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]
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
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]
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.
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]
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
Sworkz’s Juan Carlos Canas has retained his EFRA 1:8 Nitro Buggy European Championship with a dominant win at the OngaroRing in Italy. Having secured the overall TQ ahead of Mugen Seiki’s Burak Kilic after topping three of the five qualifiers, the Spaniard went on to win his Semi Final to secure pole position for the 45-minute. With Burak retiring from the lead of his Semi, behind Canas on the grid it would be Burak’s brother Berak Kilic who lined up second followed Xray’s David Ronnefalk and Team Associated’s Davide Ongaro. Leading from start to finish it was a dominant display from Canas who has clearly marked himself as a favourite for the World Championship in just 6-weeks time in his home country. A late charge from 2018 Champion Bruno Coelho, who started P5, would see the Xray driver get by his team-mate Ronnefalk to finish within 6-seconds of Canas. Former World & European Champion Ronnefalk completing the podium ahead of the WIRC of Marco Baruffolo. Racing at his family owned track, current back to back World Champion Ongaro would see any chances of a first European title dashed when he ran out of fuel having just passed Ronnefalk for second with 15-minutes left on the clock.
Image: Sworkz [Facebook]
Avid has a new 7″ wide wing designed for 1:10 buggies with high clearance wheel cutouts and low drag. Available in two thicknesses, lightweight and standard, it features a flat but curved front lip to speed the air up going over it with a smooth transition to the low pressure 18.5 degree rear section so there are no pockets or hard edges to disrupt the flow. An innovative feature they have incorporated in is a small raised line in the centre, allowing easy centring during mounting. Additionally, the wing includes eight support ribs on the sides to maintain structural integrity. Two gurney options are also offered to adjust the rear bite to your preference. The wings comes uncut as 2 units.
Source: Avid [avidrc.com]
