January 7, 2023

Ongaro confirmed for Philippine Masters

The organisers of the Philippine Masters have announced back to back World Champion Davide Ongaro is confirmed to make the trip to Manila for the April 28-30 event.  Ongaro is a previous winner of the Philippine Masters and the attendance of the high profile Team Associated factory driver is a major boost for the Asian 1:8 Offroad scene.  As with previous editions of the race, the entry list is expected to be bolstered by further high profile driver announcements.  Making its post Covid return to the international racing calendar, the Philippine Masters has established itself as one of Asia’s major international events with 2023 the 11th running of the event.  Hosted by QCRCCC and directed by the voice of RC Scotty Ernst, the event takes place in the heart of the capital city at the beautiful Circulo Verde track.  Already close to reaching its 120 entry capacity, the race has attracted many of Asia’s top drivers with a strong contingent of Australian racers signed up to enjoy both the racing and hospitality in Manila.

Source: Philippine Masters [philippinemastersrc.com]


December 23, 2022

Ongaro ends RunnerTime Fuel sponsorship

Back to back 1:8 Buggy World Champion Davide Ongaro is set for another change to his 2023 racing package with the announcement he will no longer be using RunnerTime Fuel.  Having announced his departure from tyre sponsor AKA earlier this month, the Italian has enjoyed a similar 5-year stint with the RunnerTime netting the 2018 and 2023 World titles in that time.  On his Facebook page Ongaro said, ‘It has been 5 amazing years, We have achieved a lot of amazing results together and goals, we have had a lot of fun and you are part that helped me to be what I am. I hope you are happy about what we have done together, races, dinners, good and bad results because they are part of racing. I can only say a big thank you for all the help you have to use during these years, was a pleasure for us to work with you. It’s time now to take different roads, I wish you the best in your future. Thanks a lot for everything. Thanks Matteo Passerini and Runnertime.’

Source: Davide Ongaro [Facebook]


December 23, 2022

All change as Tebo announces AKA departure

With the news earlier in the week that his stint with Tekno RC was over, Jared Tebo has today announced that he will also not be continuing with long time tyre sponsor AKA in 2023.  The American started with the brand in 2009 and has been running their products every year since with the exception of the 2016.  Making the announcement on social media, in thanking everyone at AKA, he attributed their Three Rib front tyre as being a major part of his 2013 1:10 2WD Offroad World Championship victory.  Also switching engine for the new season, it will be interesting to see what new package Tebo hits the track with in 2023. Read Tebo’s announcement here


December 19, 2022

Orlowski doubles at Race Stars Contest

Michal Orlowski’s internationals travels for 2022 may be finished but the factory Schumacher driver made the most of being back home in Poland to take the double win at Race Stars Contest ’22.  Held in the centre of the country at the Sports Arena in Zgierz, the race attracted an international entry.  In qualifying Orlowski would take the TQ for both 2WD and 4WD from Sworkz Micha Widmaier, with third going to Bartek Zambrzycki in 2WD and Bartosz Zalewski in 4WD.  In the triple A-Mains, 2WD would see Orlowski chased to the win by Widmaier with the Serpent of Sweden’s Elias Johansson coming through from P4 on the grid to complete the podium thanks to a win in A3.  In 4WD, while Orlowski was in control out front, behind Zalewski, after a bad A1, managed to get his Xray passed Widmaier in A2, before going on to win A3 for second overall ahead of the German.

Source: Michal Orlowski [Facebook]


December 19, 2022

Ogden to race TZO 200 Tires

World Championship 1:8 Buggy Finalist Cole Ogden has announced he will be racing for tyre newcomers TZO 200 Tires.  The factory HB Racing driver moves to the new American start-up having previously raced with Italian brand Hotrace and the deal is a significant boost for TZO 200 Tires.  Posting the news on his social media, Ogden said, “Excited on the new rubbers for this coming year! I’ve done quite a bit of testing, and I can say I’m pretty stoked on the existing compounds and tread patterns. Happy to work with a hard working dude like Nick Hernandez, who believes in making the best tires. When I first contacted Nick a few months ago, he didn’t hesitate sending me stuff to test, and once hearing his attitude, driven mentality, and some on track testing, it was a wrap. He’s been working hard, and I look forward to representing a brand that is motivated in bringing the best of the best and doing what it takes to make it happen. Thanks for the opportunity and stay tuned, more goodies coming in the near future as well!”.

Source: Cole Ogden [Facebook]


December 11, 2022

Greiner wins Miami Nitro Grand Prix

Dominic Greiner has capped off an impressive 1:8 nitro onroad season with victory at the Miami Nitro Grand Prix.  Qualifying second at Homestead RC Raceway, the factory Capricorn driver took the win ahead of Top Qualifier Filippo Domanin.  The Xray driver led the race for more than 100 laps before European Champion Greiner took control to win with 161 laps completed at the end of the 45-minute final.  Behind Domanin, Infinity’s Carmine Riola completed the podium in Florida followed by the ARC of Dutch veteran John Ermen and Hotrace Tyres’ Nicola Marrone.  In 1:10, Top Qualifier Teemu Leino took the win for Infinity with Capricorn’s Thilo Diekmann only 1.5-seconds back.  Having qualified fourth, Chris Tosolini found his way passed third place starter Bobby Horan to secure the final step on the podium.  In 1:8 GT, it was victory for Serpent thanks to Italy’s Gabriele Paloschi.  Behind the pole sitter Joaquin Desoto Junior and Martin Bayer completed the Top 3.

Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]


December 10, 2022

Domanin & Leino TQ at Miami Nitro Grand Prix

Young Italian talent Filippo Domanin and veteran Finn Teemu Leino are the Top Qualifiers at the Miami Nitro Grand Prix.  In 1:8, Xray driver Domanin set the fastest qualifying time around Homestead RC Raceway in the 2nd of the three qualifiers, failing to finish Q1 & Q3.  Behind him, Capricorn’s Dominic Greiner set the second fastest time also in Q2 with Infinity’s Carmine Riola completing the Top 3.  In 1:10, Leino also only managed to complete only 1 of the three qualifiers but it was all he need to put his Infinity in pole position for the final.  Thilo Diekmann would set the second fastest time as his Capricorn top the time sheets for the third & final qualifier.  Florida racer Bobby Horan posted the third fastest time ahead of former Miami Nitro Grand Prix Chris Tosolini.  In 1:8 GT, Serpent’s Gabriele Paloschi claimed the overall TQ ahead of Xray’s Martin Bayer and the Capricorn of Natanaele Senesi.

Image: Filippo Domanin [Facebook]


December 7, 2022

New MIBO International Race announced

Mibosport is excited to announce that it is bringing a new international indoor event to the calendar in 2023 with the inaugural running of the Mibo International Race on March 3-5 in the Czech Republic.  Pre pandemic, the Mibosport Cup was well established as one of Europe’s top annual indoor race series attracting some of the biggest names in racing to the town of Hrotovice. Now following the series’ forced break, Mibosport is looking to bring back the racing in style to the Sport V Hotel with the creation of one big exciting weekend for both onroad and offroad racers.  A venue that always proved hugely popular with racers for the sheer convenience of being able to race, eat and sleep all under one roof, the Mibo International Race is also node to the past when individual international race weekends were once common and made up the indoor season.  The Mibo International Race will see separate onroad and offroad tracks provide two stages for a full weekend of racing action. Set to be a who’s who of electric racing scene, the story of the inaugural event is set to be shared with the world as it unfolds with Red RC confirming they will make a return visit to Hrotovice.  As someone who still enjoys racing himself, Mibosport founder Michal Bok and his race crew are finalising a number of exciting plans for the event, details of which be announced over the coming weeks.  So save the date, March 3-5, 2023, and get ready to be part of the next exciting new chapter in Hrotovice’s racing history.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]


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