November 1, 2008

Garrigou is French Classic Champion

More 1/8th scale 2wd Classic news, this time from France which saw Gilles Garrigou wrap up the 2008 National title at the final race in Bourg en Bresse. Driving his DXF Primo throughout the year, Gilles had this to say:

I am very happy to have captured my first title after 24 years running in the same category. My thanks go to DXF competition for the super racing car they have created and also because they have offered me the new DXF Streto Vortex to run in the 2009 season. I also want to thank Kit models for their help all this year and especially Eric Lecour for his help at every race. And finally RB engines for supplying me with excellent product throughout the season.

November 1, 2008

Nicola Ometto wins Monte-Carlo Cup

The first Monte-Carlo Cup, of which hopes to become an annual event on the classic calendar was run recently on the La Turbie track in the hills above Monte-Carlo. Qualifying for the event saw an Italian domination with Simone Giordano taking the pole position with his Mantua Intrepid from Motonica driver Emanuele Oberto in 2nd and Nicola Ometto, driving another Mantua in 3rd. The start of the 60 minute final saw a good start at the front, but problems for pole man Giordano dropped him down the order. This allowed Ometto to break away at the front and he was able to pull out a commanding lead to win by 7 laps ahead of Simone Zanon in 2nd and Massimo Poldi in 3rd, all driving the Mantua, which in fact took the first 7 positions in the final.

Source: Automodellismo [automodellismo.net]

October 31, 2008

Jacky Mouton joins Kyosho & Novarossi

We have received notification from Jacky Mouton that the front running French man has joined Kyosho and Novarossi for the 2009 season. Previously running Serpent and RB, which has has done for a number of seasons, the owner of Jacky Modelisme will contest the French 1/10th scale Nationals as well as a number of international races next year for his new sponsors.

October 30, 2008

Robert Pietsch to use Sanwa RC Products

Robert Pietsch joins ATS Tyres

It has been officially announced that Robert Pietsch has changed to Sanwa R/C products. From the beginning of next season the nationally and internationally successful Nitro Champion will use the Sanwa Exzes Plus transmitter along with the Sanwa range of servos and receivers. The decisive factor for this change came at a test held in September which made up Roberts mind:

I tested the new 2.4GHz FSSS system and was suprised that it is absolutely capable of keeping up with current FM Technology. Until now I was sceptical because i had already had problems with various other 2.4GHz systems. But Sanwa seems to have really mastered 2.4GHz technology.

Source: LRP [lrp.cc]

October 30, 2008

Adrien Bertin takes victory in Grenoble

Held on the famous track of Grenoble, the French 1/8 On-Road Championship saw Kyosho CRF team driver Adrien Bertin TQ easily by more than 6 seconds ahead of promising French driver Jerome Papaconstantinos. In the final, Adrien got a perfect start and pulled away from the field and after building up a one lap cushion on the 2nd placed driver Stephane Bouche after only 10 minutes, the former World Champion cruised to the victory. In second place was Bouche who placed ahead of Shepherd team mate Laurent Pageneau who drove a very consistent race to take 3rd in front of newly crowned National champion Adrien Siegfried.

Source: Team Orion [teamorion.com]

October 30, 2008

2009 Snowbirds Schedule Announced

The organisers of the Largest RC race in the World, the Snowbird Nationals have been in touch to announce that the 2009 Speed Week schedule is posted on the event website. Along with the schedule, racers can also read about all the great news so far leading up to the annual event, which is being held Jan 27th-Feb 1st 2009 in Orlando, Florida. Vintage Trans Ams, SK Cars, the Thunder 600, the initial Sponsor lineup, FastLaps practice machine, and more, already announced.

Visit the event website here.

October 28, 2008

Spiniello & Balestri win Novarossi Trophy

The 2008 Novarossi trophy was held this past weekend in Gubbio, Italy and it was Team Magic driver Mario Spiniello and Motonica driver Dario Balestri that took the wins in both 1/10th and 1/8th scale classes respectively. In 1/8th scale there was a great performance from Balestri, who starting from 5th on the grid, made a great start to get up to 2nd after lap one and only taking 2 more laps to pass Serpent racer Andrea Cristiani for the lead. Dario could hold onto the lead despite an extra fuel stop to win by less than 4 seconds from Cristiani in 2nd and Giordano Agostinelli in 3rd. In the 1/10th scale it was Giuseppe Musolino that started on pole but after 2 laps it was Spiniello who took over at the front where he controlled the race to the end, winning by over a lap. The final moments of the race saw a big battle between runner up Musolino and a recovering Raimondo Gilletti with less than a second seperating the pair at the end as they crossed the line.

October 28, 2008

Alan Bickerstaff is ITCS Champion

The third & final round of the Garmin/Sqeez backed Irish Touring Car Series took place in Fermoy, Co.Cork over the weekend where Alan Bickerstaff took victory to become the 2008 Champion at the controls of his Associated TC5. With Rounds 1 & 2 of the RCCAOI sanctioned series run outdoor on tarmac, the title deciding leg moved indoor to carpet where once again it was Bickerstaff who set the pace in qualifying maintaining his 100% TQ record. The Round 1 winner secured pole ahead of the Xray of Graham Kenny and Round 2 winner Stephen Hill who was driving a Hot Bodies. Needing victory in Leg 1 of the final to secure the inaugural ITC Series title Bickerstaff did just that winning from Kenny and Hill. In Leg 2 the newly crowned champion again broke clear of the pack but a mistake dropped him down the order leaving Kenny to lead.  However with two laps to go Bickerstaff was all over the rear of the leader’s car and the pressure forced Kenny to make an error allowing the new champion to take his fifth leg win from the six that made up the 2008 Series. The final podium in Fermoy was how it also ended up in the final championship standings with Kenny claiming Vice Champion honours and Hill taking third, their efforts each rewarded with a Garmin Sat Nav and a Dublin Crystal trophy.  With 41 drivers registering points in the ITC Series 2008 has been a very successful season for 1:10 EP Touring Car racing in Ireland and 2009 looks set to be even stronger.

Click more for the final results… content

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