Red RC » Drivers

February 15, 2016

Freddy Südhoff is back with Awesomatix

Awesomatix have announced the signing of former HPI/HB driver, Freddy Südhoff to their team. The multiple ETS A-finalist was under contract with the Russian company already from 2012 to the end of 2014 and he will race Awesomatix’ new A800 car at all major European races including the European Championships as well as the World Championships in Beijing. Freddy had this to say about the deal:

I am really happy to announce that I have signed a contract with Awesomeatix. Immediately after testing the new Awesomatix A800 car, I feel very exciting to come back to this team. The fact that we know each other from previous years working together will help us to become even more close. I am looking forward to a great racing time with Awesomatix. Special thanks to Oleg Babich and Max Mächler for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the team.

Source: Awesomatix [awesomatix.com]

February 15, 2016

David Ronnefalk teams up with Highest

Korean company Highest have announced the signing of Swedish frontrunner David Ronnefalk to their factory team. The former European Champion joins prominent team mates such as Robert Batlle and Reno Savoya and he will use the company’s servo line from now on. It is understood that his first official outing for his new sponsors will be the forthcoming The Dirt Nitro Challenge.

Source: Highest [highestrc.com]

February 11, 2016

Teemu Leino makes switch to Infinity

Creation Model have officially announced Finnish pro Teemu Leino as one of their Factory Infinity team drivers. The former European ISTC Champion and multiple World finalist in almost all categories, brings with him, his skills, competence and experience which will be a great addition to this new company’s future projects. Teemu, who had up until the end of last season driven for HPI/HB had the following to say:

After my old contract runs to the end I decided to have new venture on my R/C career. Creation Model Ltd has some interesting projects coming up and I feel could help them with my know-how from R/C many ways on and off the tracks. Will race with Infinity cars from now on. I look forward to spend next years with them and develop some great products with them. See you at the race tracks.

Source: Creation Model [cm-infinity.com]

February 11, 2016

Freddy Südhoff leaves HPI/HB

Following the recent announcement of Andy Moore and Hiroyuki Kasuya leaving HPI/HB, another high-class driver has declared his contract termination by mutual consent with the Japanese company. Germany’s Freddy Südhoff joined the team back in December 2014 and his departure will only fuel speculations about the current state of HB mother brand HPI. Freddy states:

I would like to take the opportunity to let you know that I have by mutual consent ended my contract with HPI/ HB inc. Sometimes, things change faster then expected and even it was a short time, I truly enjoyed this and it was great to work with some of the biggest names in RC business together. Thanks to the whole HPI crew around the world. You guys taught me a lot! I wish you all the best for the future.

February 10, 2016

Andy Moore & Hiroyuki Kasuya depart HPI/HB

In a shock announcement former IFMAR World and EFRA European Champion, Andy Moore as well as team manager Hiroyuki Kasuya have announced their departure from HPI/HB. Both ended their contracts by mutual consent after being with the company for more than 10 years. The news comes after recent problems with the HPI company, in particular HPI Europe which was put in administration in January and we are sure it is not the last team driver to announce his departure in the coming days and weeks. This is what Andy has to say:

I’d like to inform everyone that I have by mutual consent ended my contract with HPI Inc. I want to especially thank Tatsuro Watanabe, Toshihiko Hara and Hiroyuki Kasuya for their help and support over the years. And of course my team mates and work colleagues both past and present for the great times and lots of memorable moments. During almost 12 years together we’ve had some fantastic results becoming World Champions, European Champions, National Champions and multiple TITC Champions along the way. I’d like to wish everyone at HPI all the best for the future and look forward to seeing you all at the track soon.

Read the full statement from Hiro here

February 9, 2016

Alexander Hagberg teams up with Pro-Spec

Pro-Spec have announced the signing of IFMAR World Champion and EFRA European Champion, Alexander Hagberg to their team. The Swede will use the company’s products and accessories such as chargers, power supplies, fans, wires and more in 2016 and he has the following to say about the deal:

I want to send out a big thank you to Mr. Kenji Hosoda for supporting my extensive racing program in 2016! It seemed as a no brainer to join this brand, considering the high quality of these Japanese products. Since Pro-Spec is the Japanese distributor for ORCA, it had an impact on my decision as well. I will be using many items from the Pro-Spec product line up such as chargers, power supply, fans, bottles, wires, weights and more!

Source: Pro-Spec [pro-spec.jp]

February 8, 2016

Coelho claims 1st carpet win at ETS Germany

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Bruno Coelho has claimed his first carpet win of the Euro Touring Series, the Portuguese driver leading an Xray 1-2 at the second round of the championship in Germany. Starting the weekend by securing his first TQ on carpet, the 2-time asphalt ETS race winner would flip in A1 handing team-mate Alexander Hagberg the win but a faultless A2 would set the stage for a showdown in the deciding third leg. While clearly having improved his pace for A3, Hagberg would push Coelho hard but the Vice-World Champion had enough in reserve to cement the win. In what was somewhat a battle of the second division such was Xray’s pace all weekend, it was Marc Rheinard who would claim the final step on the podium. The result means Coelho now moves into the joint lead of the championship standings with Round 1 winner Rheinard. Even though he would get passed Rheinard in A3, Ronald Volker would finish fourth with the result marking the Yokomo driver’s first time to miss the podium on carpet since he began his current 5-consecutive seasons reign as ETS champion.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete event coverage here.

February 8, 2016

Graham Alsop teams up with Horizon Hobby

Horizon Hobby UK have announced the signing of UK national front-runner Graham Alsop to their team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him after a race career spanning some 26 plus years. His hunger for success is greater than ever and with the new TLR 8ight 4.0 buggy he will certainly be pushing hard this season to add to his accolades in the race scene. In addition to the nationals, Graham will also be making the trip to Vegas for the IFMAR 1/8th Nitro Buggy World Championships later this year.

Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.co.uk]