January 1, 2020

Dakotah Phend joins JConcepts

JConcepts have announced the signing of Dakotah Phend to the world wide race team for 2020 and beyond. The flagship TLR driver has been racing since 5 years of age and has blossomed into one of the fastest overall drivers in the world. The multi-time ROAR National champion, Reedy International Race of Champions winner and current vice champion at the 2019 IFMAR World Championships in the 4wd class has set his sights on a banner year in 2020. Dakotah plans to make his JConcepts racing debut at the CRCRC Winter Midwest Championships in Jeffersonville, Ohio, on January 8-12, 2020. Dakotah Phend states:

I am very excited to be joining the JConcepts team for 2020 and beyond! Jason, Allison, and the whole crew are extremely dedicated to not only winning but improving and growing the industry that all of us enjoy. I’m looking forward to a lot of success with them!

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]


December 31, 2019

T-Works introduce XB4’20 optionals

T-Works have announced the release of several option parts for the Xray XB4 2020 buggy. First up is a titanium turnbuckle set that replaces the standard spring steel spanners. Machined from lightweight yet durable 64 grade titanium the turnbuckles will reduce overall weight while adding visual impact. Included comes a suitable turnbuckle wrench for easy building and setup. Next up is a 64 grade titanium ball end set that is made to replace the standard steel balls for parts of lower weight. While scrubbing a good amount of weight the ball ends also add a bit of bling to the buggy. Also new for the 2020 edition of Xray’s World Championship winning buggy is a hard-coated aluminium suspension ball end set. The 8-piece set will lower the overall weight with the hard-coated surface treatment ensuring high durability and smooth suspension movement. Made to ensure a smooth drivetrain action is a 22-piece rubber and metal-shilled precision ball bearing set. It includes all needed ball races as direct replacements for the standard rubber-shielded bearings. The range is rounded out by a 104-piece UFO head titanium and a 124-piece gold-colour steel screw set.

View the other new parts here


December 31, 2019

Pauwels & van Helmond win at OliebollenCross XXL race

The Model Indoor Oss indoor track hosted the OliebollenCross XXL race last weekend that was held in 2WD and 4WD Buggy classes. In 2WD the race for the overall TQ was between Pieter Beekman, Senne Pauwels and Wesley van Helmond. Ultimately it was Pieter with the overall TQ thanks to two round TQs from Senne and Wesley who took a round each. When the dust had settled after some entertaining A-mains, it was Senne and Wesley who ended tie on points with Senne eventually taking the win in the tie-breaker from Wesley in 2nd and Pieter in 3rd.

Continue reading the report here


December 30, 2019

JConcepts RC10B3 authentic buggy body shell

JConcepts have introduced their authentic Team Associated RC10B3 body shell. Team Associated released the RC10B3 during the 1997 IFMAR World Championships. Quietly, during the span of 1995 through 1997, Area 51 worked on the follow-up design to the successful RC10 platforms with a major release scheduled during the high-profile event. One of the improvements or updates made to the design was the body shell. The event took place at the legendary Ranch Pit Shop in Pomona, California, and ultimately Brian Kinwald claimed his 2nd IFMAR title. After the triple A-mains, Masami Hirosaka placed 3rd overall and other B3 drivers such as Mark Pavidis, Scott Hughes, Mark Francis and Jason Ruona also made the A-final with their new prototypes. JConcepts, with approval from Team Associated, have reintroduced the genuine RC10B3 body shell to the masses. This allows the faithful to recreate, rebuild and race with authentically styled bodies from the heyday of competitive rear bias cab, back closure buggy bodies. A lot of work went into making this project a reality and thankfully, Team Associated preserved the iconic mold from the 1997 race year. JConcepts was able to restore older generation construction and with a blend of today’s materials, the RC10B3 body is back out on the market. The B3 kit body was one of last 2WD buggies to include a body that featured a closure or back portion of the shell under the rear wing and protection above the transmission. These details were preserved and highlighted, and the body is drop-fit to a generation of Team Associated vehicles from the 3 platform era. Each package includes window mask, 5.5” rear wing and clear polycarbonate body.

View more images here


December 30, 2019

Reno Savoya leaves Team Losi Racing

Multi-time EFRA European and French National Champion, Reno Savoya has announced his departure from Team Losi Racing. Reno had a pretty successful 4-season stint with the US company, achieving two IFMAR Worlds finals and five French National Championship titles. Reno for now leaves open on what comes next for him but with the new year just around the corner, the RC community will find out pretty soon. For now, Reno has the following to say:

2020 is just around the corner! It will mark a new chapter in my career as I am up for a new adventure. After 4 ecstatic seasons with TLR, 2 IFMAR Worlds finals, 5 french National titles, it is time for me to look for a new future. Thank you to the entire TLR crew Frank, Ryan, Bryan, Todd, Barry, Kevin and all the #driveTLR family worldwide for those wonderful moments on and off the track! See you guys in Padova in just a few days with my new entity.


December 30, 2019

Leonardo Valente wins at Year End race

The Rapallo track in the North-western part of Italy hosted their year end race this past weekend. In the Nitro Buggy F1 category it was Leonardo Valente with the overall win in the 45-minute main final from EFRA European Champion, Riccardo Berton on the runner-up spot, a lap down. Giovanni Camamo came in 3rd, another two laps down.

Image: Leonardo Valente


December 30, 2019

Trinity sign Barry Baker

Trinity have announced the signing of RC icon, Barry Baker to their factory team for the 2020 season. Barry brings decades of knowledge and experience to the team and he will not only be driving but will be Trinity’s West Coast team representative.

Source: Trinity [teamtrinity.com]


December 30, 2019

Mitchell Booth wins at Nitro X Cross Winter Series Rd3

Round 3 of the Nitro X Cross Winter Series was held at the Brookthorpe track in the UK this past weekend. In the 20-minute Nitro Buggy A-main it was Tekno RC driver, Mitchell Booth with the overall win some eight seconds in front of Mugen’s Ben Billing on the runner-up spot. Tekno RC’s Wes Jolly came in 3rd to complete the top 3 result a lap down.

Source: Nitro X Cross [facebook.com]


Mibosport
VP Racing
T-Works