Red RC » Racing

May 28, 2023

Takahata Top Qualifier at Japanese 1:8 Onroad Nationals

Mugen Seiki’s Shoki Takahata will start on the TQ at the Japanese 1:8 Onroad National Championship which are taking place at this year’s IFMAR World Championship host circuit Infinity International RC Speedway. The reigning World Champion and defending JMRCA Champion locked his OS powered MRX6 into the overall TQ when he made it three from three in the penultimate round which brought Saturday’s action to a conclusion. Attracting a field of 63 drivers, with one last qualifier still to run on Sunday morning it is ISTC World finalist Hayato Ishioka who holds second ahead of the Infinity of multiple World Champion Naoto Matsukura and his team-mate Takaaki Shimo.

Image: Atsushi Hara [Facebook]

May 28, 2023

Gruber TQ’s ENS season opener

Capricorn’s Toni Gruber has TQ’d the opening round of the Euro Nitro Series in Germany. With 2023 a big year for 1:8 Onroad with the return of the World Championship after a four year break, this year’s ENS is an opportunity for Europe’s top drivers to get in some top level competition ahead of the trip to Japan in October. The first of three rounds that make up this year’s series, Gruber secured the overall TQ in Ettlingen when he topped the final two qualifiers with his Ielasi Tuned powered C804. Behind the German, former World Champion Simon Kurzbuch secured P2 for Mugen having TQ’d the opening qualifier. Fastest in Q2, reigning European Champion Dominic Greiner will start P3 ahead of Capricorn team-mate Merlin Depta with Team Shepherd’s Lars Hoppe and Infinity’s Jilles Groskamp completing the Top 6. In 1:10, Melvin Diekmann secured the TQ topping 3 of the four qualifiers for Capricorn with Q3 pace setter Milan Holthuis lining up second.

Image: Toni Gruber [Facebook]

May 26, 2023

JConcepts 1.9″ and 1.7″ Bar Codes, Step Spike & Taper Spike

JConcepts has added three specialty tyres for 1:10 Offroad with the release of the 1.7″ & 1.9″ Bar Codes, Step Spike & Taper Spike competition tyres. The Code of Silence has been broken at JConcepts, and the Bar Codes are out. Like the name suggests, the alternating bar design combined with the addition of the Y side bars provide uncompromised support for blue and black groove conditions. Bar Codes are a specialty tyre that when matched to the appropriate track can provide amazing results. Each year, JConcepts performs several passion projects which allows vintage enthusiasts to take advantage of the latest technology. The 1.7” bead mounting diameter of original off-road wheels centre this design. The smaller wheel allows the use of a smaller tire appearing scale appropriate for earlier generation vehicles such as the RC10. An entire group of vintage racers rely on a small selection of tires, but now can step up their grip game with versatile tyres from JConcepts. With available compounds such as green for outdoor and slick track conditions, to the gold compound for indoor or clay track conditions, the Bar Codes are passionately involved. The bar design of the tire produces friendly forward traction while the Y bars on the outside help tame corners on blue groove and dry condition track surfaces.

View Step Spike & Taper Spike here

May 25, 2023

Shepherd finds new ‘World Champion’ owner

Some great news coming from Germany is that onroad nitro manufacturer Shepherd has found a buyer that will see the brand continue into the future. Having recently announced it would cease operations in June, the brand that found its start from the chassis project of iconic Italian engine manufacturer Picco, is set to be taken over by a former World Champion with Shepherd announcing on social media, ‘We are thrilled to announce that a successor has been found for the iconic brands Shepherd Micro Racing and Brilliant RC. Brace yourselves for a revelation like no other! Imagine a former IFMAR World Champion, boasting an impressive track record of over 20 years in the RC-Car industry. The anticipation is building as we speak, with the final details of this monumental arrangement being ironed out behind closed doors. In just a matter of days, the veil of secrecy will be lifted, revealing the visionary who will lead these brands into a glorious future. Stay tuned, dear friends, for the emergence of a new chapter shrouded in mystery and allure. We cannot wait to share this thrilling news with you all very soon. Keep your eyes peeled, for greatness awaits!’ Definitely exciting developments for the nitro onroad scene and we look forward to the announcement of the new owner in this 1:8 Onroad World Championship year, this the 23rd running of the Worlds for IFMAR oldest category. We suspect the new owner might have no issues sourcing engines!!

Source: Shepherd Micro Racing [Facebook]

May 25, 2023

Flavio Elais claims 5th South American 1:8 Onroad title

Team Shepherd driver Flavio Elias has claimed his 5th South American 1:8 Onroad Championship title at Club de Aeromodelos de Chile. The leading Brazilian onroad nitro driver showcased his exceptional skills, securing an astonishing fifth title in this prestigious competition. Elias demonstrated his dominance right from the start, winning all four qualification rounds and claiming the pole position for the final race. With high expectations surrounding him, he was poised to deliver yet another remarkable performance. As the final race commenced, Elias wasted no time at the start and quickly pulled away from the rest of the field. With each passing lap, he extended his lead, impressing the audience with his rapid and precise manoeuvers with his Velox V8.2. After 45 minutes of intense racing, he crossed the finish line as the commanding leader over the Infinity of Matias Otaegui. The other Shepherd drivers also left their mark on the competition. Alexandro Giardino delivered a solid race, securing a excellent fourth-place finish. Displaying his talent and technical understanding of the model car, he showcased the strength of the Shepherd team. Alvaro Jara achieved an impressive fifth-place finish, while Pablo Riveros, Reinaldo Gil and Pablo Baudino secured a respectable 8th – 10th place position, contributing to the overall success of the Shepherd team.

Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]

May 22, 2023

T-Works Precision Balancing Brass Weights

Coming from T-Works is a Version 2 of their 5g and 10g precision balancing brass weights. Machined from high quality brass and finished with a black hard anodising, the weights also feature gold-colour writings for easy identification. The screw-on universal weights fit any type of car, helping to up overall weight or fine-tune weight balance and can be mounted at different ends to effect chassis flex. Measuring 13.5 x 4.9mm for the 5 grams and 13.5 x 9.5mm for the 10 grams they are available separately.

Source: T-Works [rc-tworks.com]

May 22, 2023

Electric to run as ‘World Cup’ at IFMAR 1:8 GT Worlds

The organisers of the IFMAR 1:8 GT World Championship in Sydney, Australia, have announced they will have a 1:8 Electric GT class as a supporting ‘World Cup’ race during the event from October 8-14th. Having also run as a ‘World Cup’ race at the inaugural 1:8 GT Worlds in Homestead in 2020, the electric class will continue as a support race given the low numbers achieved last time. While expect slightly higher numbers at John Grant International Raceway than the 18 that was achieved three years ago in the US, IFMAR says this is not enough to warrant a true IFMAR World title. While the official Warm-up Race run by the hosts New South Wales Radio Control Racing Car Club was effected by rain, several drivers have tested on the Monday after that event to check tyre wear for the 1 hour main final and it was confirmed that the Q3 tire from PMT, which is the controlled tyre for this event, can make the 60 minutes without any problems. More news on the Sydney event will be available in the 2nd Stage report which should be available end of June.

Source: IFMAR [imfar.org]

May 22, 2023

Hamon lifts Mod Touring Car NSW State Title

Jeff Hamon lifted the Australian NSW State Titles in electric Touring Car over the weekend at the Newcastle On Road R/C Car Club. Better known for his nitro onroad exploits, the Serpent team driver took the Modified title with victory over the Xray of Top Qualifier Ari Bakla with multiple champion Simon Nicholson completing the podium for Yokomo. Racing on the tight track, Hamon, winner of the recent 1:8 GT Worlds Warm-up race, qualified third behind Nicholson with John Puse fourth. Opening with the win in A1 of the triple A-Mains A2 would see a DNF as Bakla took the win. All to play for in A3, Hamon got to the front early and despite Bakla having the fastest car on track, he kept him at bay to win and secure the title.

Image: Jeff Hamon [Facebook]