Red RC » Racing

November 8, 2025

SIGP Day 2 qualifying opens with another Kato TQ run

Day 2 of qualifying at the SIGP in China has opened with Infinity’s Kouki Kato laying down another TQ run, the Japanese driver carrying the form that saw him top seeding and Q1 yesterday into another very hot day in Xiamen. Managing to better his Q1 time by 3.5 seconds, Kato would lead an Infinity 1-2 as Bruno Coelho set the second fastest time 2.5-seconds adrift of his team-mate. Having opened qualifying with a P2 yesterday evening, David Ronnefalk looked to be close to challenging Kato this morning but on his fuel stop in lap his edgy looking Xray crashed and needing to be marshalled he lost over 7-seconds to drop back to record the third fastest time. After his P4 in Q1, round 2 would end up being a throw away for Pekko Iivonen, the Mayako driver entering the pits with caution after yesterday’s timing issues but finding a new bump that caused him to crash which he then followed up with a far more spectacular crash exiting the pits. This allowed Indonesian Infinity driver Jason Nugroho to record the fourth fastest time ahead of Team Associated’s young Korean talent Jung Hyunkyu with Mr. Mayako Joseph Quagraine completing the Top 6.

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November 7, 2025

Kato takes SIGP Q1 ahead of Ronnefalk & Coelho

Infinity’s Kouki Kato has opened qualifying at the Sunpadow International Grand Prix with a TQ run, the top seed fastest over the 8-minute heat ahead of Xray’s David Ronnefalk and Infinity’s Bruno Coelho. While Kato TQ run was never in doubt there would be some issues with timing in the top heat as a result of the qualifiers being extended from the traditional 5-minutes to 8-minutes. With drivers forced to stop for fuel in the qualifier, a number of drivers would not have their laps counted as the came in to pit lane, Coelho, David Ronnefalk, and Jason Nugroho all effected by a problem with the loop under the paved pit lane entry. While there was some deliberations following the completion of qualifying with buggies being push back & forth over the loop on the main straight and in pit lane, it was finally decided to credit drivers with the missed laps meaning Ronnefalk got his second 3.162 seconds off Kato’s pace with Coelho joining them on 15-lap runs a further 1-second back. Showing P2 on the timing screen’s at the end of the run, Mayako’s Pekko Iivonen would end up 4th after the corrections with Adrian Wicaksono from Indonesia completing the Top 5.

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November 7, 2025

Kato tops seeding at SIGP in China

Japan’s Kouki Kato is the top seed at the SIGP Offroad Race in Xiamen, the Infinity team having the early advantage in China on the challenging 3-Circles track as team-mate Bruno Coelho managed to set the second fastest 3-consecutive laps. Over the two rounds of controlled practice Kato would set his best time in CP1 while Coelho would top the second round improving on his earlier time but unable to better that of Kato. Fresh from his double win last weekend at the new Hongyu GDC track in Guangzhou, Xray’s David Ronnefalk completed the Top 3 with his opening effort. Building his confidence on the bumpy track, Korean youngster Jung Hyunkyu took his Team Associated to the fourth fastest time ahead of Mayako pairing Pekko Iivonen and Joesph Quagraine.

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November 7, 2025

Hongyu GDC to add permanent indoor carpet track

Having had the opportunity to inspect in person the very impressive new Hongyu GDC earlier this week on our way to cover this weekend’s SIGP Offroad race in Xiamen, the World Class facility has announced plans to add a permanent indoor carpet carpet track. Originally consisting of an outdoor asphalt track, a covered dirt offroad track (which hosted its opening race last weekend), and a covered asphalt track, it is the latter that will be redeveloped as the new indoor carpet track. The host venue for next year’s 2026 IFMAR 1:12 & ISTC World Championships, with 1:12 requiring to be run on carpet in a climate controlled area, Hongyu GDC has decided to create a more permanent track that meets these requirements and which can host future electric onroad race offering a replacement for the old GDC indoor track. With new transparent material sides (not glass) enclosing the original structure, based on the attention to detail in the rest of the facility, they will then lay and finish the carpet track to cover all the needs electric onroad racers would have. With the track work beginning imminently, the new track will open with the hosting of the 1:12 Asian Championships on December 4-7th, these followed the next weekend by the Asia Touring Car Championships. With no official Worlds Warm-up Race, the Asian Championships will be an opportunity for racers to test at the new carpet facility before the Worlds at the the end of March. As part of the new carpet track build Hongyu GDC has a number of billboards available to manufacturers. Registration for the 1:12 Asia Championships can be made here for Stock & here for Modified.

View more track renders here

November 5, 2025

ProjectRC MRX7 Dynamic Battery Stand

Italian F.V.S.S own brand ProjectRC has released renders of its Dynamic Battery Stand for the brand-new Mugen Seiki MRX7. A car that has been designed with a remarkably low overall weight, it opens up new possibilities for fine-tuning and customisation. To meet this demand, ProjectRC has developed the Dynamic Battery Stand, engineered not only to help achieve the desired car weight but also to provide an additional tuning tool for serious racers. The Dynamic Battery Stand is made from precision-milled carbon fiber and features five modular slots that can hold inserts made from different materials. This innovative system allows drivers to bring the car up to the ideal weight and adjust weight distribution toward the front or rear for fine balance tuning. It also allows you maintain perfect left-to-right symmetry. Available insert materials in the first batch will include Carbon Fibre Insert (1 g per insert), Brass Insert (9 g per insert) and Tungsten Insert (19 g per insert). The result is a flexible, precise, and customisable system that lets every driver tailor their MRX7’s balance to track conditions and driving style.

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November 5, 2025

Sofia and Vezzetti crowned Brazilian TC Champions

Last weekend marked the 2025 Brazilian Electric Touring Car Indoor Championships at the All Racing Arena in São Paulo where Victor Sofia and defending Champion Eduardo Vezzetti took the titles. Featuring 3 classes, 32 drivers and several new updates compared to last year, it was the first event on this track with the implementation of controlled tire additive and maintenance in Parc Fermé, ensuring equal conditions for all participants. Additionally, the Masters category (45+) made its debut in the region. In Pro Stock 10.5T, Victor Sofia (Awesomatix) secured both TQ and the Championship title in a grid filled with national champions. Sofia achieved the win in heat 4/5, after mechanical issues in heat 3/5. Without a doubt, Victor’s driving performance was one of the highlights of the event.

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November 5, 2025

Excelerate announce Payne joins team

While widely expected, American manufacturer Excelerate RC has confirmed that top international 1:12 racer Ollie Payne has joined its team. Having raced the 2025 season with CRC, the British driver announced at the beginning of this week that he would no longer race for Frank Calandra’s brand. With fellow British racer William Morgan, winner of 1:12 Stock at the recent Montech NYGP, also making the switch from CRC to Excelerate, the company a partnership between Ken Lupi and veteran racer & car designer Josh Cyrul, on making the announcement they posted, ‘eXcelerate RC is proud to announce the signing of Ollie Payne and Morgan Williams of the United Kingdom. Ollie is fresh off a win with his Prodigy 12 in the 1/12th Modified class at the Masters of Foam recently held in Belgium and Morgan finished P4 in 13.5 with his Prodigy 12. Ollie and Morgan have both proven to be world class drivers in both the United States and Europe. We are excited to have Ollie and Morgan on board to continue the growth of their racing program and eXcelerate RC.’

Source: Exceleraterc [exceleraterc.com]

November 3, 2025

Roche DTY-12S Purple Anodised Ball Differential Set

Roche has released this Purple Anodised Ball Differential Set for the Destiny DTY-12S 1:12 chassis. Suitable for medium and low traction track, it features a lightweight carbon axle assembled with purple anodised D-Ring holder and aluminium screw, purple anodised differential hub, thrust cone and lightweight aluminium M4 lock nut. The set is completed with 16 pieces high grade 1/8” steel balls and D-ring. Also new for the DTY-12S is a wave shape flexible front brace which provided smooth steering response, easier to drive. It is best suited for medium and low traction surface.

View front brace here