April 17, 2024

Manzo46 Digital Caster Gauge Set

Manzo46 has announced an update to its Digital Caster Gauge Set with the release of the all-new M46-018.  Due to long-term production problems at their measuring instrument supplier, their popular sM46-018 gauge was out of stock for a long time.  With strong customer demand and an extensive search for a new supplier, Manzor46 took the initiative and developed their own measuring instrument.  The all-new M46-018, which comes as 2-units, is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, but still offers the same proven functionality.  While it now has a single-axis measurement, you can still measure both camber and caster, albeit in a slightly different way.  For caster measurement, the process remains unchanged, with direct mounting of the gauge to the hub using the precision CNC-machined aluminium bracket.  An alternative measurement option is provided for the camber with the M46-018 compatible with platforms such as Awesomatix, Xray X4, Mugen Seiki and Schumacher.

View Gauge in use here


April 16, 2024

O.S. Speed TR03 & MR04 1:8 Onroad Exhaust Set

Japanese engine manufacturer O.S has released a new TR03 (EFRA2196) exhaust for 1:8 Onroad use.  It has been designed to give powerful characteristics at the mid-speed range after reviewing the internal shape of the current TR02 (EFRA2165) exhaust.  A special coating applied to the surface also plays a part in this improved area of performance.  Additionally, the engine sound that can be noticed from the moment the engine starts.  Also released is the new MR04 manifold that can also be purchased as a set with the new TR03 exhaust.  This manifold has a revised shape from the current product MR03-WC, and has the characteristic of extending smoothly to the high speed range without compromising the medium speed range.   Both the exhaust and manifold have a buff finish and are laser engraved for easy identification.

Source: O.S. Engines [os-engines.co.jp]


April 16, 2024

Hobbywing MAX8 G2S 1:8 Brushless ESC

New from Hobbywing is the EzRun MAX8 G2S ESC intended for 1:8 Onroad, Short Course and Monster truck use.  Based on the MAX8 G2 ESC, the brand new G2S ESC is equipped with optimised hardware design application such as intelligent freewheeling technology.  The stability and reliability of the ESC has been further improved and the ESC has a built-in Bluetooth module.  This allows you to connect to the mobile APP directly without plugging any device.  It is simple and convenient to perform parameter settings, data reading, firmware upgrades and other operations.

View Specs & more images here


April 16, 2024

Thurston wins 1:8 Onroad British Nationals opener

Alex Thurston enjoyed the perfect debut with his new Mugen Seiki MRX6 at the opening round of the BRCA 1:8 Onroad British National Championship taking the TQ and setting a new lap record on the way to victory over reigning Champion Tim Wood.  Over the four rounds of qualifying Thurston was the only driver to run 18-laps, securing the overall TQ ahead of the Shepherd of Wood and Vice-Champion Karl Dransfield.  In the half hour final an opening lap incident involving hitting a pitman delayed Thurston but worse for Dransfield resulted in the end of his race.  This allowed Wood to go to the front but losing 8-seconds with a slow first pitstop, he dropped back to second as Thurston took over a lead.  Once out front Thurston held station winning by 11-seconds from Wood with the Shepherd of fourth place qualifier John Carr completing the podium.  While a great day for Thurston, unfortunately after 20-years racing at the Cotswolds track this was to be the last race before it is permanently closed down due to the site being developed for commercial use.

Image: Alex Thurston [Facebook]


April 15, 2024

2024 Speed King Tour Rd1 – Report

The opening round of the Speed King Tour 2024 was held recently at Super RC Omiya indoor tarmac track in Saitama prefecture Japan with Infinity driver Jin Sawada taking the main win from Axon’s Hayato Ishioka.  The popular and competitive electric touring car series is now in its 11th year sand consisting of six rounds travels to circuits across Japan.  Host of Round 1,  the Super RC Omiya track is known for its high bite and the Speed King Tour specific rules specify controlled tyres and prohibit the use of tyre warmer, which are highly favoured by racers in Japan.  A major boost for the series was the participation of RC legend Atsushi Hara at the controls of soon to be release limiteds edition Xpress Execute XQ11 Hara Edition.

Continue reading report here


April 15, 2024

Ishikawa joins Yokomo

Yokomo has officially announced that young Japanese talent and reigning Stock Touring Car Japanese National Champion Mahiro Ishikawa has joined its Racing Factory team.  A former IRIS driver, the 14-year-old will campaign the Japanese manufacturer’s new MS1.0 that is due for general release at the end of this month.  A race winner in TC1 class of the popular & competitive Japanese based Speed King Tour, Ishikawa has stepped up to the top level TC0 class making his debut for Team Yokomo at the recent 2024 season opener held at Super RC Omiya indoor tarmac track in Saitama.

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]


April 14, 2024

Orlowski takes back European 1:12 title

Schumacher’s Michal Orlowski has taken back his 1:12 EFRA European Championship title in Sicily, Italy.  Having lost his 2022 title to 8-time Champion Alexander Hagberg last year in Great Britain, the reigning World Champion put in a pretty dominant performance at the Paradise RC Arena securing the TQ ahead of team-mate Ollie Payne as Hagberg’s Xray lined up third for his title defence.  Winning A1 by a convincing margin over former World & European Champion Marc Rheinard, Orlowski wrapped up the title with another win in A2, this time over Hagberg.  With A3 a battle for the other two podium placings, it initially looked like Hagberg would finish runner-up ahead of Rheinard as he crossed the line first but an earlier incident in the race with Payne was reviewed with race officials handing Hagerg 5-second penalty that promoted Rheinard to the A3 win and demoted the Swede to third on the overall podium.  In 1:12 Spec, Simon Lauter secured the TQ with his Awesomatix from Payne and Jan Ratheisky.  In the finals, Ratheisky’s Xray took the first 8-minute encounter.  Lauter was able to convert his pole position into a win in A2 but it was then Payne who won the decider.  In the end, Lauter got the title on tie break from Payne with Ratheisky completing the podium.

View 1:12 Spec podium here


April 12, 2024

PN Racing Mini-Z V2 Tire Gluer Pro

Mini-Z racing specialists PN Racing has released its all new v2 tyre gluer.  Designed to work with Mini-z 2WD & AWD wheels in 8.5mm/11mm/14mm width, the V2 Tire Gluer Pro offers an easy and efficient tyre gluing solution for the 1:28 scale category.

View more images here