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April 6, 2017

Drivers relishing Madrid’s ETS debut

Drivers competing in the Yokomo Euro Touring Series are relishing the prospect of racing in Spain this weekend (7-9th April) as Madrid makes its debut on the championship calendar. While the well known holiday island of Gran Canaria has welcomed the ETS in the past, this is the first time the mainland will play host to a round of the world famous touring car championship. Also as it is the first outdoor event of current season, there is an extra air of anticipation among the title contenders as they prepare for battle on the large Asoger track. With the opening two rounds of the championship producing two different winners in Bruno Coelho and Ronald Volker, the switch from carpet to asphalt for Round 3 is an important opportunity to fight back however based on last season there is one driver who stands above the rest and that is Coelho. The reigning Champion, the Xray driver won two of the three outdoor events last season and while very different conditions he also took the first big asphalt win of the season when he won the TITC in Thailand.

Continue reading the announcement here

April 6, 2017

O.S. Engines sign Teemu Leino

O.S. Engines have announced the signing of Finnish frontrunner, Teemu Leino. The former European Champion and reigning ENS 200mm champion will power his 1/8th and 1/10th scale Infinity rides using O.S. Speed engines this season and beyond.

Source: O.S. Engines [os-engines.co.jp]

April 5, 2017

Arrowmax sign Naoto Matsukura

Arrowmax have announced the signing of yet another World Champion to their all-star line-up of factory team drivers. Fresh from winning the Buggy Asia Madness race in Shanghai, multi-time World Champion Naoto Matsukura has agreed in a cooperation and he will be using the company’s tools and accessories to build, maintain and setup his on-road and off-road rides. Naoto had the following to say:

  I will like to say a big thank you for Arrowmax for their generous support, and I am very proud to be part of the team. I have long admire the design and quality of Arrowmax products and I am very much looking forward to using them.

Source: Arrowmax [arrowmax-rc.com]

April 5, 2017

Yokomo sign Bartek Zambrzycki to their factory team

Yokomo have announced the signing of reigning Polish 2WD and 4WD Buggy National Champion, Bartek Zambrzycki to their factory team. The Polish frontrunner, who grew up racing Yokomo cars at events such as the ETS and EOS, will receive full factory support in his forthcoming campaign that will see appearances at national and international on-road and off-road events including as the ETS, EOS and the World Championships. Bartek had the following to say about the deal:

I am very happy continuing my RC adventure with Team Yokomo as factory team driver. Being part of such a great team of worlds finest RC pilots is very special to me. But it is not all. It is also to be part of the team of extraordinary people – my friends. I look forward to an exciting future, together with the Team Yokomo. Thanks to Tom Yokobori, Minoru Aso, Shin Adachi and Yukijiro Umino.

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]

April 3, 2017

Hagberg & Hönigl win 1/12th European Championships

Alexander Hagberg and Hupo Honigl both retained their 12th scale European Championship titles in Sittard, The Netherlands after an intense three days of racing. In the Modified class, which was running to 6.5T blinky rules for the first time, it was a business as usual for Alexander as the Swede took his 4th successive championship with his Xray. Backing up his wins in Italy and Slovakia (twice) Hagberg was imperious winning all five rounds of qualifying and then winning the first two legs of the A-final for a perfect weekend. Behind Alex teammate Hupo Hönigl took second after a 3-leg battle with CRCs Markus Mobers was only decided at the end of the final leg.

Continue reading the report here

April 3, 2017

Jefferies, Finlay & Giddins win at EWS International

British Xray driver Olly Jefferies secured the overall victory at the 2017 EWS International after taking narrow victories in the first two A-finals, before stamping his authority by rounding out the weekend with a win in the third leg too. However, Olly had to work hard for the victory, coming under intense pressure from the number 2 starting Yokomo of Christopher Krapp in each of the three races. As practice and qualifying proved, the top five on the grid were a class above the rest, entertaining the spectators with three five-minute displays of amazing driving. The lap times remained close between the five drivers which, whilst it led to a lot of nose-to-tail racing, meant overtaking manoeuvres were few and far between. As each driver appeared to close to consider looking for a passing opportunity, they also had to be aware of the driver on their own tail, and risk losing a place rather than gaining. That said, Olly did not put a wheel wrong to allow his German challenger, or any other driver, any serious chance of even considering lining up a pass.

Continue reading the report here

April 2, 2017

EFRA 1/12th European Champs – Qualifying report

It was déjà vu all over again in the Netherlands as reigning champions Alexander Hagberg and Hupo Honigl dominated qualifying for their respective events. In the Modified class Alexander Hagberg completely crushed the opposition with a clean sweep, winning every one of the five rounds. The Swedish driver is going for a 4th consecutive European championship in the class which will tie him with Markus Feldmann (Large Scale Touring Car) for the most consecutive wins of any European Championship.

Continue reading the report here

April 2, 2017

Three different TQ drivers so far at EWS International

Saturday at the 2017 EWS International presented by Infinity and Sweep has concluded, and in the premier modified class, it was a different driver setting the pace in every round, highlighting just how close the racing is. After Olly Jefferies had topped the opening round for Xray, Christopher Krapp moved Yokomo to the top of the scoreboard, setting the pace in Q2. The German driver, a veteran of this event having attended the previous three editions when it was known as the ICC, said “finally! It feels so good to have finally TQ’d a round at Essex!”, noting that whilst he had been in contention in all of his previous visits, he had never scored that elusive ‘zero points’. Noting a change to a softer rear diff fluid was the most notable change to his BD8, he also switched back to his single colour practice bodyshell. Despite both this and his race coloured Protoform LTC-Rs being mounted the same, the plain colour felt better for him.

Continue reading the report here