March 14, 2024

Xpress Execute XQ3S ‘Sport’ Touring Car

Known for offering budget alternatives of its competition touring car kits, Hong Kong chassis manufacturer Xpress has released details of its up coming XQ3S 1:10 Sport Touring Car.  Featuring design elements from the Execute XQ11, which team driver Yugo Nagashima put into the A-Main at the recent TITC, the XQ3S kit is an economical entry car to Touring Car and which is upgradeable with Execute XQ11 parts.  Improvements over the previous Execute XQ2S include reinforced suspension with easy camber adjustment.  The reinforced soft composite arm provide great durability while maintain a balance between strength and weight.  You can adjust the flex of the deck with inserts, changing the stiffness to best suit your style. 2.0mm Fibre-reinforced polymer structure giving you the perfect combination of strength, weight and resistance.  The car also gets low profile upper bulkhead which not only lower the centre of gravity, but also make it closer to the middle for faster reaction time.  Composite structure provide great balance between strength and weight.  Another improvement is the easy adjust caster.  Adjustable through moving camberlink mounts in two different position, all you need is to remove the screws, adjust it with ease and speed. Also getting a low profile lightweight bumper, the height adjustable body stops get a new shape and prevent scraping when cornering.

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March 14, 2024

Kato joins O.S Engines

Promising Japanese onroad and offroad talent Kouki Kato has been announced as a O.S Engines supported driver for 2024.  The 17-year-old Japanese driver has put in some very impressive international results recently including making the Final on his debut at the 1:8 Onroad World Championship last November, after TQ’ing the final round of qualifying, and making the A-Main at the ultra competitive TITC electric touring car race in Thailand earlier this month.  The reigning Japanese 1:8 Offroad Champion, he is also the double 1:10 Offroad National Champion, and his Team Associated Offroad and Infinity Onroad nitro programmes will be powered by O.S. Speed engines and Nitro Fuel.

Source: O.S. Engines [os-engines.co.jp]


March 14, 2024

Matrix announced as 1:8 Onroad European C/ship tyre

Italian tyre manufacturer Matrix has been announced as the official tyre supplier for this year’s EFRA 1:8 Onroad European Championship.   The 22nd running of the Championship, the category an evolution of the European Federation’s original European Championship, reigning World Champion Dario Balestri will aim to defend his European title on September 18-21 when the championship is hosted at the Miniautodromo Locorotondo track in Southern Italy.   Infinity driver Balestri secured his third 1:8 Onroad European title in Portugal last year ahead of Mugen’s Simon Kurzbuch and the Capricorn of Top Qualifier & 1:10 European Champion Toni Gruber.  Miniautodromo Locorotondo peviously hosted the Championship in 2010 where Robert Pietsch took the victory for Mugen ahead of Balestri, then driving for Motonica, and the Kyosho of Lamberto Collari.

Source: Miniautodromo Locorotondo [Facebook]


March 13, 2024

RC Doctors IF18-III brass battery trays

Greek company RC Doctors has released two brass battery trays for Infinity’s latest 1:8 Onroad chassis, the IF8-III.  Available in a 50gram and 60gram option, the trays are machined from 2.0mm and 2.5mm thick brass respectively offering different setup choices for different track conditions.

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March 13, 2024

R1 Wurks DC1 V1 Shock Upgrade Kit

R1 Wurks has released a V1 Shock Upgrade Kit for its popular DC1 Drag Car.  The kit upgrades the V1 shock internals with precision-machined polyacetal components, a high-stiffness, low-friction thermoplastic with excellent dimensional stability.  These parts have been machined with tighter tolerances compared to the standard components.  Also, say goodbye to troublesome e-clips with the screw-captured piston design, allowing for quick assembly during rebuilds or adjustments.

Source: R1 Wurks [r1wurks.com]


March 12, 2024

Andy Bishop wins Large Scale Pre-Worlds

This year’s IFMAR Large Scale World Championship hosts New South Wales Radio Controlled Racing Car Club held their Pre-Worlds Race over the weekend where it was the MCD chassis of Andy Bishop that took the win.  Having hosted a hugely successful IFMAR 1:8 GT World Championship in October, this year the John Grant International Raceway in Sydney, Australia, will be that battle ground for the 12th running of RC Racing’s biggest scale World Championship category on October 20th to 27th.  Due to the location of this year’s championship with many of its top drivers coming from Europe, the Pre-Worlds Race was dominated by local racers and in qualifying it was Mectech driver Andrew Shapland who took the overall TQ ahead of Bishop.  Having had engine issues in qualifying an overnight engine rebuild for the final qualifier allowed Shapland to post the fastest run of the 6-rounds to take pole for the final.  Incurring a penalty for the engine rebuild, he would have to serve an early Stop & Go in the race.  In the half hour Semi Finals there were wins for Ben Dunn and Craig Hawkins who would line-up 3rd and 4th respectively for the 1-hour main event.  While Shapland lead away until he served his Stop & Go,  as he tried to chase back down Bishop his tyres suffered allowing Bishop to take a convincing win.  With track records being broken throughout the event, Shapland’s efforts in the final would see him leave as the new lap record holder with a 19.944 fastest lap.  The Mecatech of Mike Davis would complete the podium.

Image: NSWRCRCC [nswrcrcc.org.au]


March 11, 2024

MonacoRC Sidewall Tire Manual Gluer

New from MonacoRC is their Sidewall Tire Manual Gluer, which is a simple and effective tool designed to precisely apply glue to the sidewall of tires.  It is the ideal solution for those who want a tire gluing device at a highly competitive price.  This product comes in a clear plastic case that offers optimal organisation for all its components.  Made through 3D printing, it features an attractive design that evokes the imagery of racing cars, with a base that houses two central bearings.  These bearings allow the adapter to rotate, which has a threaded metal insert at the top end. Here, the aluminum nut is screwed in, which is used to secure the tire.  Usage is simple and intuitive: just place the tire on the adapter, tighten the nut to secure it, and, with one finger, move the tire at the desired speed to glue it.

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March 11, 2024

Fenix Pro10 HDD-mk3 differential

Noticing a resurgence in the Pro10 market and new demand, Fenix Racing felt it was a good moment to improve their sphere diff to the Mk3 version.  Still made using Gr.5 Titanium, 5 belleville springs, their “Caviar” ceramic spheres as default, the Mk3 gets a new bigger thrust bearing and will now ship as standard in their G56.2 Pro10 chassis kit.  The Italian manufacturer will also make available a conversion for the Mk2 Diff version.  For 2024 it is Fenix Racing’s plan to upgrade to all their range of differentials to the newer thrust bearing specs.

View CAD image here