Italian company Matrix Tires have announced the signing of multiple British Champion, Mark Green to their international factory team. Veteran in both the 1/8th and the 1/10th 200mm classes, Mark will compete in the BRCA National Championship, at the European and World Championships, and the Euro Nitro Series while being a key figure in supporting Matrix customers track side.
Source: Matrix [matrix-tyres.com]
HB Europe have announced the addition of former European Champion and multiple Portuguese National Champion, Miguel Matias to their team. The former Xray driver recently left the team after being with the Slovakian manufacturer since 2014. It is understood that Miguel will attend both national and international 1/8th off-road events with HB’s range of vehicles.
Source: HB Europe [hbeurope.com]
French company RC Concept have announced the signing of Yokomo’s Tom Cockerill to their team for 2016. The UK frontrunner and 2015 IFMAR Worlds finalist will bring his speed and knowledge to the company and he joins swift team mates such as the recently announced Lee Martin and Reno Savoya.
Source: RC Concepts [rcconcept.net]
HB Europe have announced the signing of Morgan Renzi to their nitro on-road team. The Italian will campaign the company’s R8 1/8th nitro on-road car and he plans to attend at all major races in Italy while also providing technical support for HB racers with the help of Alessandro Sabbatini.
Source: HB Europe [hbeurope.com]
Zen Racing have announced that the 1/8th scale racer Andy North will join the team for the 2016 season. Andy, the current British Open Champion and veteran Mugen driver, will focus on local races this year but he will very likely return to national events soon. Andy had the following to say:
I am very privileged to be asked by Paul and especially David Spashett of Zen Racing to test the ARC 8.0 chassis of which I have accepted to race in the 2016 British racing season. I firstly have to thank Mugen Seiki Europe and especially Stefan for their direct supporting after the Ted Longshaw era of which I have been racing Mugen products for the last 14 years and since the MRX3 incarnation. I am however good friends with David Spashett and Pitman Richard Sheriff on a personal level away from racing which makes this deal even more special to me and a no brainer going forward. This year will also see me become a Dad for the first time in April so my racing will be limited to local races in the short term but I expect to complete the full championship come the end of the year since nitro racing is in my blood. I am very much looking forward to working with all the Zen Racing Team and producing good results.
Source: Zen Racing [zen-racing.co.uk]
Creation Model have announced the signing of former HPI/HB factory driver, Andy Moore to their team. The 2006 Touring Car World Champion joins his former team mate Teemu Leino, who only just recently teamed up with Creation Model, to run the company’s Infinity brand cars while also helping with development of future projects. Andy has the following to say about the deal:
I’m extremely happy to announce that I am joining Creation Model to run their Infinity brand of cars. This exciting new company has an amazing passion for R/C and I hope my experience will help them while working together on future projects over the coming years. See you all at the track soon.
Source: Creation Model [creationmodel.net]
Tekin have announced the signing of European frontrunner, Hupo Hönigl to their team. The 2015 Austrian 1/8th E-Buggy national champion will use Tekin motors and speed controllers to power his Xray 1/8th, 1/10th and 1/12th scale rides in the coming season and he has the following to say about the deal:
I’m really happy to join Team Tekin after already using the Rx8 and T8 for a full season in my 1/8th electric car with amazing feeling and absolutely flawless. Also it is a bit like a revival for me, because in the beginning of my career (22 years ago) I used Tekin speedos and they were great and I have good memories only. I’m really looking forward to a successful year with my new power unit.
Source: Tekin [teamtekin.com]
The recent team driver exodus over at HPI Racing and HB continues with the announcement that JJ Wang is the latest factory team driver to leave. Following the departure of Andy Moore, Freddy Südhoff and also team manager Hiroyuki Kasuya in the past few weeks, JJ parting ways with the Japanese manufacturer leaves just Jilles Groskamp as the sole remaining Factory onroad team member. This is what JJ has to say about his departure:
I would like to inform everyone that I have ended my contract with HPI/HB Inc. The past 6 years has been a life changing experience for me. I would like to give a big thank you to Tatsuro Watanabe, Hiro Kasuya, and Toshihiko Hara for supporting me and believing in me from the start. I also want to give a big thanks to my teammates from all over the world. It was fun meeting everyone and it has taught me that there’s more to a team than just results. I will never forget the laughter we shared and the experiences we’ve been through. It was truly an amazing ride. I am certain that this is a new beginning of my racing career and I am really looking forward to what the future holds for me. I wish HPI/HB the best and I look forward to seeing you all at the track soon!
