Red RC » P On Road

July 23, 2009

Naoto Matsukura retains his JMRCA 1/12th title

Last weekend saw the annual 1/12th scale JMRCA National take place in the Yatabe Arena in Tokyo. Despite the usual low grip conditions when running the 1/12th class on asphalt, this years race proved to be quite a challenge for all drivers with most experiencing traction roll already from the first practice. In what was a very close competition, current World Champion and reigning national Champion Naoto Matsukura kept his cool and was able to take both the TQ spot and go on to win the title with his Yokomo/Nosram package.

Source: Nosram [nosram.com]

July 23, 2009

Spataro tops 3rd practice in Italy

He was tipped as one to watch when we arrived in Gubbio and so far Biagio Spataro is living up to the hype by setting some super fast times topping the third round of controlled practice with a 15.956. The 15-year-old was helped by running very soft 35 shore tyres which he said made his Xray very fast but he admitted tyre wear was high. Very happy with the consistency of the JP powered NT1 he plans to run the same set-up again in the fourth of today’s five controlled practice sessions.

View our full event coverage here.

July 23, 2009

Sweep Racing Tire Formula X1

Sweep Racing have developed this new Tire Formula X1, which is a tire cleaner for on road rubber tires. Sold in this 40ml bottle, this low odour substance can also be used as a traction compound for high bite indoor asphalt tracks.

Source: Sweep Racing [sweepracing.com]

July 22, 2009

Newcomers impress themselves in Gubbio

Drivers are continuing to clock up the laps here in Gubbio and walking through the pits this evening one can see a lot more happy faces. One guy with a big smile on his face is World Champion Daniele Ielasi who is carrying all the hopes of 1:10 newcomer Shepherd on his shoulders. Running the sole Velox V10, the Italian said coming to the event he had set himself the goal of making the main final which would be like a victory for the car but the performance of the chassis in free practice is giving him the feeling they can aim higher. Running the same pace as the race favourites, Ielasi said the base set-up of the car is very good and this has allowed them to concentrate on trying lots of different things to see how the car reacts including large tyres.

View our full event coverage here.

July 22, 2009

Drivers settle in at Gubbio

Its another extremely hot day here in Italy as free practice for the 2009 EFRA 1:10 200mm European Championships continues at the beautiful Gubbio track. Drivers will get another six 10 minute sessions today but with no official timing we will have to wait till tomorrow’s controlled practice before we can get a clearer picture of who is doing what but many of the leading drivers say its going to be a very close competition.

View our full event coverage here.

July 22, 2009

Serpent 966 Central chassis stiffener

Serpent have released this central stiffener for the rear of their 966 1/8th scale chassis. It connects the rear axle brackets with the 2-speed supports to reduce rear end flex when needed. Precision made from high grade aluminium, the part is supplied with 2 spring steel screws and will be available from August.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]

July 21, 2009

World’s best in Gubbio for Euros battle

This week the beautifully presented Gubbio track in the centre of Italy plays host to the 2009 EFRA 1:10 200mm European Championships. After a one year break due to EFRA’s hosting of the World Championship in Portugal last year, the sixth European title will be awarded on Sunday evening to one of the 120 drivers, from 16 nations, up on the Formula one style podium. Amoung the quality entry are 8 of the 10 World Finalists including World Champion Daniele Ielasi and the Top Qualifier Jilles Groskamp. The defending European Champion Dario Balestri is aiming for a European Championship hat trick on home soil having held the title since 2006 when he won in the Netherlands.

View our full event coverage here.

July 21, 2009

Steven Weiss wins middle Germany Rd3

The third qualification round for the German Championship, middle division, was held at the Rüsselsheim Ractrack three weeks ago. The conditions were very good for this race and following qualifying it was Yokomo driver Ronald Völker who won the first two Rounds of Qualifying in front of Xray Driver Steven Weiss, Marcel Geiger was in third and Martin Kruse in fourth. The other two Rounds of Qualifying were won by Steven Weiss in front of Roanld Völker. Steven set the TQ with the two fastest Rounds of Qualifying, Ronald was in second and Marcel Geiger in third. The first final went the way of Völker after a little mistake from Weiss but Steven came back in the second and third final to take the overall win in front of Volker, with Marcel Geiger in 3rd.

Thanks to Steven Weiss for the report.