October 31, 2019

RS5 Modelsport XT 2020 1/5th scale touring car kit

RS5 Modelsport have announced the soon release of their XT 2020 large scale gas touring car kit. New for 2020 are an updated front suspension geometry that will allow for faster lap times while making the car easier to drive at the same time. Coming with the updated geometry are new spacers, asymmetrical ball joints as well as new front spring. New in the suspension department is also the ability to use three different wheelbase settings that allow to fine-tune the car’s weight bias in order to make the car’s handling more agile or to create more stability. Also new is an updated battery tray for the use with standard hardcase shorty LiPo battery packs with the design of the tray allowing to use front, centre or rear battery positions, again enabling the driver to fine-tune the weight balance. Other features include a zero-play servosaver and updated aluminium brake pistons that improve braking force and feel while allowing for easier building and maintenance of the whole brake system. The brake upgrade is also available for the 2019 car as is an upgrade set for existing 2019 chassis kits.

View more images here


October 31, 2019

Tamiya TT-02 Toyota GR Supra kit

The stunning Toyota GR Supra is the latest body shell variant of Tamiya’s popular TT-02 entry-level 4WD touring car kit. The 4WD shaft-driven chassis is equipped with gear differentials, symmetric suspension components and wheel hex adapters with mock-up brake discs for looks. The most stunning part however is the multi-piece GR Supra body shell with detail such as side mirrors, head and tail lights with inserts for a three dimensional effect as well as rear diffusor and exhaust pipe details. The kit also includes a detailed decal sheet and it will hit stores by mid-November.

View more images here


October 30, 2019

High winds force cancellation of qualifying at Worlds

The opening day of qualifying at the IFMAR 1:8 Onroad World Championships has been cancelled due to high winds in California.  The gusting winds forced officials to make the call on the grounds of safety with concerns over the integrity of the huge tent in which everyone is pitting at Steel City RC Speedway.  Despite being held in position with large concrete weights such was the power of the wind it exerting huge forces on the tent frame making it too dangerous to pit under.  With the winds that are causing huge issues for fire fighters dealing with wild fire in the California area not expected to pass until this evening, IFMAR president Jeff Parker confirmed that due to safety concerns caused by the conditions today’s qualifying would be cancelled.  He added that the track would open as normal tomorrow morning at 07:00 with one hour of practice from 08:00 to 09:00 to ‘groove the track’ which would be followed by the opening round of qualifying.  Parker was quick to make it clear that ‘at this point we are not going into Sunday’, Sunday being a reserve day but only for should there be issues with the Saturday Main Finals programme.  So far no details have been released as to whether it will be possible to run all 6 rounds of qualifying as originally schedule but it is expected that today’s cancellation will see that number reduced.

View our complete event coverage here.


October 30, 2019

Kyosho Fazer Mk2 Alpine GT4 ReadySet

Kyosho have introduced their new Fazer Mk2 Alpine GT4 ReadySet 1/10th 4WD on-road ready-to-run set. Kyosho has taken its standard touring car chassis and given it a full model makeover that has evolved performance to a new level. A simplified design with fewer parts has improved maintenance efficiency and reduced weight while core strength and rigidity has been increased through new materials, ribbing and stiffeners on front and rear. In addition, the symmetrical chassis design makes for excellent front-rear balance and a responsive car control. Featuring a slipper clutch, front and rear gear differentials, oil shocks and full ball bearings, the high durability and impact resistance allows drivers to unleash the full potential of the chassis. Brake disc wheel hubs with two different offsets of 0mm and +5mm provide compatibility with 190mm and 200mm width body styles and allows the wheelbase to be adjusted to 274mm by replacing only a handful of optional parts for compatibility with other 1/10 scale body styles, in addition the body included. The ReadySet package comes fully assembled and includes everything except charger and battery for the chassis, and batteries for the transmitter. The set is completed by an Ultra Scale Body Alpine GT4 lid.

View a list of the features and more images here


October 30, 2019

ARC R11 Mid low-friction belt

Coming from ARC and made for their R11 Mid mid-motor chassis conversion kit is a white 3mm wide low-friction belt. Usable at both the front and the rear due to the equal length design, the belt will reduce the natural drivetrain drag at the expense of a bit of durability, making the belt especially useful for stock racing classes that benefit from a more free running drivetrain.

Source: ARC [arc-rc.com.tw]


October 30, 2019

Speedzone Evolution LiPo battery packs

Speedzone have announced their new Evolution brand, designed for and dedicated to competitive racing. Made to broaden Speedzone’s exposure in the competitive RC car racing scene, the first product offerings for the brand are 1S, 2S standard and shorty 130C LiPo packs. The 6000mAh 7.4V LCG pack measures 139x47x22.5mm and weighs 294g. The 5200mAh 7.4V shorty pack measures 96x47x25mm and weighs 228g, and the 8100mAh 3.7V pack measures 93x47x18.5mm and weighs in at 160g. All packs were designed to produce high voltage with low internal resistance and utilize 5mm bullet connectors.

View the shorty LiPo packs here


October 30, 2019

Balestri Top Seed at 1:8 World Championships

Dario Balestri has got the defence of his 1:8 Onroad World title off to a strong start by becoming the Top Seed for qualifying at Steel City RC Speedway in California.  The Infinity driver capped off today’s seeding practice by posting the fastest time of the day in the fourth & final round with a considerable advantage over second fastest for the round Toni Gruber.  Behind the Italian, Naoto Matsukura made it an Infinity 1-2 in seeding being the only other driver to top the time sheets when he went fastest in the third round.  Having a tough day by his normal standards, Simon Kurzbuch would manage to complete seeding in the Top 3 but openly admitted the gap to his great rival Balestri was quite a big one.  Having surprised with his second fastest time in the opening seeding round, JJ Wang is the 4th seed ahead of young Italian talent Jonathan Gandin with former Champion Tadahiko Sahashi completing the Top 6.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete event coverage here.


October 30, 2019

Matsukura fastest in 3rd round of seeding

Finally there was a change at the top of the timing sheets at the 1:8 World Championships as Naoto Matsukura set the pace in the third round of seeding.  Having suffered a heavy crash in the previous round, the Infinity driver came back to set the fastest 3-consecutive laps of the day ahead of a much improved Simon Kurzbuch.  Having been the benchmark up to now, Dario Balestri would set the third fastest time ahead of fellow Italian Alessio Mazzeo with Jesse Davis and Robert Pietsch completing the Top 6.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete event coverage here.


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