July 31, 2024

JConcepts Swaggoo 2WD Buggy Front tyre

JConcepts has introduced a new 2WD Buggy Tyre called the Swaggoo which features a multitude of heights and angular ribs for corner speed, consistency and straight-line tracking ability.  The Swagger, a popular tyre in the US brands line-up was used as inspiration for the new Swaggoo.  A new low-profile carcass matches the height of popular tires such as the Fuzz Bite and Pin Swag front tyres from JConcepts. This reactive concept with new staggered wedges with added teeth and notched large lugs works together to create corner speed.  The Swaggoo has shown to produce ultra-fast lap times while also being easier to drive than other options on the market.  A great tyre for the spec events such as the popular independent, 21.5, and 17.5 buggy classes.  A unique feature on the Swaggoo is the scalloped tyre bead which removes a lot of weight from a normally beefy area.  The tips of the bead touch off on the inner beads on the wheel which lead to a great alignment but now with reduced un-sprung weight.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]


July 31, 2024

Martin & Cragg winners at British Nationals Rd 5

The fifth & penultimate round of the BRCA British 1:10 Offroad Nationals was hosted at the Torch track over the weekend where Schumacher’s Lee Martin and Team Associated’s Neil Cragg took the wins.  In Saturday’s 2WD action qualifying would see reigning Champion Cragg secure the TQ ahead of title rival & team-mate Tommy Hall with new Xray signing Josh Holdsworth third ahead of Martin.  In the finals, Cragg opened with a win but then came out with 5th in A2 as Hall got the win ahead of Martin.  In the decider it was Martin with the win leaving him equal on points with Cragg who would secure his second overall win of the season as a result of the faster race time.  Hall completed the podium with both him and Cragg now on equal points at the top of the championship standings with one round remaining.  In Sunday’s 4WD action, with the title already secured for 2024, it was Hall who claimed the TQ ahead of Martin and Ben Smith.   In the finals, a clash between the Top 2 turned A1 on its head with Cragg coming through from P4 to win.  A2 would see Smith win ahead of Martin who would finally deliver in A3 to claim his first win of the season.  Smith made it a Schumacher 1-2 with Cragg taking the final podium spot ahead Thomas Phipps and Hall.

Image: Schumacher R/C Racing [Facebook]


July 31, 2024

Factory Team RC8B4.1 Rear Arm Carbon Fibre Inserts

New from Team Associated’s optional parts brand Factory Team are these 2.0mm carbon fibre inserts mount to the RC8B4.1 rear suspension arms.  Adding torsional  stiffness they create more predictable grip in high traction. Each package of inserts comes with two symmetrical CNC routed carbon fibre inserts and 8 pcs. M2.5×6 button head mounting screws.

Source: Associated [associatedelectrics.com]


July 30, 2024

2024 SIGP International Offroad GP – Announcement

Counting Germany’s Joern Neumann and American Ryan Lutz as past Champions, the SIGP International Offroad Grand Prix returns in 2024 with the announcement that the 3-circle ARC International RC Racing Track in Xiamen, China, will host the race from December 11-15.  The same venue that hosted the 2017 IFMAR 1:10 Electric Offroad World Championships, the SIGP International Offroad Grand Prix had been one of Asia’s major international offroad events pre-Covid gathering RC drivers from across Asia and the world.  The return of the Grand Prix, after its forced break since 2019, the event will give the new generation of Chinese drivers the opportunity to compete with top drivers from home & abroad and show as well as further develop their skills.  The classes that will make up the 2024 edition are 1:8 Nitro Buggy, 1:8 Electric Buggy, 1:7 KM Citroen C3 GP Rally, 1:7 Citroen C3 EP Rally, and 1:4 EP Offroad Motorbike, with a total prize fund of RMB 150,000 ($20,000) up for grabs.

View provisional schedule here


July 29, 2024

Phend triples at ‘The Wicked Weekend’

Team Losi Racing’s Dakotah Phend completed a triple at ‘The Wicked Weekend’ in Gainesville, Georgia.  Organised by RaceTime Entertainment, who host some of the biggest nitro races on US soil including the Psycho Nitro Blast, this year’s edition would be bigger than last year with the big winners from 2023, Phend (Nitro Buggy), Seth VanDalen (eBuggy) and Ryan Maifield (Nitro Truggy) heading the 726 strong entry list.  In Nitro Buggy qualifying it was Phend who topped all three qualifiers to secure the TQ ahead of Maifield’s Tekno and Spencer Rivkin’s Team Associated.  Phend also took the eBuggy TQ ahead of the Tekno of defending Champion VanDalen.  In Nitro Truggy it was Sworkz’ Brandon Rose who took the TQ ahead of Rivkin.  In the finals, Phend would successfully defend his Nitro Buggy title taking the win of the half hour decider by 12.5-seconds from Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz who got passed Maifield who finished a further 14-seconds back.  In Nitro Truggy Phend would come through from P5 to take the win by a lap over Maifield with Top Qualifier Rose rounding out the Top 3.  To cap off a brilliant weekend for Phend, he took eBuggy thanks to the fastest winning time in the first of the 2 legs A-main encounters.  Winner of the second A-Main just a second ahead of Phend but a slower race by over 2-seconds,  Team Associated’s Jonah Wilson took second overall with Lutz giving Kyosho another Top 3 finish.

Image: The Wicked Weekend [Facebook]


July 29, 2024

Infinity IFB8 Optional Parts Release

Infinity has introduced a number of new optional parts for its IFB8 1:8 Buggy which the Japanese manufacturer officially released just 2-months ago.  Included in the new parts are an Alu Rear Brace Mount that is machined from 7075-T6 alloy and which enhances strength and stiffness over stock plastic kit part.  Also made from 7075-T6 alloy, they are offering a set of Alu Radio Tray stands to increase the stiffness of your radio plate and avoid undesired movements of your servos ensuring the maximum precision.  For the centre diff of the buggy the have created a carbon fibre centre diff mount plate which not only reduces weight but also enhances the rigidity and efficiency of the braking system.  Wider +1 mm Wheel Hex Hubs modify the buggy’s handling characteristics by altering steering feel and vehicle roll stiffness. It is versatile for use on both the front and rear ends, enabling smoother steering when mounted at the front and improved traction when mounted at the rear.  In addition they have added 45T and 47T Diff Spur Gears,  two new front and rear shock springs, two different clutch springs for more tuning options on the IFB8 and alu servo horns options.

View more images here


July 29, 2024

Xray XB2|4 Alu Shock Cap-Nut with Vent Hole

Xray has released new optional Alu Shock Cap-Nut with Vent Hole for the big bore shocks for its XB4 and XB2 1:10 Electric Buggy platforms.  Machined from premium Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium and additionally black coated, upper shock caps offer increased durability and extended life time.  The shock caps feature vent hole and come complete with a set of shims for fast and comfortable uptravel adjustment.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


July 29, 2024

Ruddog RC230 Dual Channel LiPo Battery DC Charger

Germany’s Ruddog has introduced a new Dual Channel LiPo Battery DC Charger it is calling the RC230.   The powerful and versatile charger allows you to charge up to two battery packs simultaneously with up to 30A of charge current.  In the combined SYNC mode, a maximum charge current of 50A is possible.  The DC charger can be used with 1S to 8S LiHV/LiPo, 1 to 20 cell NiMH, or 1 to 15 cell Pb batteries and operates with an input voltage of 10VDC to 49VDC.  A powerful discharge function allows for up to 30A of discharge current in Recycle mode or 10A in Normal mode.  The capacitive touchscreen display offers intuitive operation and allows monitoring of the charger’s and batteries’ vital signs.  With its compact dimensions, it is easy to store and transport the charger, making it ideal for weekly racing or traveling.

View Specs and more images here