November 3, 2008

JConcepts report on SuperCup Rd6

JConcepts completed a near sweep of every class and a full sweep of the modified classes at round 6 of the SuperCup series held recently in Florida. Jason Ruona finished the year with an impressive 3 class wins with 3 very different vehicles. He was responsible for JConcepts’ results in 2wd mod, 4wd mod, and J82 Outlaw taking a combined 9 TQ’s and 8 wins along the way. RCSignUp.com and Jab Graphix front man Bobby Phillips took time out of his busy schedule to lay it down in Truck Mod, using a key TQ to take the series win. Local up and coming driver Zach Mote took 2wd Stock in spectacular fashion only missing out on one possible point when considering the best 3 of 4 round format. And finally Tim Kowal got out to a good start at the beginning of the season in J82 Stock and carried that momentum through to the end of the year. The mix of Double Dee and Goose Bump rear tires used in his campaign were so effective that he didn’t even have to run the penultimate round to take the series victory.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.com]


November 2, 2008

Atsushi Hara retains Japanese 1/8th title

The 1/8th scale Japanese Nationals tool place at the Mugen Seiki owned track in Chiba this weekend, thankfully under dry conditions. Qualifying saw Hot Bodies driver, and 2wd World Champion, Hayato Matsuzaki take pole position with 3 round wins from Mugen man Kenji Osaka in 2nd, both of whom took the 2 direct final placings while current World & Japanese Champion Atsushi Hara placed 3rd and had to race in the semis. The Semi Finals saw Hara easily win, with a time 26 seconds faster than the winner of the semi B, Kyosho driver Kazua Tanaka and both of these would line up in 3rd and 4th respectively in the final. The 1 hour long final saw Hara get to the front early where he controlled the pace keeping a safe distance to 2nd placed runner and team mate Matsuzaki with Osaka and Kawamoto spending the majority of the race in 3rd and 4th. Hara would take the win by 12 seconds from Matsuzaki in 2nd, while Kenji Osaka took 3rd a further 15 seconds back.

Source: Hot Bodies [hb-buggy.jugem.jp]


October 31, 2008

Exclusive First pic: X-Factory X-60 body

There have been many photos of the upcoming X-60 from X Factory but so far they have all featured old GT2 bodies. We’ve seen almost everything on the truck itself but nothing of the new body, which has been promised a design like nothing seen before. X-Factory have been keeping the prototype bodies tightly under wraps so we began contacting them several times a day, sometimes by phone, sometimes by e-mail but we kept being told there was nothing to report until finally Chazz relented, sending us this photo. He said:

Our drivers are still arguing over the body design. I emphasize function over form, and I say, ‘Close the hole for greater downforce.’ But Brian Kinwald replies, ‘Close it and there will be too much downforce. Besides, this is waaay cool.’ So X Factory themselves still have not decided. All the Team drivers do like the roof air scoop to help with ECS/motor temps.

Alexander Valente suggested they post this pic and let people comment on their forum at www.2wdrc.com but it looks like we’ve beaten them to it.


October 30, 2008

LRP ZR.30 Spec.2 Pullstart engine

LRP have announced the release of this completely new engine, the ZR.30 Spec.2 Pullstart. Especially designed for Truggies and Monster trucks, this new engine features a completely new and unique design. Stronger, more robust and more powerful due to the new XTEC T6 crankcase with extra thick ribs, it features an over sized head for ruggedness and reliability, a new carburetor, 5+1 ports sleeve, special reinforced conrod for .30 size and a flow optimized crank shaft, together with Turbo Scoop for maximum power and easy tuning.

Source: LRP [lrp.cc]


October 30, 2008

DE Racing release the BumpSkid

DE Racing, makers of the Skid plate, have released a whole new product line called the BumpSkid. This product combines a superior front skid plate with a refined front bumper to create the ultimate in protection, performance, and styling. At DE Racing they believe a car’s chassis is not a wear item and this product further reinforces that concept by providing high performance protection for the front of your expensive 1/8 scale buggy or truggy chassis. Available currently for the Kyosho MP777 / ST-R / ST-RR and Team Losi 8ight / 8ight T, more chassis’s will be supported in the future.

Source: DE Racing [deracing.net]


October 29, 2008

Petit RC Europe Tour – Announcement

French website Petit RC were in contact to let us know about the 3rd edition of their annual indoor electric buggy event. Set to take place outside of France for the first time, the race will be held at the Maritime Raceway facility in Gillingham, Kent in England. They expect racers from all around Europe and have already confirmed entries from Ellis Stafford, Lee Martin, Tony Truman, Danny Mc Gee, Tom Cockerill, Simon Moss and more.

Full information can be found on the event site here.


October 28, 2008

Daniel Vega wins Madrid Champs opener

The 2009 Madrid Championships for 1/8th scale buggy got underway last weekend at the Fuencarral Track. With 90 drivers taking part at this opening round, it was former European Champion Daniel Vega driving a Mugen that led the final throughout to win from current Spanish EP Buggy Champion Alberto Garcia driving an LRP, with Xray driver Juanma Guillen in 3rd.


October 27, 2008

Tebo & Cavalieri win Reedy Truck ROC

The 2008 Reedy Truck Race of Champions was held last week at Hot Rod Hobbies in Saugus, California. Temperatures reached the mid to upper 90’s all week long putting motors and batteries to the test in these extreme conditions. On Thursday there was a buzz going around the pits with last years defending Reedy Truck Race Champion and current World Champion Jared Tebo arrived to the track, but had a few less stickers on his truck. Jared was recently released from his motor/battery sponsor a few short weeks ago and didn’t have a power sponsor. A closer look at his truck showed he had a Team Orion Vortex Brushless Motor and a Team Orion 3800 LiPo Battery in his truck.

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