Red RC » Drivers

December 30, 2018

SWorkz sign Juan Carlos Canas

SWorkz have announced the signing of Spanish 1/8th Off-road frontrunner and former Mugen driver, Juan Carlos Canas to their factory team. The 2016 EFRA European B Buggy Champion will campaign SWorkz buggies through to the 2020 season and he has the following to say about the deal:

I am very happy to be part of this young, but very focussed SWorkz team. First sessions with the car make me really confident for the next years. Thanks also to the Spanish SWorkz distributor Jorge Revert for his support.

Source: SWorkz [sworkz.com]

December 26, 2018

Ryan Cavalieri leaves Team Associated

Multi-times IFMAR 1/10th Off-road World Champion, Ryan Cavalieri has announced his departure from long-time sponsor Team Associated. Having joined their factory team back in 2005, Ryan and AE can look back on a very fruitful campaign with Ryan adding three IFMAR Worlds and 28 ROAR national titles to his belt. Ryan has yet to announce his new team, as do high-level drivers such as Jared Tebo and Ryan Lutz, adding some spice to an otherwise pretty silent silly season. In the meantime, this is what Cav has to say about his departure.

With the year almost coming to an end I would like to announce that I will no longer be with Team Associated. Our first contract started 13 years ago when my dad and I were brought into a meeting with Brent Theilke and Cliff Lett to discuss my racing future and that’s where it all began. April 1st, 2005 I joined the ae team and a lot of people thought it was an April fools joke. This turned into something much bigger than that. I would go on to win my second World championship in August 2005 in Italy with a Jconcepts/ ae 4wd. I also top qualified my first 2wd World Championships that same year and would place runner up to Neil Cragg. Six years later in Vassa Finland, I would get my biggest accomplishment by winning 2wd and 4wd World Championship titles. My first Roar National title came in 2006 and I would go on to win a total of 28 National Championships with Team Associated. I would like to thank Brent Theilke, Cliff Lett, Richard Saxton, Kody Numandal and Sean Cochran, these guys all contributed to my racing program with many wins and podiums throughout my 13 year long career with Team Associated. With the new year approaching a new chapter is about to start. Stay tuned to hear what’s next.

December 25, 2018

Jared Tebo departs Kyosho

After fulfilling a second five-year stint with Kyosho as an International Team driver, Jared Tebo after ten years, will be retiring from the Kyosho Team. Jared got his start in 1:8 nitro off-road racing with Kyosho back in 2004, taking victories in most of the major events during that season. He moved to another brand for a few years, and then came back to Kyosho in 2009, just in time for the release of the MP9 on the nitro side, and during the reign of the RB5 and ZX5 electric buggies in the 1:10-scale categories, and the RT and SC trucks. Over the past ten years Jared amassed eight ROAR National Championships in the electric categories along with a total of 26 podium finishes. In IFMAR competition, Jared notched a World Championship title for the Ultima RB6, a podium finish behind the win of Cody King in Thailand in 2010, and total of five podiums in IFMAR competition. His former team states:

Kyosho staff would like to thank Jared for representing its products for the last ten years, and for being such a dedicated ambassador for Kyosho and for the sport in general. We wish him the best in whatever endeavors his future will bring, and thank him for his unwavering dedication for a decade.

Read Jared’s statement here

December 21, 2018

Ryan Lutz departs Tekno RC

Tekno RC have announced the departure of veteran racer, Ryan Lutz from their team. In late 2014, Ryan joined the company and with his help, Tekno have grown from a niche brand into a leading manufacturer in the RC industry. His presence brought the brand into the spotlight, and his many wins have helped Tekno RC rise toward the top of the leaderboard. Some of the highlights seen during their time together include a 2nd place finish in Nitro Buggy and 3rd in Nitro Truggy at the 2017 ROAR Fuel Nats, another 2nd place in Nitro Truggy at the 2018 ROAR Fuel Nats along with well over 100 wins at large events around the world. He isn’t just known for his driving ability and professionalism on the track and in the pits. It’s been a very successful relationship for all involved, however, for 2019 Lutz and Tekno are going separate ways.

Read the full announcement here

December 12, 2018

Shepherd sign Toni Gruber

Shepherd have announced the signing of top international nitro on-road racer Toni Gruber to their 2019 factory team line-up. The 22-year old German already looks back on a successful career with a European championship title, multiple national titles as well as multiple Euro Nitro Series podium finishes under his belt. Starting 2019 Toni will use the Velox V8 and the Velox V10 platforms at all major national and international events including the EFRA GP series, the ENS series, Euros, Worlds and other selected events. Furthermore Toni will bring in his experience in the Shepherd development team to test and develop new parts in cooperation with the existing team. Toni had the following to say about the deal:

First of all I want to thank WRC for the last 2 years. In the past we achieved great goals and claimed many wins. But in 2019 I will start with a new step in my rc racing career and I am really happy that Team Shepherd gives me the opportunity and their trust to drive for their factory team. My team and I are looking forward to many victories and we will bring our all experience in the team to help them grow.

Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]

December 7, 2018

Sunpadow sign Olly Jefferies

Sunpadow continue to bolster up their factory team with high-class drivers, with the latest addition being multi-time BRCA national champion, Olly Jefferies. The Schumacher driver maintained a clean sweep record in the 2018 nationals season and he will be using Sunpadow LiPo batteries from now on while also helping with R&D and marketing in Europe.

Source: Sunpadow [sunpadow.com]

December 6, 2018

Dominic Quek signs with Sunpadow

Sunpadow have announced the signing of Singapore’s rising star Dominic Quek to their factory team. The 16-years old youngster already can look back on twelve years of RC racing with highlights so fat being the runner-up spit at the Formula World Cup that was held at the 2018 ISTC Worlds in South Africa. Dominic will be using Sunpadow LiPo batteries to power his Xray cars from now on with his campaign including all major national and international events. Dominic says:

I am pleased and honoured to join the Sunpadow racing team. I believe with the new LiPo packs I will have a better performance in the new season.

Source: Sunpadow [sunpadow.com]

December 4, 2018

Capricorn sign Mirko Salemi

Capricorn have announced the signing of Italian nitro on-road frontrunner, Mirko Salemi to their factory team. Mirko already had the first outing for his new chassis sponsor, taking the win at the year end race in Fiorano with his LAB C803 car. Mirko had the following to say about the deal: