July 26, 2008

Matrix sign Chris Tosolini for Worlds

Matrix sign Chris Tosolini for Worlds

We can exclusively confirm that Top US racing star, and 1:8 scale Worlds finalist, Chris Tosolini has signed to use Matrix tyres at the upcoming 1:10 200mm Nitro World Championships in Portugal. Cristian Boni the owner of Matrix, a young and ambitous Italian brand, gave us the scoop here at the 1:8 Euros in Valencia and told us that the deal will also include Tosolini running their foam range of tyres for the 2009 season in both Gas and Electric racing.

It is understood that rival brand ATS was close to a deal with the 2006 US National Champion for the Worlds but the Kyosho driver is understood to have been influenced by engine sponsor Sirio to run Matrix products thus ending ATS’s plans to recuit the American. The 2008 IFMAR 1:10 200mm World Championships takes place from 11-17 August and Red RC will be present to bring our readers live coverage from the Lisbon event.


July 26, 2008

Fantini TQ’s 2008 European Champs

Fantini TQ’s 2008 European Champs

He TQ’d the World Championships in Argentina last October and so came to Valencia with a World class reputation to protect and that’s exactly what Massimo Fantini achieved with a great qualifying run when it counted most. The Italian took advantage of the opening heat on Day 6 of the European Championships to post the TQ time when conditions at the Autet track where at their coolest. Driving a Serpent 960 powered by an engine bearing his own name, ‘Max’ Fantini set his time in the second round of qualifying to head a trio of Italians who are guaranteed a place on the starting grid for tomorrow’s all important 45 minute final.

Check out our full coverage on our event site here.


July 26, 2008

Ielasi fastest in Q3, Max still TQ

Daniele Ielasi

As predicted the second of today’s two qualifier was slower for most of the leading runners at this years Euroepan Championship, but none the less Daniele Ielasi managed to produce a great time to top the round from Shepherd team-mate Robert Pietsch. Ielasi’s 05:02.155 run was just 1.5 seconds shy of the time he set this morning that put him 2nd overall in the provisional qualifying order. Commenting on the run the Italian said, ‘The car was great, for sure the track was slower but my car worked good and the tank has lots of fuel left. I think later the track will be even slower but I will try to go faster’.

Check out our full coverage on our event site here.


July 26, 2008

Fantini TQs most important heat

Massimo Fantini TQ after Round 2

Massimo Fantini has TQ’d what is expected to be the most important qualifier at the 2008 EFRA European Championships, posting 17 laps in 05:00.214 to put himself in povisional pole for tomorrow’s Main Final ahead of fellow countryman Daniele Ielasi. Serpent driver Fantini was happy with his run but said if he had known how close he was to producing an 18 lap run he would have pushed harder over the final lap. The 2005 Champion dropped 4/10th on his final to conserve fuel but afterwards his tank appeared to have had enough for the extra pace required to make the first 18 lapper of the weekend.

Check out our full coverage on our event site here.


July 25, 2008

Salven claims overnight TQ in Spain

Salven claims overnight TQ

With the first round of qualifying completed at this years European Championships in Valencia Spain, it is Michael Salven who is the man to beat. The German secured the overnight TQ with a run of 17 laps in 05:02.580 almost two seconds clear of team-mate Massimo Fantini who sits second on the time sheets. Salven switched back to the setting he ran in this morning’s first practice and said his Mega powered 960 ‘08 was perfect. ‘I went back to the set-up from this morning and it worked better than it did then because the track was hotter. It was perfect.’ The former Champion also ran 18% fuel (a mix of 16 and 20% Merlin) and believes the blend gave him the perfect run time/power balance.

Check out our full coverage on our event site here.


July 25, 2008

Xray NT1 hard coated Clutch Bell

Xray hard coated alu Clutch Bell

New for the Xray NT1 is this optional lightweight XCA clutchbell made from CNC-machined premium Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum, hardcoated for extra durability and long life. The new clutchbell has reduce rotating weight without sacrificing strength or durability, with significant weight savings over the standard clutchbell: original clutch bell (6.25g), optional lightweight clutchbell (2.75g). Precision machined to the highest tolerances using premium fully-automatic German CNC machines, they feature a high-quality hardcoating, ensuring a perfect hard coated surface every time.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


July 24, 2008

Report from Latin Cup 2008

Report from Latin Cup 2008

We received a report from the 2008 Latin Cup, held on the Barceloneta RC Speedway in Puerto Rico. Starting on the Friday, there was open practice all day and traction was very high with almost all cars having traction roll. Saturday started with 5 rounds of qualifying under sunny skies and thanks to a newly sealed track surface 2 new track records were established by Andy Báez in 1/8th scale and 1/10th scale Sedan. On Sunday, the day started with the concourse competition and this time Javier Body Work’s took the three positions with excellent paint jobs.

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July 24, 2008

Fantini just misses out on 18 lapper

Fantini just misses out on 18 lapper

Massimo Fantini just missed out on the first 18 lap run as he took advantage of cooling temperatures in the final run of Day 4 of the 2008 EFRA European Championships. The Italian Serpent driver who has been quick from the start of the event completed 17 laps in 5:00.948 to top the time sheets from Robert Pietsch. Fantini was shown on the timing screens to be on target to do 18 laps but over the final lap his pace dropped and he just missed out.

Check out our full coverage on our event site here.