May 12, 2025

Catanzani makes it 2 from 2 in Italian GT Championship

Serpent’s Andrea Catanzani made it two from two at the second round of the highly competitive AMSCI 1:8 GT National Italian Championships which took place at Autodromo Di Vallelunga.  Having TQ’d & won the season opener at the Kronio Speed Park track in Sicily in March, Catanzani was again the pace setter topping 3 of the four rounds of qualifying.  Fresh from his debut at the Philippine Masters in Manila, offroad star Burak Kilic was back for another go at the Italian GT Championship.  The Nova Engines factory driver, who podiumed at Round 1, would TQ the fourth round of qualifying to secure P2 ahead of the Raptor of Alessio Mazzeo and Capricorn of 2023 Champion Alex D’angelo with Genius Racing’s Leonardo Valente rounding out the Top 5.  In the 45-minute main, Catanzani took his Gimar powered SRX8 GT.23 to the win over Gabriele Paloschi who would impressively turn around a difficult weekend.  The 1:8 GT World Championship finalist struggled in qualifying ending up P8.  In his Semi Final he would retire but in the Last Chance Qualifier race, the Capricorn driver to the win to secure P11 on the grid from where he came through for P2 ahead of 2024 Champion & Schepis Model team driver Rosario Giaimo.  Unfortunately a wrong tyre choice meant Kilic missed the podium finishing in P4.  For reigning European Champion Natanaele Senesi it was another tough weekend as he failed to qualify for the final having DNF’d at Round 1.  In the eGT category Giaimo took the win from Mazzeo and D’angelo.  Round 3 of the Championship travels to Circuito Stradivari on 19/20 July.

Image: Gabriele Paloschi [Facebook]


May 12, 2025

EXO Design Optima Conversion Kit

In the latest release from buggy conversation specialist EXO Design comes this Kyosho Optima 1:10 4WD buggy conversion kit.  For all Optima series buggies, the kit includes 15 carbon fibre parts plus aluminium posts/washers/screws.  All parts are made with 100% carbon fibre plate. The conversation places the battery forward as much as possible to move the overall centre of gravity forward to improve handling performance with it adjustable according to the size of the battery being used.  The kit also includes a T7075 2.5 x 142 mm Turnbuckle for the steering.

View more images here


May 12, 2025

T-Works 1:10 Touring Car Droop Gauge & Wheel Set

In a new addition to its tool range, T-Works has released this Droop Gauge & Wheel Set for 1:10 Touring Car use.  Combining multiple measuring tools, it provides a comprehensive measurement solution to help you easily adjust the parameters of the car.  The jointed design makes the measurement and adjustment process easier and quicker, saving time.  The droop gauge can measure the height of wheel axle from 20mm to 25mm, with a 0.2mm difference each step, while the Droop Gauge Wheel offers precise measurement of wheel axle height.  The 10mm Chassis Droop Gauge Blocks are used to measure the height of the lower stop of the arm and the axle height of the output shaft.

View more images here


May 10, 2025

LRP Heritage Motor Series

German electronics brand LRP has released a Heritage Series of the motors.  The LRP Heritage Series reimagines the spirit of the iconic, company-changing products that helped shape Jürgen Lautenbach’s company legacy.  Offering three different motors, each model in the Heritage Series pays tribute to an iconic LRP product that played a key role in the development of the company.  From breakthrough technologies to milestone victories, each motor in this is carefully re-imaginated with visual cues from the originals, bringing back the unmistakable look and feel of the golden days of RC racing.  While simplified in their internals, they stay true to the DNA of their famous predecessors – both in spirit and in identity.  Each motor comes with the iconic LRP Heritage Decal Sheet 1 XS – Limited Edition and wire connectors.

Read details of each motor here


May 9, 2025

2025 Philippine Masters – Chassis Focus Index

Last weekend we attended the world class 1:8 Offroad race that is the Philippine Masters.  Asia’s premier annual offroad event akin to what the TITC is to the world of Electric Touring Car, 2025 marked the biggest edition of the Manila based race yet in terms of total entries, the number of countries represented, and the dept of top level team drivers.  The second round of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships, it was Philippine Masters regular Davide Ongaro who took the TQ from first time visitors Burak Kilic and Kouki Kato.  In the 1-hour main however Ongaro suffered a rare mechanical (receiver failure) while fuel tank issues also ended Kilic’s race early.  Putting in a super consistent drive Infinity’s Kato took the win, the Japanese talent making it 2 from 2 in the Asian Buggy Championships adding to his win at the season finale in Indonesia last year.  In eBuggy, A1 proved the entertainment highlight of the weekend as Ongaro, having being passed for the lead by Pekko Iivonen, tried to retake the lead on a thrilling final lap.  With Iivonen holding on for a hugely popular win, Ongaro took A2 before Ryan Lutz took the third however overall it was Ongaro’s victory.  During our time at the Circulo Verde Track we got the chance to photograph 9 buggies from 6 different manufacturers including Mayako’s all new prototype eBuggy.  In case you missed any of the Chassis Focus’ during our coverage of the race, we have compiled them all in our latest Chassis Focus index.

View Chassis Focus Index here


May 9, 2025

Phat Bodies M.A.D. Mini MAX

British 1:12 Mini Stock bodyshell specialists Phat Bodies has released a new updated MAX version of their M.A.D. Mini.  The new version of the body is now wider to cover all wheel options from Mardave and Battcave and also includes a raised wing mount position with a wider and deeper wing to help cope with the power from the new brushless systems.  They have also revised the moulding process enabling them to reduce the overall weight by 10% but still being moulded from genuine Lexan polycarbonate means these bodies are still very durable.  It comes complete with pre cut vinyl window masks and light/grill stickers sheet, external overspray film and ‘Phat Bodies’ stickers.  The bodyshell and wing come clear and require cutting, trimming and painting to fit and finish.

Source: Phat Bodies [phatbodies.co.uk]


May 9, 2025

Core RC JC 6-spoke Vintage Racing Wheels

Under its Core RC brand, Schumacher has released these JC 6-Spokes wheels intended for vintage racing fans who own a CAT or Cougar 2000.  Available as a 2.2 rear, 2.2 4WD front, and 2.2 2WD Slim front, they are offered in a choice of yellow, white or black colours.  Fitting the CAT 2000/3000 and Cougar 2000,  the 2.2″ diameter wheel works for all modern tyres and has a 14mm HEX drive.  The rears are 36mm wide, the 4WD fronts are 26mm while the 2WD front is 21mm in width.

View more colours here


May 9, 2025

Hara confirmed for Asian Buggy C/ships visit to Brisbane

With two hugely successful rounds of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships already in the books, Round 3 hosts Pine Hill Dirt Racing in Brisbane have received the exciting news that they will get to welcome legend of the sport Atsushi Hara to their track for the July 16-20 event.  The former 1:8 Buggy and Electric Touring Car World Champion, who has for the last 2-years attended the Philippine Masters round of the championship, will make his first ever trip to Brisbane thanks to his sponsor Cayote.  Having not raced 1:8 Buggy regularly in recent years, his racing programme more focused on electric touring car outings, the Japanese driver is relishing the opportunity of back to back ABC outings after his double Top 10 finish in Manila last weekend.  With the last two visits to Australia sell out races, entries for Round 3 at Pine Hills Dirt Racing (PHDR) track open May 10th.  Just like Hara, Red RC are excited to be making our first visit to Brisbane in July to cover the latest action from the Asian Buggy Championships.

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]