February 26, 2024

Mikimodel BD Body Stopper V2

Mikimodel, the Yokomo distributor for Italy, has announced a second version of its Body Stopper for all Yokomo Touring Car models.  In the world of increasingly extreme and increasingly difficult competition, aerodynamics plays an ever more important role. This is why the original Body Stopper was created to give the maximum possible stability to the bodywork, to prevent them from deforming in the front area which is the most subject to deformations at both high and low speeds.  Now the Body Stopper V2 not only has the classic upper screw (M3x6 or M3x8 recommended) which is used to come into perfect contact with the bodywork, but also adjustable anchoring holes to best adapt to all models on the market.

Source: Mikimodel [mikimodel.net]


February 26, 2024

MXLR A12 Fan Holder & Damper Check Adapter

MXLR has released a new Fan Holder and a Damper Check Adapter for the Awesomatix A12 1:12 platform.  The fan holder is the final version of the prototype which Max Mächler used to win the 2023 1:12 SPEC World Champion Title.  It is not easy to fit such a big and strong fan into the A12 but using smaller than 30mm wasn’t an option because of the sacrifice in performance.  At the Worlds Mächler used a heavily modified Fan to clear with the body shell.  After several more tests and versions MXLR finally found a suitable way which doesn’t require as much modification, if any at all.  They moved the Fan more forward and mounted it way steeper on the holder.  The key to still get a great air flow were the small side dams.  The results of using the Fan Holder with a strong 30mm Fan at 6,0V is a much lower motor temperature.  Depending on the track layout and grip conditions, it reduces the temperature by 12-18 degree Celsius.  This leads to the option of using more timing at the motor and/or longer rollout, which means more speed.  Weighing only 2,6g (without screws) the Fan Holder is 3D printed with relatively durable material which is able to absorb impacts to a certain degree.

Continue reading & see more images here


February 26, 2024

Ryan Maker – ‘Using this World stage as a test ground is both the most exciting and nervous thing I have done.’

Growing up I was a huge fan of Formula 1 and always tended to supported the underdogs. Pre-qualifying was my favourite part of the Grand Prix weekend and my favourite team was Zakspeed.  That interest in the German team stemmed from an article in an F1 Magazine that compared the Zakspeed team and its budget to that of the all conquering McLaren.  In the article it covered how the high cost of wind tunnel testing meant Zakspeed’s small budget forced them to come up with an alternative and they used a water tunnel that was used by boat manufacturers to test hull designs.  Racing 1:8 Onroad nitro at the time, in the form of a very basic Team Associated RC250, I was inspired by the Zakspeed story I wanted to build my own R/C car and become a ‘Constructor’.

Continue reading here


February 23, 2024

Xray X4 Adjustable Camber 14mm Titanium Screw

Xray has released a new Adjustable Camber Titanium 14mm M4 L/R screw for their X4 and X4F touring car.  Also compatible with their X1’23-24, the ultra lightweight screw is specially made from high grade titanium material and threaded on both ends to connect the upper CFF arm with the outer ball cup.  Helping to lower the cars CG, it is 50% lighter than steel and comes as a set of 2.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


February 23, 2024

Senesi joins Team Serpent

Serpent has announced that 1:8 GT World Championship finalist Natanaele Senesi has joined its factory team.   The Italian led the charge for Xray at the World Championships in October in Sydney TQ’ing a round of qualifying before going on to finish 4th in the 1-hour final.  In December however he announced his departure from the Slovakian manufacturer after just one year.  A 1:8 GT specialist, the Serpent deal will also see Senesi venture into 1:8 Nitro Onroad.  Commenting on the announcement Senesi said, ‘First of all I’m super happy to be part of the team!  I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be joining Serpent Factory Team for the 2024 season and on!  I’ll be racing for the brand focusing on developing the current SRX8 GT ‘23 and SRX8 GTE ‘23, alongside with Michael and the team.  Furthermore, I’ll  start racing in the “queen class” too with the brand new Viper 990 EVO.  This is a very big opportunity for both me and the brand because as a friend of mine told me “we walked down the same road for many years, and now maybe the time is right for us to work together”.  Thank to Joaquin De Soto, Stef Helvensteijn and all team Serpent for making it happen!

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]


February 23, 2024

Schumacher Winter Series Finale – Report

The 2023/2023 Schumacher Winter Series presented by the Louth Radio Control Car Club concluded last weekend with the sixth & final round of the popular Indoor Series.  In the Contact RC 17.5 Touring Car class, outgoing Champion and Schumacher racer Alex Brocklebank took a commanding Top qualifier position after the four qualifying rounds.  The battle for the second spot was a close affair between the Awesomatix of Daniel Leonard and Mugen of Tim Wood.  Tim taking the 2nd spot on count back with Daniel in 3rd.  In fourth place was Awesomatix racer Paul Sleight from fellow Awesomatix racer James Herring and Matt Cook with his Mugen Seiki.  The single leg final started at a quick pace with Wood making an early overtake on Brocklebank who would fall to the rear of the field.  Tim and Daniel would battle with Daniel making a mistake, which would allow Paul Sleight through.  A minute in Paul would make a move and claim the lead, with the rest of the field clawing themselves back.  Wood would Gather himself up and give the spectators a race for the lead, contact between himself and Paul would see the recovering Alex Brocklebank take the lead and create a gap which he would see to the end.  Daniel and Matthew Cook would recover and take advantage of the melee and place themselves in the final two podium positions. Paul and Tim would recover to 4th and 5th respectively with James Herring round out the field.

Continue reading here


February 23, 2024

Hobbywing QuicRun 10BL120 G2 ESC

In a busy week of releases from Hobbywing, they have announced their new QuicRun 10BL120 G2 sensored and brushless ESC for 1:10 Touring Cars/Buggies/Drift Cars.  Simple to operate, with a wide range of protection, the cost-effective new 10BL120 G2 takes the outstanding quality and durability of proven Hobbywing platforms and makes it even easier to use and setup.  The BEC’s continuous output current has been upgraded from 3A to 4A, and the output voltage is now 6V/7.4V adjustable.  The 10BL120 G2 features adjustable electronic timing with up to 32 degrees of electronic timing available.

View specifications & more images here


February 22, 2024

AGFRC 60KG 4-Pole BLS Low Profile Servo

New from servo manufacturer AGFRC is the A66FHLW 60KG 4-Pole BLS Low Profile Servo.  The 4 pole brushless motor is known for more power and to be stronger and  gives you more torque when used so AGFRC have created a servo around.   The A66FHLW 60KG 0.100s 8.4V HV digital programmable 25T low profile servo has a full AL6061T6 Aluminium CNC Case, high strength steel gears, smooth Dual Ball bearing, a high precision IP67 waterproof magnetic sensor and a 8.4V HV Digital Programmable Circuit.  With programmable features, this servo offers versatility and adaptability to different application requirements.  Users can program parameters such as travel range, servo neutral, damping factor, and PWM power etc., allowing for customised and optimised motion control.  The A66FHLW is a powerful servo designed for applications that require significant force.  With its high torque output, it can handle heavy loads and perform demanding tasks with ease.

View spec sheet and more images here