French Picco distributors Racing Experience have announced the signing of former European B Champion and Portuguese National Champion, Ricardo Monteiro to the Picco international team. The Portuguese talent will team up with Italy’s Marco Baruffolo with both set to use the Picco Team Spec engines for the 2016 season.
Source: Racing Experience [racing-experience.fr]
Steven Hartson has set the early 2WD pace at the Reedy Race of Champions but it is the low level of traction at OCRC Raceway that’s the big talking point among the invitational class drivers. Laying down the fastest 3-consecutive laps, as well as the fastest outright lap of 19.197, the Associated driver topped the times ahead of former Open class winner & team-mate Rob Gillespie. Behind them reigning Reedy Race Champion Ryan Maifield completed the Top 3 closely followed by 2WD World Champion Spencer Rivkin.
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Legend of the sport Masami Hirosaka is to come out of international racing retirement to make his debut in the World famous Yokomo Euro Touring Series. Having officially retired from top flight competition after the 2008 Touring Car World Championships in Thailand, the same year the first season of ETS was completed, the 14-time World Champion will compete in the German round in two weeks time (Feb 5-7). Having last raced in Europe during the 2006 World Championships in Italy, the multiple onroad & offroad World Champion will be one of 8 World Champions who make up the record entry in Muelheim-Kaerlich.
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Pro-Line Racing has announced the return of US frontrunner, Jared Tebo to their team. The former World Champion only announced his departure from long-term tyre sponsor AKA some weeks ago and he is now back with Pro-Line Racing to use their tyres and accessories. Jared has the following to say about the deal:
The last time I was an official Pro-Line Team Driver was 2004. I’m very excited to be back with Pro-Line and looking forward to racing with their Tires and Accessories. Thanks to Todd, Tim and Daniel … I’m Back!
Source: Pro-Line [prolineracing.com]
Maclan Racing have announced the addition of former National Champion and multi-time Worlds Finalist, Travis Amezcua to join their racing and development team for 2016. Travis has already been working with Maclan to develop its new line of high performance motors and speed controls. Travis’ first official outing for Maclan Racing will be at the 2016 Reedy Race of Champions that Red RC will cover live from Thursday the 21st on.
Source: Maclan Racing [maclan-racing.com]
F.T. Line have announced the signing of Cristiano Sartor to their factory team. A Senior class race winner at last year’s Italian Nationals, Cristiano will compete in the Italian national series again in order to fight for the 2016 title while also planning to attend selected Euro Nitro Series events as well as the European Championships.
Source: F.T. Line Engine [facebook.com]
The inaugural Reedy 1/12 Race of Champions took place in Milton Keynes, UK last weekend. The event was hosted by the British Radio Car Association and was the centrepiece attraction for members of the general public at one of the largest shopping centres in the UK. In addition to the Reedy Race, a Model Motorsport Exhibition was hosted and UK-based RC manufacturers and retailers were present to display, demonstrate and sell their products. The BRCA also set up a small track with GT12 cars to enable the public to sample RC for the first time. A standard format Reedy Invitational modified class featuring more than 20 of the world’s top 1/12th drivers was complimented by an open entry Stock class using 10.5 motors and blinky speed controllers. The Open class of 70 drivers was split into two groups based on practice times, and each group then had its own Reedy format event for the remainder of the weekend.
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Following ongoing rumours, French frontrunner Renaud Savoya today announced the split with chassis sponsors HB/HPI Racing. The contract was terminated by HB/HPI Racing after only 13 month and, from what is understood, is because of Renaud’s recent move from Team Orion to French electronics and engine suppliers RC Concept. Renaud has the following to say about the situation:
As rumors are going wild, I need to clear the situation…Indeed as of Monday, January 11th, HB / HPI Racing has decided to terminate my contract prematurely without notice and for reasons unfounded in my opinion. For the last 13 months now I had more fun than ever in my work, being part of a team that I appreciated greatly. The people, the products, the services, everything was perfect and I always spoke good about the company, my smile on the racetracks could attest it every day. I find myself today without employer with personnal projects and a family that will soon expand.
I decided to leave Team Orion because the performances and service no longer reached my expectations. My present breach of contract might be a collateral damage to my engine change…
I want to thank everyone at HB / HPI Racing who welcomed me and helped me during these 13 months: Torrance Deguzman, Hiroyuki Kasuya, Ty and Gord Tessman, David and Pierre Ronnefalk…
I hope to see you soon on the tracks, because my passion is the same as you: R/C car racing.
