Red RC » P Off Road

March 9, 2024

Phi-Long Nguyen TQ at FEMCA Championship

Kyosho’s Phi-Long Nguyen is the Top Qualifier at the 2024 FEMCA 1:8 Nitro Offroad Championship which is taking place at the L.A Track in Vietnam. The federation race crowns the Champion of Asia with this year attracting an impressive entry of more 110 drivers from across the largest continent in the World. Counting Atsushi Hara and Kyle McBride amount its past champions and this year it appears to be a battle of the future stars of the sport in qualifying. Over the six rounds 12-year-old Nguyen topped four qualifiers to secure the overall TQ with 17-year-old Australian Christian Wolhuter getting P2 after topping Q2 & Q3 with his Sworkz. Completing the Top 3 for qualifying would be new Team Associated signing Hyunkyu Jung, the Korean teenager having finished runner-up at last year’s championship in Taiwan. With reigning FEMCA Champion Jeff Wang not present in Vietnam the race will decide a brand new champion.

Image: Martin Wolhuter

March 8, 2024

Xray XB8‘24

Xray has released its latest 1:8 Nitro Buggy with the 2024 iteration of its popular XB8 platform. The Slovakian manufacturer introduced the first XB8 in 2004, and two decades later the main new feature of the buggy is an all-new shorter chassis with specially milled flex areas significantly improves traction on all surfaces. The chassis is an important component that affects the XB8’s handling characteristics. The chassis’ dimensions and flex characteristics are selected for the best blend of stability, traction, and steering. It also fits both Soft and Hard composite radio boxes without chassis modification for additional flex tuning choices. The chassis is CNC-machined from high-quality 3mm Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium. This is strategically machined in low-stress areas and then anodised to make it as light as possible without affecting strength or rigidity. Also new is the Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium rear shock tower which increases stability on all surfaces while improving strength & reliability. The front & rear shock towers are CNC-machined from 4mm aluminium and feature an additional row of shock absorber positions for super fine shock angle adjustments. The lower row creates less chassis roll for higher corner speed, while the upper row increases roll to help generate additional traction when needed.

View the full XB8’24 presentation here

March 8, 2024

T-works MBX8R fuel tank guard

New from T-Works and intended for the Mugen MBX8/MBX8R 1:8 nitro buggy is a new version of their carbon fibre fuel tank guard. Tailor-made to fit the fuel tank, the guard provides added protection against heat, debris and more. The guard is cut from high-quality carbon fibre and it comes including mounting hardware.

View guard fitted here

March 7, 2024

Introducing the ‘Michal Orlowski Column’

We have had the pleasure of following his career from his early days of racing a Tamiya TT02 and all the way through to being in Florida last December to finally witness him become a World Champion. Last year on the way to the 1:10 Offroad World Championships in Arizona, we both endured a lengthy 4-hour delay to our connecting flight in Washington and it was during that conversation and the sharing of many stories that the idea was born for a regular column from one of the most travelled racers in the business. To be honest, not expecting a great reaction to asking any driver to commit to writing regularly about their racing adventures both and off the track, we got Chris Ashton of his main sponsor Schumacher to ask the question, and, he jumped at the opportunity. So with out further a do we’ll hand you over to the newest member of the Red RC editorial team (well so sort). Michal Orlowski take it away……

Click here to read Michal first of hopefully many columns

March 7, 2024

TMG Speed B7 0-4 degree C Block

New from British manufacturer TMG Speed is this 0-4 degree C Block for the Team Associated B7 2WD Buggy. With the kit coming with a 1-5 degree C Block, this option is designed to give the car a range of 0 and up to 4 degree toe in. The machine aluminium block is anodised in AE blue and has also been strengthened on the side walls for extra durability.

Source: TMG Speed [tmgspeeduk.com]

March 6, 2024

O.S. Engines MAX-B21 1:8 Offroad/GT engine

Japanese engine manufacturer O.S. has introduce their new MAX-B21 which is intended for 1:8 Offroad 1:8 GT Onroad use. The MAX-B21 is easy to use from entry-level users to sports users and has excellent cost performance. Based on the O.S.SPEED series engine, it has a well-balanced combination of smooth speed and power delivery that can be used in both onroad and offroad racing situations.  The engine head is based on MAX-21XR-B VER.3, it has been reduced weight for better performance and finish in O.S.’s trademark blue colour. Also the shape of the combustion chamber of the inner head has been revised to improve combustion efficiency and response in the low speed range.  In addition has improved stable idling and an easy to adjust carburetor.

View specs & images here

March 5, 2024

JConcepts fluid holding station

JConcepts has released a fluid holding station capable of storing up to 8 different types of pit essentials. Together with RM2 they already offer a large assortment of glue, grease, and oil, which are all build and maintenance items. So, to up the ante on the road or at home, JConcepts have created an item to neatly organise these items to work with containers and bottles in the their line-up. The all-silicon rubber part is precision molded uniquely shaped and designed specifically for the items it holds. The bleacher style design steps each item up to maximize space and exposure while the tallest items in the rear used frequently are easy to gather quickly. Available in 3 colors, brilliant blue, stealth black, or cool gray, the holding station has a multitude of colours to choose from to match pit area or surroundings. Smallest compartments are placed at the front for clear diff lube, gold grease, and red O-ring grease. The middle row is reserved for the larger containers, heavy metal grease and ghost gear grease. The final row places JConcepts medium glue, bronze bearing oil, and finally thread lock.

View station empty here

March 5, 2024

JConcepts 48p ‘Silent Speed’ machined alu pinion gear

JConcepts has introduced their Silent Speed pinion gears for 48 pitch racing performance applications. The heart of any RC vehicle is the transmission, at the top of the transmission lies the spur gear. Pinion gears or straight-cut gears are some of the simplest forms of gears; however they directly influence the ratio, speed and sound of RC vehicles and they are extremely important. These gears when meshed together correctly provide the transfer of power from the motor to the transmission and are one of the key elements in the versatility and sound of the vehicle. The gear includes a durable 3mm set screw which uses a 1.5mm hex wrench. Silent Speed pinion gears precision machined in aluminium and are very concentric giving the user a consistent gear mesh allowing a more precise adjustment and more “silence” on the race track. The detailed machining and laser engraving provide a great option to have in the pinion caddy when appearing at any event. The gears are marked for size and pitch so they are identifiable on or off the vehicle. Silent Speed pinion gears are also branded with the small JC logo for brand identification and authenticity with the range running from 18T to 38T.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]