VP Racing have introduced these team series VP-Pro 1/8 Buggy Racing Tires. Available in 3 different patterns, they are supplied with the molded foam insert and have been extensively tested to bring the tire quality and performance up to the same standards as other top brands on the market. VP-Pro also aim to release similar tires for truggies in the near future.
Source: VP Pro [vp-racing.com]
Kyosho was in contact to tell us that their Factory Driver Ryan Lutz and a number of other Kyosho drivers attended the final race of the season for the popular Southern California JBRL (Jimmy Babcock Racing League) Series. Lutz went into the final race of the series having already clinched the Truggy title, but if there were any question why the championship was already locked up, Lutz and the ST-RR made it abundantly clear. Lutz jumped out to an early lead over TQ Levi Jackson, also driving an ST-RR with a short chassis, and didn’t look back. His Sirio CL7B-powered ST-RR was very fast and agile, stretching out nearly a two-lap lead at the end of 15 minutes. Kyosho drivers Levi Jackson and Jimmy Wright finished second and third respectively making it an all-Kyosho podium. Jackson also took third overall for the series, giving Kyosho two of the three podium positions for the series. Cody King and Ryan Lutz also finished second and third for the series with their Sirio-powered Inferno 777 WC cars.
Source: Kyosho [kyoshoamerica.com]
Current British 4wd electric buggy Champion and World and European finalist Lee Martin has signed to use Sirio engines. Lee will make his debut with the Sirio 21 CL7B-STI in Florida next month when he will run it in his Associated RC8 1/8th scale buggy. Lee had this to say about the deal:
I loved the Sirio 21 CL7B-STI! It felt instant and smooth! Gave me a greatly increased confidence with engines and can’t wait to use this at the next meeting I attend. I think the EP guys will prefer this pipe S21.200123 (EFRA 2057 high torque with smooth mid range power) on clay or dirt surfaces. I would like thank Sirio & Kyosho UK for their support.
Source: Kyosho [kyoshoeurope.com]
The second round of the Novarossi Winter series was held last weekend at the Novarossi Raceway and it was Elliot Boots and his Associated RC8 that started off the day off in fantastic form by setting TQ for the round and securing maximum points. In rounds 2 and 3 it was the turn of Losi 8ight racer Darren Bloomfield to take the top spot and he was able to secure TQ for the meeting. The start of the final was exceptional, Elliot and Darren swapped the lead in what seemed like ever corner for the first few laps, outstanding control and great respect between these two racers allowing them to race hard. It was Darren who managed to get the all important break just before the first pit stop and could pull away from the chasing pack. Elliot continued his excellent form for the day to finish second and once again an excellent run for Ed Kerry gave him the third spot.
Click here for the final results… content
Sirio have released this rather unusually shaped exhaust system for use with their buggy line of engines. The EFRA approved (#2056) exhaust pipe has been optimised to work with the CL7B and Evo3 motors from the Italian brand and also with the equivilant Sirio made engines from RB and SIIM. Sold in a complete set, it comes with manifold, rubber seals and mounting springs.
Source: MCG [mcg-racingteam.de] via Buggy Sport [buggy-sport.info]
Avid RC have announced that Travis Amezcua has joined their team, bringing with him great experience having raced in the top level for over a decade. Having just switching over to Hot Bodies, from Team Losi, to help head up their Team Management and R&D,Avid is very excited to have him on board. Travis has always been the racer that never stops searching for the next level in handling or speed, and will make a great addition to Avid Racing Concepts.
Source: Avid RC [avidrc.com]
World class driver, Greg Hodapp has joined Team Kyosho for the upcoming race season. This return to racing for Greg will also be the second time that he has been able to work with Gil Losi Jr.
I spoke with a few other interested manufacturers, but when given the opportunity to work closely with Gil Losi Jr once again, the choice was simple. Gil has always been able to bring out the best in me and I’m very excited about the direction this team is taking.
Greg will be driving both of Kyosho’s RB5 and ZX5 for the upcoming season. His Kyosho buggies will be powered by Slingshot Batteries and Novak Brushless systems. Look for Greg to be attending major events throughout the 2008 race season.
Schumacher have released a new range of 1/8th scale buggy tires following many months of testing by their team drivers along with their in house R&D team. Based on their extensive competition racing knowledge, they have designed 2 new tires, the Spiral and the more traditional Mini Pin, both available in yellow and silver compounds. The Mini Pin is suitable for degraded surfaces such as grass/soil mix, dirt and astro turf, while the Spiral is designed for surfaces that need more penetration of the ground to gain grip, making it perfect for grass surfaces. All tires are available separately and also pre glued on the company’s new white rally dish wheel. The new wheels are also available separately in white, yellow and black.
Click more to see the new wheels… content
