December 10, 2006

National Champion Martin Wolhuter switches to Pro Line

Martin Wolhuter

Our partner site Buggy-Sport are reporting that New Zealand National Champion Martin Wolhuter has confirmed the switch to Pro Line rubber having ran with Panther tyres for the previous 7 years. Martin recently TQ’d and won the National championships driving his Hong Nor X1CRT on Pro Line rubber and officially also announced the change over.

I would like to thank Panther for all the past support and look forward to a long and prosperous future with Pro Line Racing …Martin Wolhuter

Source: Buggy Sport [buggy-sport.info]


December 9, 2006

Himoto’s ongoing aerodynamic evolution

Himoto Body

Our partner site RubeDude has an exclusive look at the latest aerodynamic development to come from Himoto since their well received and successful buggy rear wing.

This is an exclusive picture of the prototype high down force low profile body designed to reduce and control fast radical wind eddy effects and stabilise the car whilst maximising downforce. The body is designed to to compliment the evolutionary wing and is due to be released soon.

Source: Rube Dude [rubeduderc.com]


December 8, 2006

Piktor tease us with more pics of the Rush 2

Piktor Rush 2

French manufacturer Piktor have been leaking out little bits of information about their all new 1/8th scale buggy the Rush 2. And of course we oblige by showing them, but thats because this car looks like it will be really good. Little details like the front wing, ala Tenth Technology, that make it interesting and of course the fact that they are innovating and not just settling for being just another buggy.

Why do you never see a front wing on 1/8 off road buggy? Just because the shocks are too high… On the RUSH 2 and with its very low shocks position, it is now possible. This wing will bring balance and precision in fast curves incomparable in this category.

You can read more and view the latest images here (click the small images)

Source: Piktor [piktor.fr]


December 8, 2006

Himoto 1/16th Mini Rattler RB1

Himoto 1/16th Mini Rattler RB1

The sub 1/12th scale scene is growing fast with cars seemingly coming out every other day and Himoto are the latest manufacturer to create a mini off roader. The Asian manufacturer has jumped into the small scales early with this Mini Rattler RB1 and it looks to be a solid effort. Not yet released, it’s shaft driven 4wd, fully independant suspension and has everything else you would expect from its bigger brothers in the buggy world.

You can view more pics of it here.

Source: Himoto [himotoracing.com]


December 7, 2006

LRP Shark 1/18th Nitro Race Monster Truck

LRP Shark 1/18th Nitro Race Monster Truck

We were a little slow off the mark with this one, mostly because it seemed a bit dull to start off, another tiny gas powered RTR that goes on all terrain blah blah blah. That was before i saw the video of this thing going….50km/h of muck shredding coolness is how i would sum it up. It is supposedly 1/18th in scale, but its a monster truck so it has the proportions of a 1/16th scale and it rips. It’s powered by 1.2ccm LRP motor, is shaft driven 4wd, has pivot ball front suspension and is basically a mini racer. If you want it you will have to wait until the 22nd of December, so perhaps Santa can just about manage to get you one.

With a top-speed of 50 km/h and a 1.2ccm high performance engine, this little race monster truck is conquering every parking lot or racetrack! The all new LRP SHARK-18 RMT combines the most popular features of the R/C Car world: compact dimensions, great offroad performance and nitro power = perfect 1/18 drive feeling!

Check out the video here and the product page here.

Source: LRP [lrp-electronic.de]


December 7, 2006

Werks Team Line B7 .28 Competition engine

Werks Team Line B7 .28

Werks Racing have just released their Team Line B7 .28 competition engine for truggy racing. Developed by Matt Goasch and Michael Sharwin the engine is claiming to push out nearly 3HP, which is quite an extraordinary claim. Its available now for $449.

At almost 3 horsepower, you could say it’s a B7 21 on steroids. If you want the most for your racing truck, this is your engine. 2.95HP 38,000 RPM

Source: Werks Racing [werksracing.com]


December 7, 2006

Team Orion Wasp Rev off road motor

Team Orion Wasp Rev

Team Orion look to be releasing an off road version of their Wasp Rev .12 motor. According to the report on our partner site RC World, the engine are to be used in 1/10th stadium trucks and have been spec’d by top US Racer and Team Orion team driver Ryan Cavalieri.

Expect to see it hitting the stores in Spring 2007.

Source: RC World [rcworld.ch]


December 7, 2006

Is the 1/8th Gas Buggy market flooded?

Market Saturation

On Tuesday I reported about the news that Technokit was to enter the 1/8th scale buggy market. At the time I noted that its a very flooded market and it would be bigger news if a manufacturer stated that they werent going to enter this class. Well i did a little research to follow up on that comment and was amazed to have come up with a list totalling 29 31 manufacturers (that i know of) that currently have, or are close to releasing, a 1/8th scale gas powered buggy. That is a huge number of players all fighting for the same piece of the pie, in a market that is becoming more crowded than a rush hour train in Bangladesh.

Who are these manufacturers and who really is left that can join in? Read More… content