Red RC » Drivers

January 8, 2011

Dario Balestri to run Capricorn in 1/8th scale

Italian company Capricorn have announced the signing of double European Champion and multiple World Championship finalist Dario Balestri to their team. The Italian driver, seen above with his mechanic Stefano Puccinelli, has inked a 2 year deal which will see him run the 1/8th scale Capricorn LAB-C801. The former Motonica driver who recently joined KM Racing for 1/10th scale, will continue to run Novarossi engines.

Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]

January 8, 2011

Jared Tebo and KO Propo

Jared Tebo continues to announce deal extensions with sponsors heading into the 2011 season with today’s announcement that he has committed to a further 2 years with KO Propo.

I have just re-signed my 2 year contract with KO Propo. This is another company that welcomed me in my major move for 2009. Their products were amazing right from the start. I don’t think people really know how great and superior their products are. They are always working very hard to better themselves and set a higher standard in their category. We have built a very good relationship, and I look forward to working with them the next two years and beyond. I would like to thank KO Propo Japan, KO Propo, and Robert Morris for the great partnership we have. I will be running KO Servos, Receivers, and Radios in all my cars. Thank you for your support.

January 8, 2011

Juan Rodriguez joins RCAmerica/ Xray USA

RCAmerica/Xray USA have announced the signing of Juan C. Rodriguez. The current two-time Puerto Rico National Champion joins Team XRAY USA for the 2011 season. After having dominated the 2010 season, Juan will be competing this year running an Xray NT1 WE powered by Murnan Modified RB M3 v2. Juan had this to say:

First of all, I would like to thank Mugen USA and Mike Swauger for the support they have provided me for the past few years. I have no doubt that the quality and performance of all Hudy/Xray products will help me further develop my skills as a racer. I am really looking forward this new venture with RCAmerica and Xray USA for this upcoming season.

Source: RC America [rcamerica.com]

January 7, 2011

Ryan Lutz commits to Durango until 2021

Team Durango have informed us that US racer Ryan Lutz, the man who was setting some of the fastest laps at last November’s World Championships, has signed a 10 year deal with the company.

I am extremely excited today to have forged a long term contract with Team Durango. Originally we agreed, in principle, to work together until the end of the 2010 season and we would talk longer term come December. Another thing this offered was the chance to really test the DNX408 and get to know the company before making any decisions. This is why I am so excited to have signed a 10 year contract with Team Durango. In the past three months I have gotten to see how this company operates, and the pride that they take in making top-of-the-line racing vehicles. Their slogan is, “Serious about Racing” and I have never witnessed a company take this more to heart. That is why I am confident that the next 10 years will be wrought with success for both parties involved and why I am proud to put my name alongside Team Durango. In the next 10 years I will do everything I can to help Team Durango make the best R/C cars on the planet, and help make sure their customers are as satisfied as possible with the products they are buying! All-in-all with this deal of a decade in hand I’m ready to get started winning and performing at my best for this company that has put a lot of faith in me! I’m really looking forward to it!

Source: Team Durango [team-durango.com]

January 6, 2011

Andrew Smolnik joins US Agama team

VP Pro USA have announced the addition of Andrew Smolnik to the 2011 Agama USA Race Team. Multiple Time National Champion Smolnik has been in the R/C Industry for many years and will be a great addition to the new Agama USA racing team. His extensive experience in R&D and setups will bring another great element to the USA program. The former CEN driver joins Gene Hickerson, Levi Jackson and Josh Cyrul, and will ensure that Agama USA is well represented at all the major events in 2011.

I would like to thank Agama International and Agama USA for the opportunity to represent their fine racing products. I am looking forward to an extremely busy and prosperous return to competitive racing this year and I feel that the Agama A8 can give me the competitive edge I need to win. See everyone at the track.

Source: VP Pro USA [vp-pro-usa.com]

January 6, 2011

Marc Rheinard extends deal with Tamiya

Electric Touring Car World Champion Marc Rheinard is to stay with Tamiya with the announcement that the German ace has extended his contract with the world famous model company for a further two years. Having started out in the sport racing a Tamiya at the age of six, the now 24-year-old has been an official member of the Tamiya Racing Factory squad since winning the first of his three World ITSC titles in 2004. Having successfully defended his Touring Car World title on home soil last year, 2011 will see Rheinard focus on the 1:10 Electric Off Road World Championships with the former European Champion aiming for success with the Japanese company’s TRF201 in 2 wheel drive and new TRF502X in four wheel drive. Commenting on his new Tamiya contract Rheinard said:

My first ever rc race was with a Tamiya car and it is a great pleasure to be able to continue to represent this great company around the world for an eight season. We have enjoyed great success together and I am sure we can add to our list of achievements over the next two years. I think my heart has an imprint of the two Tamiya Stars on it now. Last year we achieved our goal by successfully defending the Touring Car World Championships and this year our focus is on getting a good result at the 1:10 Off Road Worlds in Finland, a challenge I am really looking forward to.

January 6, 2011

Jared Tebo and AKA

Another day another contract announcement from ROAR National Champion Jared Tebo who has signed a 2 year extension to his contract with tire company AKA.

I have just re-signed my 2 year contract with AKA. This company started up in 2008 and had great products right from the beginning with some great innovations. In 2009 we started working together and have build a very good relationship. Myself and Mark Pavidis work very good together and have both worked very hard for our amazing 2010 we both were able to have. I am very proud to be representing AKA for the next two years. We have made huge lunges forward in 2010 and I think we will be very good in the future. We have plans on new products and plans to work very hard together to better our results. I would like to thank everyone at AKA…..Mark Pavidis, Joel Johnson, Gil Losi Jr and Greg Hodapp. I will be using AKA wheels, foam, and Tires on my 1/8 Nitro Buggy, 1/8 Nitro Truggy, 1/8 Electric Buggy, and 1/10 SC. Thank you for your support.

We will have more Jared Tebo news over the coming days.

January 5, 2011

Durango confirm Kyle McBride

Confirming what we already knew, Durango have made the signing of 14 year old Kyle McBride official. Kyle’s father Scott had nothing but praise for the new car saying “We hit the track for the first time last Saturday with the new Team Durango DNX 408, and all I can say is WOW! Out-of-the box this car is the best car Kyle has ever driven. We put the Durango through its paces over the course of a 4 hour test session, and the car was faultless. I made two minor changes, ‘that’s it’ over a 4 hour test session – unbelievable. There were a lot of jaws dropping once they realized who was driving this insanely quick DNX408. Kyle was totally over the moon with his new car and can’t wait for the season to start.” Kyle is now part of a formidable team, joining Renaud Savoya, Elliot Boots, Ryan Lutz and Hupo Honigl to name a few.

Source: Durango [team-durango.com]