Red RC » R Off Road

December 23, 2023

New date confirmed for IFMAR 1:8 eBuggy World Cup

After being forced to cancel the event just days before its planned date of last September due to a lack of entries, IFMAR has announced the new date of April 5-7, 2024, for the first ever World Cup for 1:8 Electric Buggy. Concerns were raised when the initial date was announced as it was just 1-week after the 1:10 Offroad World Championships in Arizona which was probably one of the biggest contributing factors to it getting only 15 confirmed entries but the new date should allow for a much stronger entry. With eBuggy a hugely important category for manufacturers while 1:8 nitro has enjoyed World Championship status since 1986, the World Cup will be the first step for the electric category to become a World Championship category in 2025. The World Cup will be hosted by the Club ACDB “OS BEIROES” at their 310m track in Guarda, Portugal whichk previously hosted the 2010 EFRA European 1:8 Nitro Buggy Championship when Reno Savoya took the third of his European titles. View the updated Stage 1 report here.

Source: IFMAR [Facebook]

December 23, 2023

2024 Philippine Masters registration opens

Having established itself as Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race, the organisers of the Philippine Masters have announced the opening of registration for the 12th edition of the high profile Manila based event. A sell out event in 2023, the race saw World Champion David Ongaro win the Buggy title for Team Associated while Sworkz’ Micha Widmaier came away with the Truggy victory. With the Philippines famed as a holiday destination, the event has a truly unique vibe living up to the nations tourism tagline ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ with many of the large international driver entry combining the race with holidays at the country’s world famous white sand beaches. Along with Ongaro and Widmaier, Robert Battle, David Ronnefalk, Adam Drake, Ty Tessmann, Atsushi Hara and Kyle McBride are just some of the other international drivers to enjoy both the racing and hospitality in the capital city. Again a capacity entry is expected to be reached quickly as the Philippine Masters plays host to the second round of the Asia Buggy Championships which after kicking off in February in New Zealand will also visit Australia and Indonesia in 2024 and at the end of which there will be an overall Champion of the region crowned.

Source: Philippine Masters [philippinemastersrc.com]

December 22, 2023

Sontag departs Fantom Racing

Newly crowned 2WD Buggy World Champion Tater Sontag has announced his departure from electronics sponsor Fantom Racing. Racing with the US brand two years, the highlight of the partnership was the 16-year-old winning the 2023 IFMAR World Title at Hobby Action Raceway in Arizona using its Pro 2.0 ESC. Normally also running their motors and batteries, a lack of IFMAR approval of their products meant he had to use a Hobbywing motor and ProTek batteries. Announcing his departure the TLR driver said, ‘With the 2023 season coming to a close, unfortunately so does my time with Fantom Racing. I started with Fantom 2 years ago and we have had some awesome results and amazing times. Fantom helped me win races from a club race, all the way to clinching a World Championship. I could not be more thankful for what Troy, Craig, and everyone else at Fantom did for me the past 2 years. It’s been an awesome journey, but unfortunately everything good has to come to a close eventually. With that being said stay tuned for my announcement for my 2024 electronics!’

Source: Tater Sontag RC [Facebook]

December 21, 2023

2024 MIBO International registration opens

Following the hugely successful inaugural running of the MIBO International Race in the Czech Republic in March of this year, the race is back for 2024 with registration now open for the February 16-18 event. Organised by former international touring car racer Michal Bok the race brings together both electric onroad and offroad racing on two tracks build side by side by the team from Mibosport. A long time dream of Bok to host his own major international event in Hrotovice, 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 at the Sport V Hotel venue. With everything from the track, restaurant, bowling alley and hotel rooms all under one roof, the venue was a hit with racers who travelled from 13 different countries. With a capped entry limit the relaxed schedule also meant plenty of time in the evening to wind down and socialise over dinner after each day’s racing. On the onroad track, the racing action will again cater for Modified, Stock & FWD Touring cars plus Formula. The Offroad track will cater for 2WD and 4WD Buggy as well an open class of ‘Offroad Kids’ that will give the future stars of racing an opportunity to be a part of this international event. Red RC is looking forward to making the return trip to Czech Republic for the 2nd edition of the race which will kick off our 2024 race coverage.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]

December 21, 2023

Boots joins Hotrace Tyres

Former World Championship Top Qualifier and multiple European 1:8 Offroad Champion Elliott Boots has joined Hotrace Tyres Factory team. The Italian based British driver joins the Italian tyre manufacturer having represented the T-Pro brand in 2023. Fresh on the news that he has just extended his contract with chassis sponsor Sworkz for the next three years, on his new tyre deal he said, ‘So happy to announce that I will be joining Hotrace Tyres Factory for 2024. There products are the best on the market and there devotion for the sport is incredible. A huge thank you to them for supporting me. Can’t wait for the new season to start.’

Source: Hotrace Tyres [hotracetyres.com]

December 19, 2023

Cavalieri departs WIRC after just one season

It was a surprise announcement when it was made this time last year, but after just one season since joining WIRC Racing, Ryan Cavalieri has announced his departure from running for the Italian manufacturer. The multiple electric 1:10 Offroad World Champion, who races for Schumacher in that category, looks set to announce imminently a new 1:8 offroad chassis sponsor having just last week joined Nova Engines. On his social media, Cavalieri stated he was ‘really excited about the next chapter’ implying a new sponsor is already in place. He posted, ‘With 2023 coming to an end so does my time with WRC. I want to thank Matt Kennedy from send it rc, Chris Marrant and Franco for the opportunity they gave me. With that being said Im Really excited for this next chapter to begin and look forward to 2024 racing season.

Source: Ryan Cavalieri [Facebook]

December 19, 2023

Berton to race on OGO Racing tyres

Having announced his departure from racing on tyres from Italian manufacturer Hotrace Tyres at the end of last month, 2019 European 1:8 Nitro Buggy Champion Riccardo Berton has announced he is race with tyres from Spanish brand OGO Racing. Part of Infinity’s ongoing 1:8 Buggy project, the Italian has agreed a 2-year deal that will see him use OGO tyres on his 1:8 Buggy and Truggy vehicles. Thanking OGO for the opportunity, on social media the 24-year-old said, ‘Extremely happy to join OGO Racing tyres for the new season! Thank you.’

Source: OGO Racing [Facebook]

December 19, 2023

‘Little Bump’ Nguyen joins Schumacher for 1:10 Offroad

Continuing to build up its US team for the 2024 season, Schumacher Racing has announced up & coming talent Phi-Long Nguyen is to join its 1:10 Offroad team. Commonly known as ‘Little Bump, Nguyen who is just 12-years-old will be running both the CAT L1R and Cougar LD3 in Offroad as well as the Mi8 in Onroad too. Having signed for a 1:8 programme with Kyosho America last month, he is in for busy season as he coming to establish himself at the sharp end of racing. Commenting on the announcement with Schumacher Phi-Long and his dad said, “We are absolutely super excited and honoured to pilot these awesome cars around the track, great times are ahead racing for Schumacher. A big thank you to Muz and all at Schumacher for making this happen, we are ready to go and will hit the tracks soon!” Last week the British manufacturer announced the return of Tyler Jones to its 1:1o Offroad program.

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]