with the team set-up and the positive feeling everybody has within the team. Using the Reedy products will also be a huge asset for me when attending some of the large races. My testing so far has been very positive. I’m excited to get started and get myself prepared for the 2014 season. It started off well at the DHI cup and I hope my success continues. Thank you to everybody at Team Associated/Reedy and especially Craig Drescher.
Source: Team Associated [rc10.com]
