June 19, 2012

Xray XB9 aluminium caster blocks

Xray have released these aluminium caster blocks for XB9. CNC machined from premium Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum they are hard coated for extra durability and long life. Ultra-strong construction provides very long life and durability in even the most extreme racing conditions. The lightweight block features ‘zero kingpin’ suspension geometry and the new 3 roll center positions which allow for very fast and comfortable roll center adjustment. Using the shims under the front linkage a different roll center position can be set-up very easily. The preset caster block is integrated and non-adjustable. Combined with the XB9 front kick-up of 10° this block gives a total caster angle of 20°/22°/24° for increased steering and precision. Includes composite bushings for super-precise and smooth steering action.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


June 19, 2012

ARC R10 optional flex chassis

ARC have released this new option chassis for their R10 touring car. The optional flex type chassis is made from 2.5mm carbon fibre and they added 2 layers of glass fiber in the middle to give more flex. Their testing showed that with 2 layers of glass fiber the chassis was more flexible and made the handling more predictable. The new chassis also provide a extra hole for a battery holder and shorty LiPos can be used. The new 1.6mm thick upper deck also gives more flex as well as more steering and stability especially on low grip track conditions.

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


June 18, 2012

Fjeldvar & Johannessen wins Rd3 in Norway

The third round of the Norwegian Nationals was held in Volbu in Valdres. The track is one of the most spectacular in Norway with a height difference between the lowest and highest point on the track of almost 4 meters. It rained all day on Saturday so there was no practice on the track but when everyone woke up on Sunday morning the track was still a little wet, but with some help from the sun, the track dried up pretty quick. In the first qualification heat the track it was a little wet in some places. In the Stock class Espen Fjeldvar was dominating in the 2 last qualification heats on the dry surface. Espen was clearly the fastest guy on the track with laptimes more than 0.5 second faster than the rest with his TQ time.

Continue reading the report here


June 18, 2012

Serpent 1/8 scale buggy rims

Serpent have released their new lightweight and very durable 1/8 scale buggy rim. Designed by Billy Easton, this large diameter 83mm rim with has just the right amount of flex for maximum performance. The outer edge of the rim moves inward a little to help the glue flow towards the tyre, while the inner rim flanges help stability of the rim and keep the foam inserts in place and stable. Inside the rim there is extra ribs to create the required flex and durability and they flow into the wheel-hex center to increase stiffness and have a strong surface area around the wheel nuts. Available in white or neon yellow, each wheel weighs only 32 grams each.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]


June 18, 2012

Papanikolaou double at the 2012 ElectroChamps

The second edition of the annual ElectroChamps electric off road race is now history and was another success with almost 60 cars attending this year’s two-day event held last weekend in Athens. For this year although there were no International drivers participating the event which was hosted in a brand new dirt track especially built for the race. On Saturday (2wd day) both buggies and Short Course were racing in three different heats. In open buggy class it was Kyosho driver John Papanikolaou that dominated the event becoming the first ever Greek ElectroChampion. Second was the Greek 2wd Champion Nicolas Floudas with his well prepared TLR22 and third was Jim Amaxas being the best mid motor 2wd buggy of the day with his C4.1.

Continue reading the report here


June 18, 2012

Olly Jefferies wins BRCA TC Nats Rd2

Round 2 of the 2012 BRCA Touring Car Championship saw victory for Associated team driver Olly Jefferies, second place went to the Schumacher of Colin Price with Serpents Chris Kerswell completing the podium. Tricky conditions on Saturday saw drivers battling with a gusting wind but the West London track thankfully stayed dry, with two TQ runs on Saturday Olly headed the overnight leader board but on Sunday the advantage seemed to swing toward the Schumacher of Chris Grainger but in the final last round of qualifying Olly took TQ. Elsewhere round one winner Andy Moore was struggling and failed to make the A main with his Hot Bodies.

Continue reading the report here


June 17, 2012

Ramella wraps up French National class title

Young talent Cedric Ramella took the win of the 4th round of the French 1/8th scale on road nationals in Marseille last weekend. The Serpent/Novarossi driver already won round 2 of the ‘National’ class in Ampuis and round 3 in Grenoble and is already French Champion with one round left to be run. Having struggled in qualification he changed to a safer driving style in the semi and the A-main and it paid off. He lead immediately and kept an eye on local racer Reza Khelili till the last pit stop. Then he pushed a bit harder and put a lap between them. This result cements a great year for Cedric who was already in the top ten at the Euro B’s in Thionville. In the Elite class Anthony Abisset finished 3rd and is still in with a chance for the championship title with young Christophe Louis.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]


June 16, 2012

Reedy Power for Vesa Yli

Reedy have announced that Finnish racer Vesa Yli, the man behind V-Dezign cars, has joined the Reedy factory racing team for the remainder of 2012 and beyond. Vesa utilized the power and duration of Reedy LiPo batteries as a privateer to win the 2012 Finnish 1/12 Modified championship, and will now race as a full factory driver with both Reedy LiPo batteries and Reedy Sonic motors. He had this to say:

I am really happy to join Reedy to run their batteries and motors in my 1/12 and off-road cars. I have been very impressed by the performance of their products during testing and racing and I am looking forward to race at the World’s, Euro’s, Nordic’s and Finnish nationals as well as other international events. Reedy’s dedication to develop the fastest products decade after decade is really impressive. I also want to thank my long period motor and battery sponsor Nosram – and especially Reto Koenig – for the great support that has helped me to success since 2007.

Source: Reedy [teamassociated.com]