January 2, 2017

Ryan Cavalieri teams up with JConcepts

JConcepts have announced the signing of 4-times World Champion, Ryan Cavalieri to their team. The record ROAR National Champion and former AKA factory driver brings a lineage of racing experience and history back to JConcepts, for whom he has World Championship winning history with. Ryan carries the ability to race in eight different classes of competition which makes him the ideal candidate to race, promote and assist in further development of an already complete line offered from JConcepts. Ryan states:

I’m really excited to be part of the JConcepts team. I’ve had a great relationship with Jason over the years, especially back in 2005 winning the 4wd IFMAR World Championships for JConcepts. Look out for all my Team Associated cars equipped with JConcepts at the 30th annual Winter Midwest Championships.

Read a statement of JConcepts’s Jason Ruona here

January 2, 2017

Xray sign Alessio Mazzeo

Xray have announced the signing of Italian frontrunner, Alessio Mazzeo to their factory team. The former Serpent driver is EFRA Euro B and A title holder, 2016 IFMAR 200mm vice World Champion and 5-times Italian national champion. Alessio will compete in events such as the ENS, at EFRA GPs, the national championship, the XRS and also at the EFRA Euros and IFMAR Worlds and he has the following to say about the deal:

I am very happy to be part of a really prestigious but especially the forefront for the RC world. After many years spent in the Serpent there was no better team to be able to support me to carry on the hard work that I and my team have done in recent years, I can not wait to begin to address this challenge, see you on the track, ciao ciao Alessio.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

January 2, 2017

Akio Sobue leaves Tamiya & TRF

Akio Sobue has announced his departure from Tamiya and TRF, fuelling further speculation about the future of TRF as a car brand. The former JMRCA Electric Touring Car champion and IFMAR Worlds A-main finisher is another high-class driver to leave the successful TRF team and he has posted the following statement on social media, which is translated from Japanese:

On December 31, we will inform you that the contract is terminated. It was very special to me that the brand was very special for the first time in 2010 years since the first season in the all Japan Championship. I didn’t know the right side of the left, Mr. Seiwa, Mr. Kono, and before, I am very grateful to you. And also thanks to the teammates (Marc Rheinard, Jilles, randomeyes, Christopher, Nicholas, Nicholas, and Matsukura). I think I was blessed with the best team. In the end, I deeply appreciate your sincere thanks to you for the last one. Thank you so much for your time. I think we may be able to inform you about the upcoming activities. In 2017, I think it is a great year for me to be a new start. It’s not the same as the rest of the future, please.

January 2, 2017

Robert Batlle joins Picco

Following his departure from engine and accessories sponsors Modelix, former 1/8th Nitro Buggy World Champion, Robert Batlle has teamed up with Italian company Picco. The record Spanish national champion will power his Mugen buggies using Picco’s competition nitro engines and he has the following to say about the deal:

I’m glad to inform that my new engines brand empowering my Mugen will be Picco! I would like to thank Alberto and Edoardo Picco to give me this opportunity. Our relationship has started and we have the first race in 4 days, I’m looking forward to start this season!

January 1, 2017

Davide Ongaro confirmed at Team Associated

Confirming what was a very badly kept secret, Team Associated have announced that Italy’s Davide Ongaro will be joining the team for 2017 and beyond. As one of the most exciting up-and-coming drivers, Davide continues to impress throughout Europe and on a world-wide stage. Best known for his success in 1:8 off-road; however, joining Team Associated he will also be competing in 1:10 electric off-road and on-road as well. Joining Davide on his journey to Team Associated will be his father Mauro (pictured above) and their mechanic Verry. Already with close ties to the Italian Team Associated distributor, LRP, Davide’s support team is more than capable and ready to take on the competition.

Source: Associated [teamassociated.com]

December 31, 2016

Arrowmax add Viktor Wilck to their factory team

Arrowmax have announced the signing of Viktor Wilck to their factory team. The Serpent driver and podium finisher at the 2016 IFMAR Electric Touring Car Worlds in China will use the whole Arrowmax range of tools and accessories to build, set up and maintain his rides in 2017 and beyond and he has the following to say:

I am very pleased to be joining the Arrowmax team. I have seen the dedication and professionalism going into the products first hand. I know Arrowmax are very motivated to extend there product line and keep improving on quality to give me the best possible package for 2017. I would like to thank Arrowmax for this opportunity and I am looking forward to the next years together.

Source: Arrowmax [arrowmax-rc.com]

December 30, 2016

Muchmore Racing sign Ryan Cavalieri

Muchmore Racing have announced the signing of 4-times IFMAR Worlds and 24-times US National Champion, Ryan Cavalieri to their team. The factory Team Associated driver leaves behind a long-running and very successful partnership with Team Orion and he has the following to say about his move:

I’m very excited to announce that I will be joining Muchmore Racing. I feel that Muchmore is determined to succeed in the US and I’m glad I can be a part of that. Look out for all my Team Associated vehicles powered by Muchmore Racing products at the first race of the year CRCRC.

Muchmore Racing JP president, Yusuke Kobayashi adds:

So far, I have shared friendship with him. From now on, We will also share our business with him. We are proud of being his partner in both public and private.

Source: Muchmore [muchmoreracing.net]

December 30, 2016

Ty Tessmann makes HB Racing leave official

After a short Christmas break the silly season is picking up speed again with the latest Pro-level driver, Ty Tessmann, having announced his departure from long-term sponsors HB Racing. His move was awaited as industry insiders, such as HB Racing designer Torrance Deguzman, already waved Ty and father Gord goodbye on social media but an official word from Ty was yet to surface. Tessmann is still silent about his new home and in the meantime he had the following to say:

As most people already know, my relationship with HB Racing has come to an end, it is true that I will not be re-signing with HB for 2017. 12 years ago I started my career with what is now known as the HB Racing brand, the past 12 years there have been some struggles but many, many successes that many people can take credit for having a part of. I would like to thank Tatsuro Watanabe for giving me a start when I was very young and continuing to support my racing right up until June of 2016. I would also like to thank Philippe Neidhart who at that point purchased the company and continued the support until the end of 2016. I would also like to thank Torrance Deguzman for the efforts that he put into designing cars that gave me the ability to accomplish what I did with them. At this point in my career I feel like it is time to take on new challenges and I am excited for what the future holds.

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