Red RC » P Off Road

July 8, 2015

Batlle quickest in first timed practice

As proceedings at the 1:8 Offroad European Championships got official it was Robert Batlle who would set the pace in first timed practice in Italy. The Mugen driver topped the first of the two rounds that will be used to seed the heats for qualifying, with a three consecutive lap time of 1:54.128. Behind the 2011 Champion it was newly crowned European B Champion Riccardo Berton who was second fastest with a time of 1:55.068 with 3-time champion Renaud Savoya third quickest. For defending champion David Ronnefalk, who set the fastest lap time in free practice yesterday, it was not a good first round as he failed to get in three clean laps and was classified 62nd.

Continue reading this report here or view our full event coverage here.

July 8, 2015

Xray XB8 4.0mm graphite shock towers

New from Xray and made for the XB8 1/8th off-road buggy are 4mm carbon fibre shock towers. Offering a sturdy yet lightweight design the parts will improve traction on low-grip surfaces while the standard aluminium towers are best suited for high-grip tracks. Available separately for the front and the rear of the buggy the shock towers offer multiple upper shock mounting and camber link positions.

Click here to view the rear shock tower

July 8, 2015

GForce Catapult high-performance LiPo batteries

Japanese company GForce have introduced the Catapult high-performance line of LiPo hardcase battery packs. Available as 70C 5800mAh and 5200mAh and also as lightweight 60C 4200mAh and 3300mAh batteries all use high-quality and very durable cells for reliable performance over a long time. The hardcase packs utilise 4mm bullet type power and 2mm balancer connectors and they come including a pre-wired balance harness.

Click here to view the other new batteries

July 7, 2015

Ronnefalk tops opening day at Euros

David Ronnefalk has opened his title defence in the best possible way as he topped the times on the very hot & humid opening day of the 1:8 Offroad European Championships in Sacile, Italy. Chasing a third consecutive European title, the 2015 HB/HPI Racing signing recorded a fastest lap time of 38.138 around the Ongaroring track in the days fourth and final round of practice. A day that saw the track improve over the day but still a bit off the traction levels experienced at the Warm-up Race back in May, it was 2012 World Champion Robert Batlle who would end up second fastest just 0.021 slower. Behind them Italian National Champion Alex Zanchettin would complete the Top 3 just ahead of the last European Champion before Ronnefalk Darren Bloomfield. With most drivers using Day 1 of the 35th running of the championships to bed themselves in and wait for the track to come in, Warm-up Race winner Elliott Boots would post the seventh fastest time sandwiched between former champions Yannick Aigoin and Renaud Savoya.

Continue reading this report here or view our full event coverage here.

July 7, 2015

AKA 1/8th long wear compounds

AKA have announced the release of two new long wear compounds, especially designed for today’s demanding high-grip, high-speed, and abrasive tracks. The new compounds are available in a familiar “Soft” and “Medium” hardness and yield up to 50 percent longer tread life than standard compounds. They are available in most 1/8th buggy tread patterns.

Source: AKA [raceaka.com]

July 7, 2015

Thrasyvoulou wins at Start Nitro Buggy Champs Rd4

The fourth round of the Star 1:8 Nitro Buggy Championship was held at the AG Metal Off Road Track in Limassol, Cyprus. The weather was pretty hot with high humidity and that made many drivers staying away from the track in favour of a day at the beach. Nevertheless the race had a good amount of entries with some top drivers too. Andreas Thrasyvoulou took the TQ for the final that he went on to win in front of Simos Tikkis (Kyosho) and Marios Christodoulou (Kyosho).

Click here to view the final result

July 7, 2015

TrakPower Century competition LiPo batteries

Hobbico have introduced the new TrakPower Century line of high-performance Century LiPo battery packs. Made using the latest generation of high-density cells with improved durability for reduced “swelling” tendencies even in high amp and high temperature conditions the packs offer high discharge rated due to their 100C rating. To allow for the best possible weight-to-power ratio the available capacities are carefully selected with Modified and Stock racers in mind. The range includes a 3.7V 1S pack, several 7.4V 2S and 14.8V 4S packs with bullet-type or Star plug connectors. In addition to the eleven Century packs, TrakPower has also added five 50C packs to its lineup.

Source: TrakPower [trakpowerusa.com]

July 7, 2015

Castle Creations Mamba Monster X brushless ESC

Castle Creations have announced their new Mamba Monster X brushless speed controller for 1/8th scale buggies and trucks, 1/10th scale monster trucks and generally all vehicles of up to 6.8kg of weight. The 2S to 6S controller is usable with sensored and sensorless motors and it features an adjustable high-voltage BEC system capable of delivering 5.5V to 8.0V output and an additional auxiliary wire that allows to adjust parameters such as torque control and maximum throttle using the auxiliary channel on compatible transmitters. Data logging and Futaba T4PX-compatible telemetry features round out the package. The waterproof ESC with a footprint of 53x49mm weighs in at 111g and it will become available separately or as combo package including the Castle Creations 1515 2200kv or 1512 2650kv brushless motor.

Click here to view the features and another photo