January 2, 2026

GRP Tyres sign Boots

In a major signing for GRP, the Italian tyre manufacturer has announced that multiple European Champion and World Championship Top Qualifier Elliott Boots will represent the brand in 2026.  Unveiling the factory Sworkz/Reds Racing driver, GRP posted, ‘After the launch of the new 1:8 Buggy line last May, we weren’t simply looking for a driver.  We were looking for the right driver.  Fast when it matters, solid in development, with real experience, a true racing mindset, and real weight in the international Buggy scene.  Profiles like this are rare. Very rare.  Among them all, Elliott was an immediate choice.  We’ve known each other for years—we know what he can deliver on track and off track. He immediately understood the direction of the project and embraced our proposal with enthusiasm and determination.  I, Maurizio, together with Susi and Sara, owners of GRP, are proud and excited to announce Elliott as the new official GRP Factory driver for the 2026 season.  This is not just a new driver.  It’s a step forward in our Buggy program.  And it’s only the beginning.’  Reacting to his new tyre deal Boots said, ‘I’m so excited to share with you all that I will be joining GRP Tyres for the 2026 season.  I’ve known Grp for many years, but since Maurizio, Susi, and Sara took over eight years ago, everything has changed for the better.  I visited the company personally and found it to be truly impressive.  They produce everything in-house, have direct control over the compound formulation, the laser-finished molds are fantastic, the tires they produce are unmatched on the current market, and their quality control is obsessive.  Despite having many years of experience, I was impressed by their quality and enthusiasm.  I’ll publish several tutorials in the coming weeks to better explain all the technical characteristics of the various components.  I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and really looking to our first race together.’

Source: GRP [grpgandini.it]


January 2, 2026

Haatanen switches to RUDDOG Racing Electronics

Top Finnish Offroad racer Joona Haatanen is making the switch to Ruddog Racing electronics for 2026.  The career long Team Associated team driver has run the US manufacturer’s package of Reedy Electronics but following his joining of Ruddog Distribution as a full-time employee in early 2025, he will now run the German based Team Associated distributor’s full range of own brand Ruddog Racing electronics in his AE cars.  This full performance package includes the RXS speed controller, Ruddog Racing motors, servos and LiPo packs.

Source: Ruddog [ruddog.eu]


December 31, 2025

Phend confirms switch to Matrix Tires

Having announced that he was leaving JConcepts after 6 seasons with the US tyre brand, Dakotah Phend has been confirmed at Matrix for 2026.  The Xray driver joins reigning 1:8 Offroad World Champion Davide Ongaro in running the Italian manufacturer’s tyres. On sharing the announcement Phend posted, ‘With time comes change and with change comes opportunity and I’m extremely excited for what the future holds. Cristian, the owner of Matrix, has been great to work with and I can’t wait to help the brand grow and flourish over here in the states. First race up will be Clash with the newly announced Matrix slick tires!’

Source: Dakotah Phend [Facebook]


December 30, 2025

Phend leaves JConcepts

Top American Offroad racer Dakotah Phend has announced that his 6-year sponsorship with Florida based tyre & body manufacturer JConcepts has come to an end.  Joining Xray for 2025 after a career long drive at TLR ended, Phend achieved a triple at this year’s US Nationals winning the Nitro Buggy, eBuggy, and Truggy titles with JConcepts providing the traction for each of his wins.  Joining JConcepts in 2020, on making the announcement of his departure, Phend posted, ‘After 6 successful years my time with JConcepts is officially coming to an end.  We have had a lot of National and other major race wins over the years and I can’t thank everyone there enough for all of the support over the years.  Jason has been great to me and I appreciate the amount of time and effort that he has put into my race program.  He does a lot for his drivers and the industry and I have a lot of respect for what he has created and accomplished.  When I signed back in 2020 it was absolutely the right decision for my program and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward.

Source: Dakotah Phend [Facebook]


December 29, 2025

Ongaro switches to Team EAM Batteries

Reigning 1:8 Nitro Buggy World Champion and 2023 1:10 4WD World Champion Davide Ongaro has switched battery sponsor for 2026, the former Sunpadow team driver making the move to US brand Team EAM.  The Italian joins Team Associated team-mate Marcus Kaerup at Team EAM, the young Dane becoming the new 1:10 4WD Buggy and inaugural 1:8 eBuggy World Champion in 2025.  On the announcement, Ongaro said, ‘After some years with Sunpadow I’m happy to announce that I will join Team EAM.  I want to thank everyone that believes in me and will support me.  I know it’s a great team full of people with a lot of knowledge, so for me it’s amazing.  Thank you.’

Source: Davide Ongaro [Facebook]


December 24, 2025

Wolhuter joins Team Kyosho International

Kyosho has announced that Australian 1:8 Buggy racer Christian Wolhuter has been signed to their International race team.  The 2024 Asian Buggy Championships Champion from Australian previously represented Sworkz and now joins the iconic Japanese manufacturer where he will team up with drivers line Ryan Lutz, Riccardo Berton, Marco Baruffolo, FEMCA Champion Phi-Long Nguyen, and of course the MP11 designer Yuichi Kanai.  Runner-up at this year’s Australian National Championships behind Caleb Noble, the deal with Team Kyosho International represents a massive opportunity for the 19-year-old from Perth with 2026 a World Championship year for 1:8 Nitro Buggy.

Source: Kyosho [kyosho.com]


December 23, 2025

Toia joins Mayako

Newly crowned New Zealand 1:8 Buggy National Champion Logan Toia has announced he has switched to Mayako for the 2026 season.  The 18-year-old had successfully campaigned HB Racing buggies in 2025 but now the Asian Buggy Championships regular moves to the Joseph Quagraine fronted manufacturer.  In addition to his racing role, Toia will also be involved in Mayako’s New Zealand Service Centre role through Frankton Model Shop which was recently appointed a Premium Service Centre for the brand.

Source: Logan Toia [Facebook]  


December 17, 2025

2026 MIBO International Race – Registration Open

Now on its fourth edition, registration for the 2026 MIBO International Race on Feb 27th – Mar 1st is open.  Created in 2023 off the back of the very successful Mibo Cup Race Series, MIBO International is a unique event that brings together both 1:10 electric onroad and offroad racing with the building of two tracks side by side inside the Sport V Hotel in Hrotovice, Czech Republic.  Under the guidance of former international touring car racer Michal Bok, the race has attracted numerous World Champions and counts Bruno Coelho, Ronald VolkerMichal Orlowski, Joern Nuemann and Bartek Zaleswki among its winners over the previous 3 editions.  One of the attractions of MIBO International is its condensed timetable of just two and a half days, the Mibosport promoted race getting underway on the Friday afternoon with practice allowing for travel Friday morning.  Another popular aspect of the race is the venue, everything from the track, restaurant, bowling alley, and hotel rooms all under the one roof of the Sport V Hotel.  You can find full details for the 2026 MIBO International Race and register to be on the grid via the Mibosport website by clicking here.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]


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