Red RC » R Off Road

January 19, 2024

Kaerup joins Hotrace Tyres

Hotrace Tyres has announced the signing of 1:10 Offroad star Marcus Kaerup, as the 16-year-old is set for an increased 1:8 Buggy programme in 2024. The reigning 1:10 2WD European Champion, the Dane was a double finalist at September’s IFMAR 1:10 Offroad World Championships in Arizona with it the turn of the World Championship for 1:8 Buggy this year. The Team Associated driver will be looking to build on his finish in the 1/8 Final at the 2022 Worlds in Redovan, Spain, which was won by his AE team-mate Davide Ongaro.

Source: Hotrace Tyres [hotracetyres.com]

January 17, 2024

JConcepts adds Orlowski to team line-up

Further bolstering its team with European drivers, American brand JConcepts Inc. has added top Offroad and Onroad star Michal Orlowski to its 2024 race team. The 22-year-old Polish racer has one of the busiest travel schedules of a Pro Racer flying the world racing one of the largest assortment of classes in the business. The current European 1:10 4WD Buggy Champion and 4WD podium finisher at the recent IFMAR Worlds Arizona, Orlowski has used JConcepts body shells and aero products on his Schumacher Racing cars over the years and with the brand now looking forward to his input as they will look to optimise their products for the latest vehicles. JConcepts boss Jason Ruona said, “We are excited for this opportunity to bring on Michal Orlowski to our world-wide racing team. I’ve followed his racing since the beginning of his career and watched as he’s become one of the most versatile drivers in the world. One of the first orders of business, to bring more selection of items to market for the Schumacher off-road vehicles to further enhance options for some of the top performing vehicles in the market.” Orlowski added, “I am thrilled to announce my partnership with JConcepts. Back in 2015, I got a message from Jason noticing my skills. I am extremely excited to work together on growing the JConcepts brand and their product line. It is a dream come true. I would like to thank Jason, and everyone involved for this fantastic opportunity. Roll on 2024!”

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

January 16, 2024

JConcepts signs Canas

JConcepts has announced the signing of European 1:8 Buggy Champion Juan Carlos Canas to its 2024 race team. The 21-year-old Spaniard is the current European Champion in both the Nitro and E-Buggy classes and finished on the podium place at the 2022 IFMAR World Championship. Joining JConcepts after his deoarture from Hotrace Tyres, he bolsters the American brands team line-up heading into this IFMAR World Championship year which takes in Sao Paulo City, Brazil, in September. Company founder Jason Rouna said, “I’ve witnessed Juan racing the world circuit for many years and have always marveled at the speed and ability. We are constantly trying to improve our product, with this addition, we want to push our range further than ever before.” Commenting on the announcement Canas stated, “I’m happy to join JConcepts. I’ve been a fan of their products for a long-time. The style of their body shells and aero items is incredible. There are so many different tires and compounds to choose from, I’m excited to get to know the options and work with the team.” The Sworkz driver will make his debut with JConcepts at the up coming 2024 Montpellier GP in France.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

January 15, 2024

Rose gets first win at Southern Indoor Championship

Sworkz’ Brandon Rose claimed the first major win of his career with victory in 1:8 Nitro Buggy at the Southern Indoor Championship in Alabama, and he did it in style beating Top Qualifier and 2023 Triple Champion Dakotah Phend. The RaceTime Entertainment organised event is the first major 1:8 Offroad event of the year and attracted over 500 entries to the indoor venue. Qualifying would consist of three rounds with Phend’s TLR topping Q1 and Q3 for the overall TQ. Taking Q2, Sparko Racing’s Tyler Jones would secure P2 on the grid ahead of the Tekno of Ryan Maifield and with Rose 4th. In the half hour final after Phend led away before Maifield took a turn at front, as the race reached the 1/3 distance Rose got out front where he would stay to the finish for a popular breakthrough win. Half a lap back Phend would take 2nd with Rose’s Sworkz team-mate Mason Fuller completing the Top 3 5-seconds up on Maifield. In eBuggy it was victory for Maifield from Phend while in Nitro Truggy Phend came way with the winner ahead of Camden Lime.

Image: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

January 14, 2024

Hall wins BRCA British Offroad Masters

Team Associated’s Tommy Hall has won the BRCA British Offroad Masters hosted by the well respected Worksop Radio Car Club in the UK. Run using the famous Reedy Race Format, drivers competed without any qualifying in 5 heads up races first in 2WD before repeating the format again in 4WD. With each driver counting their best 4 results per class, at the end of 2WD it was Schumacher’s Lee Martin who was the points leader notching up 4 wins and a second. Behind, each counting three wins and a second place, it was Martin’s team-mate Michal Orlowski, Team Associated duo Tommy Hall & Neil Cragg and Xray’s Jonny Skidmore all on 5-points. In 4WD, Martin opened well notching up a win but then the former European Champion’s challenge took a hammering as 2022 European Champion Tommy Hall added 4 wins to top the 4WD ranking from Skidmore and secure the overall win on a total of 9-points ahead of Skidmore on 10-points with former World Champion Cragg completing the podium. P3 and P4 after issues with traffic in the closing two races left reigning European Champion Orlowski P4 while after his strong start to the unique Reedy Race format Martin would finish down in 7th.

Image: Muz Schumacher / BRCA [Facebook]

January 14, 2024

Hefler takes SC Mod at RC Chili Bowl 10th edition

Running along side the famous 1:1 scale Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it was JConcepts/Team GFRP driver Jordan Hefler who came away with the SC Modified win at the tenth edition of the RC Chili Bowl. Attracting just shy of 600 entries, the Scotty Ernst organised event is one of the biggest in the industry with its tented indoor pit area packed with manufacturers involved in the R/C oval racing scene. Concluding this year’s event it was again the final of SC Modified presented by Fusion Motorsports. Being the favourite and actually taking a win were two different things and as it would turn out, the three front runners late in the race left the rest of the field behind by two laps. The trio of Hefler, Zac Rose and Kevin McNatt were steam rolling through traffic fighting for a pass. With a couple of consecutive lead changes and the remaining laps running down, Hefler would have the lead at the right time to take the win. Rose would finish in the second spot, going one better than in 2023, just 1-second behind with McNatt completing the podium a further 6/10ths back.

Image: RC Chili Bowl [rcchilibowl.com]

January 13, 2024

EssexCarpetClash Round 4 – Report

Round 4 at EssexCarpetClash saw everyone return after Christmas ready for another round of the popular south based UK series. Another track was ready for a full days racing, that some found challenging to grips with, but would find their feet quickly once racing started. Lee Martin showed the pace of his Schumacher ride, topping the timing sheets in all the four qualifying runs. Team mate Ben Smith would line up second on the grid joint on points with Xray driver Harley Eldridge, only being beaten by a second on count-back timing. Charlie Ware, Kyle Moon and Ed Kerry all had good qualifying round scores, taking the next three grid places for the 11 car A final. Martin continued with how he set off in qualifying and would not look back, again taking all 3 leg wins and giving him the perfect race day! The fight would then be between Smith and Eldridge, who would sit where on the podium having both finished 2nd and 3rd in the first 2 finals. Smith managed to take the second step, with Eldridge rounding off the podium position.

Continue reading report here

January 11, 2024

Schumacher confirms Orlowski for MIBO International

Schumacher Racing has confirmed they will be sending their newly crowned 1:12 World Champion Michal Orlowski to the 2nd edition of MIBO International Race in Czech Republic. Taking place on February 16-18, it will be Orlowski’s first appearance at the event and it is going to be a busy debut for the Polish driver as he is set to contest both offroad and onroad at the event. One of the unique elements of MIBO International is the two carpet tracks the Mibosport team build side by side at the large indoor sports hall at the Sport V Hotel venue in Hrotovice allowing for offroad and onroad to run simultaneously at the same event. The vision of former international touring car racer and Mibo founder Michal Bok, the first edition of MIBO International saw Mugen’s Ronald Volker crowned the inaugural Touring Car Champion and Xray’s Bruno Coelho take double buggy honours.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]