Red RC » Electric

January 2, 2014

Ellis Stafford joins TLR for 2014

Horizon Hobby UK have announced the return of Ellis Stafford to the UK/EU TLR team for 2014. Widely respected for his development skills as well as his on-track pace, the former double European Champion will concentrate on TLR’s 22 2.0 and 22-4 electric platforms and will help spearhead the company’s European 1:10 race program alongside young Dutch sensation Wesley van Helmond. Ellis had this to say:

I’d like to start by saying thank you to Durango but now a new chapter has started, or should I say continues. Joining back with TLR is an exciting adventure and having spent 16 years with Horizon and 12 years with Losi before this really does feel like I’m coming home again. I’m looking forward to running the 22 2.0 to see just how good it is and I’m really excited to get my hands on the 22-4 fairly soon to see just what that can bring us.

Source: Horizon Hobby UK [horizonhobby.co.uk]

January 1, 2014

Hupo Honigl confirmed at Team C

After much speculation about his future, multiple European Champion Hupo Honigl has been confirmed at Team C. Having announced that he was leaving Durango some weeks ago, the Austrian racer now joins the Absima Team C Europe racing team and will not only strengthen their race team but help with the development of Team C’s line of offroad cars. Hupo had this to say:

First of all I would like to say thank you to Team Durango for the support over the last couple of years. It was a great time and I would do everything in the same way again! It was a really hard decision, mainly because of the teamwork with my friends Gerd Strenge and Jörn Neumann and also the rest of the awesome crew at the racetrack! Now I´m looking forward to a new Chapter! I appreciate the pleasant welcome from Stephen Shih and Jürgen Laux to my new home Team C. In the first year i would like to concentrate on racing 1/10 offroad mainly in Europe – if there is any spare time some 1/8th buggy and maybe some electric touring car. Full of motivation I can´t wait for the first race with my new rides!

Source: Absima [absima.rc-car-news.de]

December 30, 2013

Mibosport Cup 2013/14 Rd4 – Report

The 4th round of the Mibosport Cup 2013/14 was held in Hrotovice again last weekend. A total of 150 drivers from 5 European countries signed up for the event with 87 drivers attending in the on-road and 58 in the off-road classes. Qualifying of the Touring Car Modified class didn’t end up well for top Czech driver Radek Flek, who had to finish all the qualifying sessions early due to technical problems with electronics and qualified only to the final C. Michal Orlowski (POL) took the TQ ahead of Kuba Šimurda (CZE) and David Nemček (SVK). The first final won Michal Orlowski, with Kuba Šimurda and Jiří Vyšín (CZE) behind. Michal Orlowski had to retire from the second final meaning Kuba Šimurda took the victory ahead of David Nemček and Jiří Vyšín. Michal Orlowski made a comfortable pace and won the third final ahead of Kuba Šimurda and David Nemček. The overall first place went to Michal Orlowski with Kuba Šimurda and David Nemček completing the podium. Final B was won by Tomáš Marek (CZE) and the final C by Radek Flek.

Continue reading the report here

December 26, 2013

International Carpet Challenge – Announcement

Oli Meggitt and his Essex Winter Series team announce a brand new event for 2014. The inaugural International Carpet Challenge will be held over the weekend of 22nd-23rd February 2014 at the popular EWS venue in the South-East of the UK. After a record-breaking sell out year for the EWS Championship, the team have put together a special multi-day meeting to showcase the best in indoor Touring Car racing. Drawing on their experiences of organising the largest Touring Car championship in the UK, the organising team intend to bring elements of the big European races to the UK as well. The event, that has already attracted confirmed entries from European Podium finisher Elliott Harper, UK National Champion Chris Grainger, and four-time World Champion David Spashett, will run to a typical ‘big race’ format, and additionally feature a Dash For Cash event on the Saturday night. Classes will be available for 17.5 ‘Blinky’/Zero Timing, 13.5 ‘Open’ and Modified Touring Cars, as well as a special HPI Vintage Challenge class. Full details of the event, including location, hotels, rules and booking in are available here.

December 24, 2013

Essex Winter Series Rd3 – Report

The third round of the Essex Winter Series took place the weekend before Christmas. Another capacity entry saw everyone wanting to take home the last win of 2013 and, hopefully, carry that momentum through into the new year. In the Muchmore Modified class, Schumacher’s Matt White drew first blood as he topped round one of qualifying from James Hart and multi-time World Champion, David Spashett, who was making his debut at the UK’s most popular indoor winter series. James fought back to take his Xray to the fastest time in round two, ahead of Kyle Branson and Matt. Kyle again demonstrated his pace with both electric as well as nitro racing, as he set the fastest time in the third qualifier, ahead of the defending EWS Pro Stock Champion Paul Pinkney. James Hart then took the decisive fourth round, to secure pole position from Kyle, Matt and Paul.

Click here to continue reading the report

December 23, 2013

Jilles Groskamp wins TC Modified at Ride Cup

While Thailand and Bangkok downtown citizens were the middle of the large protests for democracy, in its suburbs there was still RC racing going on. The Huge RC track and its manager Surikarn kept its door open to host the Ride Cup which was organised by Ride founder and proprietor Ohe-san and his staff. It was surely a good test opportunity for the upcoming TITC, and already some of the best racers like Adachi, Groskamp, Hara, Meen, Moore and Surikarn took the chance to sniff the track challenges, with around 100 drivers in various classes enjoying the cool 25°C Winter in Thailand. The track proved have very good traction, and although slightly bumpy at some areas, it was no problem to put the horsepower down to show some impressive top and cornering speeds. Though it was not such surprise to see the 3 Touring Car World Champions taking the top 3 spots, followed by the local hero and TC GP World champ Meen, the current Touring Car World Champ Jilles Groskamp presented himself with a dominant victory for Tamiya. Driving the new updated Tamiya the Team Orion factory team member left Atsushi Hara and Andy Moore behind. Meen V. came in 4th while Shinosuke Adachi completed the top 5 result.

Source: Team Orion [teamorion.com]

December 22, 2013

2014 LRP Touring Car Masters – Announcement

The 17th running of the annual LRP Touring Car Masters will take place in Rüsselsheim, Germany on the weekend of the 16th of March. The TCM is regarded as one of the most competitive touring car races worldwide and, like every year, will see the attendance of international stars from Europe, the USA and Japan. A total of 5 classes will be run including a Masters and EFRA Stock class along the national LRP-HPI-Challenge. The registration for the 2014 event starts on January 1st and more information can be found here.

December 20, 2013

Steven Hartson renews contract with JConcepts

Steven Hartson, 2013 4wd IFMAR World Champion, has renewed contract terms with JConcepts. Since 2005, the Southern California driver and JConcepts have formed a bond that has taken the tandem to many event titles throughout the United States. JConcepts’ Jason Ruona states, “Steven is a silent assassin, his approach to practice and racing puts him in position to be one of the quickest drivers at each and every event. His knowledge of tire preparation puts him in an advanced category ensuring he is ahead of the learning curve. Popular with the public, he is always one to help a driver or teammate in need or quick to offer advice in a difficult situation. Winning the World Championship proves that hard work pays off and we are excited that Steven chose to continue his relationship with us.” This is what Steven has to say:

I would like to thank JConcepts for the opportunity to be a part of their racing team. I look forward to another exciting journey racing at the highest level of competition. The history between us has been great and I’m very excited to be running JConcepts tires and accessories. With a 4wd World Championship title this past year, I feel like JConcepts can give me the best resources to do my best in the future.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]