May 12, 2025

EXO Design Optima Conversion Kit

In the latest release from buggy conversation specialist EXO Design comes this Kyosho Optima 1:10 4WD buggy conversion kit.  For all Optima series buggies, the kit includes 15 carbon fibre parts plus aluminium posts/washers/screws.  All parts are made with 100% carbon fibre plate. The conversation places the battery forward as much as possible to move the overall centre of gravity forward to improve handling performance with it adjustable according to the size of the battery being used.  The kit also includes a T7075 2.5 x 142 mm Turnbuckle for the steering.

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May 9, 2025

2025 Philippine Masters – Chassis Focus Index

Last weekend we attended the world class 1:8 Offroad race that is the Philippine Masters.  Asia’s premier annual offroad event akin to what the TITC is to the world of Electric Touring Car, 2025 marked the biggest edition of the Manila based race yet in terms of total entries, the number of countries represented, and the dept of top level team drivers.  The second round of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships, it was Philippine Masters regular Davide Ongaro who took the TQ from first time visitors Burak Kilic and Kouki Kato.  In the 1-hour main however Ongaro suffered a rare mechanical (receiver failure) while fuel tank issues also ended Kilic’s race early.  Putting in a super consistent drive Infinity’s Kato took the win, the Japanese talent making it 2 from 2 in the Asian Buggy Championships adding to his win at the season finale in Indonesia last year.  In eBuggy, A1 proved the entertainment highlight of the weekend as Ongaro, having being passed for the lead by Pekko Iivonen, tried to retake the lead on a thrilling final lap.  With Iivonen holding on for a hugely popular win, Ongaro took A2 before Ryan Lutz took the third however overall it was Ongaro’s victory.  During our time at the Circulo Verde Track we got the chance to photograph 9 buggies from 6 different manufacturers including Mayako’s all new prototype eBuggy.  In case you missed any of the Chassis Focus’ during our coverage of the race, we have compiled them all in our latest Chassis Focus index.

View Chassis Focus Index here

May 9, 2025

Core RC JC 6-spoke Vintage Racing Wheels

Under its Core RC brand, Schumacher has released these JC 6-Spokes wheels intended for vintage racing fans who own a CAT or Cougar 2000.  Available as a 2.2 rear, 2.2 4WD front, and 2.2 2WD Slim front, they are offered in a choice of yellow, white or black colours.  Fitting the CAT 2000/3000 and Cougar 2000,  the 2.2″ diameter wheel works for all modern tyres and has a 14mm HEX drive.  The rears are 36mm wide, the 4WD fronts are 26mm while the 2WD front is 21mm in width.

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May 9, 2025

Hara confirmed for Asian Buggy C/ships visit to Brisbane

With two hugely successful rounds of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships already in the books, Round 3 hosts Pine Hill Dirt Racing in Brisbane have received the exciting news that they will get to welcome legend of the sport Atsushi Hara to their track for the July 16-20 event.  The former 1:8 Buggy and Electric Touring Car World Champion, who has for the last 2-years attended the Philippine Masters round of the championship, will make his first ever trip to Brisbane thanks to his sponsor Cayote.  Having not raced 1:8 Buggy regularly in recent years, his racing programme more focused on electric touring car outings, the Japanese driver is relishing the opportunity of back to back ABC outings after his double Top 10 finish in Manila last weekend.  With the last two visits to Australia sell out races, entries for Round 3 at Pine Hills Dirt Racing (PHDR) track open May 10th.  Just like Hara, Red RC are excited to be making our first visit to Brisbane in July to cover the latest action from the Asian Buggy Championships.

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]

May 8, 2025

TLR 22X 1:10 2WD Race Buggy

Team Losi Racing has released their latest 1:10 2WD Buggy in the form of the 22X, with the kit offered in a DC (Dirt/Clay) and AC (Astro/Carpet) option.  The reigning 2WD World Champion manufacturer started with lessons learned from the title winning 22, and from years of further 22 platform development plus valuable racer feedback.  The result is a brand new buggy design that’s easier to maintain and comes optimised for dirt and clay or astro and carpet tracks, with a ton of adjustability that makes it easier to drive faster on today’s high-grip surfaces.  Key improvements include a hard-anodised 2mm 7075-T6 aluminium chassis that’s lengthened and optimised for today’s higher grip tracks, plus larger 13mm big-bore shocks with 13mm springs for plush landings and quick cornering.  Two front caster block and spindle options let you tune the steering feel to what you want and need on different surfaces; options for wide or narrow king pin locations are available.  The wide location provides a more linear feel and keeps the buggy flatter through the corners. For a more aggressive steering feel, you can choose the narrow king pin location.  The TLR 22X has a new laydown gearbox design with an easy-access differential and idler gear.  You can maintain the differential and idler gear quickly without disassembling the entire gear box which is a big advantage given that the suspension uses the gearbox for all of its mounting points.

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May 8, 2025

Power HD signs Chinese 1:8 Offroad talent Sun Ran

Continuing with their support of home grown RC talent, Chinese servo manufacturer Power HD has announced the signing of Nitro Offroad rising talent Sun Ran.  The 21-year-old, who is a multiple race winner in Asia, has made great progress in recent years as a result of practicing more diligently on a variety of tracks.  The Kyosho driver will use high-performance brushless servo S35-V2 and GTS-6 to compete in various domestic races and on the announcement said, ‘Sun Ran said, ‘Massive thanks to Power HD for the support and trust, I am honoured to join Team Power HD!  Power HD servos deliver rock-solid consistency, whether I’m logging ultra-long practice runs or battling through a 45-minute final round.  They give me that extra layer of confidence on race.  See you all trackside!

Source: PowerHD [chd.hk]

May 6, 2025

Phend & Lemieux win at INS15 Spring Carpet encounter

The second stop of the 15th season of the JConcepts Indoor National Series calendar took place at the RC One Racing track in Michigan over the weekend where Xray pairing Dakotah Phend and Chase Lemieux  took the main buggy wins.  Attracting over 330 entries, qualifying for the Spring Carpet Indoor Nationals would see Phend do the TQ double, topping 2WD ahead of team-mate Brennan Schimmel and Team Associated’s Aydin Horne.  In 4WD, again Phend topped two of the three rounds with Lemieux, last year’s 2WD winner, topping Q2 to line up second with Horne 3rd.  In the finals, newly turned father Phend took A1 of 2WD with a win from Horne in A2 sending it to A3 which Phend duly won to claim the overall ahead Team Associated duo Davey Batta, who qualified P4, and Horne.  In 4WD Phend would have an issue in A1 and not finish as Lemieux took it from Horne and 2WD World Champion Tater Sontag.  Phend would have a better A2 taking the win before he and Lemieux swapped lead position in A3 with Lemieux coming out the victor to secure the overall 4WD win.  Phend and Horne joined him on the podium.  The next round of 5 race INS15, the Mid-Summer Carpet Indoor Nationals, will take racers to Island Speedway in Iowa on June 6-8.

Image: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

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