December 10, 2008

Robert Batlle joins Team Associated

2007 European Champion and 2008 IFMAR World Championship finalist, Robert Batlle has signed on to represent Team Associated and Factory Team products. Formerly racing for Hobao, Batlle brings an impressive resume to the Team and now at the controls of the Factory Team RC8, looks to take the next step in his career. Batlle joins BRCA Champion Neil Cragg as a top racer for Team Associated in Europe and will also work closely with Craig Drescher of England. Upon learning of Batlle’s signing Drescher had this to say, “I don’t know Robert very well on a personal level, but his results are very impressive and I look forward to working with him to build the Associated name in 1/8th European racing”. Batlle will also be working with Team Associated’s Spanish distributor Fasol to increase the exposure of Team Associated and Factory team products across Europe. When asked what he is most excited about in joining the 23 time World Championship winning team, Batlle had this to say:

I want to drive for a top team and working with Team Associated brings that. I am really anxious to start the 2009 season leading towards the 2010 World Championships.  Thank you for this opportunity and I hope to win many championships with Team Associated.

First on the list for Batlle is The Dirt Nitro Challenge hosted by the famous Nitro Pit in Wittmann, AZ.  Here he will join fellow Team Associated IFMAR World Finalists Ryan Maifield and Ryan Cavalieri in kicking off the season’s major events.

Source: Associated [rc10.com]

December 10, 2008

Vienna Off road Winterchamps

We were contacted by the organisers of the 2009 Vienna Off road Winterchamps set to take place from the 13th to 15th of February in the Austrian captial. Hosted by RC-CarpetFun, it will be run indoors on carpet at the Arena Nova Halle 4 (Fun) and is open to buggy 2wd, buggy 4wd, Truck (Monster) and 1/18 Open and LiPo’s are allowed in all classes.

For more information visit the event site here.

December 10, 2008

Cavalieri & Denney Victorious at SIGP

Hosted by Competition Hobbies in Tucson, AZ the 6th Annual Southwest Indoor Championship gathered racers from across the Southwest for a fun weekend of racing at arguably the best indoor offroad facility in the World. Qualifying saw Team Orion driver Ryan Cavalieri take his Factory Team B4 & B44 to the TQ position in all 4 rounds of both classes giving him the clean sweep of qualifying in both the 2wd Modified and 4wd Modified classes. Picking up where he left off in qualifying, Cavalieri drove away from the field in the 4wd class to win A1 and A2 convincingly and thus sitting out A3 where Associated Team Manager Brent Thielke was able to edge out fellow teammate Frank Root for the victory. In the 2wd class Cavalieri looked to be on the same hard charge, however a few tangles with lappers allowed Root to close and eventually take the lead and victory of A2. In A3, Cavalieri checked out from the field to claim the overall title, adding to his earlier 4wd title. In the 2wd 10.5 class, Team Associated driver Tanner Denney took the lead from TQ Danny Stojakovic and never looked back to take the overall victory.

Source: Associated [rc10.com]

December 9, 2008

R/C Racers wanted for reality show

We were contacted by the people behind R/C Wars, an ‘extreme R/C Competition Series’ for the Cartoon Network. If you consider yourself a bit of a legend at the controls of a RC car, and are aged between 12 and 18, then you could find yourself on the show. They are currently casting for teenagers to compete against each other for a new reality competition series and are holding an open casting call in Southern California this Saturday at Hot Rod Hobbies in Santa Clarita. Please e-mail the address in the flyer for definite information.

More information can be found by reading the flyer here.

December 9, 2008

Hagberg dominates Friendship Race

The annual Friendship Race which takes place in Eskilstuna, Sweden is known to be the biggest and most competitive TC race in the country. This years edition saw a rather low turnout compared to earlier years but a few of the Swedish top racers were there fighting for the prestigious title. Among these were Xray factory driver Alexander Hagberg, local fast guy and Swedish 1:10 GP champion, Magnus Vässmar, SSIC Champion Niclas Nilsson, worlds semi-finalist Roland Ström among others. It was Alexander Hagberg who dominated the race throughout qualifying, taking maximum points to secure the overall TQ position. In second was Magnus in front of Niclas and Hot Bodies driver Tommy Bergfeldt on the 4th spot. The finals never really got exciting since Alexander made no mistakes and could pull away to take the win in the first two finals. In the third a-main Alexander was challenged by Magnus for the opening laps but this came to an end rather quickly as Magnus made a mistake coming through the very narrow chicane. In the end it was Magnus who finished 2nd and Niclas on 3rd overall.

Thanks to Alexander Hagberg for the report.

December 9, 2008

Truhe & Drake victorious at Toys for Tots

We already mentioned the Toys for Tots race at Thunder Alley last weekend, but thanks to Adam Drake we have further details on the other classes run at this charity race. In the 1/8th Pro Buggy it was Losi driver Mike Truhe all the way, having TQ’d the class he went on to win from Jared Tebo who placed 2nd. In the 1/8th Electric buggy, a class making its debut at this event, it was Losi 8ight E 2.0 driver Kevin Gahan that took the top spot in qualifying but in the race it was Adam Drake that took the victory with his Xcelorin powered Losi. In the Intermediate buggy, Eddie Laret TQ’d and won the class, with fellow Losi driver Robert Wickham taking top honours in Intermediate truggy.

December 9, 2008

Lemke is Monstertour series Champion

Kyosho have been in touch to tell us that their German team driver Frank Lemke has recently won the 2008 Monstertour.info event series. Winning multiple tour stops and podium places with his Team Orion CRF engine powered Inferno ST-RR gave Frank the ability to win the overall ranking in this years series. After the tour series wins in 2006 and 2007, this years success brings both parties their third consecutive title in the Truggy class of the Monstertour.info series.

Source: Kyosho [kyosho.de]

December 8, 2008

Tebo wins Toys for Tots truggy class

Jared Tebo, in his first race since returning to Kyosho, TQ’ed and captured top honors in the truck class with his Team Orion-powered ST-RR. The Toys for Tots benefit race at Thunder Alley RC Raceway is a one-day event intended to raise funds and collect toys to benefit less fortunate children. Tebo got off to a rough start, catching a rut and flipping over in the first turn, moving him back to last place on the first lap but he quickly worked his way back through traffic and was able to regain the lead within just a few minutes. Although there were a couple close challenges for the lead during the crossover of pit stops, Tebo cruised to a comfortable win nearly half a lap ahead of 2nd place. In the buggy class, Tebo, who started from third, made his way to the lead and was able to hold it for most of the shortened 15 minute main. A slight mistake at the end of the run allowed Truhe to pass with little time to regain the lead. Tebo held on to second place over the hard charging Cody King, who finished 3rd.

Source: Kyosho [kyoshoamerica.com]

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