Red RC » R Off Road

October 1, 2010

Tamiya and Ryan Lutz part ways

In response to all the talk around the internet today about Ryan Lutz leaving Tamiya and whether they will continue their off road program, Tamiya America have sent us the following statement. “Tamiya America Inc. would like to announce that it has ended its partnership with R/C factory driver Ryan Lutz. Throughout the recent 2009 and 2010 seasons, Ryan has been piloting Tamiya’s TRF 801Xt and TRF801X across the country and around the globe. We wish Ryan the best of luck with his future endeavors with his R/C driving.”

TRF members, Rest assured Tamiya is committed to continue the development of its TRF801 nitro program along with its other programs. With your support, feedback and help we will get you the best product possible for your enjoyment. As the lead TRF driver, Ryan has been one of the most active members on the TRF website. His race blogs, his good nature, his set up advice and overall funny wit will be missed. We are left with two good years of fond memories. Our best wishes will always be with him.

Source: Tamiya [tamiyausa.com]

September 30, 2010

Pattaya Worlds track preperations in full swing

With the most anticipated event of the year, the 1/8th off road Worlds in Thailand, less than two months away and with a major test getting underway next week, the organisers have been flat out preparing the track for the event. As we can see from these photos, and as we know from models of the new layout, it is completely different from the Pre Worlds. Sporting carpet in areas, we talked with organiser Charlie Siribodhi when we were in Houston and he told us that they are preparing the most challenging track imaginable with off camber turns, large jump sections and other obstacles on this long lap. Red RC will be present throughout the entire event to bring you live coverage so be sure to stay tuned from the 7th of November.

View more photos from the track prep here

September 30, 2010

Drake does Horizon Hobby Shootout double

Horizon Hobby partnered with JTEC Racing & fun in Tilton, IL for the 3rd annual Horizon Hobby Shootout, held over 3 days last weekend. Team Losi Racing’s Adam Drake, Billy Fischer and Dakotah Phend were on hand to answer questions and provide set-up help for racers from all over the mid-west. Festivities began on Friday with open practice from 9am-9pm. Saturday was three rounds of qualifying and the main events were on Sunday. Dakotah Phend TQ’d the 1/8th truck class with his Novarossi powered Losi 8ight T 2.0, second on the grid was Adam Drake and third was Billy Fischer. In the final Dakotah and Adam were never more than a few seconds apart and traded the lead a number of times. With five minutes to go in the final Dakotah was trailing Adam by only a few seconds and pushing to make up time, but had mechanical troubles. The finishing order was Adam Drake, Sonny O and Daniel Yachnin. All three drivers were running Losi 8ight T 2.0.

Continue reading the report here

September 28, 2010

Dustin Evans takes RC Pro Mountain Division Rd3

Team Losi Racing are reporting that their drivers Dustin Evans and Matt Chambers attended the final round of the RC Pro Series Mountain Division held at Dirtworks R/C in Burlington, CO. Through qualifying Dustin was on his game and took the overall TQ spot for the main with Matt startng 2nd. The main event would prove to be an interesting battle between the two Losi team mates. At the start Dustin led with Matt in 2nd until a mistake coming on the straightaway allowed Matt to take over the lead. Matt and Dustin stayed close through the first pit stop with Matt leading until he ran out of fuel just before the second fuel stop. This allowed Dustin a comfortable 2 lap lead over Matt who held onto 2nd despite the problem. With 15 minutes to go, Dustin had a problem with a front tire and had to come into the pits for a replacement. This allowed Matt to make up valuable time and get back to within 5 seconds of Dustin. A few small bobbles allowed Matt to take over the lead until a shorter fuel strategy had him pit an extra time. Dustin would cross the finish line first with Matt in second about 10 seconds back and another Losi driven by Chris Peralta rounding out the podium in 3rd. Chris Peralta took the overall win in Expert Buggy and Expert Truggy for the RC Pro Series Mountain Division.

Source: Losi [losi.com]

September 27, 2010

Cavalieri wins buggy at Thunder Alley Gas Champs

The Thunder Alley Gas Champs took place last weekend at Thunder Alley RC Raceway in Beaumont, CA. In the 1/8th expert buggy class it was Losi racer Mike Truhe who would start the double header finals from pole position but on both occasions it was Team Associated man Ryan Cavalieri that took the win to secure the overall. In leg 1 RC won from Cody King in 2nd and Josh Wheeler in 3rd, while in leg 2, with a smaller victory margin it was again Cody in the 2 spot while Mike Truhe took 3rd. So in the overall results it was RC ahead of King in 2nd and Truhe in 3rd.

Source: Associated [rc10.com]

September 27, 2010

Tresrey Off-Road race Rd3

Round 3 of the Tresrey Off-Road race was held last Sunday at the TRS circuit in Matsusaka-city, Japan. 65 racers joined the event, making it the best attended race that the TRS circuit ever had for an off-road event with 60 entrants in the 2WD class and 53 in the 4WD class. In qualifying it was Yokomo support driver Kenji Tsuruta who managed to take TQ for both classes. Unfortunately the finals for both classes were cancelled because of heavy rain and so the final result was decided based on everyone’s qualifying result. In 2WD, Tsuruta (Yokomo B4) won the race with Noriyuki Kawashima (B4) 2nd and Akihiro Yasuda (B4) 3rd. There were 21 Durango DEX410/Rs in the 4WD class and 7 of them made the Top10. Tsuruta (Yokomo B-MAX) won the race with Akira Ema (DEX410) 2nd and Team Durango/Speed Passion Japan team driver Minoru Utsugi(DEX410) 3rd. After the award ceremony, they held a big lucky draw prize which included a DEX410 2010spec kit, Axial kit and Speed Passion ESCs, motors, and new 2.4Ghz transmitter. Special thanks to the Speed Passion and TRS.

View more images from the event here

September 25, 2010

Niclas Brunsberg joins Team Serpent

Serpent have announced that Top-level Swedish driver Niclas Brunsberg has joined Team Serpent to run the Cobra S811. The former Kyosho driver has been testing the Cobra buggy intensively at tracks he knows very well and was impressed with the handling, steering and traction the car offers. Serpent Distributor HP from Sweden, with owner Klas, will be working intensively with Niclas, and Klas will also be his mechanic at the big races. Niclas will join Billy Easton and other Serpent Cobra drivers in November when he competes at the World Championships in Thailand.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]

September 23, 2010

Johnny LoGiudice wins 2wd at JConcepts NE Champs

The JConcepts Northeast Champs attracted 160 eager racers to one of the best Indoor tracks in the Northeast, RC Excitement and with teams from Kyosho, X-Factory, Associated, Losi and TQ, there was no shortage of talent in the building. With the 2wd A-Main field hosting of road legend Brian Kinwald and Associated Hotshoe Steve Hartson, the stage was set. An epic battle began with Losi factory racer James Schlick leading the pack with Steve, Brian and Johnny LoGiudice in tow. James led for more than half of the race when a late bobble allowed Steve, Brian and Johnny through. On the last lap Steve and Brian got together allowing TQ Racing driver Johnny to slip by for the win. The race was so close that the three drivers had to wait until the finishing order was announced.

Source: TQ Racing [tqracing.net]