February 10, 2007

Zack Barry wins 1/18th Race of Champions

Zack Barry

In the warmup race for the 1/18th scale off road Race of Champions held at RC Madness in Enfield, Conneticut in the end of January, Zack Barry dominated the event driving an Xray M18. Zack had troubles in qualifying but managed to pull it together and take the pole in both classes and then went on to win in both classes too.

Zack entered in two different classes, running his Xray M18T in 4wd truck class , and his M18MT in the mini-monster class. In the first round of qualifying he had a rough time , not completing either race. In the second round ,he came back and set the TQ in both classes , and had the only 20 lap run of the entire event [in any class] with his M18T. Zack went on to take home the first place trophies in both classes.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

February 10, 2007

Australian National Offroad Champs – Saturday

Australian National Offroad Champs

Once again our partners Rubedude have an update from the Australian National Offroad Champs from Shepparton, Victoria. With all qualifying done and the lower finals complete and no major surprises have been reported with the fast guys from yesterday still quick today, despite the wind picking up.

Check out the full results and final placings from the event here.

Source: Rube Dude [rubeduderc.com]

February 10, 2007

2007 Snowbird Nationals – Qualifying

Snowbird Nationals

As everyone in RC already knows, the planets biggest RC race is taking place this week in Orlando Florida, the 13th Annual Snowbird Nationals. We have already covered some news from the event but until now haven’t covered the happenings at the track itself. Our site sponsors, The Border, are present at the track to support their team driver Jilles Groskamp, who is 2nd in Pro Mod qualifying after 3 rounds, before heading on to next weeks Winternats in Ft Myers and they have sent us some images.

In the image above you can see the new Serpent electric touring car, as driven in foam class by designer Rene Cornella, who while having troubles adapting to his first electric event is improving the cars set up, whilst Rafael Angula, who is running rubber, is just outside the top ten in both 19t and Stock. At the head of the field after 3 rounds it is Barry Baker driving for Xray that tops Pro Mod followed by Jilles and Paul LeMieux both also for Xray whilst in 19T it is LeMieux for Xray thats in front ahead of Japanese HB racer Atsushi Hara with Juho Levanen with the new Associated TC5 in 3rd.

Check out the results, and a lot more pictures here… content

February 9, 2007

Australian National Offroad Champs – Qualifying

Australian gas off road Nats

Our partner site RubeDude have a report from todays first rounds of qualfying for the Australian National Offroad Champs held in Shepparton, Victoria. After another scorching day at the track it is Matt Griffin who is heading the standings in the buggy class with only 1 round of qualifying left to do, with Ari Bakla in second with his TM M1B and not much further behind are Martin Wolhuter and Craig Laughton in 3rd and 4th driving a Hong Nor and Hot Bodies respectively. In the truggy class, Martin Wolhuter has a slender margin ahead of Justin Millan and Logan Bruecher whilst in the Stadium trucks Craig Laughton tops the leader board from Ron Maya and Zac Ryan.

Read the full report from todays, and also yesterdays, action here.

Source: Rube Dude [rubeduderc.com]

February 7, 2007

Videos from the 2006/07 Carpet Wars now online

[youtube]vjzT4rk7dRs[/youtube]

We’ve been covering the Carpet Wars through the reports posted on the sites of Helger Racing and CML distribution and it looks like a great, and very popular, indoor Winter Series. Well now thanks to RC Tech member Skiddins, who was at the event with his video camera, we can now watch some of the action from the 4th round of the Championship. The video above is off the first final in the modified class and features World Champion Andy Moore.

You can view all the videos on YouTube here.

Source: RC Tech [rctech.net]

February 7, 2007

Kyosho and Sirio partnership close to an end?

Kyosho and Sirio

We have been hearing this rumour for a while now and from a number of sources, the fact that the partnership between Kyosho and Star Motor Engineering, makers of Sirio, was strained and may even be coming to an end. Things started to be mentioned when World Champion Lamberto Collari didnt renew his contract with the Italian engine manufacturer and jumped ship to Novarossi, followed relatively closely by fellow World Champion Adrien Bertin who left his job at Sirio and moved to Team Orion in Switzerland. Rumour has it that Francesco Tironi, a Collari protegé, has also left his position in the company but this hasnt been confirmed as yet. All the previously mentioned racers are heavily backed by Japanese manufacturer Kyosho and seems like too much of a coincidence to be not related to their engine and car sponsors relationship going sour.

Now i dont pretend to know why this could be happening but the shift could see Team Orion and their range of CRF Wasp motors taking over the supply of motors to the Japanese teams drivers with Bertin and fellow Kyosho team driver Josh Cyrul already running these motors and the unannounced news that another top European Kyosho racer, that we havent mentioned, will also jump from Sirio to Team Orion in the coming weeks. We will watch and see how this unfolds and update you when we hear more.

February 7, 2007

Ray Woods Worlds coverage from Indonesia now available

Ray Woods Worlds DVD

So Ray Woods dropped us a mail last night telling us that his new DVD covering the 1/8th Buggy World Championships from Jakarta Indonesia was now available. Ray does extensive coverage of this race including background news, interviews with the top drivers and of course multi camera race action.

The Official DVD of the 2006 GP Off Road World’s from Jakarta is OUT NOW. (Part# RWP038) Many racers there said this was THE BEST World’s ever run, wait to see the professional marshals, talk about dedicated! Oh, the racing? What an incredible battle with drama aplenty. You’ve heard about it, now see what really happened with 6 cameras to catch all the dirt kicking action.

You can check out a preview here and buy the DVD here.

February 7, 2007

Masao Tanaka signs to Motonica for 2007

Masao Tanaka signs to Motonica

Top Japanese racer and multiple World championship podium finisher, Masao Tanaka has been confirmed to race for Motonica for the 2007 season. Tanaka had previously tested the Motonica prior to last years 1/8th Nationals, but decided for the Mugen as he didn’t have time to learn the car, but obviously he liked the car enough to decide to race with it for the 2007 season. Tanaka has been out of a sponsored drive since Ninja motors were pushed upon Mugen team drivers last year which forced Tanaka to make a decision between staying with Mugen or with Kawahara where he works, who just happen to be the Novarossi importers for Japan, he chose to stay in employment. Whats also interesting is the close relationship now between Motonica and Novarossi, with suggestions that they are both pushing to build an all Italian dream team which could possibly include 7 time World Champion Lamberto Collari.

Image: Eco Model [ecomodel.it]

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