Red RC » Racing

December 1, 2023

Matsukura takes on Velodrome with 120kph lap

Multiple World Champion Naoto Matsukura took on something a bit different recently when he ran a 120kph average lap of the Komatsushima Velodrome in Shikoku, Japan, with his Infinity IF14 Electric Touring Car thanks to his electrics sponsor ORCA. Pro-Spec owner Kenji Hosoda arranged the event with the banked cycling track owners as a test event with a view running regular RC events in the future. With the country having more than 40 tracks, which are normally used for Keirin cycling races, there is big potential for RC speed events. A 400-metre track, and using a 3.5 turn motor with a 200A ORCA ESC for power, Matsukura completed his single flying lap of the heavily banked track in 12.1 seconds. Like Keirin racing, he was led out on his first lap by a Toyota Supra bodied pace car complete with flashing roof lights before making his speed attempt on lap 2. Matsukura will be sharing the experience shortly on his YouTube channel.

View track images here

December 1, 2023

Tekno RC MT410 2.0 1:10 Monster Truck

American offroad brand Tekno RC has announced the release of its latest creation, the MT410 2.0 1:10 Monster Truck. The truck represents Tekno RC’s dedication to innovation and quality and over three years in development, it has undergone rigorous testing in diverse conditions, ensuring it meets the high standards set by its predecessor, the MT410. Designed as a smaller sibling to the original MT410, the MT410 2.0 promises a level of performance and toughness which Tekno say sets it apart in the world of remote-controlled vehicles.

View features & more images here

December 1, 2023

Kyosho & Figueiredo part ways after a decade

Kyosho Europe has announced today on its social media that after a decade of working with top Portuguese 1:8 Offroad driver João Figueiredo, the two parties will part ways at the end of 2023. In the post from both Kyosho Japan and Kyosho Europe, the manufacturer thanked Figueiredo and his father Jose for their contribution to the success of the brand and said they would always be part of the Kyosho family. Crowned Portuguese Cup Champion in October and finishing 6th this year on his 5th European Championship Final appearance, the 27-year-old is expected to announce his new 2024 plans shortly but first has two potential National titles to add to the Kyosho story. Figueiredo followed up the Kyosho announcement with an in dept review of their partnership which can be read here.

Source: Kyosho Europe [Facebook]

November 30, 2023

1:12 Worlds coverage presented by Radbody

For the fourth & final IFMAR World Championship of 2023, Red RC is excited to announced that our coverage of the 1:12 World Championship at Beachline Raceway in Cocoa, Florida, next week will be presented by Radbody. The new 1:24 and 1:12 body shell producer is making it possible for us to attend our first 1:12 Worlds since China 2016 when Marc Rheinard won the first of his 2 World titles in the category. Winning his second title in the UK in 2020, Rheinard will try to defend that title at what will be the 21st running of the championship. Attracting a total of 80 entries, 22 drivers will battle it our for the Modified honours with Rheinard’s title set to be challenged by both 2020 podium finishers Michal Orlowski and Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa, 2018 World Champion & reigning European Champion Alexander Hagberg, top North American drivers Sam Isaacs, Keven Hebert and ROAR Champion Kemp Anderson, Britain’s Ollie Payne and Japan’s Hayato Ishioka just to name a few. With inaugural 1:12 Spec World Champion Andy Murray absent from the entry list there will be a new Champion crowned for the category in Florida. Our coverage from the United States will begin on Wednesday, December 6th, with news from practice and continuing with the unfolding of the championship over the following 3 days.

November 28, 2023

Tessmann dropped by Xray

Former 1:8 Buggy World Champion Ty Tessmann has announced he has been dropped by Xray and their US distributor RC America. The Canadian driver will depart after a 7-year stint with the Slovakian manufacturer whom he joined after a lengthy stint with Hot Bodies. Posting confirmation of the much rumoured news, fuelled by the recent signing of his former HB team-mate David Ronnefalk, on his social media, Tessmann said, ‘There have been a lot of rumors about my future with Xray. For the last 7 years I have raced for and been committed to Xray and RC America, my Dad and I helped develop the Xray offroad cars, and grow the Xray brand in North America, and we have had a lot of successes over the last 7 years with their cars’. Listing his achievements with the brand which included the TQ & 2nd at the 2018 1:8 World Championships in Australia, he continued, ‘That being said I will not be continuing with Xray for 2024 and beyond, this was not my choice, but Xray and RC America have decided to not renew my contract. I would like to thank Xray and RC America for the opportunity and support over the past 7 years. Stay tuned for an announcement on what 2024 holds for me.’

Source: Ty Tessmann [Facebook]

November 28, 2023

2024 JConcepts INS & Dirt Oval Nationals – Announcement

JConcepts has announced the schedule for the 14th season of its very popular Indoor National Series and 2024 Dirt Oval National Events. The INS and NCTS series’ are combining in to one to create a 5 race super series across both dirt and carpet surfaces. The 2024 calendar will consist of 3 dirt tracks and 2 carpet tracks starting the year at the famed Trackside Hobbies and Raceway and ending the festivities at the always amazing Hoosier RC Hobbyplex. The carpet events will take place at the extremely popular RC One Racing facility before heading to the beautiful Island Speedway in Muscatine, Iowa. For the first time, there will be 2 events in the Summer with one being at the superb HobbyTown HobbyPlex in Omaha, Nebraska. JConcepts is also be increasing the emphasis on Dirt Oval racing and moving to 3 Dirt Oval Nationals starting with the Speed Weeks Dirt Oval Nationals at Lil Cochran in February before moving to the Summer Dirt Oval Nationals at Auburn RC in July and finally the Winter Dirt Oval Nationals at PT’s RC Raceway in November. The events provide drivers with an array of classes to choose from to compete nationally or on a race by race basis.

View 2024 schedule & classes here

November 27, 2023

1:12 Worlds Broadcast team announcement

With just over a week to go until the start of the IFMAR 1:12 World Championship in the United States, Elite Productions has announced the team that it will use to bring its livestream broadcast of the 21st running of the title that will be decided at Beachline Raceway in Cocoa, Florida. Elite Productions became a reality through the efforts of Lance MacDonald who skilfully assembled individuals from diverse areas of RC Racing, uniting their talents to produce top-tier events. Heading the Worlds broadcast will be Keenan White who is better known as Lefty the Great and the person behind ‘The No Name RC Podcast’. With over 30 years in the sport, commenting on the announcement Lefty said, ‘It is an honor for me to be apart of the upcoming IFMAR 1/12 World Championship coming up in December. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the Elite RC Production crew as we strive to bring RC Raving enthusiasts the best possible coverage we can. I am excited to see some of the best racers in the onroad genre of RC battle each other in the carpet coliseum that is Beachline RC Raceway! Good luck to all the competitors and let’s get ready for some epic racing! Red RC is also excited to be making the trip to Florida next week to cover our fourth & final World Championship event of 2023.

Meet the rest of the team here

November 27, 2023

Harris is ’23 RCRA Australian LS National Champion

Australia’s Large Scale touring car young gun Cooper Harris has won the 2023 RCRA Australian National Championship. This year’s RCRA National title was decided at the Radio Racing Cars S.A. Inc. track in Littlehampton, South Australia and in qualifying it was reigning Champion Andy Bishop who secured the TQ ahead of Harris and Craig Hawkins in 3rd. With a clean and competitive half hour final, the battle for the win lasted the entire race with 17-year-old Harris posting the fastest lap on his way to securing 1st place with his Mecatech Fwo1 SWB powered by Abbate engine and PMT Tires. Joining Harris on the podium was MCD driver Andy Bishop in 2nd with third place going to George Tsakanias driving a Genius chassis. Next year Australia will host the IFMAR Large Scale World Championship from October 20th to 27th in Sydney.

Source: Cooper Harris [Facebook]