Kyosho America has announced that it has recruited up & coming 1:8 Offroad talent Phi-Long Nguyen. Having earned the nickname ‘Little Bump’, the 12-year-old joins the iconic Japanese brand having announced earlier this month after AMS 14.0 that he was departing HB Racing after 5-years. Nguyen will team-up with Ryan Lutz in representing Kyosho on the busy US Offroad race calendar.
Source: Kyosho America [Facebook]
Italian brand Project-RC has released a new optional radio plate and receiver battery mount for the Mugen MRX6X 1:8 Nitro Onroad chassis. The new radio plate is redesigned to allow the mounting of an Infinity or ARC fuel tank. A special mount for the RX battery pack also means it can be moved under the tank, ensuring a better weight balance in the car.
RC Maker, the brand of top Australian racer Ryan Maker, has released two different front bulkhead brace set options for the recently launched Xray X4’24 1:10 Electric Touring Car. The X4’24 by design incorporates a lot of front bulkhead flex. The bulkheads flex together under compression of the suspension, or apart under cornering causing inconsistency in the handling and the inability to tune to different tracks, which can now be minimised with these brand new braces/dampeners. Offered is a rigid flex brace set and a flex dampener set, each features two different thickness of 1mm and 2mm for tuning. They attach to underneath the front caster pills directly and the flex dampener set provide consistent dampening (restriction) in both inwards and outwards directions of the flex either on the bulkheads at the very front while the rigid flex brace removes bulkhead flex in both inwards and outwards directions on the front.
Just in time for the upcoming IFMAR 1:12 World Championship at Beachline Raceway in Cocoa, Florida, next week, Roche has released its new 2024 Pit Mat. Made of high-quality fabric with non-slip rubber layer the pit mat measures 100x60x0.3cm with a colour printing of the World Champion manufacturer’s logo.
Source: Roche [rocherc.com]
Kyosho has released a Front Mass Damper for their V-ONE R4 1:10 Nitro Touring Car chassis which is a device other than the suspension that absorbs vibrations and shocks. A donut-shaped weight is placed between the upper and lower springs around a shaft fixed to the upper and lower bumpers. Tested by Kyosho’s head of RC car development Kazuhiro Miyazaki, who himself admitted he was sure it would work, when fitted it is possible to absorb minute vibrations that cannot be controlled by the suspension. In addition to the sense of stability when accelerating and decelerating, the sense of stability when the car hits bumps in the road surface, curbs, etc. has also been significantly improved. The set includes two 0.2mm thick shims, and by using them to add tension to the spring, the feeling will change slightly.
View Front Mass Damper set parts here
Awesomatix has released an optional ABH Adjustable Battery Holder set as well as longer Upper Arm Holders for its A800R 1:10 Electric Touring Car. Only suitable for use with the a800R the ABH set makes the width for the battery adjustable via sliding the AM280R in and out. The length for battery is adjustable via P68 Battery adjusters (kit parts). The set weighs in a ~6g. The new AM19-LTL Upper Arm Holders provide +1mm longer top link compared to AM19R when in the normal position. Reverse mounting is also possible to get extra long top links which are ~10mm longer than AM19R (requires optional AT25-2 turnbuckles). It also offers an intermediate mounting position which provides ~8mm longer top links. AM19-LTL should be mounted reverse for that. One link mounted on the AM19-LTL and the other link on the Bulkhead (requires optional AT25-2 turnbuckles). +1mm longer top links layout with AM19-LTL is recommended for carpet tracks while +10mm and +8mm extra long top links layout is recommended for asphalt tracks.
American niche bodyshell producer BOKI Racing has unveiled a rare find to the vintage RC racing community with the release of the XX4 X5 Conversion Kit Body. Crafted to seamlessly integrate with the original kit, the XX4 X5 Conversion Kit Body offers an unparalleled fit. The kit includes a clear, uncut, unpainted body, complete with window masks and paint masking, all expertly constructed from .030 Lexan made in the USA. Designed originally by Josh Cyrul, the XX4 X5 body embodies the X-Factor philosophy of prioritizing function above all. Despite initial reservations about its aesthetics, the design’s prowess becomes evident when working with and painting the shell, ultimately growing on enthusiasts. Notable features include a prominent motor cooling hump, providing ample space for a motor heat sink beneath the shell. The driver’s cockpit is strategically positioned in the center, with a rearward swoop to enhance downforce. The team behind the XX4 X5 body asserts its significant contribution to the car’s aerodynamics, promising a noticeable performance boost on the track.
Source: Boki Racing [bokiracing.com]
Former 1:8 Buggy World Champion Ty Tessmann has announced he has been dropped by Xray and their US distributor RC America. The Canadian driver will depart after a 7-year stint with the Slovakian manufacturer whom he joined after a lengthy stint with Hot Bodies. Posting confirmation of the much rumoured news, fuelled by the recent signing of his former HB team-mate David Ronnefalk, on his social media, Tessmann said, ‘There have been a lot of rumors about my future with Xray. For the last 7 years I have raced for and been committed to Xray and RC America, my Dad and I helped develop the Xray offroad cars, and grow the Xray brand in North America, and we have had a lot of successes over the last 7 years with their cars’. Listing his achievements with the brand which included the TQ & 2nd at the 2018 1:8 World Championships in Australia, he continued, ‘That being said I will not be continuing with Xray for 2024 and beyond, this was not my choice, but Xray and RC America have decided to not renew my contract. I would like to thank Xray and RC America for the opportunity and support over the past 7 years. Stay tuned for an announcement on what 2024 holds for me.’
Source: Ty Tessmann [Facebook]
