Red RC » International

January 23, 2015

Horizon confirms Drake’s departure

Hudy 1/10 Off-Road car stand

In what came as a major shock to the sport, Horizon Hobby have now officially confirmed the departure of Adam Drake, a driver revered as one of the greatest ambassadors for the TLR brand. In the official statement they said, ‘Horizon Hobby wishes to thank and acknowledge Adam Drake for his dedication and commitment throughout the years to Team Losi Racing and Horizon Hobby. Adam’s association with Team Losi Racing dates back to the early 1990s and his on-track speed and off-track sportsmanship have been consistent trademarks for over two decades. Adam has been a great asset to the team and ambassador for Horizon Hobby/Team Losi Racing and they wish him the very best for the future, both personally and professionally.’

Source: Horizon Hobby [horizonhobby.com]

January 23, 2015

Champion Cavalieri opens Reedy Race with win

Defending back to back champion Ryan Cavalieri got his quest for a fourth Reedy Race of Champions title off to the perfect start as he opened the 21st running of the event this morning at OCRC Raceway with a win in the first round of heads up racing. The first of 12 rounds of racing also saw wins for former Champion Joern Neumann and 4WD World Champion Steven Hartson. One significant result for Round 1 was that of Ryan Maifield, the TLR driver & 2014 runner-up, having been drawn to start 9th, managed to work his way through the field to finish 2nd behind Neumann.

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

January 23, 2015

Paul Lemieux re-signs with Xray

Xray have announced that long time team driver and multi-time US champion Paul Lemieux has renewed his contract to stay with the team for 2015. Paul’s 2015 campaign will see regional, national and international races with Xray’s line of 1/12th, 1/10th and 1/8th vehicles in electric and nitro classes. His busy calendar will include all the US electric and nitro on-road nationals, the Snowbirds and all other major races in the States. Paul says:

I am excited about the continued partnership between myself and the Team Xray. I am especially excited to continue on with all of individuals that make up the Xray family as I know it. To me the “work hard but have fun” atmosphere which we have achieved at events around the globe has been the driving force in what keeps me racing. With several great achievements and another wins last year I am fully motivated for the upcoming 2015 season.

Check out Paul’s Xray profile video by clicking here

January 23, 2015

Maifield & Moller top practice at Reedy Race

Ryan Maifield and Drew Moller topped practice for the 21st running of the Reedy Race of Champions at OCRC Raceway today in California. Last year’s runner-up, Maifield took his TLR22 to the fastest lap time in the third and final round of 2WD practice ahead of team-mate & last year’s 2WD Open class winner JP Richards. In 4WD it was new HB signing Moller who set the pace from defending Champion Ryan Cavalieri and Maifield, the Ryans best lap time separated by 0.001 of a second.

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

January 23, 2015

Robin D’Hondt joins BMT

Robin D'Hont joins BMT

Italian company BMT have announced the signing of Robin D’Hondt to their team. Robin will use the BMT 984 1/8th scale car after being with Motonica for six years and he has the following to say about the deal:

To begin with I would like to thank Maurizio Ficcadenti for the cooperation over the last 6 years with him and Motonica. It was time for me to go a new way and in in this I choose to drive the BMT 984 car next season. I have already built the car and I am very content with the quality of the product as well I am sure to have a good cooperation with Pasquale Iuliucci who I wish to thank for this opportunity. [I am] Feeling confident to start the new season.

Source: BMT [bmt-team.com]

January 23, 2015

Oliver Franke teams up with Yokomo

Yokomo have announced the signing of Germany’s Oliver Franke to their team. The multiple ETS Pro Stock winner and podium finisher is backed by several stock class titles and he will race both nationally and internationally in his 2015 campaign that will include the ETS, LRP TCM and selected national events. Oliver has the following to say:

My goals for this season are to participate at international events like the ETS, LRP TCM and also National events, to get the best out of the car and help strengthen Yokomo’s presence in the Pro Stock category. I would like to thank Team Yokomo’s Robert Itoh and Yukijiro Umino for giving me the opportunity to become a member of a very strong team. I am looking forward to many international events and being successful there. So far I am very impressed with the solid build and awesome quality.

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]

January 23, 2015

Yuichi Kanai is back with Pro-Line

Pro-Line have announced the signing of Yuichi Kanai to their factory racing team. The Japanese is one of the most respected and talented designers in all of R/C and he is backed by a World Championship title back in 2000. Pro-Line is proud to welcome Yuichi back for the 2015 racing season and look forward to great success with the Red Army.

Source: Pro-Line [prolineracing.com]

January 23, 2015

Naoto Matsukura joins Kyosho Factory offroad team

Team Kyosho International have announced that 4-time World Champion Naoto Matsukura has joined their factory offroad team. The multiple time Japanese National offroad Champion and current 4wd Vice World Champion will use the company’s line of 2wd and 4wd buggies. Naoto left Yokomo at the end of last year having raced both on and offroad for them and has subsequently joined Tamiya to race their electric touring car.

Source: Kyosho [kyosho.com]