January 31, 2014

Exclusive – Atsushi Hara confirmed at SWorkz

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mETDFZv3PM[/youtube]

With lots of speculation over his future since announcing his departure from HB/HPI last August we again talked exclusively with Atsushi Hara and can confirm ahead of its official announcement that he has signed for Speedmaster, parent brand of SWorkz. Having tested many brands of car and talked with numerous companies he finally decided on the Taiwanese company as he feels they offer him the best opportunities for his future going forward, not just for racing. One of the factors influencing the deal was the connection with A-Main Hobbies, a personal sponsor of his but with some big developments in the pipeline between the Taiwanese brand and the US online power house we can expect to see the brand receive a bigger push in the US and Worldwide. In terms of the car, he says that while it needs some work to get the performance up to scratch, the quality is top notch and going forward he will have an updated car for this year’s Worlds in Italy. In our interview Hara also confirmed that he will race for Yokomo in the remaining ETS rounds as well as the TITC and the World Championships in Florida in what is a per race contract.

View the official statement from Speedmaster here

January 31, 2014

Hagberg tops first timed practice at ETS

Hagberg tops first time practice at ETS

Team Xray’s Alexander Hagberg set the pace in the opening round of timed practice at the Yokomo Euro Touring Series, the Swede the fastest over consecutive laps from defending Champion Ronald Volker.  The second round of the championship, the German event marks the return of Atsushi Hara to international touring car competition, the former world Champion getting his debut for Yokomo off to a steady start with the 8th fastest time.

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

January 30, 2014

JConcepts MP9 TK13 Silencer body shell

JConcepts MP9 TK13 Silencer body shell

JConcepts have released their popular Silencer body shell for the Kyosho MP9 TK13 buggy. Designed for the use on high-speed tracks it features a narrowed, Finnisher stance cockpit that allows for smoother high-speed transition and increased flow in and out of the body for electrical air-flow. A deep recess behind the cab features dual channeling out the rear providing air escape along with rear-end stability. The side-pods have a clipped rear-end, narrowing the rear by angling just in front of the rear tyres. The extended runner features on the rear-end of the body enhance the force placed on the rear pods during high-speed acceleration. The main pods are heavily chamfered with a more heat-shrink design over the speed control and motor areas. The end result has the body looking extremely low-profile with heavy JConcepts edginess and appeal and it is capped off with a cockpit  “shark fin” for more high-speed tracking stability and increased roof stiffness.

View more images of the body here

January 30, 2014

Atsushi Hara joins Hobbywing

Atsushi Hara joins Hobbywing

Hobbywing have announced the signing of 2000 IFMAR World Champion Atsushi Hara to use their ESC and motors for the 2014 season. Making his debut at this weekends ETS Rd2, having signed a deal with Yokomo to compete in the series, the Japanese star had the following to say:

I am very excited to join Hobbywing team in 2014! A very special thanks to Jack, Michael and Salton for the excellent offer. I’m looking forward to the ISTC Worlds coming in this October. We will show huge performance for this event!

Source: Hobbywing [hobbywing.com]

January 30, 2014

2014 Keilor Stock Shootout report

2014 Keilor Stock Shootout report

Every January for the past 5 years, the Keilor club in Melbourne have hosted the ‘Stock Shootout’, an event exclusively for 17.5T buggies and 10.5T trucks.  66 entries were received for this unique event, which was held on a brand new track layout the club members had worked hard to complete over the New Year break. The layout had fast sweepers, technical infield, big elevation changes and a challenging jump rhythm section to test man and machine. With no practice before the event, there was no home club advantage and with strong competition in all classes it was an intense weekend of racing.

Continue reading the report here

January 29, 2014

Associated Stealth 3-gear transmission kit

Associated Stealth 3-gear transmission kit

Team Associated have announced that their Stealth 3-gear transmission is now available as a kit and is perfect for adding performance to your RC10 Classic or to freshen up your vintage buggy. This new edition of the Stealth transmission kit offers higher performance and more durability than ever before with the addition of the Factory Team V2 slipper clutch. Also included is a super smooth adjustable ball differential that helps manage the power in the corners. The Stealth transmission kit comes ready to build and uses the same motor plate that is already in your RC10.

View the breakdown of parts here

January 29, 2014

Durango DETC410 1/10th touring car

Durango DETC410 1/10th touring car

Durango have released complete information on their DETC410 1/10 Touring Car kit. Designed and engineered to win in the hands of experienced TC racers, the DETC410 is also the perfectly balanced TC kit for newcomers to this fast, dynamic and exciting racing class. Featuring CVD D-Joint drive shafts, tuned-stiffness suspension arms and custom suspension hanger and caster block insert tuning system, all included in your kit box. With such a high stock specification, you can build your DETC410 and get straight to racing, with no need for additional parts.

View more images of the DETC410 here

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