February 3, 2017

Coelho opens qualifying at EOS Slovakia with impressive TQ run

Bruno Coelho opened qualifying at EOS Slovakia with an impressive TQ run dealing a blow his rivals who in practice looked to have had the slight upper edge over the Xray’s on their home grounds.  Rolling off the start line 6th, Coelho would work his way through the field with apparent ease to head an Xray 1-2.  Surviving a significant late mistake, the Portuguese ace end up almost 4/10ths quicker than Martin Bayer with Serpent’s Joern Neumann completing the Top 3 some 2-seconds off.  Having set the pace in seeding practice Lee Martin could only manage fourth ahead of his impressive young Yokomo team-mate Daniel Kobbevik while Team Associated’s young star Joona Hataanen completed the Top 6.

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

February 3, 2017

Martin tops practice at Hudy Arena

Lee Martin has kicked off the third round of the Euro Offroad Series at the Hudy Arena at the top of the times, the Yokomo driver setting the fastest 2WD seeding time ahead of British compatriot Neil Cragg in Slovakia. With the EOS organisers taking over the building of the track at what is the home of Xray, the layout is one of the busiest to feature in the championship will all drivers enjoying the greater level of difficulty which is expected to throw up some surprise results.  One such surprise already is young Daniel Kobbevik who took his Yokomo to the third fastest time ahead of the quickest Xray in the hands of Hupo Honigl. Having come into the event in confident mood following his EOS Round 2 and DHI Cup form, Michal Orlowski’s weekend has not started off well with the championship leader unable to get 3-laps together leaving him 21st fastest and out of the top heat for qualifying.

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

February 3, 2017

Akio Sobue joins LRP factory team

LRP have announced the addition of Japan’s Akio Sobue to their factory team. The former JRMCA Electric Touring Car Champion and multiple IFMAR Worlds A-main finisher already used LRP electronics in parts of his 2016 campaign but he will be now getting the full factory treatment while running LRP’s new FlowX speed controller, Vector X20 motors and Competition Car Line battery packs while also using LRP chargers and accessories. Akio says:

The LRP system offers exceptional performance over the whole RPM range, that’s why I like the products. It also allows me to fully concentrate on the race and my driving, to focus on my strategy and I have never to worry about power or reliability – that’s perfect. I already learned that LRP is a great partner and I hope we can share many victories together.

Source: LRP [lrp.cc]

February 3, 2017

Rivals out to crash Xray house party at EOS Slovakia

The Euro Offroad Series reaches the midway stage in the 2016/17 Championship this weekend (3-5 Feb) as drivers descend on the Hudy Racing Arena in Slovakia. The world famous home track of reigning 4WD champions Xray, the visiting rival teams will be out to try & crash any home victory party the host manufacturer might have planned with Bruno Coelho in particular the driver they are all out to beat. Leading the 4WD standings after the first two rounds having won the season opener, Coelho took victory at his second-home last year enroute to becoming EOS Champion in his debut season.

Continue reading this announcement here

February 2, 2017

Lars Hoppe returns to Shepherd

After being with ARC the last two seasons, German frontrunner, Lars Hoppe has decided to return to his former sponsor Shepherd for the upcoming season. Lars will campaign Shepherd’s Velox V8 WC at events such as the ENS, the German Nationals and the IFMAR Worlds in France. Lars has the following to say:

At first I want to thank team ARC for great two years with the new R8 and wish them all the best. I am very happy to rejoin Team Shepherd and want to thank Patrick Schäfer for the great opportunity. For the 2017 season I will participate the whole Euro Nitro Series, the German Championship, some local races and for sure the World Championship in France. I look forward to work with this great team.

Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]

February 2, 2017

O.S Engines welcome back Andrea Pirani

O.S. Engines have announced the return of Andrea Pirani to their racing team. After three year of collaboration Andrea returns to the iconic Japanese brand to continue the project born in 2014: Increasing the European market share while helping with product development. This year Andrea will participate at the 1/8th On-road World Championships in France, the ENS and the Italian Championship. In cooperation with Italian O.S. distributor Radiosistemi, Andrea will also offer technical support for O.S. on-road drivers.

February 1, 2017

Merlin Depta to roll on Matrix rubber for 2017

Matrix Racing Tires have announced the addition of Merlin Depta to their factory team. The German front runner, former vice-European Champion and ENS A-Main regular will join the Matrix team for the 2017 1/8th nitro season in which he will compete at events such as the German Nationals, the ENS, EFRA GP Series and the Worlds in France in September.

Source: Matrix [matrix-tyres.com]

February 1, 2017

Hobbywing sign Bayer, Jefferies & Ratheisky

Hobbywing have welcomed Xray’s Martin Bayer, Olly Jefferies and Jan Ratheisky to their factory team. The three will be running Hobbywing electronics from February with Martin being an important member of the growing off-road factory team while Jan will also be Hobbywing’s trackside support at all major on-road events in Europe.

Martin says:
I am very happy I can join the Hobbywing factory racing team. I tested many products last month to choose what is best for me. After first lap with Hobbywing I know immediately this is what I need. The control feeling is incredible and power delivery is so smooth but in same time I have a lot of power delivered on wheels. I am very happy to represent Hobbywing on all international races and give best support to the customers.

Read Jan’s and Olly’s statements here

Mibosport
VP Racing
T-Works