Red RC » R Off Road

January 24, 2024

Sontag latest FlySky high profile signing

Continuing its impressive run of high profile driver signings, Chinese radio manufacturer FlySky has announced the addition of reigning 2WD Buggy World Champion Tater Sontag to its team driver line-up. The American was spotted along with TLR team-mate Dakotah Phend using the Noble Pro at the recent season opening ‘Clash of Champions’ race in Indiana fuelling rumours the teenager would join their already impressive list of signings that includes Offroad World Champions Ryan Maifield & David Ronnefalk and onroad World Champions Marc Rheinard and Ronald Volker. On the announcement Sontag said, “From the moment I first ran the Noble Pro radio I instantly was impressed! It had a super responsive and smooth feeling, and felt good in the hand. The options on the radio are endless and the updates come frequently just keep making it better and better!”

Source: Flysky [flysky-cn.com]

January 23, 2024

Donnelly joins Hobbywing team

Hobbywing has announced that front running Australian Offroad racer Lachlan Donnelly has joined its driver team. The 19-year-old from Sydney who has raced with Team Associated for a decade, has already used Hobbywing electrics as part of his campaigns including at the 1:10 Offroad World Championships in Arizona last September. As part of a big push by Hobbywing to build a strong world wide team for 2024 he now joins the team officially. An impressive showing at the 1:8 GT World Championship in Sydney in October, after just one club race as preparation, highlights Donnelly natural talent which Hobbywing is keen to help develop further.

Source: Hobbywing [hobbywing.com]

January 22, 2024

2024 Desert Classic – Announcement

World Championship hosts Hobby Action have announced that entries for the 2024 Desert Classic from February 28th to March 3rd are now open. The 8th edition of the annual Chandler, Arizona, event, the Desert Classic has established itself as an early season fixture on the international 1:10 Offroad calendar filling the void left after the iconic Cactus Classic came to an end after loosing its outdoor track. Continued to be sponsored by Stickit1 Racing, who ensured the superb presentation of the indoor venue for 1:10 Offroad Worlds last September, the race schedule will consist of 4 rounds of qualifying with the best three to count with triple finals for all 2WD and 4WD classes and 10-minute Mains for Truck classes.

Source: Hobby Action RC Raceway [Facebook]

January 19, 2024

“Idea of ‘sponsorship’ is so lost in our industry right now” – Jared Tebo

Former World Champion Jared Tebo has taken to social media with an interesting post addressing the current state of sponsorship in racing. A true professional paid driver who for almost two decades was one of the leading forces in Offroad races around the world representing some of the biggest manufacturers in the industry, Tebo officially announced his competitive retirement from racing last year but still remains involved in the industry. Now focused on his JTP brand, as well as being USA Team Manager for Hotrace Tyres, the American found himself overwhelmed by the massive response to opening 2024 applications for JTP sponsorship in November. In addressing the topic, Tebo explains his own journey to becoming a Pro driver and how the idea of ‘sponsorship’ is now lost in our industry with many drivers simply expecting it. Sure to kick off many keyboard debates, he concludes that he is sticking to what he believes in for his JTP brand.

Read Tebo’s full post here

January 19, 2024

Tekno RC boosts European team with Pariente

American offroad chassis manufacturer Tekno RC has announced the signing of 1:8 Buggy World Championship Semi Finalist Daniel Pariente. The Spanish driver together with his younger brother Adrian departed Sworkz in December after a 5-year stint with the brand and now he joins Portugal’s João Figueiredo as part of Tekno’s European based race team. The deal with Tekno completes the 2023 European Finalist’s race package for the new season with Pariente having already announced he will run Gimar Engines and Hotrace Tyres. Commenting on the announcement he said, “Super proud and happy to announce that I will be part of the tekno rc team for the 2024 season and beyond, the cars are incredible and the atmosphere in the team is unbeatable. I can’t wait to start the season! We will give everything on the tracks. Big thanks to Daniel Lewis and Ilias Arkoudaris for this awesome opportunity!”

Source: Tekno [teknorc.com]

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]