February 10, 2024

Lutz TQ at Asian Buggy Championships opener

Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz is the Top Qualifier at the opening round of the Asian Buggy Championships in New Zealand.  The first international 1:8 Offroad event to be held in the country,  the American secured the overall TQ in nitro buggy in dominant fashion his Alpha engined MP10 topping all four rounds of qualifying at the Counties RC in Auckland.  The first of the four rounds on the extended 2024 ABC calendar, with stops in the Philippines, Australia and Indonesia making up the rest of the ambitious championship, Lutz’s main challenge was to come from Aussie pairing Caleb Noble and Kyle McBride.  Driving his Tekno, Noble posted three P2 runs two of which were just a second off the TQ pace.  Returning to his first international since the World Championship in Spain in 2022, McBride took his Kyosho to a P2 run in the final qualifier.  Heading the local charge was Jayden Jamieson, the New Zealander taking his Xray fourth at the end of qualifying ahead of fellow Kiwi Logan Toia.  In eBuggy it was also Lutz who secured the TQ while in Nitro Truggy it was Jamieson top came out on top.

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]


February 8, 2024

Associated confirm Haatanen for MIBO International

Team Associated has confirmed they will be represented at the upcoming MIBO International Race in the Czech Republic with the news that Joona Haatanen will make his debut at the second edition of the event.  The Finnish driver is the first team driver from the iconic offroad manufacturer to attend MIBO International and is the latest addition to what is turning into a very competitive field for the offroad side of the unique double track build.  A long time Team Associated supported driver, Haatanen had been absent from racing due to serving Finland’s mandatory military service but came back in impressive style with a strong showing at the recent EOS rounds.  Running from February 16-18, the event will see Haatanen fly the Associated flag against official team entries from Schumacher, Sworkz and Xray.  Having covered last year’s inaugural MIBO International, Red RC is looking forward to covering what is set to be much more intense offroad battle for top honours in Hrotovice.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]


February 8, 2024

Hudy Titanium Pivot Balls

Best known for their tools and set-up equipment, Hudy has released a 5mm spacing/4.9mm diameter titanium pivot ball set.  Coming as a set of two 3mm hex pivot balls, the in-house produced super lightweight ultra-precision pivot ball is hand ground for high durability and long life. While universal it also fits the front upper arms of its sister company Xray’s XB4 1:10 4WD Buggy.

Source: Hudy [hudy.net]


February 7, 2024

Miedema joins Fenix Racing

Specialist 1:10 Formula 1 racer Jitse Miedema has joined Italian manufacturer Fenix Racing for 2024 on a multi year deal.  The ETS Winner, World Cup finalist, European Championship finalist and Dutch Champion joins Giorgio Favaretto’s passionate F1 RC brand after a long stint with Infinity having played a key role in the development of the Japanese company’s IF11 Formula 1 chassis.  Commenting on his new deal, the personable Dutch driver said, ‘Very happy to now be part of Fenix Racing.  Also I’m still very grateful for everything Infinity has done for me.  Time for a new chapter!!’  Miedema’s first big outing with his new car will be the International Dutch F1 Masters in March of which he is the defending Champion.

Source: Fenix Racing [fenix-racing.com]


February 7, 2024

Schumacher bolster MIBO entry with Kobbevik & livonen

Schumacher Racing has bolstered its entry for the upcoming MIBO International Race in the Czech Republic with the news Daniel Kobbevik and Pekko Iivonen will join Michal Orlowski at the second edition of the event on February 16-18th.  Having the British manufacturer previously confirming Orlowski would be taking on the event’s unique double track build, racing for both the onroad and offroad titles, he will be joined by Kobbevik in offroad and Iivonen in Touring Car.  A multiple Norwegian National Champion and former European Championship Top Qualifier, Kobbevik will be in the mix for Schumacher against strong opposition led by Sworkz’ Joern Neumann.  The 2023 Finnish Modified Touring Car National Champion, Iivonen has had a strong start to the 2024 season making the A-Main at the recent ETS Daun and he will be hoping to build on that as he goes up against the likes of Orlowski, Mugen Seiki’s Ronald Volker and Yokomo’s Christophet Krapp at the Sports V Hotel venue in Hrotovice.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]


February 7, 2024

Hobbywing announce Kittipong & Cheng

Hobbywing has announced two prominent Asian driver signings with reigning FEMCA Champion Kittipong Ruangchuamuan and eSIC Open Brushless Champion Ethan Cheng now officially representing the Chinese ESC and motor manufacturer.  Thai driver Kittipong was crowned FEMCA Modified Touring Car Champion at the end of November at Huge RC in Bangkok where he beat Yokomo’s Nicolas Lee and Xpress’ Yugo Nagashima.  From Singapore and a team driver with Yokomo, last September Cheng won Stock at the inaugural eSIC (Electric Singapore International Challenge) race held at the RCMC race track in Singapore as well as making the internationally load Modified A-main at the event.  Cheng was also an A-Main finalist in Modified at the inaugural Foshan Invitational RC Championship in China in December which was won by former World Champion Ronald Volker. As part of the same announcement Hobbywing also added Thai driver Atthakoon to its 2024 team.

Source: Hobbywing [hobbywing.com]


February 5, 2024

British GT12 Nationals RD5 Stafford – Report

The fifth and final round of the British GT12 National Championship took place at Stafford RCMCC on the 28th January 2024.  A fantastic turnout with 50 GT12 and 6 minis in support.  Despite the championship already being decided it was all to race for as some spots were still up for grabs. The day consisted of the usual format with 1 practice, 4 qualifying and 1 final for all racers.  Round one kicked off on a cold track, with Ewan Thompson taking the early advantage, recording the only 27 lap run in the first round.  Although Sam Coult and Alex Robertson were in hot pursuit.  On to round two and the top three were shuffled around with Sam Coult moving into P1, Alex into P2 and Ewan into P3 with only these three drivers hitting 27 laps.

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February 5, 2024

Lia takes 1:12 title at Snowbird Nationals

Donny Lia has won the 1:12 title at this year’s Snowbird Nationals in Florida, the Awesomatix driver taking the win ahead of Schumacher’s Ollie Payne and Xray’s Alexander Hagberg.  Finishing on the podium last year when Marc Rheinard took the win ahead of Hagberg, Lia would qualify third for this year’s event as Bruno Coelho took the TQ from former 1:12 World Champion Hagberg.  With a single 8-minute final to decide the 30th running of the world famous event, by lap 4 Lia was in front where he would stay til the finish having built up a 2.4-second advantage over second place which went to Payne, the British driver having started P4.  While Hagberg completed the podium, Coelho ended up P5 behind Keven Herbert who would become this year’s Snowbirds Mod Touring Car Champion.  The organiser of the annual MonTech NYGP in at 360V2 in New York, Lia’s win continues Awesomatix’ multiple year run of 1:12 titles at the Snowbird Nationals.

Source: Donny Lia [Facebook]


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