Red RC » Drivers

March 31, 2009

Team Orion confirms Yuichi Kanai

Following on from last weeks teaser image from Team Orion, and the subsequent guesses that you guys put in, the Swiss company has announced that Japanese star driver Yuichi Kanai is their newest team member. The Kyosho Inferno MP9 designer is already using the Alpha engines in his car, and this with great success having just won his first race using the new equipment. The former World Champion Yuichi Kanai will not only use all the Team Orion engines and accessories, but will also be part of the R&D process to developing new products. With the addition of Yuichi Kanai, a total of 9 World Champions are actively racing, testing and using Team Orion nitro and electric products to ensure their customers get the best quality and performance available.

Source: Team Orion [teamorion.com]

March 31, 2009

Gianni Giorgio joins Team Xray

RC America/Xray have announced that Venezuela driver Gianni Giorgio has joined their team. Gianni will be running the Xray NT1 for the 2009 season in Venezuela and America and they will be looking forward to great race results and great team support from Gianni who has been racing for many years. Gianni’s first race out with the NTI saw him win and break the track record in Venezuela. Gianni had the following to say about the deal:

I would like to thank R/C America and Xray for the opportunity they have given me to run the NT1 for the 2009 season and hope to help improve and promote the Xray/ MaxPower/Jaco to the best that I can, thank you ( Ralph Burch Jr. / Massimo Fantini / Jack Rimer).

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

March 25, 2009

Team Orion sign another World Champion

Team Orion have released this teaser in which they claim to have signed another World Champion to their team. “Team Orion is very proud to have six World Champions under contract today which is unique in the RC industry. Who’s next? Today we can only tell you that he is a RC super star. His name will be revealed very soon. The addition of this driver to our World Champion dream team is part of a global expansion of Team Orion. We will inform you about all the details in the near future”. We know who it is, but we will of course be interested to hear what everyone thinks.

Source: Team Orion [teamorion.com]

March 23, 2009

Mark Green retains Merlin Fuel backing

Following previous announcements by World and European finalist Mark Green, the multiple British National Champion has confirmed his final sponsor going into the 2009 season, Merlin Fuels. The Spanish company has backed Mark in previous seasons and continues their support with Mark having already tried their latest batch of fuel, which he says works really well in combination with his new Novarossi engines. The Serpent 966 racer has been testing recently and is pleased with both his car, engine and fuel, as well as the new light weight Xceed wheels, which he feels offers a big advantage, especially upon acceleration.

March 23, 2009

Elliott Boots to run VTEC tires

LRP have confirmed that top European off road star Elliott Boots has decided to run VTEC 1/8th off road tires in both buggy and truggy classes for the current racing season. After testing the tires and understanding the benefits of the complete VTEC tyre range, the RB powered Mugen driver decided to ink the deal for 2009.

Source: LRP [lrp.cc]

March 23, 2009

Surikarn Chaidajsuriya confirmed at Xray

2002 IFMAR World Champion Surikarn Chaidajsuriya has confirmed that he has signed a deal with Xray for the next 2 years. The former Hot Bodies factory driver had raced a Xray car at this years TITC, but a deal had not been struck at that point and so following some negotiations Surikarn will now race both electric and gas touring car, as well as 1/8th scale off road, for the Slovakian manufacturer. The Thai driver won the ITSC World Championships for Tamiya when the event was held in South Africa, but has struggled to recreate that winning form on the international scene in recent times, something a move to Xray will look to rectify.

March 16, 2009

Sabrina Lechner to race Serpent 966

Top German female racer Sabrina Lechner has confirmed her move to Serpent for the 2009 season. Previously racing the Shepherd Velox, she will now run the new 966 1/8th scale in races this year, and has confirmed that she will continue with the Picco made IDM engines, as well as ATS tires. Sabrina will be running a busy racing schedule this year, competing in the European B Championships, German Nationals, EFRA GPs, World Championships in Lostallo as well as running 1/10th scale too.

Source: Fun & Drive [scuderia-fun-and-drive.com]

March 14, 2009

Josh Cyrul teams up with Shepherd Racing

Shepherd Racing have announced that multiple US National Champion and multiple World Championship podium finisher Josh Cyrul has joined their international racing team. From now on Josh will use the Velox V8 for all 1/8th On-Road scale events and of course will also race with the upcoming Velox V10 as soon as it is available. As he has many years of experience with nitro on-road cars, his feedback will help the company finalizing the design of the V10 as well as improving the V8. Josh will attend all major US events, the Pre-Worlds and the World Championship in Lostallo. He has sent us the following statement:

Heading into the 2009 season and especially looking forward to the coming World Championships, I am extremely excited to join Shepherd Micro Racing. The Velox 1/8 car has already more than proven it’s capabilities and I’ve been impressed with the car since the moment I saw it. Now, actually going through the kit and holding one in my hand I’m even more happy and looking forward to a great future with Patrick and everyone at Shepherd.

Additonally his company CEFX will take over the exclusive distribution of Shepherd Micro Racing products for North America. Soon the homepage will be updated with the full information about Shepherd products. We are sure that CEFX will guarantee a premium support for all Shepherd customers in the US. With the existing contacts to hobby shops all over the US, CEFX has the possibilty to ensure a wide parts availability.

Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]