November 16, 2022

Mugen confirms Maifield’s exit from team

Another much anticipated switch up for the 2023 season, Mugen has confirmed that star driver Ryan Maifield joins Robert Batlle in leaving the manufacturer.  Officially posting the announcement on Facebook, it read, “Mugen Seiki Racing would like to make Ryan Maifield’s exit from the factory team official ahead of the 2023 season. Maifield joined Mugen Seiki Racing at the beginning of 2017 where he made history being the first racer to do the impossible by sweeping all three pro classes at The Dirt Nitro Challenge. Still being the only driver in history to sweep The Dirt Nitro Challenge, Maifield and Mugen Seiki did it again in 2021. Maifiled and Mugen Seiki’s success together includes multiple Silver State Nitro Challenge titles, winning both classes at the 2021 1/8th Fuel Nationals, winning every ROAR 1/8th Electric Buggy National Championship Maifield competed in during his time at Mugen Seiki, and multiple IFMAR World Championship finals including a podium finish. It’s been an honour to have worked with such a talented and committed racer like Maifield, and Mugen Seiki Racing wishes Ryan the best with his future endeavours.”

Source: Mugen Seiki Racing [Facebook]


November 16, 2022

Teghesi departs Kyosho after lengthy partnership

Top Italian driver Fabrizio Teghesi has announced he is departing Kyosho after a lengthly partnership with the brand. Joining the team just a year after Red RC first hit the internet, the former Italian National Champion has been a loyal ambassador for the iconic manufacturer. Looking set to have to swap out his red wardrobe for some new team clothing in 2023, he made the announcement on his Facebook page.

Read announcement here


November 16, 2022

Grand Prix 3D Masami “Stealth” RC10GX

Grand Prix 3D brings you the missing link in our R/C off-road racing history – the iconic 1989 IFMAR Worlds “Stealth” RC10GX Team Associated prototype that Masami Hirosaka drove to the World Championship at the famed St Ives track all the way down-under here in Australia.  This replica conversion kit is available now.  The kit contains recreations of all the unique/prototype parts as per the original Stealth car.  The chassis and top-deck is made from 3k plain weave matte finish UD core carbon fibre, with the 30 degree angle formed into the chassis nose kick-up!! Also both shock towers are included in FR4 natural green fibreglass to mimic the original pale colour.  All the plastic parts are 3D printed using PCBlend-natural colour for the suspension arms, rear bulkhead, battery cups and various other parts – this material is amazing in strength/impact resistance and an almost perfect colour match to the original Associated nylon.

Continue reading & view more images here


November 15, 2022

New Swiss ‘RC Indoor Arena’ to open in December

Access to tracks are vital to R/C so it is great to hear about plans for a new Indoor facility in Switzerland. Through the work of onroad and offroad drivers, they are creating the ‘RC Indoor Arena’, a beautiful complex in Wädenswil.  The 600m2 offroad track is equipped with new EOS carpet and while onroad drivers will also enjoy a new 720m2 ETS carpet surface. Set to open at the beginning of December, this indoor complex will be ideal for preparing for the next indoor season and will give racers a place to keep their driving skills sharp for the Winter.

Source: RC Indoor Arena [rc-indoor-arena.ch]


November 15, 2022

JConcepts 8ight-X/E & NB48 2.1 Radial NMB bearings

JConcepts has added to its Radial NMB bearing range by now offering kits for TLR’s 8ight-X/XE 2.0 and Tekno’s NB48.21 1:8 buggies. Rolling free is very important anytime a vehicle hits the racetrack. The bearings in an RC vehicle need to be quality, precise, and durable enough to stand-up to the rigorous demands of national and world class racing events. The bearing kits are built to last with NMB bearing quality, stainless steel materials, and precise tolerances. Recently, Ryan Maifield TQ’ed and won the 1/8th Pro Buggy class at the largest RC event on record at the 2022 Psycho Nitro Blast in White Pine, Tennessee using the new JConcepts Radial bearings.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]


November 15, 2022

T-Works Stainless Steel Chassis Skid Protector

T-Works has added to their extensive range of optionals parts with these skid plates intended for use on Team Associated’s B74.2 4WD 1:10 Buggy.  Made from stainless steel, they are offered in both and a front and rear plate with each supplied as 2 pieces.  The stainless steel plate is designed to provide protection for the buggy’s aluminium chassis against scratches which are part of the wear & tear that comes with racing offroad.

Source: T-Works [rc-tworks.com]


November 15, 2022

Batlle confirms departure from Mugen

Former World Champion Robert Batlle has announced his much anticipated departure from Mugen, a combination that triumphed at the 2012 IFMAR 1:8 Buggy World Championships in Argentina.  The Spaniard’s announcement ends a lengthy and fruitful 12-year stint with the Japanese manufacturer.  Batlle made the announcement on his Facebook page in an open message to Mugen.

Read Batlle ‘Letter to Mugen’ here


November 14, 2022

Boda does the double at Coupe des Champions

The Coupe des Champions race returned over the weekend with past double champion Clement Boda again doing the double at French indoor offroad event. The Sworkz driver kick off the weekend buy securing pole position for the 2WD Final as he topped 3 of the four qualifyng heats. From the TQ he then took the overall victory for 2WD Buggy with a triple of wins in the finals. Behind him the Xrays of Mathieu Briere and Martin Bayer completed the podium. In 4WD Boda had a little more work to do to take the win. Failing finish 2 of the qualifier, he final hit the top in Q4 to secure P2 on the grid behind Bayer. A second in A1 and third in A2, the last one was the critical one for Boda as he took the win in the fastest time securing him the double. Behind young driver Noha Benmohamed claimed second with Bayer again final the final step on the podium.

View 4WD podium here