Red RC » R Off Road

January 11, 2023

2023 Desert Classic – Announcement

Hobby Action in Chandler, Arizona have announced the date for the 2023 Desert Classic with the 7th edition of the annual event taking place from March 1st to 5th. An event that has established itself as a major fixture in the early part of the international 1:10 Offroad calendar after filling the void left after the demise of the Cactus Classic. Again sponsored by Stickit1 Racing, the 2023 edition is set to have even more significance on the calendar as a preparation race for the IFMAR 1:10 Offroad World Championships that Hobby Action will host in September of this year. Entries for the Desert Classic are open from the 22nd of this month and the race will be open to all the usual classes.

View event flier here

January 11, 2023

Tollard joins Protek RC

AMain Hobbies has announced the signing of Cole Tollard to a contract with its ProTek RC Pro Race Team. The 22-year-old, who made a high profile move to TLR for 2023, will run ProTek RC Samurai RM engines as well as ProTek RC batteries and servos in his race program and utilise the vast line of ProTek RC tools and accessories. On the announcement Tollard said, “I am so excited to join the ProTek RC team. I have heard so many great things about the ProTek RC product line, and can’t wait to incorporate the ProTek RC engines, servos, batteries, tools, and accessories into my racing program. I want to thank everyone at AMain Hobbies for this opportunity and am really looking forward to this 2023 season.”

Source: ProTek RC [amainhobbies.com]

January 9, 2023

Rose joins Sworkz

Sworkz has announced Brandon Rose as the latest driver in its 1:8 and 1:10 Offroad programme. The America racer, who left Agama at the end of 2022 after three seasons, will form part of the US team with Sworkz USA Team Manager Tim Lime stating, “The Sworkz USA Team is super excited to add another Top25Rc.com driver to our strong team. We look forward to helping him achieve great results withal of our Sworkz platforms. Brandon will be running his cars in Texas and at other National caliber events across the United States.” Sworkz boss Max Sonnleitner added, “Great to have Brandon Rose in our factory team. He is a person that totally fits into our team, where working together, friendship and success are the main topics.” Rose’s 1:8 Nitro programme will be powered by Ielasi Tuned with the announcement last week that he has teamed up with World Champion Daniele Ielasi’s engine brand.

Source: Sworkz [Facebook]

January 8, 2023

Phend does triple at ‘Clash of Champions’

Dakotah Phend has got his 2023 season off the perfect start with a triple TQ & Win at the 1st Annual ‘Clash of Champions’ at Hoosier RC Hobbyplex in Indiana. Qualifying for 1:10 indoor electric offroad dirt event saw an untouchable Phend take the 2WD Mod Buggy TQ from Team Associated pairing Spencer Rivkin and Dustin Evans. In 4WD Buggy it was Xray team-mates Tom Rinderknecht and Ty Tessmann who filled P2 and 3 on the grid behind the TLR star. In Mod truck took all three rounds of qualifying for the TQ ahead of Tessmann, Rivkin and new TLR signing Cole Tollard. In the triple main finals, Phend wrapped up all three classes by winning the opening two A-Mains of each. In 2WD Buggy, the A3 win gave Rivkin second from Rinderknecht in third. While Tessmann won A3 of Mod Truck second places in A1 & 2 was enough for Rivkin to hold the overall runner-up spot. In 4WD, with Phend again able to sit out A3, it was Rinderknecht who took the win to secure second overall with Tessmann completing the podium.

Image: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

January 8, 2023

Polito wins ‘OneRace OneMan’ at IBR Padova

Having only announced his move from Kyosho to Sworkz just after Christmas, Italy’s Mattia Polito has opened the 2023 season with the Pro Buggy victory at the annual ‘OneRace OneMan’ event at IBR Padova in Italy. In qualifying it was Mugen’s Berkan Kilic who claimed the overall TQ, but winning his Semi from Berkan’s brother Burak, Polito took pole for the 45-minute final. Finishing second to Berkan in the other Semi, Kyosho’s Renaud Savoya would split the German brothers on the grid with 3rd. In the final it would be Burak who would prove to be Polito’s closest challenge moving up to finish 2nd with Berkan completing the podium. Behind HB Racing’s Theo Lemaire took fourth from Max Hesse and fellow Frenchman Savoya. For defending champion Riccardo Bertin, it was a tough opening to the new season as he had to win the LCQ final to make the A-Main. Despite setting the fastest lap of the final, the Infinity driver would finish P13 and last. In E-Buggy it was again Berkan who took the TQ, this time being able to convert that into the win ahead of his brother and the Tekno of former Champion Marco Barufollo.

Image: Burak Kilic [Facebook]

January 7, 2023

Ongaro confirmed for Philippine Masters

The organisers of the Philippine Masters have announced back to back World Champion Davide Ongaro is confirmed to make the trip to Manila for the April 28-30 event. Ongaro is a previous winner of the Philippine Masters and the attendance of the high profile Team Associated factory driver is a major boost for the Asian 1:8 Offroad scene. As with previous editions of the race, the entry list is expected to be bolstered by further high profile driver announcements. Making its post Covid return to the international racing calendar, the Philippine Masters has established itself as one of Asia’s major international events with 2023 the 11th running of the event. Hosted by QCRCCC and directed by the voice of RC Scotty Ernst, the event takes place in the heart of the capital city at the beautiful Circulo Verde track. Already close to reaching its 120 entry capacity, the race has attracted many of Asia’s top drivers with a strong contingent of Australian racers signed up to enjoy both the racing and hospitality in Manila.

Source: Philippine Masters [philippinemastersrc.com]

January 5, 2023

Tebo joins Mayako in dual role

Jared Tebo has been announced as a new signing at 1:8 Offroad newcomers Mayako. After his departure from Tekno before Christmas it was widely rumoured the America star was headed to Mayako with the announcement finally being made today. Tebo will represent the brand both on the track and off it, filling the role of Mayako USA Community Manager as well as international factory driver. On the announcement Tebo posted, ‘Really excited to finally announce that I’m joining Mayako for 2023 and beyond. I’m excited to be a professional driver for them, and also take on the role of Mayako USA Community Manager. Working with Robert, David, Joseph and all the Mayako staff has been great so far. See you all at the track soon!’ Mayako added, ‘We are proud to continue our by welcoming our third World Champion, Jared Tebo, to our community’.

Source: Mayako [mayako.com]

January 5, 2023

Cavalieri joins Schumacher for 1:10 programme

Ryan Cavalieri is to race for Schumacher, with the news the British manufacturer has signed the high profile American racer to its 1:10 offroad race team. The multiple World Champion joins Schumacher after a 2 year stint with TLR and will be team-mate to new recruit Lee Martin and established team star Michal Orlowski. In announcing their latest significant signing, Schumacher said they, ‘are extremely pleased to welcome Ryan Cavalieri to the #SchumacherFamily. Perhaps one of the highest profile drivers in the World, Ryan is 4 x IFMAR World Champion and 30 x ROAR National Champion and will add massive presence to our USA and World 1/10th program. We said 2023 would be exciting and it is sure hotting up!’ Cavalieri, who made the surprise announcement he would be racing 1:8 Offroad with WRC Racing in 2023, added, “I’m super excited to be joining the #SchumacherFamily. I have seen a lot of growth within the team over the last few years and felt it was perfect timing to get on board. 2023 will be an exciting year of racing and I look forward it. Thanks to Muz, Robin, Tris and all of the guys for making this happen.”

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]