Red RC » Drivers

May 26, 2009

Jilles Groskamp to race gas for Serpent

Serpent have announced that top international electric racer Jilles Groskamp from the Netherlands, has made an agreement to test and race the company’s gas powered cars. Not a stranger to gas racing, the Tamiya Factory driver TQd last years 1/10th scale 200mm World Championships in Portugal and has competed at numerous other gas events, most recently the Dutch EFRA GP where he was a direct qualifier for the main final. As we already reported, he has tested the production prototype of the new Serpent 200mm gas car and, that along with DJ Apolaro, will run the car at the Turkish GP in Bursa next week. After that there will be a lot more test work and preparation to get ready for the European Championships for 1/10th scale that takes place in Gubbio, Italy in July. Jilles will be racing the Serpent 7XX with Max Power engines and continues to be sponsored by Xceed for tools a deal which will now include fuel and bodies.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]

May 20, 2009

Andy Griffiths rejoins V-Dezign

Andy Griffiths has rejoined Team V-Dezign after racing for the Hot Bodies team for the past 2 years. Andy, a former European Champion, multiple British Champion and multiple Euros and Worlds A finalist, joined the team for one season back in 2006 and in that time had a successful campaign with 10 wins out of 12 in the British nationals with the V-Dezign Carpet Ripper ’07. Together with the car’s designer Vesa Yli, they both made the 2007 Euros A main, with Andy finishing 4th and Vesa 10th after the finals. For more information as well as an interview with Andy, head on over to the V-Dezign website here.

Source: V-Dezign [v-dezign.net]

May 19, 2009

Jonas Kaerup to use Kanzen Bearings

Kanzen Bearings are proud to announce that 2004 European Champion Jonas Kaerup has joined their team. The multiple Danish National Champion used both the Classic and Synergie bearing sets as well as their Ceramic Balls in his Tamiya TRF 416 to capture his 09′ Nordic and Danish titles.

Source: Kanzen Bearings [kanzen-bearings.com]

May 18, 2009

Ronald Voelker confirms move to Yokomo

Over the weekend the news emerged (thanks to all the people that mailed me) that former European Champion and World Championship runner up Ronald Voelker had joined Yokomo. Having raced for Hot Bodies in previous years and been very successful, the LRP backed driver is looking forward to the season ahead with his new sponsors. We contacted him for a statement on the move.

First of all I would like to thank Hot Bodies and especially Toshihiko Hara for their support over the last 3 years! I’ m really looking forward to racing the new Yokomo BD5 and I am happy to have the opportunity to race in such a world class team with so much success behind them.

Ronald’s first race is this weekend’s Reedy Race and in preperation for that event the German driver took the opportunity to shake down his new ride last weekend at a local race.

May 11, 2009

Rick Veenma joins Shepherd Micro Racing

Shepherd Micro Racing have announced that they have signed front running Dutch driver Rick Veenma to their team. Despite his short racing career the young racer has achieved a number of podium placings at the Dutch National Championships and has made the step over to Shepherd to help regularly challenge at the sharp end of the field. As team driver he will support the Benelux Shepherd drivers during races in close cooperation with Team Shepherd Benelux.

Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]

May 8, 2009

Christian Wurst to use LMI Racing products

LMI Racing have agreed a deal with Christian Wurst to use their products for the 2009 season, including the new Blitz R09 body shell. The former European ‘B’ Champion, who races for Motonica, will this year compete in the West German Regional races as well as International races too, competing at the European ‘B’ Championship in Cassino, Italy as well as the World Championship in Lostalla, Switzerland.

Source: LMI Racing [lmi-racing.com]

May 8, 2009

Valentino Rossi catches the RC bug

It seems that Moto GP World Champion Valentino Rossi has gotten the RC car bug and was once again spotted at the Riccione track in Italy yesterday, following 2 previous reports last month. Fresh from his win in Jerez at the Spanish Grand Prix, the ‘Doctor’ got his hands on his Max powered Serpent 966, with help from none other than 2 former European Champions Massimo ‘Max’ Fantini and Fabio Domanin as well as Vice World Champion Andrea Cristiani. Stefano Armagni, Denis Pazzaglini and Pasquale, the regular pit man of Fantini, were all on hand to ensure that the car was working well. Perhaps we may see Valentino at some up coming races, if his schedule allows it.

Click here for some more photos

May 6, 2009

Adam Drake drops in on Novarossi

Novarossi were in touch to tell us that yesterday they had a visit from one of USA’s finest off-road drivers, Adam Drake, who dropped by after the Astra Nitro Cross race. During his stay at the Novarossi World S.r.l. headquarters, The Drake discussed many subjects with the Rossi/Barchi family and also received a private tour around the factory by its founder, Cesare Rossi. Afterwards Adam was visibly impressed by the effort and time that goes into making high end competition engines.

Source: Novarossi [novarossi.com]