Red RC » Drivers

March 14, 2009

Yokomo sign World Champion Hayato Matsuzaki

Yokomo have announced the signing of current IFMAR 2wd buggy World Champion Hayato Matsuzaki. The former Hot Bodies racer joins IFMAR 1/12th scale World Champion and current double JMRCA National buggy Champion Naoto Matsukura as well as former European Champion Joern Neumann to create the company’s dream junior team. Fourteen time World Champion Masami Hirosaka, who has announced his retirement from competition, will oversee operations for Yokomo and has put together the current team in preparation for this years World Championships that take place in South Africa. The first race for the team is this weekend’s Cactus Classic in the USA.

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]

March 14, 2009

John Ermen joins ATS Tyres International Team

ATS Tyres have announced that front running Dutch driver John Ermen has joined the ATS Tyres International Team. Alongside the National Championships the former Dutch National Champion will attend most of the international races this year as well as the main event of the season, the WC in Lostallo, Switzerland that takes place in August. John will continue to use his Novarossi powered Serpent chassis and will once again use Tornado fuels.

Source: ATS Tyres [atsmodel.com]

March 10, 2009

Chris Slater & Chris Heath join Mugen UK

Race Prep Longshaw, the UK Mugen distributors have announced a number of driver additions for the 2009 season. In 1/10th scale 200mm they have agreed a deal with former European B finalist and British National Champion, Chris Slater who will use the Japanese company’s MTX-4R chassis this year. In the 1/8th scale class Chris Heath will be joining the team to support existing drivers Andy North and young talent Jason Frost. Andy and Chris will continue to use Sirio Engines, Race Prep fuel and the new RPM and UFRA tire line and both will be competing at this year’s World Championship in Lostallo, Switzerland.

Source: Race Prep Longshaw [raceprep-longshawdistribution.co.uk]

March 5, 2009

Josh Cyrul leaves Motonica

Multiple US National Champion Josh Cyrul has been in touch to let us know that he has departed Motonica, a manufacturer with which he has much success in the past year. Josh had to the following to say about the move:

Last year saw wins at the Motonica GP, Byron’s Challenge and Great Lakes Challenge with Motonica but as we tried to work into 2009 we weren’t able to come to an agreement to continue on so I have decided to move on to find a better solution for the 2009 season. I would like to thank Motonica and especially Garen at Motonica USA for all the hard work and effort. I wish them the best of luck and sucess with their new cars in 2009 and beyond. Soon, I should have details of my new sponsor looking forward to the 2009 season and World Championships.

March 5, 2009

ABEC35 expand their race team

ABEC35 have signed three Thai drivers to their team during the recent TITC race. The drivers, Meen V., Tanit K., Charlee P. are not just impressive drivers but are also good ambassadors for the sport. They will be using the company’s full line of Type-X ceramic bearings, ceramic balls, thrust bearings and engine bearings during 2009. Meen V. and Charlee P. finished 5th and 10th in 1/10 touring A main modified class. Tanit K. finished 5th in 1/10 touring B main modified class, and TQ’d & won overall in 1/10 2WD mini class (M chassis) ahead of Atsushi Hara and Marc Rheinard. According to these drivers, the Type-X bearings really make a difference giving smoother performance, stronger acceleration and the main advantage being that the car rolls further when off throttle.

Source: ABEC35 [abec35.com]

March 4, 2009

Tom Cockerill joins Vampire Racing

German company Vampire Racing are pleased to announced Tom Cockerill has joined their factory team. Tom will be the first international team driver representing Vampire Racing and will use the Vampire Racing range of LiPo’s this season as he competes in all BRCA national off road races as well as the 2009 European Championship that takes place in Spain. His preferred choice is the 5200mAh 30C pack but he also believes that the higher discharge rate (35C) of the lighter 4000mAh packs could also prove advantageous in certain conditions.

Source: Vampire Racing [vampire-racing.com]

March 3, 2009

Miguel Matias joins GS Racing

GS Racing have announce that Miguel Matias, 7x Portuguese National Champion, former European Champion and multiple European and World Championship podium finisher, has joined GS Racing as their newest factory driver and company representative. The long time Kyosho team driver has already been testing a prototype of the new Storm CLX buggy, providing feedback and contributing to the development of the car, in anticipation of the April 2009 launch date. Miguel will attend local races, as well as major races worldwide, concentrating on the Euro Champs 2009/2010 and Worlds 2010.

Source: GS Racing [gsracing.com.tw]

February 28, 2009

Oscar Cabezas joins Enneti tyres

Two time Spanish National Champion and European A Finalist, Oscar Cabezas has inked a deal to use Italian made Enneti tires in 2009. This is the latest in a line of new deals for the former Serpent driver who has joined Motonica cars as well choosing to use Novarossi engines in both the Spanish Nationals and the upcoming 1/8th scale World Championships in Lostallo, Switzerland, this summer.

Source: JB TRC Racing [jbtrcracing.com]