October 29, 2009

Can-Am RC Challenge for Charity

Can-Am RC Challenge for Charity

This past weekend the inaugural Can-Am RC Challenge for Charity race was held in the Seaway Mall in Welland Ontario, Canada. It was a rousing success to say the least. The unique venue of racing in a large bustling shopping mall gave great exposure to the RC hobby in an all new way. Many shoppers were able to witness top-level RC racing for the first time in their lives.  Event organizer Mark Freshette succeeded in creating tremendous interest in those who stopped to watch the event unfold. The 156 entries raced hard during the 3 day event in classes ranging from Tamiya Mini and F1, to Vintage Trans Am as well as more traditional carpet on-road classes. The big winners were Jason Cramer, winner in 13.5 Foam Sedan, Wayne Vince winner and TQ in 10.5 World GT  as well as 13.5 1/12th GTP class. Martin Crisp TQ’ed 1/12th GTP and went on the TQ and win 10.5 Rubber Sedan class as well. An invitational Celebrity Race was held with a number of professional race car drivers, local business owners and Protoform’s own Dale Epp. Racing with Tamiya Mini’s, all the “celebrities” invited to race were actually holding an RC radio for the first time in their lives. Dale Epp slowly motored through the carnage to a 4th place finish. The event was sponsored by Tamiya Canada, Protoform Race Bodies, LRP, Reedy, APS/Speedmind RC and Orca Racing. A portion of every entry fee was donated to Niagara Children’s Center to aid their work with handicapped children.


October 29, 2009

CSO Hard Coated Pullies for 733

CSO Hard Coated Pullies for 733

CSO Racing in Hong Kong have released this complete range of hard anodised pulleys for the Serpent 733. Made from high quality 7075 T6 aluminium which has been coated for extra durability, the set has all the small pullies and also includes the large ones used on the front and rear differential. The sides of each tooth has a hole in the side wall to allow dirt to escape and to also lighten the pulley overall.

Source: CSO [cso.com.hk]


October 27, 2009

Hungarian National Indoor Champs Rd1 report

Hungarian National Indoor Champs Rd1 report

This weekend saw the opening race of the Hungarian National Championship, with 153 entries in 9 categories, in the same great event hall where the 2nd round of the Euro Touring Series will be held next month. The most popular category was National Stock, which is running with the ETS Pro Stock rules (LiPo cells and SpeedPassion V3 13.5T motor). Current ETS Pro Stock Champion Balint Rajki took the TQ spot by 5 seconds ahead of Peter Miko starting from the 2nd place, who was 0,04 second faster than Gabor Forrai in 3rd spot. In the first final Balint had technical problem, so Peter won in front of Gabor. Peter won the 2nd and Gabor the 3rd final in a great battle meaning the final result was Peter Miko (HB) with the win, Gabor Forrai (Tamiya) in 2nd and Balint Rajki (HB) 3rd.

Continue reading the report here


October 27, 2009

2009 Thailand Electric On-Road Championship

2009 Thailand Electric On-Road Championship

The Thailand Electric On-Road Championship just took place at the very nice RC Addict Circuit in Bangkok. There were 149 drivers in attendance racing over 5 classes, Brushless 10.5, Mini 4wd, Mini 2wd, F1 and TC Mod. In Brushless 10.5, it was former World Champion Surikarn C. who took both the TQ and win with his Nosram powered Xray, while 2nd place went to Meen V. and 3rd was Tanit driving an Associated. In Mini 4wd class, which also use brushless 10.5 it was Speed Passion team driver Chatpong K. who took both TQ and the win with his Atomic VM II ahead of 2nd place Karn N. driving the Active chassis, with another Atomic driver Tanit K. in 3rd. In Mod it was current European Champion Jilles Groskamp that took the TQ and win with his Tamiya chassis.

Click here for more images of the event


October 27, 2009

BMI Racing signs Fernando Gordinho

BMI Racing signs Fernando Gordinho

BMI racing has announced that they have signed Fernando Gordinho to join there USA Team. After a 3 year break from the industry Fernando will be traveling the USA representing BMI and racing the all new DB12RR LiPo Edition and DB10R. Having a National title and multiple A-main podiums in 1/12 scale and Touring Car his experience and up-lifting attitude will only bring great things to the team.

Source: BMI Racing [bmiracing.com]


October 27, 2009

Andrea Cristiani wins Monaco EFRA GP

Andrea Cristiani wins Monaco EFRA GP

The final EFRA GP of the year took place last weekend in Monaco and attracted some top quality competition. Racing in the hills of the principality it was Serpent driver Andrea Cristiani that took pole position ahead of Motonica ace Robin D’hondt in 2nd, Kyosho racer Adrien Bertin in 3rd, with Mugen driver Walter Salemi completing the top 4 and making it 4 different manufacturers in the direct qualifying positions. Cristiani would go on to win the 45  minute race by 2 and a half laps in front of D’hondt, the pair being the only 2 to drop down into the 13 second barrier, while Serpent racer Serge Christiany took the final podium step in 3rd.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]


October 27, 2009

O.S. 21XZ-R On Road ABC Engine

O.S. 21XZ-R On-Road ABC Engine

New from O.S. Engines, the .21XZ-R On-Road ABC engine is designed to take drivers to victory at major 1/8 scale on-road championship races. The tungsten-weighted crankshaft creates optimum balance for consistent low and mid-speed torque while the cylinder liner features 7 scavenger ports and 3 exhaust ports for more efficient combustion. Other improvements over its predecessor include a newly designed 21M carburetor, a lighter piston and a more durable conrod.

Click here to see the engine specifications


October 26, 2009

Óscar Cabezas claims National title with Rd4 win

Óscar Cabezas claims National title with Rd4 win

Last weekend saw the 4th and final round of the Spanish 1:8th scale On Road Championships run at the Club Arca in Madrid and it was Merlin Team driver Oscar Cabezas that took the victory, TQ and overall Championship. Driving his Motonica, Óscar dominated the race from the beginning, being the only driver able to set 18 laps and moreover he won the 4 qualifying heats. However the Main final, was not as easy as the final result shows. Óscar had a flame out early on that made him change his strategy and he even run out of fuel in the middle of the final. Nevertheless his pace was so strong and consistent that he could keep the 1st position until the the final flag. With this Victory, Óscar claims the National title with 2 victories and 2 second places. Josué Artiles finished on 2nd in both the last race and the overall championship. In fact, both Oscar and Josue finished the season with the same 1,893 points, however Oscar’s worst classification was a 2nd while Artiles worst was a 3rd. This gives an idea about the how tight the fight was between both drivers in recent years.

Click here for the final race standings