Team Associated and Keven Hébert have parted ways for the 2019 season, AE have announced. The 6-times ROAR national champion and multi-time IFMAR Worlds finalist is a specialist in 1/10th touring and 1/12th pan car racing and he was with AE for the last 11+ years. However, 2018 marks the end of Keven’s racing career with Team Associated and Reedy and Keven has yet to announce his new chassis sponsors.
Read Team Associated’s statement here
Trinity have announced that they have signed US off-road frontrunner, Dakotah Phend, to their factory team. The multi-time ROAR national champion and former long-time Team Orion driver will lead their modified motor division, using Trinity and Revtech motors and batteries.
Source: Trinity [teamtrinity.com]
Maxima Mx Europa have announced the signing of Robert Batlle to their Factory Team until 2020. Robert has a long list of racing achievements including multiple national and international titles and his strong dedication and passion for the sport are expressed in each race he attends. The Mugen factory driver has the following to say:
I would like to thank Vasco, Chira and all people who though on me to start this lovely journey, Maxima is a wellknown brand for all rc people and I love the way they understand the rc. I made already some tests and the B2 engine and fuel work awesome, can’t wait to show you guys how they work in Padova, see you there and happy new year!
Yokomo has announced the signing of top Northwest driver Harley Yoshii to their 2019 USA factory race team. Harley is located in Olympia, Washington and extremely well known in the Northwest as Tacoma R/C Raceway’s top gun. Harley will make his official Yokomo debut at the 2019 Reedy International Off-Road Race of Champions in just a few short weeks with his Muchmore powered Yokomo rides on JConcepts tires.
Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]
Yokomo have announced the signing of Mr. 1up Racing himself, Randy Caster to their factory race team. Randy is well known throughout the R/C community for his great attention to detail with car set-ups as well as his racing. Randy will be leading the way for the Yokomo USA On-Road Team and everyone at Yokomo is really looking forward to working with him. Randy saids:
I’d like to start by thanking Yokomo President Tom Yokobori, Minoru Aso, & Joe Pillars for this great opportunity! Yokomo was my very first chassis sponsor back when I ran the original MR4TC-BD, so it feels like I’m back home on the Yokomo team! My BD9 went together flawlessly and the precision of this car is second to none. I can’t wait to get it on the track very soon!
Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]
Following a lot of rumours on social media Tekno have finally announced the signing of Jared Tebo to their factory team. Not only is Jared regarded as one of the best drivers in the world, but as a former world champion he brings a wealth of experience to the team. Jared will be racing as well as assisting in the setup and development of Tekno’s entire lineup of 1/8th and 1/10th vehicles. The former long-time Kyosho driver had the following to say:
I am beyond excited to be joining the Tekno family for 2019 and 2020! I’ve noticed the growth in customers and the great track presence that they’ve had, and that’s something I wanted to be a part of. Daniel and Matt attend a lot of races, and you can see the passion they have for RC cars and the industry. Tekno has taken a different approach with their brand, and they strive to create innovative products with great performance. I can’t wait to race the cars and share my input of 18 years professional racing experience. I think the combined results together are going to be great, and the experience will be exciting. I will be racing the full 1/8 NP, 1/8 EP, and 1/10 EP line of vehicles! I want to say THANK YOU to Daniel, Matt, and all the Tekno staff for this opportunity. I feel very welcomed already, and I’m excited to work with and meet all my new teammates! Bring on 2019, see you all soon …
Source: Tekno RC [teknorc.com]
Maclan Racing have announced the signing of multiple ROAR and IFMAR title winner, Jared Tebo. The former long-time Team Orion driver undergoes pretty drastic sponsorship moves for the new season with the Maclan Racing deal being the first to becoming announced. Jared brings with him years of sustained success racing at the highest levels of RC, winning multiple ROAR and IFMAR titles in 1/10 scale competition. Maclan Racing has been developing products and establishing a strong regional presence over the past few years, and with the signing of Jared Tebo, is looking forward to showcasing their products at a national level. With several high profile races on the schedule this year including the Reedy Race of Champions, ROAR National Championship and IFMAR 1/10 World Championships, Maclan Racing is looking forward to powering Jared’s success in 2019 and beyond. Jared will be using the Maclan Racing MMAX Pro ESC, MRR V2M motor, LiHV Graphene battery, MR8.2 motor, and the forthcoming MMAX8 ESC in his 1/10 and 1/8 vehicles. Here what Jared has to say:
I’m extremely excited and happy to announce that I will be joining the Maclan Team for 2019 and 2020. I would like to thank Willie Chung for this great opportunity and Brandon Dyche for the great support already. Electronics are very important; the feel has to be correct, as that’s what connects your throttle finger to the track. I was really surprised by the performance during testing, the knowledge of the electronics and the determination Maclan has to produce top level products. I know that will translate into extra confidence in my driving and great results together. I will be using Maclan Motors, ESC’s and Batteries in both my 1/10 vehicles and 1/8 EP vehicles. I can’t wait to get 2019 going, my first major race with Maclan electronics will be the 2019 Reedy Off-Road Race of Champions. See you guys at the track!
Source: Maclan Racing [maclan-racing.com]
Top Swedish racer Viktor Wilck has announced his departure from long-time sponsor Serpent. Back-to-back podium finisher at the IFMAR ISTC Worlds in South Africa and China, Viktor can look back on a pretty fruitful electric and nitro campaign with the iconic brand and he has yet to announce his new chassis sponsor. In the meantime Viktor had this to say about his departure:
As of 31st dec will be my last day with Serpent company and racing Serpent cars. I would like to thank everybody at Serpent for this last 4years. And especially Mr Lau and Felix Law for all there dedication and support. I have learned a lot during this time and been great to work together with everybody at Serpent. We achieved some great result with a brand new platform and highlights being podium at Reedy Race Invitational and back to back 3rd place at the IFMAR World Championship. I wish everybody the best of luck at Serpent and now looking forward to new challenges.
