T-Works has released a carbon fibre centre diff plate for the 2020, 2021 & 2022 versions of Xray’s X8 1:8 Nitro Buggy. The machined single piece plate is a direct replacement for the standard kit supplied plate and comes complete with 2 bearings for the braking cams.
Source: T-Works [rc-tworks.com]
Another much anticipated switch up for the 2023 season, Mugen has confirmed that star driver Ryan Maifield joins Robert Batlle in leaving the manufacturer. Officially posting the announcement on Facebook, it read, “Mugen Seiki Racing would like to make Ryan Maifield’s exit from the factory team official ahead of the 2023 season. Maifield joined Mugen Seiki Racing at the beginning of 2017 where he made history being the first racer to do the impossible by sweeping all three pro classes at The Dirt Nitro Challenge. Still being the only driver in history to sweep The Dirt Nitro Challenge, Maifield and Mugen Seiki did it again in 2021. Maifiled and Mugen Seiki’s success together includes multiple Silver State Nitro Challenge titles, winning both classes at the 2021 1/8th Fuel Nationals, winning every ROAR 1/8th Electric Buggy National Championship Maifield competed in during his time at Mugen Seiki, and multiple IFMAR World Championship finals including a podium finish. It’s been an honour to have worked with such a talented and committed racer like Maifield, and Mugen Seiki Racing wishes Ryan the best with his future endeavours.”
Source: Mugen Seiki Racing [Facebook]
Top Italian driver Fabrizio Teghesi has announced he is departing Kyosho after a lengthly partnership with the brand. Joining the team just a year after Red RC first hit the internet, the former Italian National Champion has been a loyal ambassador for the iconic manufacturer. Looking set to have to swap out his red wardrobe for some new team clothing in 2023, he made the announcement on his Facebook page.
Following the announcement last month of his departure from long time chassis sponsor Shepherd, it has been announced that Simon Kurzbuch will drive for Mugen after Mugen Seiki Europe announced the former World Champion had joined the Japanese manufacturer’s International team. Describing the Swiss driver as ‘a strong addition’ to the team, he will race their MRX6X throughout all major and international events. Commenting on the announcement Kurzbuch said, “An existing new journey ahead! I’m delighted and honoured to announce to partner up with the iconic Japanese brand Mugen Seiki for the future! The first insights have convinced me and my team entirely and we are looking forward to a close and fruitful collaboration with the whole Mugen Team, with MSE and Stefan Habbecke and of course with one of my childhood idols and car designer Robert Pietsch.”
Source: MSE [Facebook]
Access to tracks are vital to R/C so it is great to hear about plans for a new Indoor facility in Switzerland. Through the work of onroad and offroad drivers, they are creating the ‘RC Indoor Arena’, a beautiful complex in Wädenswil. The 600m2 offroad track is equipped with new EOS carpet and while onroad drivers will also enjoy a new 720m2 ETS carpet surface. Set to open at the beginning of December, this indoor complex will be ideal for preparing for the next indoor season and will give racers a place to keep their driving skills sharp for the Winter.
Source: RC Indoor Arena [rc-indoor-arena.ch]
JConcepts has added to its Radial NMB bearing range by now offering kits for TLR’s 8ight-X/XE 2.0 and Tekno’s NB48.21 1:8 buggies. Rolling free is very important anytime a vehicle hits the racetrack. The bearings in an RC vehicle need to be quality, precise, and durable enough to stand-up to the rigorous demands of national and world class racing events. The bearing kits are built to last with NMB bearing quality, stainless steel materials, and precise tolerances. Recently, Ryan Maifield TQ’ed and won the 1/8th Pro Buggy class at the largest RC event on record at the 2022 Psycho Nitro Blast in White Pine, Tennessee using the new JConcepts Radial bearings.
Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]
Former World Champion Robert Batlle has announced his much anticipated departure from Mugen, a combination that triumphed at the 2012 IFMAR 1:8 Buggy World Championships in Argentina. The Spaniard’s announcement ends a lengthy and fruitful 12-year stint with the Japanese manufacturer. Batlle made the announcement on his Facebook page in an open message to Mugen.
Read Batlle ‘Letter to Mugen’ here
The opening round of the popular MRC Longwy Winter Series took place over the weekend with Lucas Urbain taking the TQ and win. With a number of international drivers making the trip to France, Urbain would take his Awesomatix to victory at the first of the four scheduled rounds ahead of factory Mugen driver Ronald Volker and Yokomo’s Yannic Prumper. MRC Longwy will host the 18th edition of their famous GP3 on January 21-22 with drivers using the Winter Series as preparations for the international race. Round 2 takes place December 11.
Image: Lucas Urbain [Facebook]
