Axe Cobra, the Italian engine manufacturer that has just won the European Championships with Robert Batlle, have announced that the engine that powered the Spanish driver to the title will be available for sale in September. The engine, called the 214R21 COBRA X1, features a new crankshaft with a special plastic insert, a rear ceramic ball bearing, turbo glow plug head and other small changes.
Source: Neo Buggy [neo-buggy.net]
The 2007 European Championships for electric powered buggies are being run in Vaasa, Finland this week and already the 2wd event is history. Qualifying saw a dominant display by current World Champion Neil Cragg, the Associated driver winning all 5 heats to stamp his authority on the event and claim the pole position. The 2nd place went to Hupo Honigl racing a Losi buggy while in 3rd was another Associated, that of Lee Martin. In the finals it was again all about Cragg who won the first 2 finals and with it the crown, but he didnt have it all his own way having been heavily hounded by Lee Martin in final 2, a roll by Martin saw his chance for the win over and the crown go to Cragg. Neil sat out the 3rd final and this allowed Martin to take the win and with it the 2nd place overall, while the last step of the podium went to Honigl in 3rd.
Click here for the final standings… content
If you’re looking for a way to dress up your Team Losi LST or Aftershock chassis, then check out Vantage Racing’s new carbon fiber gearbox cover. Shaped carbon fiber is slick looking, and also benefits from being lightweight and super strong, and this particular piece features a shiny coating that makes the woven carbon fiber material stand out. A direct replacement of the stock part, the front side features the Vantage Racing logo.
Source: RCCA [radiocontrolzone.com]
Japanese firm Charge RC have introduced this new off road pipe set for use with 3,5cc buggy motors. The pipe itself has been extensively tested in both off road and on road conditions with the best results coming when off road where the pipe gives plenty of bottom end to middle range torque, especially when combined with the manifold that comes supplied with the pipe set. The pipe and manifold have been polished for better gas flow, while for the stinger of the pipe has been reinforced with a rib to prevent it bending in the event of a hard impact.
Source: Charge RC [charge-rc.com]
Taiwanese company Himoto have released CAD images of their 2nd generation high downforce wing, which is suitable for use on 1/8th scale buggies and truggies. This IFMAR, EFRA & ROAR compliant wing is made from high quality plastic, so it wont break, and provides your off road car with lots of downforce with minimum drag. The wing comes in 4 colours – red, yellow, green and black, and should be available in August.
Click to see a picture of the underside of the wing… content
Robert Batlle from Spain has won the 2007 European Championship today in Auxerre, France. Having qualified in pole position, the HoBao Hyper 8.5 driver also won his semi final to line up first for the main final ahead of Spanish Mugen racer Borja Hernandez in 2nd, while Portugese Kyosho driver Miguel Matias lined up 3rd. A big upset ws that reigning European Champion Yannick Aigoin didnt make the final, after a problem in his semi put him out while leading, this meant that no Xrays would be present in the final. The final started badly for Batlle with the Spanish driver down the order as the race commenced, meaning he had to push hard to get on terms, this left Matias and Hernandez battle is out front with French driver Savoya joining in on the mix later on. All the while Batlle’s recovery was relentless, picking off racers throughout the race finally coming up behind leader Savoya and taking the lead in the last minutes. Robert Batlle crossed the line to take the title followed closely by French Mugen racer Renaud Savoya, with another Mugen driver, Borja Hernandez completing the podium in 3rd.
Click here to see the final results… content
Starting next week, Europes best electric buggy racers collect in the center of Finland, in a place called Vaasa, to battle it out in 2wd and 4wd to be crowned the 2007 European Champion. Drivers have already started arriving and our partners oOple are there too, and combined with his racing Jimmy & wife Vicky will be covering the full event. Fridays report is already online, covering the travel to the event as well as the first impressions of the track.
The track is quite large and all ‘features’ are covered in carpet to give a consistent surface. The largest jump is at a slight angle next to the drivers stand. It’s a large double but with a slight step-down on the back side. Neil and Paul had practiced here a few weeks ago and mentioned that it was easy to over-jump this and certainly the take off ramp (on the left) is huge.
Follow the daily event coverage here.
Source: oOple [oople.com]
Todays final day of qualifying at the 1/8th scale TT European Championships in Auxerre France started off wet, with the rain continuing to fall until 9.30am, but by 11.30am however the covers were off and the track was ready to go again. Carrying on his form from the final qualifying round yesterday, HoBao driver Robert Batlle of Spain, racing the new Hyper 8.5, claimed the overall TQ position with 2 more great runs today to put him 1 point ahead of 2nd placed qualifier, current European Champion, Yannick Aigoin. The Xray driver had 2 steady runs to secure his position at the sharp end of the field, well clear of overnight pole man Davide Tortorici of Italy. The Crono driver wasnt able to pixk up his pace in order to hold onto his pole position spot as this position is worth nothing but the bragging rights that comes with it, i’m sure he’s happy with his place in the Semi final and he is still very much in contention for the win. Tomorrow sees more sub finals run as well as the main finals, and we hope to bring you the final results at the end of the day when we get them.
Click more to see the semi finalists… content
