Red RC » Gas

November 9, 2010

Andrew Smolnik and CEN part ways

A notable absence from the pits in Pattaya is Andrew Smolnik, who contacted us with the following statement explaining why he is not here. “I was unable to attend the Worlds this year as the new CEN Racing 1/8th buggy was not prepared in time. I am/was under contract with CEN Racing, so I would be unable to race any other brand at this years World Championships. I am very upset that I could not attend for a few reasons. Number one being that I am unable to compete with our extremely talented USA Team in efforts to capture a World Championship, with knowing how difficult it is to earn a spot on the team to begin with. I really wish I could have been there. Regarding my future, I am currently no longer employed by CEN Racing as the United States office is under new ownership / management. My position / job title is not currently available under the new ownership / management. I would like to thank CEN Racing for 10 great years of employment as I’ve had the opportunity to learn nearly every aspect of this great industry from production of the product to the final sale. I look forward to taking my 15 years of competitive racing and industry knowledge and applying it towards my future. I love this industry and the countless friends I’ve made within it. See you at the track soon.”

November 8, 2010

Tebo sets pace on Day 1

Kyosho’s Jared Tebo is the unofficial pace setter at the end of the opening day of the IFMAR 1:8 Off Road World Championships. The US Champion was fastest from defending World champion Atsushi Hara as he set the only 45 second lap of the day. Tebo said he focused more on his driving for the second run and was more comfortable with his Orion powered MP9 having changed from super soft to soft AKA Impact tyres. Describing conditions In P2 as being at an ‘inbetween’ stage he feels conditions should be better tomorrow and based on this will make some small set-up adjustments for his first run in the morning.

View our full event coverage here.

November 8, 2010

Practice gets underway in Pattaya

Formula 1 commentators always say that TV does not reflect the true elevation and spectacle of the famous Eau Rouge corner at Spa-Francorchamps and nothing could be more true about the beautifully presented track here in Pattaya, Thailand. The 13th running of the IFMAR 1:8 Off Road World Championships this is the most competitive world title fight yet for a class that is enjoying huge popularity around the world. Ask any of the international off road paddock regulars who they see as being the winning come Sunday and they all struggle to pick a shortlist let alone who the one person they see as being crowned champion.

View our full event coverage here.

November 7, 2010

EFRA releases 2011 race calendar

EFRA 2008 Approved Muffler list

Following this weekend’s EFRA AGM in Brussels, the European governing body have finalised the dates for next year’s European Championships. Also confirmed at the meeting was the host of the 2012 1/12th scale and ISTC World Championships, which will be the MACH, Heemstede in the Netherlands.

February 24-27 – 1/10th EP TC Indoor Euros – Prague, Czech Republic
March 3-6 – 1/12th scale Euros – Montbrison, France
April 9-17 – 1/8th on road Worlds – Miami, Florida
May 7-8 – 1/10th on road ‘B’ Euros – Heemstede, Holland
May 28-29 – 1/8th on road ‘B’ Euros – Hildesheim, Germany
June 11-12 – 1/8th off road ‘B’ Euros – Lyon, France
July 2-3 – 1/8th & 1/10th on road 40+ Euros – Wiesbaden, Germany
July 16-24 – 1/10th EP off road Worlds – Vaasa, Finland
July 30-31 – 1/8th on road ‘A’ Euros – Luxembourg
August 6-7 – 1/8th off road ‘A’ Euros – Sand, Germany
August 13-14 – 1/10th EP TC Euros – Traiskirchen, Austria
August 20-21 – 1/10th on road ‘A’ Euros – Ettlingen, Germany
August 27-28 – 1/10th off road Euros – Pau, France

View the full calendar here (PDF).

November 7, 2010

WC Pattaya – New in the pits

Continuing on with finding new stuff in the bits, we sat down with World Champion Atsushi Hara, who showed us his new self developed cab forward body shell. He has test this new body extensively and found it to have lots of downforce, thanks to not only the front cab, but the ridges going up the side of the cab as well as the rear winglets. This space behind the cab allows cleaner air to reach the wing for better balance, which he has found using one from another manufacturer. The body is expected to be released next month.

View our full event coverage here.

November 6, 2010

Drivers start to arrive at RCP

Saturday has come and gone here at RCP in Pattaya, Thailand with little or no activity apart from a few racers dropping by to check out the track. People’s first impressions is one of awe, with all those visiting for the first time expecting it to be a very difficult track to conquer. With race registration beginning tomorrow we expect all competitors and manufacturers to be trackside so expect more in the line of updates then.

View our full event coverage here.

November 4, 2010

Wayne Joelson retains SA title with Rd4 win

The 4th and final round of the 2010 South African On Road Gas Nationals took place at the TRAP facility just outside the city of Pretoria recently. Taking TQ in the 1/8th scale class, the only driver to run 18 laps in the qualifiers, was current SA Champion Wayne Joelson driving his Novarossi powered Mugen Seiki MRX4X. The final, which had to be shortened to 40 minutes due to threatening weather, saw Wayne take victory by 5 laps ahead of team mate Faizel Salie in 2nd and Serpent driver Dave Wiseman in 3rd, a lap further back. This results sees Wayne retained his drivers’ title, with Steve Munslow taking 2nd spot in the Championship.

Thanks to Wayne Joelson for the update.

November 4, 2010

Losi 8ight of Mike Truhe

Having shown you photos of Adam Drakes Losi 8ight yesterday, team mate and top qualifier at the 2008 Worlds Mike Truhe has posted photos of his WC ride on Facebook. We can’t see but presume he is running the new chassis with the steel tips, but more interestingly is the car’s rear chassis brace that has been replaced by a shock absorber from one of their 1/10th scale cars. Its travel has been limited as you would expect and is an interesting option giving a mid way point between a stiff chassis with brace installed and a flexy chassis without the brace.

View more images here