January 5, 2023

Evans returns to JConcepts

Dustin Evans has announced that he is returning to JConcepts.  The former Reedy Race Champion moved to Pro-Line at the beginning of 2017 but after 5-years now returns to the Florida tyre and body manufacturer as part of his 2023 package with Team Associated.  On social media, Evans, ‘Excited to announce I am back with JConcepts!  I want to thank Jason Rouna and everyone at JConcepts for the opportunity. Their commitment to the racing team and constant push to stay on top is unparalleled.  Looking forward to working hard and having a good year!”  Evans will get his 2023 season underway this weekend at the Clash of Champions race at Hoosier RC Hobbyplex in Indiana.

Source: Dustin Evans [Facebook]


January 4, 2023

Schumacher announce Martin signing

Schumacher has announced a key driver signing for 2023 with the news Lee Martin is joining their 1:10 offroad program.  The IFMAR World Championship podium finisher, EFRA European, EOS and BRCA Champion joins Michal Orlowski and Broc Champlin to give the British manufacturer a formidable offroad line-up for 2023.  With Martin departing long time chassis sponsor Yokomo at the end of 2022, he joins Schumacher in place of Joern Neumann who has moved to Sworkz.  Announcing this high profile signing, Schumacher said, ‘Lee will add some great speed and experience to the team and we are delighted to welcome him to the #SchumacherFamily’.   The highly experienced British driver added, “I am excited to be joining Schumacher Racing in 2023 and beyond. With some very fast cars and a great team, I am proud to be part of the iconic UK brand. I look forward to working closely with the engineers to continue the rapid development of the products. Thanks to Robin, Muz and Tris for the opportunity and I’m excited to work with Michal, Broc, Daniel and the rest of the #SchumacherFamily.”

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]


January 3, 2023

Tollard announced at TLR

Cole Tollard will race for Team Losi Racing in 2023 with the American brand welcoming the offroad racer as their race team’s latest recruit.  Having announced his departure just before Christmas from Team Associated after running with them for 11-years,  the popular driver’s switch TLR was widely expected.  Announcing his arrival, TLR posted, ‘We would like to welcome Cole Tollard to the TLR Race team.  Fast, friendly, and fierce, Cole brings a wealth of knowledge, a ton of speed, and a whole lot of fun to the TLR team! 2023 is going to be awesome, welcome Cole Tollard’.  Sharing the news on his on Facebook page, Cole added, “Super excited for this opportunity! Thank you to everyone that has helped me along the way.  It has been an amazing journey!  Cheers to 2023!”.

Source: Team Losi Racing [Facebook]


January 1, 2023

Red Racing to power Rivkin’s 1:8 programme

Italian engine brand Reds Racing has announced that US Offroad Road star Spencer Rivkin is to use their engines to power his 1:8 programme for the next two years.  The factory Team Associated driver, who had been running Drake engines in 2022, will debut his new power units at the Southern Indoor Championship in Alabama in two weeks time.  Posting on his own social media, Rivkin said, ‘So excited to announce I’ll be with Reds Racing for 2023 and 2024!  Thank you to everyone at the Reds Factory welcoming to the family and giving me an opportunity to perform at a high level.  My first event SIC.  #letsgo.”  The 1:10 Offroad World Champion also acknowledged the support of Drake adding, “I’d also like to reflect on the Drake family for all the help and support for 2022.  Lots of fun memories good results that won’t be forgotten.  The relationships you build in this hobby are priceless and I can’t thank them enough for everything they did for me.”

Source: Reds Racing [reds-racing.com]


January 1, 2023

Neumann joins 1:10 team for full Sworkz package

As widely predicted following his departure from Schumacher earlier in the week, Joern Neumann has been announced as a driver for Sworkz’ 1:10 Offroad programme.  Already representing the brand in 1:8, the German will now use their entire range of offroad kits in his 2023 race campaign.   In the press release revealing the news, Sworkz stated, ‘It’s a real pleasure to announce that multiple champion Jörn Neumann is joining SWORKz 1:10 Factory team’.  Team boss Max Sonnleitner added it was, “Amazing that Jörn is now also using our products in 1:10.  His knowledge and experience will help the whole team for sure!”  The multiple 1:10 European Champion said, “After being with SWORKz in 1:8 for many years, I decided to join also in 1:10.  Sworkz is already doing a great job there and I am sure we will achieve top results in the future.”

Source: MW RC Cars [mwrccars.at]


December 31, 2022

RC Indoor Arena to host opening round of Swiss 1:10 Offroad Nationals

The newly opened RC Indoor Arena in Wädenswil, Switzerland, is to host the opening round of the Swiss 1:10 Offroad National Championships.  The 600m2 offroad track which is equipped with new EOS carpet, will host the event over the weekend of January 21-23 with Saturday’s programme made up of 1:10 2WD Buggy while Sunday will see 4WD Buggy and 2WD truck action.  While a round of the Swiss National Championship, the race is open to drivers who do not hold a Swiss Federation licence.  Race registration is via myrcm.ch .

Source: RC Indoor Arena [rc-indoor-arena.ch]


December 31, 2022

Cavalieri joins WRC Racing

In a month that has been filled with driver announcements, the biggest surprise of them all has come in the form of Offroad superstar Ryan Cavalieri being announced as a factory driver with WRC Racing.   The Italian brand, who have the SBX-2 1:8 Buggy platform, simply posted an image of the multiple World Champion on their Facebook page with the simple text ‘Ryan Cavalieri welcome to the WRC factory team!’.  Recently the company announced a number of Team Managers across the US, with Cavalieri now the icing on the cake in terms of brand expansion in this key offroad market.

Source: WRC Racing [wrc-racing.com]


December 30, 2022

Martin announces departure from Yokomo

Lee Martin has announced his departure from Yokomo.  The news the British driver will not continue with the Japanese brand into 2023 is the second such announcement in recent days with Ryan Maifield also out of their factory squad.  Martin spent nine years representing the brand collecting plenty of championship titles in that time and was particularly important in establishing the brand in Europe in more recent years.  Making the announcement on social media in which he hints a new manufacturer announcement is imminent, the multiple European Champion said, ‘With 2022 almost over, it’s time to say a massive thank you to Yokomo as our time together has come to an end. We have spent a fantastic 9 years together and brought some fantastic results, products, experiences and more! 3 x EOS series championships, 2 x European championships, BRCA National Championships and IFMAR worlds podiums to name a few.  I would like to thanks Mr. Tom Yokobori for trusting me back in 2014 to lead the charge and then of course Shinno for being by my side throughout our time there together. We built a great team and made so many friends.  I have some exciting news coming, so don’t think you have seen the end of me on the top step! 2023 is going to be a good year and it starts very soon’.

Source: Lee Martin [instagram]