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May 6, 2026

Gimar Raptor 1:8 GT 2026 Version

Italy’s Gimar, best known for their engines, has announced details of the latest updates to its double World Champion winning Raptor 1:8 GT Kit. Designed by engineer Andrea Contarini and produced in Italy by TES, the main improvement is the flat chassis that improves stability and corner speed. The latest version of the car that Alessio Mazzeo used to win the 2025 World Championships in Chile, also features changes to the shock towers and shock position to enhance performance. With the latest car there is the possibility to move the body front and rear by 4mm, a first in the GT class. The new version has already secured two Italian National Championship race wins in Sports Class in the hands of Marco Gementi last weekend in Cremona and at the season opener with ‘Grasa’ Alessandro. The new 2026 version will used at the upcoming European Championships in Portugal with Mazzeo, Burak Kilic and Natanaele Senesi.

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May 5, 2026

Arnaldi wins EFRA 1:5 GP in Luxembourg

Genius Racing’s Bernard-Alain Arnaldi took the win at the first EFRA 1:5 Grand Prix of the season, the Frenchman claiming victory in a rain effected finals day at the Mini Circuit “Ville de Luxembourg”. In Touring Car qualifying it was the Mecatech of Belgium’s Giovanni Verbrugghe who secured the TQ honours, his final run of the three qualifiers the fastest. With Arnaldi second fastest, behind him the qualifying order was Cédric Prevot, Norwegian Marius Hetland, and reigning European Champion Carsten Keller from Germany. Winning Super Pole, Prevot booked his direct spot on the final grid as the rest had to battle it out in their respective Semi Finals. With Arnaldi winning his in the faster time, the 2-time European Champion would line up 3rd on the grid ahead of 2022 European Champion Edoardo Repetti from Italy who won the other Semi. In a wet 20-minute final, weather conditions extremely challenging, setting the fastest lap of the race Arnaldi would come out tops to win by a comfortable margin over Repetti and the Top Qualifier Verbrugghe. The second of the three 2026 scheduled EFRA Grand Prix’s will take place on June 6/7th in Macon, France.

Image: Mecatech Racing Components [Facebook]

May 5, 2026

Velocity RC VS2 Sprint Car

Oval racing manufacturer Velocity RC’s has announced a new competition Sprint Car, the VS2, which is set to go on pre-order tomorrow (May 7th). The US brand has been working for some time on a purpose built platform with the VS2 a competition ready car kit with 7mm offset chassis. The body and wings are produced in partnership with McAllister Racing with a Custom Works Cage. The front end design is a bit of refinement and a bit of departure from the norm. The refinement is in the design of the front kickups, while not revolutionary they offer the ability to ad optional droop plates as well as – after much much use – the option to use set screws to remove any play in the hinge pins that can develop over time. The departure is in everything else. The steering assembly is tucked in between the front bulkheads, allowing for the battery to be placed further forward, which is desirable on high grip tracks. The bracing of the front end also leads to a more direct steering feel without the loss of rear grip that usually comes from stiffening the entire chassis. The VS2 steering assembly is full Avid RC bearing supported, black anodizsed & edged) aluminium. The design includes steel hat bushings to ensure free movement with no crushed bearings. The steering posts are notched on the bottom for ease of holding in place with the back side of the carbon camber wrench (that is also in the kit). Velocity say what makes the car ‘Competition Ready’ is the kit will include many parts that other companies consider optional. These include Full Aluminium Steering (Bellcranks/Rack), Alu spindles, Alu Rear Hubs, Small bore shock spring collars for small or big bore springs, Alu shock standoffs with delrin balls, full metric hardware, no standard wrenches needed, and 4mm Shock Towers.

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May 4, 2026

Nicholson wins NSW State Title

The New South Wales State Titles for 1:10 Electric Touring Car took place over the weekend with Schumacher’s Simon Nicholson taking the Modified title. Racing at the Australia’s most famous onroad track as host of two World Championships, 68 drivers made the trip to the John Grant International Raceway just outside Sydney. With 3 from 5 rounds of qualifying to count, it was 2024 National Champion Nicholson who secured the TQ topping two rounds. Behind him it was RC Maker’s Jeff Hamon who secured P2, the previous NSW Champion fastest in Q5. Also racing for RC Maker, young Lincoln Codd took the opening qualifier on his step up to Modified to completed the Top 3 on the grid. In the finals, Nicholson would win A1 & A2 to lock in the title. Qualifying P4, RC Maker’s Jeffrey Mackie would win A3 to finish runner up with team-mate Hamon completing the podium from Codd on tie break. In 13.5 Touring Car, ARC driver Marcus Askell took the title ahead of the Xray of Top Qualifier & National Champion Michael Stone. Awesomatix driver Tim Hilyear completed the podium.

Image: Simon Nicholson [Facebook]

May 4, 2026

Double success for Wood at British 1:8 Onroad Nationals

Shepherd’s Tim Wood completed a double win at the latest BRCA 1:8 Onroad British National Championship, Brookland Raceway hosting a double header weekend of the BRCA Championship. After a tough opening race to the season at Halifax last month, that race was won by defending champion Alex Thurston, the World Championship finalist took the Round 2 TQ and win ahead of team-mate David Spashett with Craig Hook completing the podium. Resetting for Round 3, again it was Wood who was the benchmark this time taking the TQ ahead of the similar package of Andrew Hastings. In the half hour final, Spashett unfortunately an early retirement, Wood completed the perfect weekend to claim maximum championship points that put him top of the standings and giving an absent Thurston work to do over over the rest of the season. Craig Hook and Neil Driver completed the Round 3 podium. Round 4 of the championship takes drivers to the Cotswold track on June 6/7.

Image: Shepherd Micro Racing [Facebook]

May 4, 2026

Lee wins Malaysia ISTC 2026

Xray team driver Nicholas Lee made the trip across the border from Singapore to neighbouring Malaysia to contest the Malaysia ISTC 2026 and come away with the Modified win. Attracting over 100 drivers, the SACC RC Park hosted race would face some rain disruptions, but over the four rounds of qualifying it was Lee who set the pace to secure the TQ ahead of the Axon of fellow Singaporean Zaccheus Lam. The Xray of Sean Lee completed the Top 3. In the double finals, Lee won the opening encounter from Malaysian Mugen Seiki racer Shahrin and a repeat win in A2 over Lam gave him the overall win. Lam and Shahrin completed the podium. In Stock 13.5, well known Asian race announcer Daryl Thong made a successful return to racing to take the TQ and win ahead of Faric Au and local racer Yozo for an all Xray podium.

Image: SACC RC Park [Facebook]

May 4, 2026

The RC Racer TT-02F Front Wheel Drive Conversion Kit

Well known Tamiya website The RC Racer has realised a dream of combining their love of Tamiya and having an accessible entry into the FWD 1:10 Touring Car class with the creation of this conversion kit for the hugely popular TT02. The kit transforms the popular entry level Tamiya into a club spec front wheel drive chassis and takes the unique concept of making the rear of the conventional chassis the front. This provides the car with the front weight bias that is essential for good traction in the popular Frontie class. The concersation is availablr as a free to download 3D print file. In total, there are just three new parts in the conversion – Servo Plate, Front Shock Tower (One for the Standard kit, and one for the TYPE-S chassis), and a Bumper (optional).

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May 4, 2026

Paloschi wins Round 2 of Italian GT Championship

Gabriele Paloschi has won the second round of the AMSCI 1:8 GT Italian National Championship, the Capricorn driver taking the win ahead of Top Qualifier and defending Champion Andrea Catanzani. Hosted by the Stradivari Miniautodromo in Cremona, Northern Italy, qualifying saw the Serpent of Round 1 winner Catanzani secure the top spot as he went fastest in 2 of the four rounds. Fastest in final qualifier, Senesi GT International GP winner Paloschi would secure P2 ahead of the Nova Engines backed Raptor of Turkish Championship regular Burak Kilic who topped Q3. In the 45-minute final, with Kilic retiring after just 15-minutes, up front Catanzani looked set to go 2 from 2 in the championship as he lapped the field and posted the fastest lap of the race. With just minutes left on the clock however the leader suffered a tyre failure allowing Paloschi through to the lead as the World Championship Top Qualifier visited the pits. Paloschi would hold on to take the win by just under 3-seconds from Catanzani for an Ielasi Tuned engines 1-2. Multiple Irish National Champion, and another of the championship’s regular international visitors, Clive Connolly completed the podium. Behind the Schepis Model’s driver, reigning European Champion Filippo Beretta claimed 4th. Beretta will try to defend his title later this month when drivers travel to Portugal for the 2026 EFRA European GT Championships at Vila Real.

Image: Gabriele Paloschi [Facebook]