February 19, 2008

Stephane Bouche joins Shepherd Racing

Stephane Bouche joins Shepherd

JP Racing, distributors for Shepherd in France, have announced that leading French 1/8th scale racer Stephane Bouche will race the Velox in this years French and European Championships. Similar to Eric Dankel, Stephane leaves behind a successful spell at Mugen that saw him finish as runner up in last years Nationals and Coupe de France. Joining what is fast becoming a competitive team with Ielasi, Pietsch & Dankel, Bouche is also joined at Shepherd by fellow French racer Richard Volta, a National round winner last year, he too is a former Mugen racer.

Source: JP Racing [jpracing.com]


February 19, 2008

Eric Dankel joins Shepherd Racing

Erik Dankel joins Shepherd Racing

European ‘B’ Vice Champion Eric Dankel from Germany has agreed a 2 year deal with Shepherd Micro Racing to drive their newly released Velox 1/8th scale chassis. Also a top runner in the German Championships, Eric leaves behind former Sponsor Mugen, but will continue with long term engine supplier Novarossi while for fuel and tires he will be using Runner Time and PMT.

Source: Twins Racing [twins-racing.de]


February 11, 2008

Ron Atomic joins KO Propo

Ron Atomic joins KO Propo

KO Propo America have been in touch to let us know that sedan racing ace Ron Atomic has joined their US team. Ron has proved he has what it takes and in the past five years has made the finals at many ROAR national events, and in doing so has shown great talent and a great work ethic. Ron will be using the new EX-1 UR and KO servos for year.

Source: KO Propo [kopropo.com]


February 11, 2008

Alexander Valente joins X Factory

Alexander Valente joins X Factory

2007 French buggy Champion Alexander Valente has joined the X Factory Team. Valente drove his own X -6 to win in the first three events of the 2007 French Championship and took second in the fourth event to lock up the title. “I’m looking forward to this season so much,” said Alex. “It’s hard for me to believe that now I’m part of the X Team”. Valente added,

I was hooked on The New Math when I first heard about the concept. If just makes so much sense, I had to get one. And what a dream to drive, right from the start. Brian Kinwald calls this car ‘cheating,’ and I knew why right from my first lap. Now I’m part of this exciting innovative Team. It’s amazing! The X – 5 is the perfect car for our French outdoor tracks. I haven’t driven 4WD for quite some time, and can’t wait to start driving it. That single-belt driveline is just ballistic, and the xx-4 suspension is still the best one ever built. With a year of driving the mid-motor X – 6, I know I’ll be right at home with the X – 5. Support from the other Team drivers has been fantastic. It’s so much fun being with a group of guys who are so smart and share my desire to win. So far it’s just been E-mails because of distance, but it’s a super Family.

Valente will run the full schedule of French National Championship races, as well as the Coupe De France and Petit R/C races in 2008.

Source: X Factory [2wdrc.com]


February 9, 2008

Josh Cyrul joins Motonica

Josh Cyrul joins Motonica

We heard this mentioned at the fair on the Motonica booth but thought the announcement was still a time away, but today we have gotten confirmation from Motonica USA that Josh Cyrul will race their car for this season. Cyrul is a former IFMAR World’s TQ, and multiple national and international race winner and he brings with him many years of racing knowledge and engineering experience. His debut with the Motonica P8.0R 08 will be at the upcoming Winternats held in Ft. Myers, Florida and joining Josh will be sedan racing ace Ron Atomic and one of the best 1/8th on road drivers in the US, Scotty Barrera. This is the second announcement regarding Josh this week, having been confirmed as a TOP team driver on Thursday.

Source: Motonica USA [motonica-usa.com]


February 7, 2008

Josh Cyrul signs for T.O.P. Racing

Josh Cyrul signs for T.O.P. Racing

Tokyo hobbies Optional Parts (T.O.P.) have announced that they have signed top US racer Josh Cyrul who will be representing T.O.P. as a driver and engineer. Masato and Vincent Yip of T.O.P. Racing had the following to say:

We are extremely happy that Josh has decided to race for us. Not only is he a world class driver, but also a respected inventor and innovator. We are dedicated to making an impact in the R/C industry and we feel Josh is the right person to lead us.

Source: RC Tech [rctech.net]


February 5, 2008

Jon Hazlewood joins Team Losi

Jon Hazlewood joins Team Losi

Horizon Hobby in the UK are delighted to announced that top off road racer Jon Hazlewood has joined their team to race Losi and Spektrum for 2008. He will be using the new Spektrum DX3R, Losi 8ight and 8ight-T at all events of his choice along with this years Euros and the all important World Championships. Jon brings with him his long standing pit man Jon Dell, years of experience and an amazing dedication to his racing and leaves behind a team who have supported him over the past few years and Jon had this to say.

I am leaving a very hard working team who have given me great support, but I feel it is now time for a change and some new challenges. Losi have proven over the years that no matter what class of racing they participate in they dedicate their resources until they succeed and I want to be a part of their plans. During 2007 I watched how fast the car was and the excellent level of trackside support that Horizon UK were providing. I am delighted that I am now part of the team and incredibly excited at the prospect of driving the cars this year.

Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.co.uk]


February 4, 2008

Michael Salven to use Merlin Fuel

Michael Salven to use Merlin Fuel

Merlin Fuel have announced that German racer, and Serpent chief designer, Michael Salven will contest this season using their products. Michael has been 4 time European Champion, 2 time World Champion and has won lots of National titles in both 1:10th and 1:8th scale, which makes him one of the most experienced drivers around. Together with the Merlin R+D Department, he will be giving his input to help improve the Spanish company’s range of products.

Source: Merlin [merlinfuel.com]