Red RC

January 12, 2026

Team EAM batteries for Jin Sawada

The older of Japan’s very fast electric touring car siblings, Jin Sawada has switched to Team EAM batteries for 2026. Joining his brother in representing Xray at the end of last season, Jin makes the move from Sunpadow Batteries to the American Team EAM brand. Set for a busy race program in 2026 that includes contesting both the 1:12 and ISTC World Championships at the Hongyu GDC facility in China, on his new sponsorship the 2024 Japanese National Champion said, ‘I’m happy to be part of this team. There are a wide variety of high-performance battery types available from EAM, so I can choose the one that suits my different cars and track conditions.’

Source: Team EAM [teameamotorsports.com]

January 12, 2026

Blitz GT7 1:8 GT Bodyshell

Body shell producer Blitz has released it latest 1:8 GT body shell the GT7. With 2024 European Champion Natanaele Senesi involved in the development of the GT7, it is designed to cope with the new rubber Sweep D Tyres as well as slicks from GRP and PMT, with the body length has also been increased by 10mm compared to the GT6. It also has enlarged front and rear wheel arch areas and two pre-set wheel arch lines. When using the PMT tyres, it is recommended to use the front tangent for the best stability, while the rear arch line can be used when using Sweep tyres. There is a total of 9mm of space between the front and rear arch line for adjusting the car’s steering characteristics. Available in standard 1.0mm thickness option, this weighs 287 grams, while the lightweight 0.7mm thickness option weighs 198 gram. The body included Type S rear wing and dedicated wing screws, combined with the new rear centre wing which provides better overall balance and dedicated wing screws. Also shipped with the headlights and window masking decals, the body design follows IFMAR GT rule and is pending EFRA Approval.

View additional images here

January 9, 2026

Serpent’s Catanzani confirmed for inaugural Nitro Party

Currently one of the fastest Nitro Onroad racers in the World, Serpent’s Andrea Catazani is the latest top international driver to be confirmed for the inaugural Nitro Party race in Foshan, China, later this month. The 20-year-old Italian, who was the Top Qualifier at both the IFMAR 1:8 Onroad and the 1:8 GT World Championships at the end of the last year, joins the already stacked entry in making the trip to the new Hongyu GDC facility for its first major nitro onroad event. The reigning Italian GT Champion, he joins compatriots Alessio Mazzeo, Natanaele Senesi, and Filippo Domanin for the first edition of what the 2026 ISTC World Championship host venue plans to build into a major annual event on the nitro racing calendar. Other confirmed entries for the January 24-25th race include Infinity’s Naoto Matsukura and Genius Racing’s Bernard-Alain Arnaldi.

Source: Hongyu GDC [Facebook]

January 9, 2026

Schumacher Neon MTC Alloy Link Mount Conversion

Schumacher has released this Alloy Link Mount Conversion for its Neon Mini Touring Car. The alloy link mount conversion lowers the centre of gravity of the car, therefore improving it’s handling. The number of components within the conversion is reduced compared to kit specification, making the car easier to maintain and giving improved access to the diff and spool.

View conversion mounted here

January 9, 2026

Hong Nor iX5B 1:8 Electric Buggy

Having shown images of a prototype of its 1:8 electric buggy in November, Hong Nor has now released official images of the production version of the iX5B. The Taiwanese manufacturer, who returned to the competitive 1:8 Buggy market with the release of its all new XB5 last Summer, say the new electric kit represents a significant milestone in their return to buggy, with its innovation, performance, and durability. The IX5B is scheduled for official release in mid-February.

View Specs & more images here

January 9, 2026

RC Discharger Firmware Update Micro SD Card

Discharger specialist RC Discharger has introduced a new solution for updating charger firmware at the track without a Windows laptop. The RC Discharger Firmware Update Micro SD Card is a pre-loaded card that allows users to bypass Windows driver conflicts and PC connections entirely. It is the perfect solution for racers who need a quick update to the latest v1.17 firmware or for those running Mac/Linux systems who previously couldn’t run the update software. Key Features of the solution are the ability to do PC-Free Updates and perform critical firmware flashes directly on the charger via the built-in SD slot. Every card is formatted and tested to match iCharger’s specific file system requirements and the universal compatibility works with the 308DUO, 406DUO, 4010DUO, DX6, DX8, DX12, 456DUO, 458DUO, and 4512DUO.

Source: RC Discharger [rcdischarger.com]

January 8, 2026

Team Powers Lightweight Car Stand with Tool Kit

Team Powers has unveiled its upcoming Lightweight Car Stand with Tool Kit. They have taken their classic stand and made it 35% lighter without sacrificing performance with them describing the new stand as a complete Pit Management System. Made from a Graphite-Plastic Hybrid, the premium materials make for a pro-level look and feel. In addition to being a stand it features is an All-In-One Toolkit with an Embedded Ride Height, Droop, Turnbuckle, and Camber gauges. It also has a deep part tray design with dedicated slots for shocks and gear diffs. An Integrated 70mm ruler and 115mm ISTC body height gauge help racers with ensuring they are race compliant.

View more images here

January 8, 2026

Infinity IF18-3 Optional Shock Shaft

As their first optional release of 2026, Infinity are introducing a new shock shaft design developed to further enhance the performance of their IF18-3 1:8 Onroad car. This technical update eliminates the traditional E-clips normally used to retain the piston on the shaft and replaces them with a screw-type fixing system. The concept has already been successfully adopted for their IF14-2 1:10 Nitro Touring Car, and now they have now extended it to their flagship 1:8 platform. By adopting a new structure that provides 3 mm of top clearance, the system increases stroke capacity while optimising oil flow. At the front, initial response is improved, and at the rear, traction and “kick-out” feel under throttle are enhanced, boosting overall grip performance. Furthermore, by switching the shock piston fastening method to a threaded design, the shock shaft length is shortened and optimised by 3 mm for both the front and rear, delivering a more stable driving feel.

Source: Creation Model [creationmodel.net]