December 6, 2023

Rheinard’s 1:12 World title defence off to positive start

Reigning 1:12 World Champion Marc Rheinard got his title defence off to a positive start with the Awesomatix driver topping the opening round of controlled practice at Beachline Raceway in Florida.  Setting a time of 32.983 for his fastest 3-consecutive laps, the German also had the fastest lap for the round with only team-mate Kemp Anderson, 3rd quickest for the round, also able to run a 10-second lap of the track which is proving popular with drivers.  Overall it was the Schumacher of Ollie Payne who posted the second fastest time with team-mate Michal Orlowski fourth quickest.  Japan’s Hayato Ishioka’s Roche was fifth for the round, with recent U.S. Indoor Champs winner Sam Isaacs completing the Top 6.  Keven Hebert was the top Xray in P7 over a second down on Rheinard’s time.

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December 5, 2023

‘Preparations for Worlds has to be exceptional to win’ – Alexander Hagberg

IFMAR’s original electric World Championship takes place in Florida this week where the 21st Champion will decided among a small but ultra competitive field.  One of those drivers who will be vying for success is Alexander Hagberg who, as one of the great specialists of the category, is also one who holds a membership to one of RC racing’s most elite clubs.  In 2014 he claimed his first World title when he won 1:10 Nitro Touring Car in Thailand, and then in 2018 he took the sport’s biggest prize in 1:12 in South Africa.  As the reigning European 1:12 Champion, equalling David Spashett’s record of 8 titles when he won in April of this year, it is fair to say he isn’t going into these Worlds on the back of a run of impressive form since.

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December 5, 2023

Infinity IF18-3 1:8 Onroad chassis

Creation Model has officially released its latest 1:8 onroad chassis, the IF18-3.  In 2023 the long awaited IFMAR 1:8 Onroad World Championship was held at Infinity International Speedway in Japan where on its official debut 6 out of 10 IF18-3 cars advanced to the final, with team driver Dario Balestri being crowned 2023 IFMAR World Champion (see winning chassis focus here).  The new IF18-3 was designed based on data from Infinity team drivers active all around the world and introduced by them during the 2023 World Championship.  With increased rigidity and a lower centre of gravity, it has outstanding rear traction that significantly exceeds the previous model IF18-2.  Armed with an all new brake system with improved control and drivability the IF18-3 successfully regained the championship title.  It has multiple part revisions from the previous model, allowing for a wide range of settings with minimal changes to each component, making it adaptable to all track conditions.  The IF series fuel tank, which has received high praise all over the world, guarantees a stable fuel supply.  The new clutch extracts as much power as possible even from 16% nitro fuel, which is mainstream in Europe.  The front area has also been improved and the lower suspension has improved crash resistance, now making it possible reproduce track width setup changes more quickly and easily.  Of course, it maintains high compatibility with many existing parts, and the design allows you to continue using a wide variety of optional parts, so you can customise it to your liking.

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December 5, 2023

FIRC announces FEMCA VP Kee as Race Director

The organisers of the Foshan International Invitational RC Championship, which takes place on December 15-17 at the new GDC Indoor track in China’s central Guangdong Province, has announced FEMCA Vice President Leonard Kee as Race Director and race commentator of the inaugural running of the event.  The race which aims to promote high level racing to local racers, has attracted a number of high profile international entries including former World Champion Ronald Volker from Mugen Seiki, Xpress team driver & 1:12 World Finalist Yugo Nagashima, and Team Yokomo’s Australian National Champion Simon Nicholson.  FEMCA, the governing body of radio-controlled car racing in Asia and Australasia that represents 15 nations, is looking to boost racing in the region following Covid, with Kee’s attendance a big boost for both FEMCA and the event which hopes to become an annual international electric touring car fixture.  On the announcement Kee, who was the Race Announcer for the 1:8 GT World Championship in Australia said, “Hi All, I’m Leonard you can call me Leo.  I’m the Vice President of FEMCA.  Am absolutely thrilled to be heading to one of the premier carpet tracks in Asia for their inaugural race, The 2023 Foshan International Invitational RC Championship as their Race Director as well as race commentator.  One of my tasks for this race is to evaluate the feasibility of the Foshan venue for upcoming regional and world events.  It’s going to be a blast.  I look forward to seeing my friends from the RC world there.”

Source: Foshan International Invitational RC Championship [Facebook]

December 5, 2023

SkyRC B6ACneo Charger

SkyRC has released this smaller than a credit card B6ACneo Charger that sports a sleek design with vibrant colours, and boasts an impressive 200W charging capacity with DC power and 60W with AC.  Surpassing the original B6AC’s 50W AC limit,  the B6ACneo reduces charging time, maximising your time in RC action.  Don’t let its downsized footprint deceive you – this charger packs a punch.  When powered by DC it delivers a remarkable charging power of up to 200W with a maximum current of 10A.  Even when connected to AC power it effortlessly fills up to 60W.  The SkyRC B6ACneo features an XT60 interface as its DC input and Universal 100-240V AC input, ensuring greater flexibility and convenience in charging your RC batteries.

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December 4, 2023

Greiner announces retirement from nitro racing

One of the outright fastest nitro onroad drivers of the last decade, 2016 1:10 Onroad World Champion Dominic Greiner has announced his retirement from nitro racing.  In an interview with the German last year ahead of the 1:10 Nitro Onroad World Championship in Thailand, the Capricorn driver highlighted the growing difficulty of trying to remain competitive while also holding down a full time job.  Having made a very emotional 6th World Championship Final appearance at the 1:8 Worlds in Japan which was won by his long time sparring partner Dario Balestri, Greiner made the announcement on social media that after 15-years  in nitro racing he was calling time on it.  A driver who always wore his emotions on his sleeve, his retirement will leave a big void in the nitro onroad racing scene.  Having witnessed first hand the highlight of his World title win in Gubbio which came after a flawless performance in the final, we also had the opportunity to experience his raw emotion of making the final in Japan last month where he hinted at it being his final race.  Red RC would like to thank Dominic for the great memories, emotions and laughs shared together around the world over the years.

Read Greiner’s full post here

December 4, 2023

D’Angelo crowned Italian 1:8 GT Nitro Champion

Genius Racing’s Alex D’angelo is the 2023 AMSCI Italian 1:8 GT Nitro National Champion.  Top Qualifier at the 1:8 GT World Championship in Australia in October, he secured the title with a second place finish behind Schepis Model driver Rosario Giaimo at the third & final round of the championship at Miniautodromo Vallelunga RC.  Going into the season finale, a number of drivers remained in contention for the title including Round 2 winner & Raptor driver Loris Luise, Xray’s Natanaele Senesi and Capricorn’s Alessio Mazzeo.  In qualifying it was Mazzeo who took the TQ from Senesi and D’angelo but in the 45-minute final it was Giaimo from p9 on the grid who came through for the race win ahead of D’angelo and Mazzeo, second being enough for the Gimar engine GT8.23 of D’angelo to secure the title.  In 1:8 GTe,  it was also Mazzeo who also took the TQ honours again from Senesi and he duly converted it into the win after taking both A1 and A2 to secure the overall 2023 title for Capricorn.

Image: Alex D’angelo [Facebook]

December 4, 2023

Raceform 1:12 Perfect Wheel Arc Cutter

New from Singapore’s Raceform is their 1:12 Perfect Wheel Arc Cutter which is is specially designed for 1:12 racing making it their first ever onroad specific pit accessory.  Adjustment from 40mm to 50mm Diameter, it is the only tool that is able to trim a perfect wheel arc over and over again without any hassle.  The Secured Position Design ensures the tool does not move if 2 or more cut is required, eliminating 2nd cut line and it works with any standard hobby knife blade.  Super safe as the cutting blade is not exposed during cutting, it is suitable for lexan up to 0.8mm and it eliminates the pain of damaging a wonderfully painted shell during trimming of the wheel arc.

View cutter mounted for arc cut here