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]


December 16, 2023

Schumacher welcomes back Tyler Jones

Schumacher Racing has announced it is welcoming back US racer Tyler Jones who will campaign the British manufacturers 1:10 buggies in 2024.  Having recently signed with market newcomer Sparko for his 1:8 Offroad program, Jomes has chosen Schumacher as his full 1:10 sponsor so he will be running both the CAT L1R and Cougar LD3.  Commenting on the announcement Jones said, “I’m pumped to be back running Schumacher products in 2024 and beyond! The products are top notch and I’m glad to be able to use the full line up! Big thanks to Muz and all at Schumacher for bringing me back on! Hopefully we’ll see a big rise in interest here in the Midwest!”

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]


December 15, 2023

Cavalieri joins Nova Engines

Italian engine manufacturer Nova Engines has announced that 4-time Offroad World Champion Ryan Cavalieri will race it’s engines for the 2024 season.  The deal means the American’s 1:8 Nitro Offroad programme will have a very Italian feel to it with him having joined WIRC Racing as his 1:8 Offroad chassis sponsor this time last year.  Commenting on the announcement Cavalieri said, ‘Really excited to be joining the Nova Engines family!  Thank you to Mirko and Andrea for this opportunity.’

Source: Nova Engines [nova-engines.com]


December 13, 2023

IFMAR World Champion Manufacturer Stats

With the 1:12 World Championships in Florida last week marking the conclusion of another season of World Championships for RC racing’s World Governing Body IFMAR, they have issued an updated list of World Champion Manufacturer stats.  With 2023 the 46th year of the federation, which ran its first World Championship in 1977, it is the manufacturer that won that 1:8 Onroad title that holds the honour of the most winning manufacturer in the sport.  Thanks to Davide Ongaro kicking of this year’s World Championship calendar with victory at the 1:10 4WD Offroad World Championship at Hobby Action in Arizona, Team Associated have amassed 32 World titles.  That impressive achievement gives them double the titles of joint second placed Japanese companies Yokomo and Kyosho.  Interestingly this year two new names were added bring the list to 30 manufacturers past and present.  Thanks to Toni Gruber’s win at the 1:8 GT Worlds in Australia,  Hong Nor is now a World Champion manufacturer.  Although a well established electric onroad manufacturer for over a decade,  Awesomatix claimed its first World title in Florida with their own team manager ‘Mad Max’ Machler lifting the 1:12 Spec World title at Beachline Raceway making the newest World Champion manufacturer.

View World Champion manufacturers list here


December 11, 2023

Rivkin & Phend turn RC teachers for a day!

They are two of the biggest names in offroad racing and represent two of the biggest manufacturers on the international stage but last week both Team Associated’s Spencer Rivkin and TLR’s Dakotah Phend became RC teachers for a day as part of two different events.  Two time World Champion Rivkin was taking part in the launch of Hobbywing Tech Explorers.  Held at World Championship venue Hobby Action Raceway, it marked the first collaboration with a school outreach program.  Rivkin touched on his journey with RC, overcoming challenges, and dreaming big.  He also discussed the mechanics, electrical aspects, and disciplines of the hobby, along with the incredible values it’s brought into his life – from friends, mentors, and unforgettable experiences.  On his social media Rivkin said he was ‘So thankful to have had the opportunity to hold my first public gathering and launch a new program with Hobbywing North America called Tech Explorers! Meeting and seeing these kids remind me what it was like when I first laid eyes on RC cars.  I want to personally thank Larry and Hobby Action RC Raceway for letting us utilise the track and rental cars.  I’m totally looking forward on doing many more of these!’   Phend brought his 1:10 Electric and 1:8 Nitro buggies to a middle school as part of a career day where he shared his story with pupils.  On his Facebook page he posted, ‘I was able to be apart of career day earlier this week at Angola Middle School.  I went over how I was able to turn a passion into a career.  There are a lot of great and unique opportunities in today’s world!’.  It is great to see both drivers promoting RC racing in this way and well done to everyone involved in inspiring the future generation.

View Mr.Phend taking his class here


December 11, 2023

Maifield completes clean sweep at U.S. Open Fuel C/ships

Tekno RC’s Ryan Maifield became the first Pro driver to complete a clean sweep at the annual U.S. Open Fuel Championships which held at Adobe Mountain R/C Speedway in his home state of Arizona over the weekend.  Attracting almost 250 entries, qualifying would see Maifield take the TQ in the Open classes of Nitro Buggy, eBuggy and Nitro Truggy before wrapping up the perfect weekend with wins in all three finals.  In Nitro Buggy he took the win ahead of Kyosho’s  Ryan Lutz having a 3-lap advantage at the end of the 1-hour in encounter.   Ryan Pavidis would complete the podium driving his Sparko buggy.  In eBuggy, the single 10-minute Main saw Maifield led home the Sworkz of Spencer Heckertt by over 7-seconds with Lutz finishing 3rd.  In the 45-minute Nitro Truggy Final,  it was the Mugen of Frankie Contresas Jr who followed Maifield home.

Image: MOD Media Live [Facebook]


December 8, 2023

Power HD signs Large Scale racer Rodewald

Servo manufacturer Power HD has announced the signing of top large scale racer Sven Rodewald from Germany.  The reigning 1:6 Large Scale 4WD Offroad European Champion, 6 X time National Champion, Multiple European Finalist, and multiple LS Touring Car GP Race finalist, Rodewald will be using Power HD’s high end GTS-6 & GTS-7 servos in his 1:6 Offroad and 1:5 Onroad Cars.  Racing for chassis manufacturer MCD, on his deal with Power HD he said, ‘During the last year I tried the Power HD GTS-6 and GTS-7 servos, and it was a pleasure to use them! The whole time the servos performed just great! Im happy to join the Power HD factory team for the upcoming season!’

Source: PowerHD [chd.hk]


December 6, 2023

Lutz confirmed for opening round of Asian Buggy C/ships

Having announced an expanded calendar for the 2024 Asian Buggy Championships, Scotty Ernst has confirmed Kyosho 1:8 Offroad star Ryan Lutz will make the trip to New Zealand for the opening round of the season next February.  Round 1 of the 4 round championship, that also includes races in the Philippines, Australia and Indonesia, takes place on February 8-11 at the Counties RC Car Club with Lutz set to compete in Nitro Buggy and E Buggy thanks to his sponsors Alpha Plus, Futaba and Kyosho.  Extending the ABC’s reach in 2024, an overall point series has been introduced for Season No.2 with other top international drivers expected to be announced to make appearances over the championship.

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]