Red RC » R On Road

February 3, 2025

Castellanos & Bruneau win at FORGASS Rd3

On the week before the prestige annual Florida Winternats event, the third round of the long running Florida Onroad Gas State Series (FORGASS) was held at the Nuggets Ranch Raceway in Arcadia, Florida. With many racers using it as practice for the upcoming 49th running of the Winternats, there was a good attendance and in 1:10 Sedan it was the Infinity of Junior Castellanos that dominant all weekend. Topping every qualifier to start the half hour final as Top Qualifier, Castellanos pulled clear of his rivals in the race having a 2-lap advantage over Will Carrera, debuting his new Capricorn LAB C04, at the finish. Despite suffering multiple setbacks in the race, Infinity driver Jerry Guerra was able to recover and steal third place to complete the podium. In 1:8 Open, it was Shepherd driver Alex Esser who set the early qualifying pace but setting the fastest 4-minute time in the 3rd of the four qualifiers Capricorn driver Joachim Bruneau took the TQ ahead of Esser. While Esser would get to the front and lead for the majority of the final, he retired with 5-minutes to go handing the lead and win to Bruneau with the Mugen Seiki of Steve Hernandez finishing second as nitro onroad stalwart Greg Esser’s Shepherd filled the final step on the podium.

View 1:8 podium here

February 2, 2025

Hagberg doubles at Snowbird Nationals

Xray’s Alexander Hagberg has doubled at the world famous Snowbird Nationals in Orlando, Florida, the Swede becoming the new Modified 1:12 and Touring Car Champion at the 31st edition of the race. With 2024 1:12 Champion Donny Lia not attending this year’s event, the battle in 1:12 would be between former World Champion Hagberg, World Championship Top Qualifier Kemp Anderson and ROAR Champion Keven Herbert. Over the 4 rounds of qualifying Hagberg set the fastest time in Q3 to secure the TQ ahead of Anderson’s Awesomatix which also had its best run in the penultimate round. Over the single 8-minute A-Main Hagberg led from tone to tone and while Anderson and Hebert swapped position early on, it was the former who finished runner-up almost 1- lap down. In Touring Car, defending Champion Hebert would line up third as Hagberg secured the TQ from MonTech New York Grand Prix Anderson. Over the 5-minute race decider, setting the fastest lap of the race Hagberg would extend his advantage over Anderson by 3.4-seconds, the Top 5 positions on the grid remaining unchanged at the finish.

Image: Alexander Hagberg [Facebook]

January 31, 2025

Lee announced as Xray Asia Pacific Team Manager

Continuing to expand his off track racing duties Singapore Electric Touring Car racer Nicolas Lee has been announced as the Asia Pacific Team Manager for Slovakian chassis manufacturer Xray. Lee, who joined Xray for the 2025 season after a long stint with Yokomo, is not stranger to the team manage role having been announced in a similar role with his electronics sponsors Hobbywing at the beginning of the 2024 season. Additionally he is is also one of the organisers of his home country’s annual high profile eSIC International Touring Car race. Announcing his appointment Xray posted, ‘In this vital role, Nicholas will oversee and coordinate with drivers and customers to ensure optimal performance during events. His extensive experience will be instrumental as we continue to pursue excellence in every competition. Nicholas’s passion for racing and dedication to teamwork align seamlessly with our vision for the future. We are excited to have him lead our efforts as we prepare for the upcoming championships and events.’

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

January 29, 2025

Xray confirms Champions return for MIBO International

Xray has confirmed that two of its MIBO International Champions will return to the third annual running of the Czech indoor onroad/offroad race early next month. Inaugural Pro-Stock Champion Adam Izsay returns and the recent GP3F winner will not only look to retake the Pro-Stock title Xray has won at the previous two editions but he will also step up to compete in the Modified class against the likes of Schumacher’s reigning Champion Michal Orlowski and the Mugen Seiki of inaugural Champion Ronald Volker. In Offroad, defending 4WD Champion Bartek Zalewski, who really made a name for himself at last year’s MIBO International, heads the Slovakian manufacturer’s quest for a third consecutive 4WD title on the offroad track. Bruno Coelho was the winner at the first running of the event that is organised by former top international Czech touring car racer Michal Bok and his well known RC company Mibosport. A sell-out event, the 2025 MIBO International will be very much a family affair for Xray with company founder Juraj Hudy one of 5 of the Hudy family’s three generations who will be racing at the Sport V Hotel based event on February 7-9th.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]

January 27, 2025

Lee joins RaceformRC as Ambassador & Team Manager

Singapore RC accessories brand RaceformRC, best known for its tyre gluing and body marking jigs, has announced the signing of top international Singapore racer Nicholas Lee as its brand ambassador and team manager. Lee who is a team driver for Xray and is also one of the organisers of his home country’s annual high profile eSIC International Touring Car race, will leverage his expertise and experience to elevate the RaceformRC brand and to setup a team of racers along side. On the announcement, Terence Low, Founder and Designer of RaceformRC, said “We are very happy to sign Nicholas Lee after working on a couple for successful projects. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having achieved so many successful races and accomplishments till date. His meticulous attention to detail aligns perfectly with RaceformRC’s commitment to innovation and our instinctive designs.” Lee added, “RaceformRC is an innovative brand coming from Singapore, and I am proud to use their products and represent their brand. Thanks to Terence for the opportunity to represent the brand.”

Source: Raceform RC [raceformrc.com]

January 26, 2025

Orlowski retains ETS title with win No.4 in Daun

Michal Orlowski has retained his ETS title, the Schumacher driver claiming the championship with one round to go after notching up his 4th win of the season at Round 4 in Daun, Germany. Securing the TQ after topping the times in the opening 3 of the four qualifiers, the Pole held off the new Mugen Seiki MTC3 of Ronald Volker to win the first of the A-Mains on Saturday evening. In A2 on Sunday morning again Volker showed great pace setting the fastest lap but Orlowski stayed out front to take the win and with it his second ETS title. Winning A3, former ETS Champion Volker finished 2nd overall to return to the podium for the first time this season. Qualifying P3, recent GP3F winner Marc Rheinard completed the podium ahead of Awesomatix team-mate Simon Lauter and the leading Xray of Adam Iszay. In Pro Stock Mugen Seiki would get the win thanks to Sören Sparbier who claimed his first ETS success securing the TQ and victory ahead of Iszay and Round 1 & 3 winner Lukas Ellebrock. In FWD, Schumacher driver Márk Valent took the TQ and win to give the Hungarian a 5-point championship lead over Yokomo’s Frederik Hovgaard with one round remaining.

Image: ETS [Facebook]

January 22, 2025

Tamiya Championship Series 2025 Schedule

A brand that has started the journey into RC racing for the majority of us, Tamiya’s Championship Series enters into its 30th edition in 2025 with Tamiya USA publishing the schedule of 13 races that take in 10 different states. First established in 1995, 303 races run since then, the latest series keeps off next month with Race No. 304 at J&S RC W/NORA Carpet Racers in Washington State. The TCS will culminate with a 14th & final race, the TCS Race Finals. While the venue and date of the finals are still to be confirmed, last year’s final hosted in August at Cal Raceway in California. Racers can compete over 6 classes, GT Spec Novice, GT-2, GT-1, M-Chassis, F1 Rubber Tire, GT PRO Spec, Euro Semi-Truck GT and GT-E details of which can be found by here. With Tamiya renowned for its body shell details and realistic looks, the winners of “Best of Show”, the award for the best-looking vehicle, will receive an R/C body set plus a TCS Coin of Best of Show Achievement.

View full schedule here

January 22, 2025

Mugen Seiki confirm Volker for MIBO International

Inaugural MIBO International Champions Mugen Seiki has confirmed that their lead driver Ronald Volker will return to the Czech race for a third consecutive year next month. In 2023 Volker won the first edition of MIBO International and last year returned finishing runner up to victor Michal Orlowski, the Polish racer already confirmed for his attempt retain his Touring Car title and add an offroad title at the February 7-9th race. Hosted by Mibosport, which is owned by former top international Czech touring car racer Michal Bok, MIBO International is unique event in that two side by side tracks bring together both onroad and offroad racing. The 3rd edition of the event, which is staged in the Sports V Hotel in Hrotovice, the 250 entries includes factory team drivers from Schumacher, Sworkz, Yokomo, Team Associated, Mugen Seiki and Xray.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]