January 2, 2024

Sparko Racing announces Cavalieri for 2024

1:8 Offroad newcomer Sparko Racing has announced that Ryan Cavalieri is to run their buggies in 2024.  After a brief 12-month stint with the Italian brand WIRC Racing for his 1:8 programme, the multiple Electric Offroad World Champion joins the Taiwanese brand who look to expand internationally and in particular in the US, a key market for 1:8 Offroad.  On social media Sparko Racing said, ‘We are proud to announce World Champion, Ryan Cavalieri has joined Sparko racing team! Ryan will be racing the Sparko F8 and F8e buggy at USA national races and international events as well.  With his wealth of experience and achievements, it will be help in product evolution and brand expansion in USA and across the world!’  Just before Christmas, Cavalieri confirmed he would be continuing with Schumacher for another year as his main 1:10 Offroad programme.

Source: Sparko Racing [Facebook] 


January 2, 2024

2024 EFRA Homologated Motor Lists

EFRA, the governing body for RC racing in Europe, has just published updated Homologated Motor lists for 2024 for all electric racing categories.  Competitors looking to compete at Europrean Championship and EFRA GP events in 1:12, 1:10 Touring Cars and 1:10 Offroad classes can only use Brushless Motors that are included on the 2024 EFRA Homologation Lists, a procedure that began in 2016.  When a motor (or rotor) has been approved and included on the relative list, the manufacturer must not change the technical specification, visual appearance or description.  Any changes require a new part number and the motor (or rotor) will have to be resubmitted for approval.  Drivers are also not allowed to make any changes to the motor, something that happened in Pro Stock at the 2022 European Championships when two driver’s motors were ‘found not to comply with the submitted samples to the EFRA Spec Homologation Lists’ promoting Olivier Bultynck to Champion.  Homologation has caused a number of manufacturers issues recently with team drivers having to switch motors or batteries at recent World Championships as their sponsors’ where not IFMAR approved.  ROAR, the North American governing body, has had a number of high profile cases where motors where randomly purchased and tested and found to not meet the specification of the original submitted motor that was approved for its sanctioned events.  A standard many independent races run by, the offending motors had their motors removed from the approved list.  View the full EFRA Motor Homologation lists here.

Source: EFRA [efra.ws]


January 2, 2024

AGFRC Waterproof Alu Case Micro Digital Servo

Servo manufacturer AGFRC has released a new full aluminium waterproof standard metal 25T spline sub micro servo, the A19DLM.  After repeated testing and modifications, this tiny servo gets upgraded materials and workmanship to created a high end digital micro servo.  With robust metal structure and gear set, this servo can deliver 4KG.CM (55.6oz-in) super high torque and 0.088sec/60°speed at 8.4V even in this compact size.  Easy to install in limit space for lock dig shift usage in different scale model such as 1:18 , 1:10, 1:8 etc.  Programmable feature also allow for different users to find the suitable data for their applications.  The A19DLM servo is the perfect upgrade for your Traxxas TRX-4 or TRX-6 Crawler, Axial SCX10 III, Capra, or 1:18 TRX4M and Absima 1:10 or 1:8 EP Crawlers.

View Features & Specs here


January 2, 2024

Tessman calls time on career after 20-years of racing

2014 1:8 Buggy World Champion Ty Tessman has called time on an impressive career that puts him up there among the greats of offroad racing.  The Canadian announced the decision to retire from the sport after 20-years of racing as he is set to become a father in 2024.  Never an easy decision for any sports professional who has dedicate their live to achieving success, the decision by Xray to drop him at the end of 2023 after a 7-year partnership would certainly have played a factor in his departure from the sport.  A driver who only represented two manufacturers during his extensive career, Tessman paid tribute to Hot Bodies for giving him the opportunity to turn professional in the sport with his father Gord and mother Leann a pivotal part of the ‘Team Tessman’ journey, the highlight of which was his World title win in Italy 10-years ago.  Having witnessed and reported on many of Ty greatest wins over the years, Red RC would like to thank the Tessmans for the memories (late cold nights at the Dirt Nitro Challenge pitting in the Pro-Line tent particular stand outs!!) of some epic race battles and wish Ty all the best in his new family life.  Who knows maybe the story will repeat itself in years to come.

Read Ty’s full announcement here


January 1, 2024

Phend officially no longer to race Spektrum radios

Coming as no huge surprise given he used a Sanwa radio at the 1:10 Buggy World Championships back in September,  Dakotah Phend has officially announced that he is no longer a Spektrum driver.  The 26-year has used Spektrum radios throughout his professional career as part of his Horizon Hobbies package which are also the owners of his chassis sponsor TLR.  Announcing the end of long running sponsorship, Phend posted on Facebook, ‘With the end of 2023 approaching so does my time with Spektrum. We have been partnered up for 16 years through thick and thin. I appreciate everything that they have done for me and the support that they have given. Sometimes a change is needed and I felt like now was the right time to do it. Moving forward for 2024 I will be headed in a different direction for radios and servos.’

Source: Dakotah Phend [Facebook]


December 30, 2023

Burak Kilic departs Yokomo Offroad team

Burak Kilic has announced his departure from Team Yokomo factory offroad team.  The German racer had been the Japanese manufacturer leading driver in international 1:10 Offroad competition in recent times bringing them a win in the EOS in 2022 and a podium at the EFRA European Championship this year.  The manufacturer’s leading representative at this year’s World Championships in the United States achieving a Top 25 finish, Burak together with his brother Berkan joined Yokomo at the beginning of the 2022 season.  Making the announcement on his Facebook page,  Burak said, ‘Today I want to make an announcement that I will not re-sign my contract with Team Yokomo and will not run for the team in the new year.  Massive thank to Mr.Taguchi und Christopher Krapp for everything you have done for me your hard work and passion. With out them I wouldn’t be there now where I m with the 1/10 cars! Big big thank you I wish you all the best for in the future!  Here is a few results to with Yokomo!  EOS win, Multiple EOS finals, podiums.  European championship P3/4wd. And P5 2wd.  EOS overall season 2022/23 P7 2wd/4wd and P2 truck.  Worlds top25.  National wins.  Thank you and stay tuned.’

Source: Burak Kilic [Facebook]


December 30, 2023

JConcepts Finnisher polycarbonate pre-trimmed 1:8 wing

JConcepts has introduced a new Finnisher polycarbonate pre-trimmed 1:8 offroad rear wing.  Responding to the wing development, it has come up with a technically advanced alternative for 1:8 racing.  The wing features a brand-new design incorporating a multi-height layout which allows the wing to sit in a lower stance.  The side-dams feature a surface which has a recessed section for increasing rigidity. The pre-trimmed polycarbonate wing formed in heavy-duty material, has been in the JConcepts line previously as the “Hybrid” wing.  Now, it has been refined with taller side-dams, and taller rear gurney.  Angular sections blend nicely into the high-performance shape giving a location for that initial step and transition to the wing’s gurney position.  At the rear of the wing rests 7 individual ribs which support the wing’s upper section as it transitions to the gurney.  The wing is extremely light weight, formed in 1.5mm polycarbonate, the Finnisher has a lot of competition elements rolled into one.

View wing mounted here


December 29, 2023

Moto-Obscura Schumacher Aluminum SACS Pivot Blocks

Moto-Obscura has announced their first of a line of vintage Schumacher parts with their Aluminium SACS front suspension pivot blocks.  SACS (Schumacher Active Caster System) was a novel design that was an option on many 2wd buggies and trucks during the 90’s and early 2000’s.  Conversions were even available for other brand’s vehicles as well like Team Associated’s RC10 buggy.  Machined from durable 6061-T6 Aluminium Alloy, the SACS blocks eliminate the biggest weakness of the system by replacing the original plastic piece.  The new aluminium part is beautifully finished with smooth black anodising.

Source: Moto-Obscura [moto-obscura.com]


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