Coming from 110% Racing is the carbon fibre shock pod. Based on the original design the carbon fibre version is even lighter than before and has a wider footprint, making it more stable for a more secure stand on the pit table. It accommodates both 1/10th and 1/8th scale shocks and it is quick and easy to assemble and disassemble for storage.
Team Losi Racing have introduced an aluminium servo tray for the 5ive-B large scale gas buggy. Machined from aluminium and coming hard-anodised for wear, the servo mount offers improved rigidity while allowing to run a dual steering servo setup for optimised steering control. Included with the tray comes suitable mounting hardware.
Source: TLR [tlracing.com]
Multiple ROAR National Champion Adam Drake has announced that he will no longer be running Novarossi engines. Having joined the Italian manufacturer back in early 2009, the partnership was formidable with multiple US titles and countless other wins but as it seems with a lot of long standing sponsorship deals recently, all good things come to an end. Adam posted this message on Facebook:
As 2016 comes to an end, so does my time with Novarossi. It’s been an amazing run and I’m very grateful for the support and relationships I’ve built with everyone at Novarossi and Novarossi Direct. I wish the best for everyone at Novarossi. Looking forward to an exciting new path in 2017! A new year reveals new possibilities!
Mugen Seiki Europe have announced the signing of Spain’s Juan Carlos Canas to their international factory team. The 2016 1/8th Buggy Euro B winner and Euro A finalist already campaigned Mugen vehicles and he will now get full factory support for his national and international races and in the build-up to the 2018 World Championships in Australia.
Source: Mugen Seiki [mugen.eu]
Long-time Kyosho factory driver and 2010 1/8th Off-road World Champion, Cody King, has announced his departure from the Japanese manufacturer. The news comes only days after Cody issued a first, slightly cryptic, statement about his future at Kyosho on social media and now things have clarified, ending doubts whether a change is ahead or not. Cody has yet to announce a new chassis sponsor deal but in the meantime he has the following to say:
Wow, where do I begin? The decision is final now, I won’t return to Kyosho for the 2017 season after all. Our relationship was very long, 14 years to be exact. It was a great ride, and we went a long way. From begging John Stokes and Alex Kong at Great Planes for support back in the day, to watching the creation of Kyosho America near my house in Southern California, to meeting Joel Johnson and Steve Pond at that time, as well as all the Kyosho America staff. Then going all the way to the Worlds and winning the race. What great memories. Then having my car and paint scheme on the Inferno box for many years, that is something that I never could have dreamed would happen. I want to thank Aki Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Sasai, and Mitsuo Yoshimaru at Kyosho Japan. Mr. Sasai was very supportive and really believed in me. I’m very grateful for that. Also Futoshi Ishihara and Steve Pond at Kyosho America, thank you very much for all the years of support. It has been an absolute great ride and great experience. They say the only thing constant in the universe is change. Indeed it’s true. On to the next chapter…
Tekno RC have announced the addition of Italy’s Alex Zanchettin to their factory team. Alex’s experience and talent will be a great asset to Tekno’s expanding European team as well as Tekno RC racers in the EU region. His first race will be the Italian Job at IBR Padova, Italy this coming weekend and the former TLR driver had the following to say about the deal:
I would like to thank Daniel Lewis, Ilias Arkoudaris and all Team Tekno for giving me the opportunity to join the team. I’m very excited to get started with all of the new products, and I’m sure we will have many successful years together. I already feel very welcome in the team and I’m looking forward to working with everybody. See you all at the track!
Source: Tekno RC [teknorc.com]
The inaugural Ruddog Winter Race will take place at the RC-Indoor-Arena track in Köstendorf near Salzburg, Austria on the 29th of January. The 1-day fun event will see 2WD Modified, 2WD 13.5T blinky and 4WD Modified buggy classes and the weekend kicks off with free practice on Friday and Saturday. More information about the race can be found here while registration is available here.
Former IFMAR 1/8th Nitro Buggy World Champion and record National Champion, Robert Batlle has announced another new sponsor for this season with AKA being his official tyre supplier. The Spaniard’s first race for the US company will be this weekend’s The Italian Job Race in Padova, Italy and he has the following to say about the deal:
On the way to Padova for the first race of the year… is the moment to announce that AKA will be our tyres supplier for the next two seasons! I would like to thank Mark Pavidis, Joel Johnson and Bernard Duran to believe in me and my team, the season is going to start, stay tuned!
